Immigration

Guide for Int'l Students

For Current Students

International students studying in Japan are required to complete some procedures at the Immigration Bureau.

1, 2 and 4 can be completed at the Global Support Office (GSO). The officials complete the procedures in your place at the Regional Immigration Bureau. The dates when the university officials go to the Immigration Bureau will be posted on the notice board. Please come to the GSO and ask.

1. Extension of Period of Stay

With a student visa, international students are permitted to stay in Japan for 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 1 year and 3 months, 2 years, or 2 years and 3 months, 3 years, 3 years and 3 months, 4years, 4 years and 3 months. They must extend their period of stay before it expires.

Documents	･ Application form for Extension of Period of Stay* Attach the photo (4cm×3cm) ･ School Transcript (research students need research contents(DOC, 26K)) ･ Documents indicating fund for living in Japan: scholarship certificate, a copy of bank book, etc. ･ Passport ･ Resident Card ･ Revenue stamp of ¥4,000 * When you go to the Miyazaki Branch Office of the Fukuoka Immigration Bureau, you need to bring 'Certificate of Enrollment'
Period	From three months prior to the expiration date of the period of stay
Procedure	･ Bring the documents to the GSO or go directly to the Miyazaki Branch Office of the Fukuoka Immigration Bureau. ･ Bring your passport, resident card and fee form to the GSO or the Miyazaki Branch Office of the Fukuoka Immigration Bureau once you receive permission (about two weeks later).

Even a one day stay after the expiration date of the period of stay will be considered an illegal stay. You are expected to complete the procedure ahead of schedule.

2. Permission for Extra-status Activities

By the stipulation of the Law, you have received ‘college student’ residence status. You are expected to be engaged only in study and research. If you wish to engage in activities aside from your original status as a student, you must obtain permission from the Regional Immigration Bureau.

Documents	･ Application Form for Permission for Extra-status Activities ･ Passport ･ Resident Card ･ Report for Extra-Activities(DOC, 35K), class schedule(XLS, 19K) (submit to the GSO)
Procedure	Bring the documents to the Miyazaki Branch Office of the Fukuoka Immigration Bureau or to the GSO.

Restricted Part-time Work for International students Less than 28 hours a week (less than 8 hours a day during a long vacation)

International students are not allowed to work at businesses offering adult entertainment or anything that is related to it.

The permission will automatically expire when the period of stay is expired.You need to apply for permission again when you renew your period of stay.

If you work part-time without permission, you will be punished by law, and will be deported. Be sure to get permission when you work part-time.

You can engage in an activity at UOM such as Teaching Assistant and Research Assistant without permission. However in case you receive the fee constantly you might need the permission for Extra-status Activities. For details, please ask the GSO.

3. Permission for Re-entry

When you wish to leave Japan for a short period of time for going home or traveling abroad, you must talk to your advisor and inform the officials in charge of international student affairs at each Faculty and at the GSO.

Documents	Report for Going Abroad(DOC, 43K)

Foreign nationals in possession of a valid passport and resident card who will be reentering Japan within 1 year of their departure to continue their activities in Japan will, in principle, not be required to apply for a re-entry permit. (This is called a special re-entry permit.)

The re-entry permit system will be changed | Immigration Bureau of Japan

The permit will automatically expire when the period of stay is expired.

If you are outside of Japan from the first day of a month until the last day of the same month, you will not be given your stipend for that month.

4. Change of Residence Status

Those who are going to stay in Japan after graduation for a job are required to change the residence status. Which residence status they get depends on what kind of activities they are going to do after graduation.

If you have a job offer, you can apply for change of residence status from January. Required documents are a Certificate of Anticipated Graduation, a Copy of Appointment Letter, or a Copy of Employment Agreement.

If you are not able to find a job before graduating

You will be able to continue job hunting activities for a maximum of one year with “Designated Activities” residence status. You have to submit the certificates for job hunting activities before graduation.

Qualification	(1) Start to hunt for a job while in UOM (only regular student) and continue to do that after graduation (2) UOM recommendation
Documents	･ Application form ･ Passport ･ Resident card ･ Financial statement ･ Certificate of (expected) graduation ･ Recommendation letter from UOM ･ Documents that certify job hunting

For additional information please ask the GSO or the Regional Immigration Bureau.

A Guide to Employment for Foreign Students | JASSO

5. Bringing Your Family to Japan

Understandably, you want to live together with your family as soon as possible. But it may be better for you to invite your family after you find a place to live and get used to life in Japan. You can get a visa for your family in the following way:

(A) Your family can apply directly to the Japanese Embassy in their country.
(B) You can apply for a ‘Certificate of Eligibility for Status of Residence’ at the Miyazaki Branch Office of the Fukuoka Immigration Bureau. You send the Certificate to your family, which they bring to the Japanese Embassy in their country.

(B) will take less time than (A) to obtain a visa, so a detailed explanation will be given of the procedure (B).

Documents	･ Application Form of Certificate of Eligibility for Status of Residence ･ 1 photo of each member of your family (passport-size 4cm× 3cm) ･ Photocopies of passports of each member of your family ･ Your Certificate of Enrollment ･ Documents certifying the relationship between you and your family members (Birth Certificate and Certificate of Marriage etc.) ･ Resident Card ･ Documents certifying your ability to financially support your family (e.g. Certificate of Monbukagakusho Scholarship Student / Certificate of Payment of Scholarship Allowance / Your bank balance, etc.) ･ A stamped, self-addressed envelope if you want to have the ‘Certificate’ sent directly to you. (Registered mail would be better to prevent loss.) * You may be asked to submit some other documents. * Application is free of charge.
Procedure	Bring the documents to the Miyazaki Branch Office of Fukuoka Immigration Bureau.

Documents

･ Application Form of Certificate of Eligibility for Status of Residence
･ 1 photo of each member of your family (passport-size 4cm× 3cm)
･ Photocopies of passports of each member of your family
･ Your Certificate of Enrollment
･ Documents certifying the relationship between you and your family members (Birth Certificate and Certificate of Marriage etc.)
･ Resident Card
･ Documents certifying your ability to financially support your family
(e.g. Certificate of Monbukagakusho Scholarship Student / Certificate of Payment of Scholarship Allowance / Your bank balance, etc.)
･ A stamped, self-addressed envelope if you want to have the ‘Certificate’ sent directly to you. (Registered mail would be better to prevent loss.)
* You may be asked to submit some other documents.
* Application is free of charge.

Procedure

Bring the documents to the Miyazaki Branch Office of Fukuoka Immigration Bureau.

Contact and location of the Immigration Bureau

Miyazaki Branch Office of Fukuoka Immigration Bureau: Miyazaki Branch Office of Fukuoka Immigration Bureau 2nd Floor, Miyazaki Homu Sogo Chosha, 1-1 Beppu-cho, Miyazaki-shi 880-0802; TEL: 0985-31-3580
Office Hour: 9am - 12pm / 1pm - 4pm on weekdays