Immigration

Chiba Branch Office, Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau (Chiba Nyukan)

Chuo Community Center, 1st floor
2-1 Chiba-minato, Chuo-ku, Chiba
Tel: 043-242-6597
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/soshiki/kikou/tokyo/tiba.html

It is your responsibility to obtain the necessary immigration documents that allow you to study in Japan and to ensure your documents remain valid during your stay.
Stay up to date with immigration laws and procedures by visiting the website of the Immigration Bureau of Japan. The website is available in Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish.
Note that the immigration procedure is a lengthy process. Plan ahead to avoid any immigration issue.

1. Student visa

Before coming to Japan, you must obtain a visa that allows you to study in Japan. If your purpose of entry is to attend university, you must have a Student visa. Only students who have Student visas are considered international students at Chiba University: if you have anything but a Student visa, you are not considered to be an international student regardless of nationality, and you are therefore exempt from scholarship opportunities and other services for international students.

2. Applying for your visa

- MEXT Scholarship Students
Consult the Japanese embassy to which you turned in the MEXT scholarship application.
- J-PAC students
Contact the study abroad office of your home university for necessary procedures and forms. - all other students
In order to obtain a Student visa, you must first apply for the Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Consult the Japanese embassy in your area.
Once you have confirmed your plans to come to Chiba University, plan ahead and allow enough time for visa application. The whole procedure (COE application and visa issuance) may take as long as three months.

a. applying through Chiba University
Some faculties/graduate schools of Chiba University take care of your COE application on your behalf. The chart below explains the flow of the procedures. Should you require further information, contact the academic affairs office of your faculty/graduate school or ISD.

1. Send the application form for COE
2. Complete the COE application form and send it with the other required documents
3. Authorize and turn in the applicant’s COE application
4. Issue COE to the applicant
5. Send COE and Certificate of Admission
6. Apply for visa (COE required)
7. Issue the visa
8. Enter Japan with your passport, visa and COE

b. applying on your own
Inquire at the Japanese embassy or nearest Japanese consulate in your country regarding the formalities. Note that the application process does take lengthy periods of time.

3. Changing your status of residence

If you are already in Japan and your residential status does not allow you to attend school, you must change your status before starting your studies at Chiba University.
Though some residential status allows you to attend school, if your status is anything other than “College Student”, you are not considered to be an international student at Chiba University and therefore exempt from scholarship opportunities and services offered to international students.
Visit the website of the Immigration Bureau of Japan for required documents and procedures.

4. Extending your visa

If you plan to continue to study beyond the expiration date of your visa, you must extend the period of your visa. It is extremely important that you are aware of your visa expiration date.
Since the procedure takes time, it is recommended that you begin the extension process three months before the expiration date. Failure to extend your visa in time might cause serious consequences. Being ignorant or late is inexcusable.
Visit the website of the Immigration Bureau of Japan for required documents and procedures.

5. Re-entry permit

If you want to temporarily leave Japan before July 9, 2012 and come back with the same visa, you must obtain a re-entry permit before you leave. If you leave without a re-entry permit, the visa you had when you left will no longer be valid for coming back.
Visit the website of the Immigration Bureau of Japan for required documents, procedures, and fees.

However, after the Amendment of the Immigration Control Act becomes effective from July 9, 2012, re-entry permit will no longer be required if you come back to Japan within a year of your departure or before the expiration date of your valid visa, whichever comes first.Visit the website of the Immigration Bureau of Japan for details.

6. Bringing your family to Japan

If you want to bring your family (i.e., your spouse and/or child) to Japan to stay with you, you can apply for a Dependent visa for your family members. Upon application, you are required to present an official document that proves your relationship to your family member, in addition to proof that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family in Japan.
Visit the website of the Immigration Bureau of Japan for more information, required documents and procedures.