Status and Full-time Enrollment Requirement

Your status in Japan is regulated by your visa. The status of students on a TUJ-sponsored student visa is "College Student." This means the main purpose for being in Japan is to study. As a result, with limited exceptions, all visa-sponsored students must be enrolled at TUJ full time while residing in Japan. For undergraduate students, full-time enrollment is defined as 12-17 credits for the spring and fall semesters and 9 credits for the summer semester. First semester students entering in the summer semester are required to register for 12 credits. These requirements can only be met by enrolling in courses offered at TUJ. Online courses from main campus do not fulfill this requirement.

Visa-sponsored students who are not taking classes during the summer semester must leave Japan for the duration of the semester. Note that if you take the summer off, you do not need to make up any credits in order to maintain your visa status because you were not in Japan. In this instance however, TUJ policy is that you complete at least 12 credits each fall and spring semester you are in Japan.

Course Reduction Request

Visa-sponsored students are expected to take at least 9 credits in the summer semester, however, a student may petition for a reduced course load. Students petitioning for a reduced course load must:

1. be in good academic standing,
2. have studied at TUJ for two semesters or more,
3. should have a good reason to "underload" based on full-time language study, work, academic necessity, or another compelling reason.

Reduced course load petitions for spring and fall semesters may also be submitted, but the student must have a medical or other compelling reason for the petition to be considered. Students who are graduating and can meet the graduation requirements with less than 12 credits are still required to submit a reduced course load form.

To petition, fill out the Course Reduction Request Form below. Complete and submit this form via e-mail to the Visa Coordinator (visa@tuj.temple.edu) no later than 4 p.m. of the last day to add a course (See the Academic Calendar). Attach a copy (image file or pdf) of your transcript from Self Service Banner (SSB) and any other supporting documentation you believe should be considered. A response to your request will be sent to your Temple e-mail account by the Visa Coordinator. You must remain registered for a full credit load until your request is approved.

• Course Reduction Request Form (MS Word: 632KB)

Important Notes

• When you apply for a landing permission extension, the Japanese Immigration Bureau may contact TUJ to confirm your academic progress with the expectation that you have earned at least 62-64 credits over a 2-year period. A summer semester off or course underload may therefore generate problems with your application to extend your visa if you are only taking 12 credits in the fall and spring semesters.
• As a visa-sponsored student, you are allowed to "withdraw" from classes after the Drop/Add period. As long as you are registered as a full-time student at the end of the Drop/Add period, you are considered to be a full-time student for visa-purposes regardless of whether you subsequently "withdraw" from a course.
• If you are not enrolled as a full-time student, TUJ reserves the right to place a visa hold on your account and to file a report with the Immigration Bureau. A visa hold will prevent you from registering for classes online and from receiving your grades, transcripts and diploma.