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Extension of Period of Stay

The authorized periods of stay for international students with “Student (留学)” status of residence can vary—either a)  4 years and 3 months, b) 4 years, c) 3 years and 3 months, d) 3 years, e) 2 years and 3 months, f) 2 years, g) 1 year and 3 months, h) 1 year, i) 6 months, or j) 3 months—depending on their duration of study. Those who wish to continue their studies at the university beyond the authorized period of stay must apply for an extension by completing the required procedures at the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.

Applications for extension are accepted up to three months before the expiration of the period of stay. Please plan to apply well in advance as it takes time for the university to issue the necessary documents. (Failure to act in a timely manner could jeopardize your residence status in Japan.) Immigration Services Agency offices tend to be very busy around March, April, and during long holidays, so it is advised to apply early during these months.

You will be considered an illegal immigrant if you overstay your period of stay by even just one day. It is your responsibility to  check the validity of your current period of stay on your Residence Card to maintain your residence status in Japan and, when necessary, go to an Immigration Services Agency office to apply for extension in time.

Application Procedures for Extension of Period of Stay

Documents Required

  1. Application for Extension of Period of Stay （downloadable from the Immigration Services Agency’s website）
    Forms “For organization part 1 and part 2” are prepared by the Student Affairs Division International Exchange Section. To request the forms be completed, please apply through the Google Classroom (Geidai account required. Class Code: “s5slrnu”). As a general rule, it takes one week to process your request.
    Those who wish to pick up the documents at Yokohama Campus, please contact the Educational Affairs Division of your faculty. Please note that we are unable to receive the online application in this case.
  2. ID photo (must be 4cm x 3cm and taken within the last three months)
  3. Passport
  4. Residence Card
  5. Certificates and transcripts
    Category Necessary Documents Where to Obtain
    Undergraduate/Graduate student Certificate of Enrollment (*1) Automated Certificate Printer/ Educational Affairs Section of your faculty

    *1 New students must submit a Letter of Acceptance from your current program.

    *2 New students must submit a Certificate of Graduation and Transcripts as well as Certificate of Attendance issued by their former school/university.
    Transcript (*2)
    Research Student Certificate of Enrollment (*1)
    Transcript (*2)
    Research Activity Statement
    Auditing Student Certificate of Enrollment (*1)
    Transcript (*2)
    Certificate of courses taken
    Student in a special course (Practical Music Course) Transcripts and Certificate of Attendance (*2)
  6. Financial evidence
    Privately Financed Student A copy of bankbook, Certificate of income and withholding tax, proof of sponsorship, etc.
    MEXT Scholarship Student Certificate of Japanese Government Scholarship

    * This document is issued by the Student Affairs Division International Exchange Section. To request the certificate, please apply through the Google Classroom (Geidai account required. Class Code: “s5slrnu”). As a general rule, it takes one week to process your request.
  7. Other
    Additional documents may be required, if deemed necessary by the Immigration Services Agency. Please follow the directions on their website. https://www.isa.go.jp/en/applications/procedures/16-3.html
  8. Handling fee: 4,000 yen

 

Steps

  1. (Three months before the expiration of the period of stay) Prepare the necessary documents (1-8 above). Apply for the documents to be issued by the university (1 and 5 above) well in advance. Please note, however, that applications will not be accepted more than three months prior to the expiry date at the Immigration Service Agency office.
  2. Submit the documents and fee in person to the Immigration Services Agency office having jurisdiction over your place of residence.
  3. Normally, a new Residence Card will be issued within 2 – 4 weeks after the application is submitted. Make sure that you submit a copy of your new Residence Card (both sides) to the Student Affairs Division International Exchange Section through the Google Classroom (Geidai account required. Class Code is “s5slrnu”) as soon as you have received it.

 

*As a general rule, at the earliest, it takes more than 5 business days (except Saturday, Sunday, the national holidays, the University’s summer vacation and year-end and New Year’s holidays) from the date of receipt of your request to process your request for documents to be issued by the university*. However, please apply well in advance since it takes about two weeks for issuing documents if there are any problems with the content of request and also when the university office is flooded with requests of applications.

*Please note that the date of receipt of your request isn’t included in 5 business days.