Student Visa: Before you arrive

In order for you to enter Japan as a student, you must apply to the Consular Section of the Embassy or Consulate General of Japan for a Student Visa (officially called General visa: Student).. Your visa indicates the period that you will be permitted to stay in Japan (i.e. six months or one year), date of visa expiry and visa category (i.e. student). All incoming students in the International Division are eligible for student visas.

① Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) for admitted students are digitally issued by Fukuoka Regional Immigration Service Bureau and emailed to receiving institution (SGU).
② SGU forwards the email to each admitted student and their home institution.
*CoE has been digitized as of March 17th, 2023. Please note that there will be a delay in sending the CoE if you are late submitting the application form.



③ International students apply for their student visa at an Embassy or Consulate-General of Japan by presenting the email forwarded from SGU.
➃ Student visa will be issued. Its processing time differs depending on the countries/regions.

<Required docoments to apply for a student visa>
 - Valid Passport
 - Visa Application Form
 - Photo
 - (Email forwarded from SGU) An Electronic Certificate of Eligibility
 - A Copy of Admission Letter
   *Via mail, SGU sends these documents to you (or your Study Abroad Coordinator if you are an exchange student)
 - Other Documents and/or Processing Fees (if necessary)

Resources:
・Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan - Student Visa
・List of Japanese Embassies and Consulates

Residence Card: After you arrive

At your port of entry, landing permission will be stamped in your passport and a residence card* will be issued. You are obliged to carry your residence card wherever you go, as stipulated under Japanese law. When asked by the police, you will have to show your residence card as your ID.
*Residence cards are issued at New Chitose Airport, Narita International Airport, Haneda Airport, Chubu Centrair International Airport, Kansai International Airport, Hiroshima Airport, and Fukuoka Airport.

For other ports/airports, the residence card will be issued after the Notification of Address** has been submitted to your local municipal office.
**All newly arrived international students must submit the Notification of Address at a ward office in your area within 14 days of residency being determined. More information will be provided during the orientation sessions held after your arrival.

Reference:
・ Immigration Services Agency of Japan