Japan VISA, Residence Card and Residence Status

1-1. Application for Japanese VISA

To enter Japan as an international student, you must obtain a valid passport and a "visa". There are different types of visas, and you must obtain the appropriate visa according to your purpose and status.
In addition, in order to facilitate visa acquisition, a "Certificate of Eligibility (COE)" must be obtained in advance from the Japanese Immigration Bureau. KUFS (or its advisory administrative scrivener) will apply for this COE on your behalf. KUFS will send information on the procedures to students who are admitted to this Program.

1-2. Residence Status

The status of residence for legal stay in Japan is called "status of residence," and the types of status of residence are defined by Japanese law. (By convention, this "status of residence" is sometimes referred to as a "visa".)
To study at a Japanese university or a foreign student program, etc., the residence status of "Student" is required. Your status of residence will be indicated on a "landing permission sticker" attached to your passport, so please check the sticker when you receive it at the immigration inspection.

1-4. Extension of Period of Stay

The residence card issued to you has an expiration date (the period of stay).
Most students have a period of stay of 6 months or 1 year, but if you are going to study beyond your expiration date due to a change of period, extension of completion, etc., you must renew your period of stay before your expiration date. If you do not renew your period of stay, you will become an illegal overstayer, and in the worst case, you will be deported and will not be allowed to land in Japan for the next five years. If you need to renew your period of stay while you are still in school, KUFS will contact you to prepare.
For students transferring from other educational institutions, KUFS will send them information on procedures at your enrollment.

1-5. Change of Status of Residence (Change to "Student")

In principle, international students enrolled in a university undergraduate school or a special course for international students are required to obtain the status of residence "Student".
If you wish to change your status of residence to "Student" from another residence status, you will need to submit an application form (for the applicant, etc., and for your institution, etc.), as well as documents such as a certificate of enrollment.
In the case you do not change your status of residence to "Student" or if you change your status of residence to something other than "Student", you will not be eligible for scholarships or tuition reduction programs for students with the "Student" status of residence. If you are considering applying for a scholarship, please contact us in advance.

1-6. Enrollment Management of KUFS for International Students

KUFS periodically reports to the Immigration Bureau and the MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (Monbukagakusho) regarding the enrollment and residency status of international students. Institutions that accept international students are required to notify the Immigration Bureau and the MEXT when students enroll and leave the university (complete, withdraw, or expulsion).
Please be sure to report to the Division of International Affairs when you change your student status or renew your residence card.

1-7. Special Re-entry System & Re-entry Permit

If you are leaving Japan temporarily during your period of stay, you must apply for either a "Deemed Re-entry Permit" or a "Re-entry Permit" and submit the designated form to KUFS.

Special Re-entry System	The "Deemed Re-entry Permit" is conditional on re-entering the country within one year of departure. If your period of stay will expire before the deadline of the Deemed Re-entry Permit, please be sure to re-enter Japan before the expiration date of your period of stay (Apply at the airport when leaving Japan).
Re-entry Permit	Issued if you leave Japan for more than one year within the period of stay. (Apply in advance at the Immigration Bureau)

1-8. Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted (Part-Time Job)

As a general rule, students with the status of residence of "Student" are not allowed to work since they are permitted to enter Japan for the purpose of receiving an education. However, they are allowed to work part-time with a "Permission to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence" if it does not interfere with their studies. Part-time work in places where adult entertainment or entertainment-related businesses are conducted (clubs, snack bars, pachinko parlors, etc.) is not permitted. If you engage in part-time work in such places or work without permission to engage in activities other than those permitted under the status of residence, you may be denied visa renewal or change in the future, and you may also be punished or deported from Japan.

Working Hours

During the school year	limited to 28 hours per week
During the vacations	Limited up to 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week

Administrative Procedures

2-1. Residence Registration (Obligation)

Like Japanese nationals, foreigners are required to register for a residence card at the municipal office of the city, ward, town or village where they reside.
This is required by law, and the municipal office must be notified not only when entering Japan, but also when moving to a new address. If there are any changes in the information on the resident card due to moving, etc., please submit a copy of both sides of the resident card to KUFS as well, after notifying the ward office.

New Japanese Residents	Submit a "notification of moving in" at the city hall or ward office that has jurisdiction over the place of residence within 14 days of establishing the place of residence.
Moving within Japan	The procedure differs depending on where you are moving to. Please follow the rules of each municipality. Kyoto City Website

2-2. National Health Insurance (Obligation)

It is one of the medical insurance systems operated by the government. If a person visits a hospital, etc. and presents his/her insurance card, the insurance will cover 70% of the medical expenses paid at the hospital for illness or injury, and the subscriber will only have to pay the remaining 30%. As with resident registration, both Japanese and non-Japanese are required to enroll in this insurance, and you are naturally obliged to do so as well.
In the case of Kyoto City, the annual premium for international students (those with "College Student" status of residence) is approximately 18,000 yen.

2-3. National Pension

All persons aged 20 to 60 who reside in Japan, regardless of nationality, are required by law to join the National Pension Plan and pay premiums.
However, for Bekka students (student ID: RB), there is a system called the "Special Student Payment Exemption System," which allows them to defer payment of the insurance premiums only while they are enrolled at the KUFS.

2-4. Personal Accident Insurance for Students Pursuing Education and Research (PAS)

This insurance covers medical costs incurred from injuries occurred in class or during extracurricular activities. Students do not need to apply for this individually as you will be automatically covered when you enroll in Kyoto University of Foreign Studies.

Check!

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs Website
• Immigration Services Agency of Japan
• Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Website
• Kyoto City Website