Visa Regulations

Visa-sponsored students are obligated to understand and abide by Japanese Immigration Law as well as TUJ and Japanese Immigration visa rules and regulations. TUJ periodically submits enrollment reports to the Japanese Immigration Bureau. Students must know their visa status, take action well in advance to maintain that status, and inform the Office of Student Services (OSS) when any changes to that status occur.

TUJ reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to limit access to TUJ services, restrict enrollment, or revoke sponsorship if the student fails to follow TUJ visa related policies or instructions; fails to comply with Japanese immigration laws and regulations; or engages in misconduct or behavior that may adversely affect TUJ's standing with the Immigration Bureau of Japan or other governmental authority.

This includes, but is not limited to, the right to place a "visa hold" on academic records and file a report with the Immigration Bureau. Students on a visa hold are unable to register online or receive grades, transcripts or a diploma. In order to remove the visa hold the student must follow the instructions provided by OSS.

If you are a student seeking or in possession of a TUJ-sponsored student visa, please read the following carefully and review the information found in TUJ's IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR VISA-SPONSORED STUDENTS information packet. For a copy of this information packet or if you have any questions, please contact the visa coordinator at oss@tuj.ac.jp.

Immigration Bureau in Tokyo

The Immigration Bureau is a short bus ride from the JR Shinagawa Station. Take the #8 bus departing from the East Exit of the station to the Immigration Bureau. The fare is 200 yen each way. Maps are available at OSS or check their website at http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/soshiki/iten.html. The Immigration Bureau is open from 9 am to 4 pm on weekdays and closed for holidays and weekends. There may be long lines so go early (even then, expect a wait).

Full-time Enrollment Requirement

As a TUJ visa sponsored student you are required to maintain full-time status. Full-time status at TUJ for visa purposes is 12 credits a semester. As long as you are registered as a full-time student at the end of the Add/Drop period you will maintain full-time status regardless of whether you subsequently withdraw from a course. At the time of your visa extension, the Immigration Bureau may check to see if you have earned at least 32 credits in the past year or 62-64 credits in the past 2 years. Thus, we advise that you take more than 12 credits, preferably 15 or 17 credits, in fall and spring semesters if you plan on taking the summer semester off.

Summer Enrollment

If you decide to stay in Japan during the summer, you must be enrolled in courses or you will be in violation of Japanese law. REPEAT: You are not allowed to stay in Japan for the summer unless you are enrolled in classes. Full-time enrollment during the summer semester requires a minimum of 9 credits, however, you may petition to take less. Approval from the Senior Associate Dean is required and petitions to reduce your course work due to outside language study, work, academic reasons, etc. are generally approved. Students petitioning for a reduced load must be in good standing and must have studied at TUJ for 2 semesters or more. To petition, please draft an essay of 200-450 words describing why you are seeking a reduced course load and submit it to the visa coordinator at oss@tuj.ac.jp from your Temple e-mail account. Make sure you write your name and student ID number in the email and be sure you are registered for 9 credits until you hear the result of the petition. All petitions must be submitted by the end of the drop period for that semester.

Summer Off

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. E-mail OSS (oss@tuj.ac.jp) prior to the end of your final examinations from your Temple e-mail account. The subject line should be "Summer Off" and you must include summer contact information outside of Japan and your travel itinerary including departure and return dates.
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 with you when you exit Japan.
3. Physically leave Japan within 30 days from the last day of the semester. 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.

Note: If you extend your "Summer Off" into the fall semester, you must notify both AAC (aac@tuj.ac.jp) and OSS (oss@tuj.ac.jp). You will continue to be charged for National Health Insurance until you can officially cancel it.

Part-time Enrollment

If there are unavoidable circumstances preventing you from enrolling full-time for the spring or fall semesters, you must contact the manager of the Academic Advising Center at (aac@tuj.ac.jp) in advance. TUJ will review petitions showing extraordinary circumstances on a case by case review basis.

Housing

First semester students who acquire a visa through TUJ must stay in TUJ-designated housing. Housing options include dorms, apartments, and a limited number of home-stays with local families.

• Housing Information

Working Permission

You may work up to 28 hours per week during the semester and 40 hours a week during the breaks (a maximum of 8 hours a day). You must have a work permit from the Immigration Bureau before you start working. This application process usually takes about 3 weeks but, depending on the Immigration Bureau's workload, it may take longer. Please come to Japan with enough funds to support yourself until you can begin working. You will receive an original copy of the permit to attach to your passport. The same work permit may be used for different jobs. The permit is valid while your visa is valid and you are enrolled at TUJ.

Work restrictions: Students may not work in any business remotely related to the adult entertainment industry. This includes but is not limited to hostess clubs, pachinko parlors, adult-entertainment internet businesses, escort services, and telephone-based dating services.

Application procedure: Application information is available at OSS. You will need to have your alien registration card (or receipt of application) before you can get your permit. OSS will accept applications during the semester when school is in session. Work permits will only be granted to those students who strictly comply with all immigration and TUJ visa related regulations.

Alien Registration Card

All non-Japanese people living in Japan are legally required to apply for an alien registration card. OSS recommends that you apply for the card within 14 days of your arrival in Japan at the ward office (city hall) in the area in which you reside. The processing time generally takes 2 to 3 weeks. Upon application, you will receive a registration number and pick-up date.

Important things to remember:

1. You must carry the card or your passport at all times.
2. You must report any information changes on your card to the ward office and to OSS within 14 days of the change. Such changes include, for example, a renewed visa, address change, new passport, marriage (or divorce), or any correction to the information printed on your card.
3. You must keep your card as long as you are enrolled at TUJ. This applies even if you are temporarily traveling abroad.
4. Once you finish your studies, if you intend to leave Japan permanently, you must return your card to the immigration inspector at the airport upon departure.
5. You must have an alien registration card to apply for a re-entry permit or a work permit.

To apply for an alien registration card you will need:

1. Two passport sized photos (3.5 x 4.5 cm) - photos booths are located outside most train stations for about 700 yen.
2. Passport
3. Address in Japan

You will receive a receipt from the ward office upon completing your application for the alien registration card. It takes about 2 weeks for the card to be made and you will have to go back to the ward office to pick it up. Be sure to check that the information on the card is correct. The card will be used to apply for a working permit and re-entry permit.

If you would like to open a bank account and purchase a cell phone before your alien registration card is ready, apply for a certificate of registered matters ( gaikoku-jin-toroku-kisai-jiko-shomei-sho). An application form is available at the ward office.

National Health Insurance

All residents of Japan, including students who acquire a visa through TUJ, MUST register for National Health Insurance (NHI) even if you have an insurance plan in your own country.

After you register for your alien registration card, go to the National Health Insurance section inside the ward office to apply. The cost of insurance is determined by the local government. Cost may vary depending on your earnings and the municipality in which you reside. If you don't have any income in Japan during the prior year, you may be eligible for a 70% discount on the yearly premium. If you do have income in Japan, your premium will increase depending on your earnings.

For more details on National Health Insurance and how to apply, please see the National Health Insurance section of this website.