Office of International Relations

Formalities (off-campus, as of September 16, 2022)

MENU
A. Immigration
  1. When you come to Japan to take an entrance examination:
  2. When you come to Japan to be admitted to IST:

    (1) Application for "Certificate of Eligibility"

  3. When you are admitted to IST during your stay in Japan:

    (1) Application for Extension of Period of Stay
    (2) Application for Change of Status of Residence

  4. During your enrollment in IST:

    (1) Application for Extension of Period of Stay
    (2) Temporal Departure from Japan
    (3) Permission to Engage in Activity other than that permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted (Permission of part-time Job engagement)

  5. When you complete your study and research:

    (1) When you work in Japan after your completion
    (2) When you stay in Japan for job hunting
    (3) When the period of stay expires few days or months before your completion

  6. When you stay in Japan with your family members:

    (1)Application for "Certificate of Eligibility" (Status: Dependent)
    (2) Application for Extension of Period of Stay (Status: Dependent)

B. Formalities at the City Office
  1. Resident Registration
    (1) Initial Registration
    * In case of newborn baby
    (2) Change of Registration
    (3) Certificate of Residence
  2. National Health Insurance
A. Immigration
  • "Visa" and "Status of Residence"
Please note that the visa itself does not guarantee permission to enter (visit) Japan but is only one of the requirements in obtaining an application for entering Japanese territory from the airport or seaport upon the arrival.
If you want to visit or stay in Japan, you have to hold a status of residence depending on your activities in Japan. There are limitations on activities in each status of residence. Japanese embassy or consulate abroad will issue a visa that is suitable for status of residence.
  • Immigration Bureau
(1) Regional Immigration Bureau
  1. Residents in Tokyo, Saitama and Chiba
    Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau
    5-5-30 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0075
    Tel: 03-5796-7111
    • by Bus "Shinagawa Futo Junkan" from JR "Shinagawa" Sta. (Konan-Guchi (East) Exit), get off at "Tokyo Nyukoku-Kanrikyoku Mae" stop
    • 15 min. walk from "Tennozu Isle" Sta. of Tokyo Mono-rail or Sta. of Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit that is linked to JR Saikyo Line.
    Branch Offices are located in Tachikawa, Tokyo, Saitama and Chiba.
  2. Residents in Kanagawa
    Yokohama District Immigration Office, Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau
    Yokohama Chiho Godo Bldg., 37-9 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa 231-0023
    Tel: 045-661-5118
    • 10 min. walk from JR "Ishikawa-cho" Sta.
(2) Office Hours
  • Monday through Friday (except national holidays, the year end and new year holidays)
  • 9:00-12:00 and 13:00-16:00
(3) Immigration Information Center
The Centers provide information and consulting services on immigration matters. If you have any questions, please visit or call the center. You are able to get information and advices at the Immigration Information Center. Services are available in Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, etc.
  1. Tokyo
    5-5-30, Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0075
    Tel: 03-5796-7112
  2. Yokohama
    5F Yokohama Chiho Godo Bldg., 37-9 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa 231-0023
    Tel: 045-651-2851 and 2852
  3. Office Hours
    Monday through Friday (except national holidays, the year end and new year holidays)
    9:00-12:00 and 13:00-16:00
The University of Tokyo offers "Visa Consulting Service" to our registered international students and researchers.
Please use the latest version. (The application documents will need to be stamped with the seal of the graduate school.)
1. When you come to Japan to take an entrance examination:
If there is no "Reciprocal Visa Exemption Arrangements" between Japan and your country, please get a "Short-Term Stay visa" for examination. It is not required to get a "Certificate of Eligibility". An immigration officer at the airport or seaport will stamp on your passport the "landing permission" to stay for 15, 30 or 90 days. (Landing permission is not a visa.)
If you enter Japan with "Short-Term Stay visa" for examination, in principle, you cannot change your status of residence in Japan.
2. When you come to Japan to be admitted to IST:
When you are admitted to our Graduate School and come to Japan, you have to get a "College Student" visa at a Japanese Embassy or Consulate before coming to Japan. Since it usually takes time to get a visa, our University will deputize for applying for a "Certificate of Eligibility" which makes your visa formalities go smoothly, to Tokyo Immigration Bureau at your request.
(1) Application for Certificate of Eligibility
For applying a Certificate of Eligibility, degree course students (Master's or Doctoral students) are advised to contact their supervising professors and non-degree program students (Research students) are requested to contact the Office of International Relations (OIR).
The following documents are required:
  1. Application forms for Certificate of Eligibility---Part 1, Part2 P ("College Student"/"Pre-college Student") and Part3 P ("College Student"/"Pre-college Student")
  2. A photograph---40mm(h)x30mm(w); written your name and nationality on the back.
  3. A copy of your passport---your name, photo and identification number must be shown.
  4. A copy of Admission Certificate issued by our Graduate School.
  5. Stamp fee 400 yen---you are able to pay after arriving at the University.
  6. Documents that describe financial conditions for staying in Japan
    ---e.g. Certificate of Scholarship, Copies of Bankbook, etc. Depending on the situation, you will be requested to submit.
3. When you are admitted to IST during your stay in Japan:
If you are living in Japan with one status of residence when you are admitted to our Graduate School, you need to apply for "Extension of Period of Stay in Japan" or "Change of Status of Residence" to the Immigration Bureau.
(1) Application for Extension of Period of Stay
If your present status of residence is "College Student" you must apply. You are able to apply three months before the expiry date.
The following documents are required:
  1. Application forms for "Extension of Period of Stay"---Part 1, Part2 P ("College Student"/"Pre-college Student") and Part3 P ("College Student"/"Pre-college Student")
  2. Passport
  3. Resident Card
  4. A copy of Admission Certificate issued by our Graduate School.
  5. Certificate of Enrollment
  6. Academic Transcript (for degree-course students) or Certificate of Research Subject (for research students)
  7. Documents that describe financial conditions for staying in Japan
    ---e.g. Certificate of Scholarship, Copies of Bankbook, etc. Depending on the situation, you will be requested to submit.
  8. Charge (stamp tax) 4,000 yen
(2) Application for Change of Status of Residence
If your present status of residence is not "College Student" you must apply. You are able to receive all services the University offers to the international students when you are holding a status of "College Student".
The following documents are required:
  1. Application forms for "Change of Status of Residence"---Part 1, Part2 P ("College Student"/"Pre-college Student") and Part3 P ("College Student"/"Pre-college Student")
  2. Passport
  3. Resident Card
  4. A copy of Admission Certificate issued by our Graduate School.
  5. Documents that describe financial conditions for staying in Japan
    ---e.g. Certificate of Scholarship, Copies of Bankbook, etc. Depending on the situation, you will be requested to submit.
  6. Charge (stamp tax) 4,000 yen
4. During your enrollment in IST:
(1) Application for Extension of Period of Stay
You are able to apply three months before the expiry date.
The following documents are required:
  1. Application forms for "Extension of Period of Stay"---Part 1, Part2 P ("College Student"/"Pre-college Student") and Part3 P ("College Student"/"Pre-college Student")
  2. Passport
  3. Resident Card
  4. Certificate of Enrollment
  5. Academic Transcript (for degree-course students) or Certificate of Research Subject (for research students)
  6. Certificate of Withdrawal from the non-degree program, if you changed your student status from "research student" to "master's or doctoral course student" during the current period of stay.
  7. Documents that describe financial conditions for staying in Japan
    ---e.g. Certificate of Scholarship, Copies of Bankbook, etc. Depending on the situation, etc.
  8. Charge (stamp tax) 4,000 yen
When youextend your stay, your Resident Card will be renewed so please make sure to check with the city office.
(2) Temporal departure from Japan
Re-entry permission is permission which is granted prior to departure by the Minister of Justice in order to simplify the immigration (entry and landing) procedures in cases where foreign nationals residing in Japan temporarily depart from Japan and intend to re-enter Japan.

If you re-enter Japan within one year (or by the expiration date of the status of residence) after leaving Japan provisionally, and continue the same activity in Japan, "special re-entry permit" is applied.

If the period of your authorized stay is more than one year, and you will leave then re-enter Japan more than one year later to continue the same activity, you must obtain a "Re-entry Permit" before you leave Japan.
  • Re-entry Permit
The following documents are required:
  1. Application form for "Re-entry Permit"
  2. Passport
  3. Resident Card
  4. Charge (stamp tax) 3,000 yen for single entry; 6,000 yen for multi entries
  • Special Re-entry Permit

    International students in possession of a valid passport and resident card who will be reentering Japan within one year of departure to continue their activities in Japan, in principle, will not require a re-entry permit(this is called a special re-entry permit).

    However, if your period of stay expires within one year of temporarily leaving Japan, please make sure to re-enter Japan before the expiration of your period of stay.

    Please make sure to tick the correct box on the Embarkation and Disembarkation Card for Re-entrants if using this free system.

    https://www.isa.go.jp/en/applications/guide/minashisainyukoku.html

    https://www.isa.go.jp/en/publications/materials/re-ed_index.html
※You need to submit "Notice of Travel" or "Nortice of Return" to your department office
(3) Permission to Engage in Activity other than that permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted (Permission of part-time Job engagement)
"College Student" status holders are unable to work for money. With this permission, you are able to work on the following conditions:
  1. There is a limit on working hours. You can work within 28 hours a week during the semester and 8 hours a day during long school breaks such as summer holidays.
  2. If you want to engage in part-time job even in your lab, you have to get a permit.
  3. Never be engaged in the sex industry and entertainment business (e.g. pachinko).
  4. If you have a plan to engage in a part-time job, you are able to apply for the permission in advance.
  5. The period of validity of this permission is the same as your visa validity period.
Even if "College Student" status student has the permission, it is the illegal act to work with pay during a leave of absense.
You must apply for the permission by yourself.
For more details, please refer to the following:
5. When you complete your study and research:
(1) When you work in Japan after your completion
You have to apply for "Change of Status of Residence". You need to contact with your employer.
The following documents are required:
  1. Application forms for "Change of Status of Residence"---Part 1, Part2 and Part3 (Forms of Part2 and 3 are different according your purpose of residence)
  2. Passport
  3. Curriculum Vitae
  4. Certificate of Graduation / Diploma
  5. Reason Letter for Application
  6. Resident Card
  7. Copy of Employment Contract
  8. Other documents prepared by the employer
  9. Charge (stamp tax) 4,000 yen
(2) When you stay in Japan for job-hunting

If an international student with a status of residence of "College Student" wishes to continue to stay in Japan after graduating or completion (graduation after obtaining a degree) for employment activities, if a recommendation from the University of Tokyo is obtained, you can apply for a change of status of residence to "Designated Activities". If permitted by immigration, you can stay for 6 months. In addition, if the renewal application is approved based on the application documents (job hunting status, etc.), you can stay for another 6 months (up to 1 year in total).

Please be reminded that you have to change your status of residence when you leave the university.
The following documents are required:
  1. Application forms for "Change of Status of Residence"---Part 1, Part2 H (Short term stay)
  2. Recommendation Letter from the University---With this letter, you may be able to apply for extension of period of stay with "Designated Activities" status. Application forms are available at the International Students Team (Eng.Bldg.8)
  3. Passport
  4. Resident Card
  5. Charge (stamp tax) 4,000 yen
*When you receive informal job offer during your stay with "Short Term Stay" status and will be officially employed within one year after your completion of study
You are able to apply for changing your status of residence to "Designated Activities" and with this status you are able to stay in Japan until you are officially employed (within one year after your completion of study.)
(3) When the period of stay expires few days or months before your completion
You are unable to apply for extension of period of stay, but you are able to apply for change of status of residence from "College Student" to "Designated Activities".
Before applying you are advised to consult with UT Visa Consulting Service.
6. When you stay in Japan with your family members:
(1) Application for Certificate of Eligibility (Status: Dependent)
When your family members (your spouse and children) will stay with you, they can get long-stay visa which status is "Dependent". You may apply for the "Certificate of Eligibility" for your family members to the Immigration Office in Japan. With this residence status, your family members are permitted to stay as long as your period of stay.
The needed documents are listed here.
Application Forms for Certificate of Eligibility---Part 1 and Part2 R ("Dependent")
Please be reminded that your parents, brothers, sisters or relatives are not able to get "Dependent" status. If they want to come to Japan they only apply for short-stay visa with which they will be permitted to stay for 15 or 90 days.
"Dependent" status holders are not permitted to work for money without "Permission to Engage in Activity other than that permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted (Permission of part-time Job engagement)".
(2) Application for Extension of Period of Stay (Status: Dependent)
The following documents are required:
  1. Application Forms for "Extension of Period of Stay"---Part 1 and Part2 R ("Dependent")
  2. Passport and Resident Card of applicant
  3. Your
    1. Passport and Resident Card
    2. Certificate of Enrollment
    3. Documents that describe financial conditions for staying in Japan
      ---e.g. Certificate of Scholarship, Copies of Bankbook, etc.
    4. Charge (Stamp Tax) 4,000 yen
Your family members are permitted to stay as long as your period of stay.
B. Formalities at the City Office
1. Resident Registration:
(1) Initial Registration
  1. Non-Japanese nationals who plan to stay in Japan for 90 days and more must do "resident registration" with the municipal office in district where they live within 14 days of arrival.
  2. Needed Documents:
    1. Resident Card
    2. Passport
* In case of newborn baby
  1. Submit Notification of Birth to the City Office within 14 days of the birth.
    Needed documents:
    1. Notification of birth
    2. Certificate of birth issued by the medical doctor
    3. Maternity record book
  2. Apply for a passport for a baby at the embassy of your country.
  3. Apply for Status of Residence and Period of Stay at the regional Immigration Bureau within 30 days of the birth.
    1. Application forms for Certificate of Eligibility---Part 1 and Part 2 R (Dependent)
    2. Documents to certify the birth---document which certifies that "Notification of Birth" has already submitted, Maternity record book, etc.
    3. Questionnaire
  4. Apply for Resident Registration within 60 days of the birth.
    1. Application form
    2. Certificate which certifies that "Notification of Birth" has been completed
    3. Passport if available
  5. Report the acquisition of status and period of stay to the City Office, bringing the passport and the resident card of the baby when the Certificate of Eligibility is issued after receiving the resident card.
  6. Please refer here for Pregnancy, Childbirth & Child Care

(2) Change of Registration
  1. When you have changes in the registered items (address, name, nationality, status of residence, period of stay, etc.) you must report the changes to the City Office within 14 days of the change.
  2. When you move into a new residence, you must make your moving-in notification at a city office in your new area of residency and moving-out notification at the city office of your old address.
(3) Certified Copy of Resident Register
  1. It certifies the registered contents of your resident registration. It will be issued at your request (charge: 200-300 yen per copy).
You have to always carry your Resident Card with you. When you are requested to present your card by the public officials you are obliged to show it.
When you leave Japan without a re-entry permit, you are requested to surrender your Foreign Registration Card at the passport control.

(1)

If you are staying in Japan for one year and more, you have to join the National Health Insurance Program. If you have "College Student" status, you must join the Program even if you are planning to stay in Japan less than one year.

(2)

If your family members are going to stay in Japan for one year and more, they must join the program as well.

(3)

When you join the program, the Insurance Certificate Card will be issued. The insurance premium you have to pay is calculated according to your household income last year and the number of family members. The bill will be mailed to your residence. You need to pay the premium at banks, post offices, or the city office by the designated date shown on the bill.

(4)

In case of international students, the premium will be reduced at your report of income. You have to submit a report of income for reduction every year. The fixed amount of insurance premium you have to pay will be notified by mail after your reporting of income.

(5)

When you change your address, please visit the city office in your new area of residency.

(6)

When you receive medical treatment under the program showing your certificate, 70%of the medical costs will be paid by the insurance. You only pay 30% of total costs. But this program is not applicable for pregnancy, child birth and certain medical treatment such as dental treatment, cosmetic surgery, etc.

(7)

Special amount of money will be paid when you give birth, when you have to stay in a hospital and bear an extraordinary account of medical expenses.

(8)

When you leave Japan after your completion of study, you need to return the insurance card to the city office.

(9)

The insurance card is very important as one of your ID Card. Before the period of validity shown on the card, a new card will be mailed to you. Please carefully check your mailbox.
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