Leave of Absence (LOA)

• Fall / Spring Semester LOA
• Summer Only LOA (Summer Absence)

Fall / Spring Semester LOA

If you do not intend to take courses at TUJ during the forthcoming fall and/or spring semester, then you must:

1. Submit an Undergraduate Leave Of Absence Petition to the Academic Advising Center (AAC). Petitions must be submitted to AAC no later than 5:00 p.m. of the last day to drop a course for the semester you will be on leave. If you are planning to leave Japan, please submit the Undergraduate Leave of Absence Petition before leaving Japan.
2. Submit contact information, departure date, and expected return date to the Visa Coordinator at the Office of Student Services (OSS) by e-mail (visa@tuj.temple.edu) before you leave Japan. Without this information, your status may be incorrectly reported to the Immigration Bureau.
3. Obtain a re-entry permit from the Immigration Bureau in Shinagawa before leaving Japan. A re-entry permit is required even if you have a "Multiple" student visa. Please keep your alien registration card and health insurance certificate with you when you exit Japan.
4. Leave Japan within 30 days of the last day of the semester before you take your leave of absence, or within 30 days of the day you submit the Undergraduate Leave of Absence Petition (whichever date is later).

• Undergraduate Leave Of Absence Petition Form (PDF: 155KB)

Important Note

Depending on when you intend to return to TUJ, you may be able to return on your current visa status and landing permission by using a re-entry permit or you may be required to obtain a new student visa altogether. Please consult the Visa Coordinator regarding your particular situation.

LOA Extension
If you wish to extend your LOA, you must notify both AAC and OSS (see section below).

Returning to TUJ After Being Away for More than One Semester
If you take an LOA from TUJ for any reason, you must make an appointment to consult with the Visa Coordinator (visa@tuj.temple.edu) prior to your departure regarding procedures for re-entering Japan. By checking your passport and alien registration card, the Visa Coordinator can clarify your visa status before you leave TUJ. It may be possible for you to keep your current visa status and re-enter Japan using a re-entry permit, or you may need to re-apply for another Certificate of Eligibility and apply for a new student visa. To avoid having to pay for a new visa application unnecessarily, please contact the Visa Coordinator before leaving Japan.

To re-enter Japan, you must first check with the AAC to confirm that you are academically eligible to return to TUJ. After all departments conclude your academic eligibility, OSS will send you a confirmation.

In the event you require a new student visa, application and processing can take up to 90 days, so you must contact OSS well in advance of your proposed return. The application procedure will be the same as when you applied for your first Certificate of Eligibility for your student visa. The required documents will be the same as will the visa application processing fee of ¥20,000 due at the time of application. The application form for a Certificate of Eligibility for student visa and explanation of the other required documents are available here.

Summer Only LOA (Summer Absence)

If you do not intend to take courses at TUJ during the summer semester, but plan to return to TUJ for the fall semester, you must do the following:

1. Submit a completed Summer-Absence Form for Visa-sponsored Students below to the Visa Coordinator (visa@tuj.temple.edu). Forms must be submitted to the Visa Coordinator no later than 5:00 p.m. of the last day to drop a course for the summer semester (See the Academic Calendar).
2. Obtain a re-entry permit from the Immigration Bureau in Shinagawa (a re-entry permit is required even if you have a "Multiple" student visa). Please keep your alien registration card and health insurance certificate with you when you exit Japan.
3. Leave Japan within 30 days of the last day of spring semester or within 30 days of the day you submit the LOA form (whichever date is later). You may not re-enter Japan until 30 days prior to the beginning of the fall semester. You are not permitted to re-enter Japan mid-summer; you must remain outside of Japan until 30 days before the start of the fall semester.

• Summer Absence Form for Visa-Sponsored Students (PDF: 52KB)

Summer Only LOA Extension
If you extend your "Summer Absence" into the fall semester, you must follow the LOA policy and notify both AAC (aac@tuj.temple.edu) and the Visa Coordinator (visa@tuj.temple.edu). You will continue to be charged for National Health Insurance as long as your visa is valid.