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 endorsement given on passport to show that the Immigration Bureau of Japan has judged in advance that you are an appropriate person to enter Japan. 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.

    Landing permission (上陸許可) is legal authorization given at international ports in Japan on your passport. It is like a stamp or a seal, and shows the dates of permission (=entrance to Japan) and expiration, resident status, and period of permitted stay.


    The category of visa for an international student to study at a university is a “General Visa” with the resident status of Student* (留学). The period of stay permitted under the resident status of "Student" ranges from "4 years 3 months" to "3 months". It will be judged and given by the immigration officer at the airport depending on your program (i.e. exchange program, degree program, or else). 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 followings are basic items required for your visa application. The application procedure differs to some extent from county to country, and additional documents may be required.

    It is advisable for you 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 of your student visa application.

    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.



    Application Documents


    [NOTE]
    • The letter of acceptance from the IGPAS Committee is not necessary for visa application unless otherwise required by the diplomatic office.
    • Use photos that meets the conditions below.
      • 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

    Certificate of Eligibility (CoE)

    The Certificate of Eligibility (CoE; 在留資格認定証明書) is a certificate issued by the Immigration Bureau in Japan. It usually takes about 4 - 7 weeks 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.


    Steps

    1. Email CoE application to DiRECT.
      *Download the form and check the deadline here.
    2. DiRECT will file it at the Immigration Bureau in Sendai.
    3. The Bureau issues CoE to DiRECT.
    4. DiRECT will airmail the CoE to youl.
    5. Take it to the diplomatic officecolse 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 the approval from the Ministry (MEXT).

    The diplomatic offices will process visa applications with Certificate of MEXT Scholarship quick enough, in response to the request from the Ministry.
    (MEXT Scholarship students does not need CoE)


    Steps

    1. The Ministry informs the official approval to Tohoku University.
    2. DiRECT informs you the official result via email.
    3. Fill in the Pledge (prescribed form) and email to DiRECT, then by an express mail.
      *Download the form and check the deadline here.
    4. The University issues Certificate of MEXT Scholarship.
    5. DiRECT will airmail the Certificate to you via express mail.
    6. You can apply for a visa at the diplomatic office in your country.

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    To Bring Your Family

    Your family members, more precisely your spouse or child(ren), 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 may not be allowed to stay in Japan with you unless you have enough funds to support them such as a scholarship.


    Approximate amount of income* required for a foreign resident to have dependant(s) in Japan (as of 2011)
    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 are likely to have a hard time to settle down for several months 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.

    Even though if you decide to bring your family member(s), each of them needs a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) for his/her visa application. 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 Documents for Dependants


    [NOTE]
    CoE application for your family members will be arranged in individual cases.
    Ask DiRECT for the application form for dependant if necessary.

    1. CoE application form [Dependant]
    2. ID Photo in image file (4.0×3.0 cm or larger)
    3. Scanned copy of your and the applicant's passport
    4. Proof of the applicant's relationship with you
      (any of the followings or equivalent documents)
      • scanned copy of marriage certificate
      • scanned copy of birth certificate
      • scanned copy of the family register
    5. Proof of your ability to incur expenses of your family in Japan
      (any of the followings or an equivalent document)
      • original certificate of scholarship (not necessary if MEXT)
      • balance statement of your bank account

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