VISA

  • What is Visa?
  • Visa Application
  • Supporting Materials
  • To Bring Your Family



    • What is Visa?

    Visa (査証; ビザ) is not a permission but an endorsement given on your passport to show that the Government of Japan has judged in advance that you are an appropriate person to enter Japan. Visas are issued in the Japanese embassy or consulate in foreign contries. There are 7 categories and 27 subordinate kinds (= Status of Residence or Resident Status; 在留資格) of long-term visas according to the purpose of your stay in Japan. The period of your permitted stay and the restriction on the activities in Japan vary upon each resident status. Visas cannot be obtained after arriving in Japan.

     

    Landing permission (上陸許可) is a legal authorization stamped on your passport at ports of entry to Japan. This will be given by immigration officers when they check that you have a valid passport and visa, purpose to enter Japan, planned length of your stay. It shows the dates of permission (=the day landing in Japan) and expiration, resident status, and period of permitted stay.


    The visa category for an international student to study at a university will be “ Student (留学)". After you enter Japan with the Student visa, you will gain a "Resident Status of Student". The period of stay permitted under the resident status of "Student" ranges from "4 years 3 months" to "3 months". IGPAS students (degree students) in the past have mostly been given 1 year, 1 year and 3 months, 2 years, 2 years and 3 months, 3 years, and 3 years and 3 months, depending on the judgement of each immigration officers. The period of stay can be extended at Sendai Immigration Bureau later.


    Reference
    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA)
    A Guide to Japanese Visas > 5. Visa System in Japan
    http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/system/index.html

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    Visa Application

    The basic items neccessary for your visa application are listed below. The application procedure differs to some extent from county to country, and additional documents may be required.

    It is best to check which the Japanese embassy/consulate (hereafter referred to as “diplomatic office”) that has jurisdiction over the region of your residence, and clarify what documents you should submit in advance.

    For questions regarding its application procedures, always refer to the official information provided by, or make sure directly with, the Japanese diplomatic offices in your country and follow their instruction.

    The visa will be issued in approximately 5 business days or less if your application is complete and sufficient.



    Neccessary Documents


    [NOTE]
    • The letter of acceptance from the IGPAS Committee is NOT required for a visa application unless instructed by the diplomatic office.
    • Use photos that are;
      • taken within the last 3 months
      • a clear background (just like the one used in your passport)
      • full-faced with bear head unless you have compelling reasons
        (do NOT wear glasses or a hat)


    Reference
    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA)
    General visa: College student
    http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/long/visa6.html


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    Supporting Materials

    CoE: Certificate of Eligibility

    CoE (the Certificate of Eligibility; 在留資格認定証明書) is a certificate issued by the Immigration Bureau in Japan. It usually takes about a month to be issued.

    DiRECT will apply for your CoE and airmail it to you as soon as it's ready, approximately by the end of August.


    Flow

    1. Email CoE application and your scanned passport to DiRECT.
      (You can skip the passport if you currently do not posses one.)
      *Download the form and check the deadline here.
    2. DiRECT will file it at Sendai Immigration Bureau.
    3. The Bureau will issue your CoE and send it to DiRECT.
    4. DiRECT will airmail you your CoE.
    5. Take it to the diplomatic officeclose to your residence, and apply for your visa.

    Reference

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA)
    General visa: College student
    http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/long/visa6.html



    Certificate of MEXT Scholarship

    Tohoku University will issue the Certificate of MEXT Scholarship after receiving the approval of IGPAS MEXT scholarship students from the Ministry (MEXT).

    The diplomatic office will process your visa application quick enough with Certificate of MEXT Scholarship, in response to the request from the Ministry.
    (MEXT Scholarship students does NOT need CoE)


    Flow

    1. The Ministry announces the official approval to Tohoku University.
    2. DiRECT will update the official approval on this Information Board.
    3. Fill in the Pledge (prescribed form) and email to DiRECT, then by an express airmail.
      *Download the form and check the deadline here.
    4. The Certificate of MEXT Scholarship will be issued by the university, after receiving your pledge.
    5. DiRECT will airmail the Certificate to you via express airmail.
    6. Apply for your student visa with it, at the diplomatic office in your country.

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    To Bring Your Family

    Your family members (your spouse or child/children), may be able to stay in Japan with the resident status of Dependant if permitted. The "family members" in this case does NOT include your parents, siblings, or any other relatives.

    Note that your family member(s) may not be permitted to stay with you in Japan unless you have enough financial funds to support them. (i.e. scholarship)


    Approximate amount of income* required for a foreign resident to have dependant(s) in Japan (as of 2013)
    Spouse only: 1,540,000 yen/year or above
    Spouse and a child: 1,850,000 yen/year or above

    *including financial support, remittance from home country, etc.

    International students tend to take several months to settle down after their arrival. If you bring your family with you, it could be much harder not only for yourself but also for your family member(s) especially when they don't have enough Japanese skill. It is best to come to Japan alone first, and then bring your family after you get used to your life in Sendai.

    Despite the above, if you decide to bring your family member(s), they will need CoE (Certificate of Eligibility) EACH for their depandent visa. The application documents for Dependent's CoE is different from those of Students, but the steps are the same as instructed in the section above.



    CoE Application for Dependants


    [Flow]
    Your depandent CoE application will be arranged upon request.
    When requesting, email DiRECT with the follwing materials.

    1. CoE application form [Dependant]
      http://www.moj.go.jp/content/000103475.xls
    2. An ID Photo in image file size of 40×30 mm or larger
    3. Scanned copy of you and the applicant's passport
      Those who have submitted your passport as part of a material for your own CoE doesn't need to send again for your dependants.
    4. Proof of the applicant's relationship with you.
      (any of the following scanned copies or an equivalent document)
      Spouce
      		 Marriage Certificate
      Child(ren)
      		 Birth Certificate(s)
      Spouse or Child(ren)
      		Family Register
    5. Your proof to incur expenses of your family's stay in Japan.
      (any of the following scanned copies or an equivalent document)
      • certificate of scholarship (not required if MEXT)
      • balance statement of your bank account

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