17/05/2018
Some FAQ from students eager to study in Japan.
Q.How do I arrange housing?
Accommodations for international students are diverse. There are accommodations operated by local governments and universities. About 77% of international students are staying in private housing. When looking for private housing, you can inquire from your school’s international student office, through Internet, information magazines or you may get a real estate agent to look for a place in the area you plan to stay in.
Q.What do I do if I change schools or places of residence?
When a mid – to long-term resident moves, etc., s/he must fill out a form providing notification concerning their address at their city, ward, town or village government office.
(1) Procedures for providing notification of moving into a new domicile accompanying changes in status of residence, etc.
A foreign national who previously was not a mid- to long-term resident and who has newly become so due a change in his or her status of residence, a change in the Period of Stay or due to receiving a status of residence must bring his or her Resident Card to the city, ward, town or village government office in the area where s/he lives and fill out a form providing notification through the Basic Resident Registration System that s/he has moved into a domicile within 14 days of moving into a new domicile (for a foreign national already living in a domicile, from the day s/he became a mid- to long-term resident) (presenting one’s Resident Card and providing notification through the Basic Resident Registration System of moving into a new domicile is considered reporting your address under the Immigration Control Act).
(2) Procedures for providing notification moving out of an old domicile and into a new domicile (notification of a change of address)
A) A mid- to long-term resident moving within the same city, ward, town or village must bring his or her Resident Card to the city, ward, town or village government office in the area where s/he lives and fill out a form providing notification through the Basic Resident Registration System that s/he has moved into a domicile within 14 days of moving into a new domicile (presenting one’s Resident Card and providing notification through the Basic Resident Registration System of moving into a new domicile is considered reporting your address under the Immigration Control Act).
B) A mid- to long-term resident moving to a different city, ward, town or village must fill out a form providing notification that s/he is moving before s/he moves to the city, ward, town or village government office in the area where s/he lives. After moving, s/he must bring the change of address certificate s/he received and his or her Resident Card to the city, ward, town or village government office in the area where s/he now lives and fill out a form providing notification through the Basic Resident Registration System that s/he has moved into a domicile within 14 days of moving into a new domicile (presenting one’s Resident Card and providing notification through the Basic Resident Registration System of moving into a new domicile is considered reporting your address under the Immigration Control Act).
C) As a general rule, when a foreign national graduates from a school in Japan and leaves Japan to live in another country, s/he must fill out a form providing notification s/he is moving prior to leaving Japan to the city, ward, town or village government office where s/he lives.
Q.In what case will I need to change my status of residence?
You will need to change your status of residence if you conduct activities falling under a different status of residence. Specifically in the following cases, foreign students need to change their residence status of “College Student” to another type of status. In any such case, the local immigration office will accept your application for Permission for Change of Status of Residence with payment of the required application fee. Check with the website of the Immigration Bureau regarding documents required for the application.
Reference: Change of Status of Residence (Article 20 of Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act), issued by the Immigration Bureau, Ministry of Justice
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/tetuduki/zairyuu/henkou.html
1） Your employment after graduation has been determined in Japan
You must apply for Permission for Change of Status of Residence from “College Student” for Employment Purposes before you start working after you graduate. There are several types of status of residence for work. They include the statuses of residence of “Engineer,” “Specialist in Humanities/International Services,” “Researcher,” “Investor/Business Manager” for those who run their own companies, and “Instructor” for those who teach at Japanese elementary or junior high school.
2）You wish to continue job hunting after graduation
You will be allowed to stay and continue job hunting in Japan for a maximum of one year after you graduate with a degree. In such a case, you need to change your status of residence to “Designated Activities” with a period of stay of six months, in principle, and one extension will be permitted.
Furthermore, you need a letter of recommendation from your school in order to continue job hunting after graduation. Consult your school if you wish to continue job hunting in Japan.
3）You wish to continue activities to start your own company after graduation
Those who wish to conduct activities to start their own companies after they graduate can continue their activities for a maximum of six months. For the procedure in detail, refer to the following website.
Reference: Change in the Status of Residence to “Specific Activities” (for Job Hunting or Start-up of Own Business of College Students after Graduation, etc.), announced by the Ministry of Justice
http://www.moj.go.jp/ONLINE/IMMIGRATION/ZAIRYU_HENKO/zairyu_henko10_21.html
Q.Can I work part-time in Japan with the status of residence of College Student or Pre-college Student?
Foreign students in Japan with the status of residence of College Student or Pre-college Student who wish to work part-time in Japan must make an application for Permission to Engage in Activity Other than that Permitted by the Status of Residence Previously Granted and receive approval in advance.
A foreign student who has just arrived at an air or sea port in Japan with the status of residence of College Student or Pre-college Student whose Period of Stay is six months or longer and who has been granted disembarkation permission can immediately apply for Permission to Engage in Activity Other than that Permitted by the Status of Residence Previously Granted. If you do not apply for Permission to Engage in Activity Other than that Permitted by the Status of Residence Previously Granted or you wish to extend the validity of said permission, you must make an application at the local immigration bureau, branch office or detached office (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "local immigration office") in one's area of domicile.
The following documents are necessary for making an application for Permission to Engage in Activity Other than that Permitted by the Status of Residence Previously Granted.
(1)Application form for Permission to Engage in Activity Other than that Permitted by the Status of Residence Previously Granted (Available at the local immigration office, etc. The application form can also be downloaded from the Immigration Bureau of Japan website.)
Passport and Resident Card (when already received)
Note that even if you have Permission to Engage in Activity Other than that Permitted by the Status Residence Previously Granted, there are restrictions placed on the amount and type of work you may do. For example, activities related to adults entertainment business (e.g. Pachinko parlor clerk, host/hostess of bars and cabarets, etc.) are prohibited.
Hours of work permitted are also restricted as follows:
-As a basic rule, within 28 hours a week (up to 8 hours a day during summer break and other long vacation periods)
No fee is charged to apply for Permission to Engage in Activity Other than that Permitted by the Status of Residence Previously Granted.
Additionally, students enrolled at a university or high-school (4th and 5th year non-degree graduate programs only) who are working as a teacher’s assistant or research assistant as per a contract with that university or high-school do not need to apply for Permission to Engage in Activity Other than Permitted by the Status of Residence Previous Granted.
Q.Can I start job hunting or conduct internship activities while studying in Japan?
Recently, there are an increasing number of international students experiencing internship activities at companies, etc. before they graduate. An internship is an opportunity where students as interns will experience on-the-job training at companies, etc. for a fixed, limited period of time.
Check with your school regarding the availability of an internship system while you are enrolled.
Furthermore, like Japanese students, there are an increasing number of international students going job hunting while they study and finding jobs in Japan.
Q.Can I travel outside of Japan during school breaks, etc?
If travelling to your home country or other overseas destination during school breaks, etc. one can return to Japan to continue one's studies without having to acquire a new visa if you use the Special Re-entry Permission system.
Special Re-entry Permission eliminates the need for a foreign national who possesses a valid passport and Resident Card from having to receive a Re-entry Permit prior to traveling that allows him or her to continue working or studying once s/he returns to Japan if s/he returns within one year after leaving (if the Period of Stay will end in less than a year, by the last day of the Period of Stay).
When traveling outside of Japan and taking advantage of the Special Re-entry Permission system, you must present a valid passport, Resident Card and Embarkation Card for Reentrant with a check mark in the box marked “Departure with Special Re-entry Permission” to the immigration inspector at the air or sea port you are departing from.
（http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/newimmiact_1/en/point_3-4.html）
Q.Do I need to subscribe for health insurance and accident insurance?
In Japan, a medical insurance system is available to lessen burden on medical cost. Foreigners who will be staying in Japan for a period of more than 3 months have to subscribe to the “National Health Insurance”. Please register for the National Health Insurance at your nearest local cities/wards/towns/villages municipal offices and pay the insurance premium.
The insurance premium has to be paid monthly once registration is completed. The premium varies according to local councils and one’s income. However, in most cases, the premium is about JPY 20,000 per year.
Once registered with the National Health Insurance, you will only need to pay 30% of the total medical bill. When receiving treatment for injuries or illnesses, you have to present your insurance card to be eligible for the discounted payment. Take note that the medical cost for treatments not covered by the insurance scheme has to be paid in full at your own expense.
Q.Can I apply for a scholarship extension or new scholarship while I study in Japan?
If you wish to extend your scholarship while you study in Japan, consult with the school or the scholarship organizer.
You can apply for a new scholarship. The application deadline and eligibility period of a scholarship varies with each scholarship organizer. Consult your school as soon as possible.
