Certificate of Eligibility for a Status of Residence

Foreign nationals who will receive education at colleges and universities in Japan must have "College Student" status of residence, provided under the Immigration Control and Refugee-Recognition Act. It is also necessary to have the Certificate of Eligibility for "College Student" Status of Residence in order to apply for scholarships and financial aid for tuition or for medical expenses.

Once you have been admitted to the University, the University applies to the Immigration Bureau of the Japanese Ministry of Justice for your Certificate of Eligibility for a Status of Residence to be issued. You will need to take the Certificate of Eligibility along with your passport to the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in order to apply for a student visa.

Application Procedures

1. Overseas applicants who are admitted to the University will be able to request the University for a proxy application for the Certificate of Eligibility for a Status of Residence. Consult with our Office of International Programs before applying for admission to the University.
2. The University will send the admitted applicants prescribed documents to be submitted to the Immigration Bureau.
3. The application documents for Immigration will be as follows. They are subject to change according to the request of the Immigration Bureau.
   1. Application Form for a Certificate of Eligibility for a Status of Residence (Prescribed form of the Ministry of Justice)
   2. Two photos (4cm×3cm)
      • Must be taken within 6 months prior to application. Full face above shoulders, no headwear, no background permitted.
      • Write the applicant's name and nationality on the back of each photo, one of which should be pasted in the designated place on the application form.
   3. A copy of the applicant's passport
   4. A copy of the Letter of Admission from the University
   5. Financial Affidavit
      Financial support for tuition and living expenses during the stay in Japan must be shown in the Financial Affidavit.
   6. Evidence of Financial Support
      The sponsor must submit evidence of financial support such as:
      • Official bank statement with balance in a sponsor's bank account to support the fund, declared in the Financial Affidavit.
      • Statement of the sponsor's employer on business stationery, showing the date and nature of employment.
      • Statement of the sponsor's employer on business stationery, showing the sponsor's annual salary paid.
   7. Other documents, if the immigration office requires applicants to submit individually, according to applicants' nationalities or to the states of financial support.
4. The applicant must attach translations into Japanese or English of any documents in other languages. The translator's name and the name of the organization to which the translator belongs, address, phone and fax number must appear on the translated documents, together with the translator's signature and/or the company/school seal.
   
   N.B.
   • The decision to issue the Certificate of Eligibility for a Status of Residence is made by the Ministry of Justice. The University does not bear any responsibility for the rejection of the application.
   • The University cannot apply in proxy for the Certificate of Eligibility unless all necessary documents are submitted. It will take more than one month for the issuance of the Certificate; therefore, applicants should file all the necessary documents by the due date designated by the University.
   • When the application is approved and the Certificate of Eligibility for a Status of Residence is issued, the University will send the Certificate by mail addressed to the applicant, after confirming the remittance of tuition and fees.