Renewal of period of stay
Before your period of stay expires, you must go to the Immigration Bureau to renew your period of stay. Applications can be made up to three months before the expiration date. If you are eligible, please apply at International Division.
What you need for the procedure
- Application for extension of period of stay (International Division will explain how to apply.)
- Student registration certificate (please issue it yourself through the certificate issuing service)
- Transcript of academic records (please issue it yourself through the certificate issuing service)
- passport
- Copy of your residence card (front and back)
- Proof of ability to pay tuition fees and living expenses in Japan
(Documents that show the status of activities outside the scope of your status, such as a scholarship certificate, a copy of your bankbook, a certificate of employment from your part-time job, or a pay slip) - Fee payment slip (with 4,000 yen revenue stamp affixed) (Necessary when receiving your new residence card)
- Photo (4cm x 3cm): 1 piece for residence card
*Depending on the case, documents other than those listed above may be required.
Note!!
The "Student" visa does not allow you to work part-time. However, if you have to work part-time for unavoidable reasons, you will need to obtain a "Permission to Engage in Activities Other Than Those Permitted Under the Status of Residence Permitted". Please note that if you are found to be working part-time without permission, you will be subject to punishment and may be fined or deported by the Immigration Bureau.
How to get "Permission to Engage in Activities Other Than Those Permitted by Your Status of Residence"
This is done at the same time as the "Application for Permission to Renew Status of Residence" and you will be issued a "Permission to Engage in Activities Other Than Those Granted." However, please be aware that if your credit acquisition status in the previous year is not good, your application may not be approved.
Restrictions on the "Permission to Engage in Activities Other Than Those Permitted by the Status of Residence Permit"
International students who have been granted permission to engage in activities other than those permitted under their visa status can work up to 28 hours per week. During long vacations (summer, winter, and spring), they can work 8 hours per day. However, they must obtain a certificate of long vacation from the university. For more information, please contact International Division.
Working in adult entertainment establishments or adult entertainment-related establishments, or working part-time in areas where adult entertainment-related businesses exist, is prohibited.
Please make sure to carry your "Permission to Engage in Activities Other Than Those Permitted Under the Status of Residence Previously Granted" and "Alien Registration Card" with you to your part-time job.
*Due to an increase in crimes committed by foreign students with "study abroad" or "school" visas, the Immigration Bureau is cracking down on them more strictly. Please be sure to observe the above restrictions.
Change of status of residence
An international student is someone who has a "student" visa. Students residing in Japan with a "family stay" or "spouse of a Japanese national" visa are not considered international students.
In order to apply for scholarships and other programs for international students, you must have a "Student" status of residence.
When you leave the university due to graduation, completion, withdrawal, etc.
- If you leave the university due to graduation, completion, withdrawal, etc., you will be required to report this to the Tokyo Immigration Bureau. For more information, please ask at International Division.
- Even if you have left the university due to graduation, completion, withdrawal, etc., you cannot continue to stay in Japan with a "student" status. Even if you have remaining period of stay, you must return to your home country immediately or apply for a different visa (if you wish to continue residing for a different purpose).
If you are continuing to stay in Japan for job hunting etc.
If you intend to continue your stay in Japan for job hunting or other reasons, you will need to change your status of residence to "Designated Activities" as soon as possible. A letter of recommendation from your university is required to apply, so be sure to consult with International Division before graduating (there are certain conditions for applying for a letter of recommendation). Please be aware that if you continue to stay in Japan after graduation without changing your status of residence, you will be considered an "illegal resident."