GIFU UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF ENGINEERING and GRADUATE SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

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Immigration Procedures

Before Coming to Japan

Before leaving your country, please make sure that you have the followings documents with you: A valid passport, and a valid visa.

  As for obtaining a passport, please go to the immigration office in your home country for the application procedures as passports are issued by the government in your own country. You will not be able to leave or enter the country without one. If this is the first time for you to apply for a passport, and in case if an entrance examination slip or university admission certificate is required, please mention it when you make an application to our faculty / university.

  Secondly, you must apply for "College Student" visa when you first come to Japan as an international student. In order to apply for a College Student Visa, you have to submit a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE), which is issued by the Japanese Immigration Office (in Japan) to a Japanese Embassy/consulate in your home country. Since issuing of both CoE and college student visa takes 1-3 months, it is advisable that you proceed immediately with the application once you have passed the entrance examination.

  *Please note that only College Student Visa holders will be considered as "International Students" and thus are eligible to receive the services provided to International Students (for examples, scholarships, student hostels, Summer/Winter learning trips, etc.).

Accommodation

  Before coming to Japan, you are also advised to arrange/apply for accommodation. As an International Student, you are eligible to apply for lodging facilities at the International Student House, university's dormitory (Kurono Dormitory), or public housing / apartments. (Please refer "Living in Gifu" for more details)

Useful link: Housing information provided by the Gifu University Student Exchange Division

Upon Arriving in Japan

  When you arrive in Japan, please visit the Gifu City Hall office at your earliest convenience in order to apply for "Alien Registration". Any foreigners who intend to stay in Japan for more than 90 days are required to apply for alien registration in order for him/her to have a legal identity for all kinds of procedures, these include extending period of stay, change of status of residence (for example from Pre-College Student to College Student), or even applying for a mobile phone service at a local shops.

  The Certificate of Alien Registration (similar to an identity card) will be issued within 2-3 weeks and you are required to carry this so-called "Alien Card" with you at all times when you are outside of your house/residence.

During Your Stay in Japan

  College Student Visas for the duration of one or two years are normally granted to International Students, so it would be necessary to extend the period of stay if you are to enroll as an undergraduate (4-year enrollment) or doctoral course (3-year enrollment) student. Since it normally takes 2-3 weeks to process for the visa extension, it would be wise to make the application about 1 month prior to your visa expiry date. Generally, application can be made from 10 days to 2 months prior to expiration.

  Another very important thing to keep in mind is, when you plan to return to your home countries or travel out of Japan temporarily, you must not forget to apply for "Re-entry" permit. If you leave Japan without a Re-entry permit, your current visa status will be terminated and you will be asked to return your Alien Registration Card at the immigration inspection (at the airport). Besides the re-entry permit, please also make sure that you have the permission to leave Japan temporarily from your academic advisor, and that you also notify the faculty's Student Affairs office. Always remember to leave a contact phone number (in case of emergency).

  *Please note that the re-entry permission date can only valid as long as your period of stay/visa is valid. Therefore, when you are leaving Japan temporarily (whether to return home or to visit another country), you must first check your visa expiration date and apply for permission to extend your period of stay before you apply for re-entry permit if there is a chance you may not return to Japan within the date of expiration of period of stay.

  Another important matter to keep in mind is, do NOT engage in any part-time work without permission. Holders of College Student visa, or even Family Dependant visa, are not allowed to engage in paid labor UNLESS they have a permit, which is called "Permission to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted". Only students with good academic records will be considered for this permit and the total hours of work is also limited so that it will not affect the student's study. Please visit the Student Affairs office for the application form and more details.

  Besides the above-mentioned matters, any changes in the registered matters, for examples "Status of Residence", "Occupation", "Period of Stay", etc, you are required to apply for a change of status residence at the Immigration Bureau. Please take note that failure in applying for change in registered matters will result in penalty or deportation.

Useful link: Immigration information provided by the Gifu University Student Exchange Division

For more up-to-date details and application forms download, please visit the Immigration Bureau of Japan's official webpage.