As indicated in the following Immigration Services Agency page, those who wish to continue to reside in Japan for the purpose of awaiting entrance to an institution of higher education, for the period after graduating from a Japanese university until entering a Japanese graduate school, may be able to apply to change to a "Designated Activities" status of residence.
In order to apply, certain conditions must be met. First, please check the above page and if you plan to enter a graduate school of Ritsumeikan University, please confirm the information below. (If you plan to enter a graduate school other than Ritsumeikan University, please consult the office of the graduate school you plan to enter.)
Application Requirements
- The applicant's status of residence must be either "Student" or "Designated Activities" (for continuing job hunting activities).
- The applicant must have graduated from a degree-seeking course (this does not include auditing students, non-degree students, research students, etc.).
- The applicant must be admitted to one of Ritsumeikan University's graduate schools (those with a "Student" status of residence must enter within 1 year after graduation / those with a "Designated Activities" (for continuing job hunting activities) status of residence must enter within 1 year and 3 months after graduation).
- If the applicant currently resides in Japan under the status of residence "Student", they must complete the admission procedures and apply for a change of status at the Immigration Bureau by the last day of April after graduation from their previous university (by the end of October in the case of a September graduation).
- If the applicant currently resides in Japan under the status of residence "Designated Activities" (for continuing job hunting activities), they must complete the enrollment procedures and apply for a change of status at the Immigration Bureau within one month after the announcement of acceptance to the university (*The status of residence must be changed promptly according to the purpose of stay).
- The applicant must have a valid status of residence ("Student" or "Designated Activities" (for continuing job hunting activities)) until the change of status of residence to "Designated Activities" (for awaiting entrance to graduate school) is approved.
| If you plan to apply for graduate school after graduation, please consult with your local immigration office to determine under which status of residence you should stay in Japan. |
Application Flow
- Pay the admission fee, tuition, etc., and submit documents proving payment (receipts, etc.) to the Graduate School Office by e-mail.
- Submit an application form for a Certificate of Matriculation to the Graduate School Office.
- Submit the required documents to the International Center (ru-coe@st.ritsumei.ac.jp).
- Receive the Certificate of Matriculation and Pledge from the International Center. (Sent via e-mail).
- Go to the nearest Immigration Bureau office and apply for a change of status of residence by yourself.
- After completing the change of status of residence to "Designated Activities", submit photos of your residence card to the International Center (ru-coe@st.ritsumei.ac.jp).
- Before entering school, apply to change your status of residence to "Student".
Documents to be Submitted to the International Center
After paying the admission fee, tuition, etc., and submitting the Application for Issuance of Certificate of Matriculation to the Graduate School Office, please submit the following documents to the International Center.
| 1 |
Documents certifying the applicant's ability to pay all expenses during their stay in Japan. *Please submit one of the following (1, 2, or 3). Please estimate at least 100,000 yen per month.
|
| 2 | Diploma OR Certificate of Graduation (Completion of Studies) |
| 3 | Residence Card |
■E-Mail Address for Submission (International Center)
- ru-coe@st.ritsumei.ac.jp
■Submission Deadline
①Students who will graduate from a university/graduate school (who hold a "Student" status of residence at the time of application)
| Date of Graduation | University-Specified Deadline to Apply to the Immigration Bureau |
| March 2024 | By the end of April 2024 |
| September 2024 | By the end of October 2024 |
②Students who are continuing their job-hunting activities after graduation (who hold a "Designated Activities" status of residence at the time of application)
| Date of Graduation | University-Specified Deadline to Apply to the Immigration Bureau |
| ― | Within one month of the announcement of acceptance |
Documents to be Submitted to the Immigration Bureau
Please prepare all of the following documents, including the Certificate of Matriculation and Pledge that you will receive from the International Center, and apply for a change of status of residence at the Immigration Bureau that has jurisdiction over your place of residence.
|
1 |
Application for Change of Status of Residence |
| 2 |
Photograph（4 cm × 3 cm） |
| 3 |
Passport |
| 4 |
Residence Card |
| 5 | Document proving the applicant's ability to pay expenses while staying in Japan |
| 6 |
Diploma or certificate of graduation (or completion of studies) from the university you have attended immediately before Ritsumeikan graduate school |
| 7* |
Certificate of Matriculation |
| 8* | Pledge: Document indicating compliance by the student awaiting entrance with periodic contact from the graduate school to which the student plans to enroll. |
*The documents with * will be prepared by the International Center.
From Completion of Change of Status of Residence to "Designated Activities" until Enrollment
- After the change of status of residence to "Designated Activities" is completed, please submit a photo of both sides of your new residence card to the International Center via e-mail.
- Before entrance, you must change your status of residence to "Student". The change of status of residence can be made three months prior to enrollment. Please contact the Center for International Education on your own.