Status of Residence

• When Your Enrollment Status at the University Ends (Graduation, Completion, Withdrawal, etc.)
• Taking a Leave of Absence / Returning from Leave
• Extension of Period of Stay
• Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted
• Notification of the Accepting Organization
• Job Hunting After Graduation / Completion
• Changing Your Status of Residence After Securing Employment

About Status of Residence

At Shinshu University, only those who hold the status of residence "Student" are treated as "international students." Students staying in Japan under other statuses, such as "Dependent" or "Spouse of a Japanese National," are not regarded as international students. Those who do not hold the "Student" status of residence, or who change from "Student" to another status, are not eligible for services intended for international students (such as scholarships).

※It is generally not permitted to enter Japan on a Temporary Visitor visa and then change to another status of residence unless there are exceptional circumstances.
※If you change your status of residence, please consult the international student office of your faculty/graduate school. After the change is approved, promptly submit a copy (both sides) of your Residence Card to your faculty/graduate school via the Shinshu University COE Support System.

When Your Enrollment Status at the Shinshu University Ends (Graduation, Completion, Withdrawal, etc.)

After graduating or withdrawing from Shinshu University, even if you still have time remaining on your "Student" status of residence, you must promptly leave Japan or immediately change your status to one appropriate for your new activities. This is because once you graduate, you are no longer engaged in activities permitted under the "Student" status.
(If you will immediately enroll in a graduate program at another university, you may stay in Japan under the "Student" status. Please submit a "Notification of the Accepting Organization" (see below) and complete the procedures for extending your status at your new institution.)

Taking a Leave of Absence / Returning from Leave

If you plan to take a leave of absence, consult your academic advisor and the international student staff of your faculty/graduate school as early as possible. During a leave of absence, you are generally not engaged in activities permitted under the "Student" status. Therefore, you cannot continue staying in Japan under this status. If you cannot change to another status (such as "Dependent"), you must return to your home country.
When returning from leave, many procedures may be required. In some cases, you may need to apply for a new Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Consult your advisor and the international student staff as early as possible.

Extension of Period of Stay

If you wish to remain in Japan beyond the period currently permitted, you must apply for an extension of your period of stay at the Immigration Services Bureau that has jurisdiction over your place of residence.
Applications can be submitted starting from three months before your current period expires. If you do not complete the procedures and your period expires, you will be considered to be staying illegally. Please apply well in advance.

Check the list of required documents in the "Extension of Period of Stay" section of the link below.
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/student.html#midashi03

For details on the procedures, contact the international student staff of your faculty/graduate school or the GEC.
After completing the procedures at the Immigration Services Bureau, submit copies (both sides) of your new Residence Card to your faculty/graduate school via the Shinshu University COE Support System.

<Required Documents and Notes>

1. Application for Extension of Period of Stay
・"For Applicant, etc." section must be completed by the student.
・"For Institution, etc." section will be completed by your faculty/graduate school.

2. Photograph
・Photos edited using smartphone apps are not accepted.

3. Passport and Residence Card

4. Other required documents
・Additional forms (various confirmation forms): If you are unsure how to complete them, contact the international student staff of your faculty/graduate school.
・Checklist of required documents: Because Shinshu University is designated as a "proper institution," refer to the file listed under:
"(1) Universities (including junior colleges and graduate schools), institutions equivalent to universities, colleges of technology (excluding certified Japanese language institutions),
　a. Institutions notified as Class I or Class II (proper institutions)"

Check the required documents listed in the checklist.
・Regarding item 3 (Certificate of attendance, transcript, certificate of graduation from all institutions attended in Japan since your last residence application):
You must obtain certificates from any Japanese language schools or universities that you attended before enrolling at Shinshu University.
・Documents marked "○" are mandatory.
・Documents marked "△" must be submitted if you meet the conditions described in the notes.

<Application Location>
Nagano Branch Office, Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau
Address: 3rd Floor, Nagano Daiichi Joint Government Building, 1108 Asahimachi, Nagano City
Hours: 9:00-16:00 (closed Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays)

You may apply online as well. However, online application requires user registration, a computer, My Number card, IC card reader/writer, and installation of the JPKI client software.
Please see the Immigration Services Agency website for details.
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/online/10_00112.html

After applying, you will receive a postcard with the result in about two weeks to one month. If your extension is approved, you must go to the bureau to receive your new Residence Card.
Please read the instructions on the postcard carefully to avoid missing required items.
The fee for extending your period of stay is 6,000 yen, paid in revenue stamps. Revenue stamps can be purchased at the shop inside the Nagano Branch Office.
※For online applications, payment is made electronically (5,500 yen).

Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted

International students hold the "Student" status for the purpose of study and research. Therefore, activities unrelated to study/research are not allowed.

However, students may work part-time within permitted limits if they obtain "Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted" from the Immigration Services Bureau. Working without this permission may result in heavy fines or deportation. Employment at businesses engaging in adult entertainment is strictly prohibited.

You can apply for this permission at the airport when entering Japan.
If you did not obtain it at the airport, apply at the Nagano Branch Office of the Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau.
Application forms can be downloaded from the Immigration Services Agency website.

Immigration Services Agency Website

Notification of the Accepting Organization

You must file a "Notification of the Accepting Organization" with the Immigration Services Bureau in the following cases:

【Cases requiring notification】
・You enroll at Shinshu University after studying at another institution in Japan.
　(If the previous school already submitted the notification at graduation, submission is not necessary.)
・After graduation or withdrawal from Shinshu University, you continue staying in Japan for employment or further studies.
　(When you stay in Japan while retaining your Residence Card.)

This notification must be submitted by the student within 14 days of the change. You can submit it online, at the counter, or by post.

Notification of the Accepting Organization(Immigration Services Agency)

【Cases not requiring notification】
・You return to your home country after graduation/withdrawal and return your Residence Card at departure.
・After graduating from a Shinshu University undergraduate program, you progress to a Shinshu University graduate program.

※Even if your period of stay remains, you cannot continue staying in Japan after graduating or completing your program.
Please leave Japan promptly after the graduation ceremony and after all required procedures are completed.

Job Hunting After Graduation / Completion

You must change your status of residence to "Designated Activities." The period of stay is up to six months, and it can be renewed once. For the application, you need documents showing continuous job-hunting activities while enrolled and a recommendation letter from your faculty/graduate school.
Consult the international student staff before graduation/completion.

Job Hunting for International Students after Graduating from a Japanese University (Immigration Services Agency)

Changing Your Status of Residence After Securing Employment

If you find employment in Japan, you must change your status of residence from "Student" to a work-eligible status (e.g., "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services"). This procedure is completed at the Immigration Services Bureau.

Required documents and procedures vary depending on your job type and employer. Check the latest information on the Immigration Services Agency website and consult the HR department of your employer.

Application for permission to change residence status (Immigration Services Agency)

If you will start your job in April, you may apply around December of the previous year. Screening takes 1-2 months, so please prepare early.