Visa and Alien Registration 　　This section provides general information concerning application for Alien Registration, visa extension, change of visa status and others. 　　* Click here for the MAP & Contact information of Komatsushima Branch Office of Immigration. 　　　How to Get to the Branch Office: 　　　・ Go to the Tokushima Station Bus Terminal (Terminal No. 5) 　　　・ Get on the Tokushima Shiei Bus bound to Tachibana, Nyuudani or Katsuura 　　　・ Get off the bus at the bus stop "Nisseki Byouin Mae" 　　　・ Walk to the Branch Office (about 10 minutes)     About Visa Visa is the official permit for a foreigner to stay in Japan for the period stated on the permit. Every foreigner has to get an appropriate visa by official immigration authority. Range of activities in Japan is limited depending on the types of visa, and no one can stay in the country longer than the period stated on his/her visa. Foreign students studying in a Japanese college are advised to get student visa (Student). * If you have or apply for another type of visa, you cannot apply for scholarships. We strongly advise you to apply for Student Visa. Please note that if you are studying at UT with another type of visa, you cannot apply for scholarships. Researchers need to have another type of visa (Cultural Exchange). In case you bring your family members into Japan, they also need take another type of visa (Family/Spouse Visa). (The Division of International Affairs can help you apply for Family/Spouse Visa for your family members. For details, please contact the Division of International Affairs.) * A new residency system has started on July 9, 2012. Below are the main changes. Please visit the following websites for more information. - Japanese：http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/newimmiact_1/index.html - English：http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/newimmiact_1/en/index.html - Chinese：http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/newimmiact_1/zh-CN/index.html - Korean：http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/newimmiact_1/ko/index.html 1. A resident card will be issued. Alien registration card will be abolished and replaced by a resident card. (a) For international students newly arriving in Japan after July 9, 2012 A resident card will be issued at the airport (Narita, Haneda, Chubu and Kansai Airports) upon immigration examination. At an airport other than those above, a residence card will be mailed to the address registered at the local municipal office upon making a residency registration. (b) For international Students already residing in Japan A resident card will be issued upon making application for extension of period of stay or change of status of residence. Alien registration card will be deemed to be equivalent to the resident card for a certain period. The alien registration card should be kept until the residence card is issued. 2. Periods of stay will be modified Newly added periods of stay: 3 months, 3 years, 3 years and 3 months, 4 years, 4years and 3 months Periods of stay above will be added to the existing periods of stay (6 months, one year, one year and 3 months, 2 years and 2years and 3 months). 3. A special re-entry permit system will be introduced International students who will be re-entering Japan within 1 year of their departure (or by the expiration date of their visa if the permitted period of stay is less than one year) to continue their studies will not be required to obtain a re-entry permit. 4. Change of the place where notification is to be given (a) When newly arrived in Japan or moved to a new address: Notify the municipal office within 14 days. (b) For changes other than a change of address: Notify the immigration office within 14 days Resident Card Alien registration card will be abolished and replaced by a resident card. a. For international students newly arriving in Japan after July 9, 2012 A resident card will be issued at the airport (Narita, Haneda, Chubu and Kansai Airports) upon immigration examination. For international students arriving at an airport other than those above, a residence card will be mailed to the address registered at the local municipal office upon making a residency registration. b. For international Students already residing in Japan A resident card will be issued upon making application for extension of period of stay or change of status of residence. Alien registration card will be deemed to be equivalent to the resident card for a certain period. The alien registration card should be kept until the residence card is issued. Foreign students must register their address at their local municipal office within 14 days after the address has been decided. Status of residence may be canceled if foreign students fail to register their address within 90 days of entry into Japan. Residence card will be required to open a bank account, enroll in the national health insurance system, obtain driver’s license, buy a mobile phone, etc. Residence card proves your identity in Japan. You must keep it with great care. You should carry your residence card at all times while in Japan, otherwise you may be deemed to be an illegal immigrant. Residence Card (Sample) Front of the Card Back of the Card 　　 Explanations on the Back of the card 住居地を変更したときに、変更後の新しい住居地が記載される欄です。： If a change is made to the place of residence, this is the section where the new place of residence will be entered. 在留期間更新許可申請・在留資格変更許可申請をしたときに、これらの申請中であることが記載される欄です。 ＊申請後、更新又は変更の許可がされたときは、新しい在留カードが交付されます。： If a foreign national applies for an extension of the period of stay or applies for a change in resident status, this is the section where the fact that the application is pending will be entered. Note: If permission for extension or change is granted following application, a new residence card will be issued. 資格外活動許可を受けたときに、許可の内容が記載される欄です。： If a foreign national receives permission to engage in an activity other than that permitted under the previously granted resident status, this is the section where the details of the permission will be entered. Application Procedure: Go to City Hall or Town Hall 　　　　　　* Tokushima City Hall and Kitajima Town Hall 　　　　　　　　・ Tokushima City Hall　【MAP】　088-621-5134/5135 　　　　　　　　・ Kitajima Town Hall　　【MAP】　088-698-9801 Fill Out Application Form 　　　　　　* When apply, you also need your passport and the notification of the address. 　　　　　　* Notification of Address can be downloaded here NOTES: International students must notify the following changes to the immigration office within 14 days of making the change. - Change of name, nationality, date of birth or sex - Change of the institution to which he/she belongs International students must notify the following to the municipal office of their residence within 14 days. - Settlement of a place of residence * International students may be subject to revocation of their status of residence if they fail to give notification of place of residence within 90 days after arrival in Japan. - Change of address How to Change your Visa Status Foreign students studying at a Japanese university are basically advised to take College Student visa. If you do not have College Student visa, you cannot apply for any scholarships. Documents for Visa Status Change Download application form for visa status change (Application for Change of Status of Residence)　　Download Here Valid Passport Copy of your Alien Registration Card or the original of your Resident Card 4,000 yen for Revenue Stamp Certificate of Enrollment (Check Office Counter here) 　　* In case you have already been accepted by a graduate school, you also need to submit a Letter of Acceptance issued by 　　　 the graduate school you will enroll. Academic Transcript (Check Office Counter here) 　　* Non-matriculated students (Research Student and Exchange Student) need to submit a research plan (in Japanese). Certificate to Prove your Current Financial State In case somebody other than the student takes responsibility for his/her tuition and life expenses 　・ Statement of Financial Responsibility (should be endorsed by the person who will take the responsibility) 　・ Certificate of Employment of the person who will take the responsibility 　・ Certificate of Income of the person who will take the responsibility 　・ Back Certificate of the person who will take the responsibility 　・ Copy of the Student's Bank Book (Whole Pages) In case the student takes full responsibility for his/her tuition and life expenses 　・ Certificate of Scholarship 　・ Income Certificate (should be endorsed by the employer) 　・ Certificate of Employment (should be endorsed by the employer) 　・ Copy of the Student's Bank Book (Whole Pages) Application Counters: 　　　Jousanjima Campus: Section of International Exchange, The Division of International Affairs 　　　Kuramoto Campus: 　Section of Academic Affairs of Each Faculty/Department 　　　 * Check the location here. NOTES: At least one month is needed to complete the paperwork for the status change. Early application is strongly advised in case you need to change your visa status. Please bring your alien registration card to the International Affairs Division when you received the notification that the visa renewal process has been completed. Please always carry your alien registration card until you obtain a resident card. Extension of Period of Stay To extend the period of stay on your visa, you need to apply for the extension at the nearest Immigration Bureau by the date of expiration. Extension application is accepted from three months prior to the date of expiration. Documents for the Extension of the Period of Stay Download application form Passport Copy of your Alien Registration Card or the original of your Resident Card 4,000 yen for Revenue Stamp Certificate of Enrollment (Check Office Counter here) 　　* In case you have already been accepted by a graduate school, you also need to submit a Letter of Acceptance issued by 　　　 the graduate school you will enroll. Academic Transcript (Check Office Counter here) 　　* Non-matriculated students (Research Student and Exchange Student) need to submit your research plan (in Japanese). Certificate to Prove your Current Financial State In case somebody other than the student takes responsibility for his/her tuition and life expenses 　・ Statement of Financial Responsibility (should be endorsed by the person who will take the responsibility) 　・ Certificate of Employment of the person who will take the responsibility 　・ Certificate of Income of the person who will take the responsibility 　・ Back Certificate of the person who will take the responsibility 　・ Copy of the Student's Bank Book (Whole Pages) In case the student takes full responsibility for his/her tuition and life expenses 　・ Certificate of Scholarship 　・ Income Certificate (should be endorsed by the employer) 　・ Certificate of Employment (should be endorsed by the employer) 　・ Copy of the Student's Bank Book (Whole Pages) In case the student receives a scholarship from Japanese Government 　・ Certificate of Scholarship Applicant’s photograph for resident card (4cm x 3cm). Application for Indication of Name Using Kanji Characters on the Resident Card. - Required only of students whose name can be written in Kanji characters. - Please write in the Kanji characters used in Japan. Application Counters: 　　　Jousanjima Campus: Section of International Exchange, The Division of International Affairs 　　　Kuramoto Campus: 　Section of Academic Affairs of Each Faculty/Department 　　　 * Check the location here. NOTES: At least one month is needed to complete the paperwork for the status change. Early application is strongly advised in case you need to change your visa status. Please bring your alien registration card to the International Affairs Division when you received the notification that the visa renewal process has been completed. Please always carry your alien registration card until you obtain a resident card. NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTING ORGANIZATION In the following cases, students must notify the incident to the Immigration Bureau within 14 days of the incident. Failure to make notification will be subject to penalty. Notification is not required for students who are leaving Japan soon after their completion of the course or graduation/expulsion from the university if they return their residence card at immigration at the airport. Notification is required when a student; left the University of Tokushima due to completion, graduation or expulsion. * Form 1-2 “Notification of the Accepting Organization: left the organization” transferred to or enter other institution in Japan from the University of Tokushima. * Form 1-2 “Notification of the Accepting Organization: left the organization” and * Form 1-3 “Notification of the Accepting Organization: transfer” transferred into or enter the University of Tokushima from other institution in Japan. * Form 1-2 “Notification of the Accepting Organization: left the organization” and * Form 1-3 “Notification of the Accepting Organization: transfer” How to Notify Choose one of the methods below: Bring the form(s) and residence card directly to the nearest immigration bureau. Mail the form(s) to Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau 〒108-8255 東京都港区港南5-5-30　東京入国管理局在留管理情報部門受付担当 or Information Processing Department, Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau 5-5-30 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo 〒108-8255 * “届出書在中” or “Notification form(s) enclosed inside” should be written in red on the front side of the envelope. * A photocopy of both sides of residence card must be enclosed with the form(s). Online notification Access the Immigration Bureau website. https://www.ens-immi.moj.go.jp/NA01/NAA01SAction.do (Japanese) https://www.ens-immi.moj.go.jp/NA01/NAA01SAction.do; jsessionid=0056977705EEA9A07215B9E7A73A1A68S01?hdnGng=L2 (English) Click “For mid-to-long-term residents” button. Click “Authentication ID issued” button and make user registration. Enter authentication ID and password, and make necessary notification. Re-entry Permit If international students plan to leave Japan for more than one year during their permitted period of stay, they must obtain a re-entry permit. Re-entry permit will not be required if the intended period of staying outside Japan is less than one year as long as the student has his/her passport and residence card (or alien registration card) upon entry and departure. Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted Under the Status of Residence Previously Granted Although College Student Visa does not allow foreign students to work, it permits part-time work in following conditions: Work-hours should be less than 28 hours a week　(including Research Students and Exchange Students) Work-hours should be less than 8 hours per week while the school is in vacation Should NOT work for illegal businesses and for sex industries. Students are NOT allowed to work at places for entertainment and amusement, such as bars, pubs, cabarets, pachinko parlors, mahjong parlors, game arcades, etc NOTES: In case a student works as a TA/RA, there is no need to apply for the permission. If a students works part-time other than as a TA/RA, the student needs to apply for the permission. Documents Download Application Form Passport Copy of your Alien Registration Card or the original of your Resident Card *Please always carry the copy of your resident card until the original is returned to you. Application Counters: 　　　Jousanjima Campus: Section of International Exchange, The Division of International Affairs 　　　Kuramoto Campus: 　Section of Academic Affairs of Each Faculty/Department 　　　 * Check the location here.       International Students’ Taking a Leave of Absence from the University If an international student is taking a leave of absence from the University for more than three months, he/she will have to return to his/her home country unless there is a justifiable reason to stay in Japan (e.g. illness). * ”A financial reason” can not be regarded as a justifiable reason. The “College Student Visa” may be cancelled if an international student does not perform his/her activities as a student (i.e. study) for a continuous period of more than three months without any justifiable reason.