Visas are documents issued by the Japanese embassy or consulate that proves that the passport held by the foreign national is valid, and also indicates that there is no problem with entry to Japan under the stated conditions. Certificate of Eligibility is required for visa application.
| Group A | Group B | |
|---|---|---|
| Short-Term Stay <A stay of up to 90 days> | Required | Not Required |
| Long-Term Stay <A stay of over 90 days> | Required | |
*Countries and regions which belong to Group A *Countries and regions which belong to Group B
An international student must obtain certificate of eligibility from the Immigration Bureau as necessary to stay in Japan. Status of residence will differ according to the activities involved during the period of stay in Japan. For enrollment in Niigata University as an undergraduate, graduate or exchange student, status of residence will be "Student." Certificate of Eligibility is issued after status of residence is determined and is necessary for visa application.
Certificate of Eligibility alone will not allow you to enter Japan. You must present the Certificate of Eligibility at the Japanese embassy or consulate to have a visa issued.
International students should keep close communication with the Student Affairs Office of Faculty/Graduate School, prepare the Certificate of Eligibility (Student) Application Form, and submit this along with other necessary documents to the Student Affairs Office. Niigata University will file the application for Certificate of Eligibility with the Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau for the student. International students who receive the Certificate of Eligibility from Niigata University should submit this document when applying for a visa at the Japanese embassy/consulate in the home country.
*Niigata University will not apply for change in status of residence or renewal of period of residence. Please apply to the Niigata Branch Office of Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau individually.
(1) Submit Certificate of Eligibility Application Form and other documents required by the university to the Student Affairs Office of Faculty/Graduate School
Ministry of Justice: Application for Certificate of Eligibility
(2) Niigata University submits the Certificate for Eligibility (Student) Application Form to the Immigration Bureau for the student
(3) Immigration Bureau issues the Certificate for Eligibility and posts to Niigata University (in 2-3 months)
(4) Student Affairs Office posts the Certificate of Eligibility to the international student
(5) International students who receives the Certificate of Eligibility from Niigata University applies for a visa at the Japanese embassy/consulate in the home country
International students must report the Resident Card to the Student Affairs Office of Faculty/Graduate School. Students with Temporary Visitor visa should report with the landing permission seal section of their passport. Change of information related to the status of residence must be reported to the Student Affairs Office of Faculty/Graduate School.
Renewal procedure will be accepted from three months prior to the completion of the Period of Stay. Please apply promptly to the Niigata Branch Office of Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau individually.
If you fail to complete the renewal procedure and overstay the Period of Stay, your stay will be illegal, and you will be obligated to depart under departure order or deportation. Re-entry will not be permitted for a certain period, and you will not be able to continue your studies.
Immigration Services Agency of Japan: Application for Extension of Period of Stay
Complete the Application Form for Extension of Period of Stay, obtain signature and seal from the relevant Student Affairs Office and attach other necessary documents to make the application.
When new Residence Card is obtained following the extension procedures, promptly report to the Student Affairs Office of Faculty/Graduate School. When the Period of Stay is extended, existing permission for activities outside the status of residence will become void. Make a separate application if necessary.
Niigata Branch Office, Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau
950-0001
Niigata Airport Terminal Bldg.
3710 Matsuhama-cho, Higashi-ku, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture
Telephone: 025-275-4735
!! NOTE !!
According to Immigration Services Agency, “extension of period of stay shall be granted only when there are reasonable grounds to allow the Minister of Justice to deem it appropriate to do so.”
If your academic record is insufficient that you repeat a year, your application for Extension of Period of Stay may not be permitted even when you have not finished your study at Niigata University. Make sure that you apply yourself with your studies.
●Application for Permission to engage in an activity other than those permitted by the status of residence previously granted
For those with the “Student” status of residence are not allowed to work. International students who want to work part-time to compensate for necessary expenses such as education must file an application in advance and receive a permit from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.
For those with a “Student” status of residence (excluding those whose period of stay is “three months”,) it is possible to apply for permission to engage in an activity other than those permitted by the status of residence previously granted at a port of entry (such as Narita and Haneda) following landing permission.
If you apply for a part-time work permit after arriving in Japan, submit the required documents to Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau Niigata Branch Office in the Niigata Airport.
Download the part-time work permit application form below.
⇒ https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/930004124.pdf
Some scholarships prohibit working part-time to earn income. Be sure to check the granting conditions.
Teaching Assistants (TA) and Research Assistants (RA) of Niigata University and rewards for helping on-campus networking events do not need a part-time work permit.
When you obtain a part-time work permit, you must confirm with the student affairs office of your faculty or graduate school. Please note that the part-time work permit will expire when your enrollment period ends.
The permitted part-time working hours are 28 hours per week.
*The total working hours must not exceed 28 hours per week even when working at multiple locations. In addition, accumulated weekly working hours from any day of the week must not exceed 28 hours per week.
*During the long-term vacations stipulated in the regulations of Niigata University (summer, winter, and spring vacations,) up to eight hours per day (40 hours per week)
●Part-time work
(1) Permitted part-time work
Activities other than those permitted by the status of residence previously granted, such as part-time working, may involve risks or personal dangers which international students might not be aware of. To avoid being accidentally involved in crimes or trouble, be sure to check the job details and working conditions (working location, working hours, wages, date of payment, method of payment, etc.) We recommend consulting your academic advisor or the student affairs office of your faculty or graduate school.
Please be especially careful about part-time jobs that are available for Japanese nationals but prohibited for international students (see clause 2 below). If you engage in such a job without knowing it, you may be arrested by the police, leading not only to expulsion from the university but also to an entry ban even for tourism.
(2) Prohibitions
・Work under this part-time work permit is prohibited during a leave of absence. It is against the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act to obtain a leave of absence in order to earn your education expenses.
・International students are prohibited from engaging in jobs of more than the above working hours, midnight jobs, dangerous jobs, jobs involving the lives of people, or jobs against Japanese laws. In addition to these, they are prohibited from engaging in jobs stipulated in the Law on Control and Improvement of Amusement Businesses (Fūeihō), such as:
●Businesses that entertain adult customers by serving food and drink -- so-called snacks, cabarets, adult pubs, hostess bars, host clubs, etc. ●Video game arcades, ●Mahjong houses, ● Love hotels (hotels exclusively for couples), ●Telephone clubs, ●Adult meeting cafes, ●Adult toy and video stores, ●Adult video rooms, ● Call-girl services
*International students cannot engage in any jobs in these venues, even as cleaning staff, dishwashing staff, servers, hall staff, etc.
We expect you all to follow the laws and regulations to ensure safety and enjoy your international campus life.
If you take a leave of absence or withdraw from your studies, you cannot remain in Japan with Student visa.
When taking a leave of absence, you must return to the home country, or change the status of residence according to your activities if you are to remain in Japan.
Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act states that the status of residence will be canceled without continuously engaging in the activities related to "Student" status of residence for three months or more (except where there is a justifiable reason for residing without engaging in the activities).
Part-time or casual working (activities outside the status of residence) will not be permitted during your leave of absence.
If you withdraw from Niigata University, you must return to your home country, regardless of the outstanding Period of Stay for Student visa. If you wish to remain in Japan, you must change the status of residence from Student to an appropriate status. Staying with Student visa after withdrawal is illegal.
Submit the Notification of the Accepting Organization (withdrawal) to the Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau within 14 days from withdrawal.
Immigration Services Agency of Japan: Notification of Acceptance of Mid to Long-Term Residents
* Please return your Residence Card at the airport upon your departure from Japan.
* If Niigata University is the joint guarantor for your apartment, you must report in advance to the International Office.