Visa and status of residence

Consult with the Student Support Division before deciding to take a leave of absence.

If you take a leave of absence, you cannot remain in Japan under "Student" status, nor are you allowed to work part-time. You must leave Japan promptly or change to an appropriate residence status if you wish to stay.

When leaving Japan, please return your residence card at the airport.

You will need to obtain a new Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to apply for a student visa in order to resume studying at Science Tokyo. The Student Support Division will assist you with the COE application, so please contact us at least three months before your planned date of re-entry to Japan.

Consult with the Student Support Division before deciding to study abroad.

If you are going to study abroad for more than three months, your "Student" status will be revoked, even if your period of stay remains valid, as you will no longer be considered a student in Japan. When leaving Japan, please return your residence card at the airport.

You will need to obtain a new Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to apply for a student visa in order to re-enter Japan. The Student Support Division will assist you with the COE application, so please contact us at least three months before your planned date of re-entry to Japan.

The "Student" status is only valid during your period of enrollment at Science Tokyo. After graduation or completion, you must leave Japan promptly, even if your period of stay still remains valid. When leaving Japan, please return your residence card at the airport.

If your period of stay includes extra time beyond your enrollment for departure preparation, (i.e., if your residence period is significantly longer than your period of enrollment), you cannot change to "Temporary visitor" status for the purpose of such preparation.

If you plan to stay in Japan after graduation/completion, you must change to an appropriate status (see below for examples) and submit a "Notification of Affiliation Change (Leave/Transfer)" to the Regional Immigration Services Bureau within 14 days of graduation/completion, unless you continue your studies at Science Tokyo.

• If you are planning to start work: contact the company where you have received a job offer (Naitei) and change your status to "Working."
• If you already have a job offer (Naitei) from a company and want to stay in Japan until your job starts: contact the company and change your status to "Designated Activities (Naitei Taiki)."
• If you want to continue job hunting (regular students only): contact the Student Support Division and apply for a change of status to "Designated Activities (Job Hunting)."
• If you have a letter of acceptance to a graduate school and want to stay until the date of enrollment: contact the Student Support Division and apply for a change of status to "Designated Activities (Shingaku Taiki)."

If you withdraw or are expelled from Science Tokyo, you cannot remain in Japan under "Student" status and must leave Japan promptly. When departing, please return your residence card at the airport.

If you plan to stay in Japan to enroll at another university or to work in Japan, please check your status with your new university or company. You must also submit a "Notification of Affiliation Change (Leave/Transfer)" to the Regional Immigration Services Bureau within 14 days of the date of withdrawal/expulsion.