The information for international students who will enroll in the faculties / graduate schools of the Biwako Kusatsu Campus (BKC) in April 2022 will be posted on this page.
Starting on Friday, September 2, 2022, we will sequentially post important information about entering Ritsumeikan University as an international student, including the date and time of the orientation for new international students and how to apply for participation.
(Last Updated 2022/9/13)
1. New International Student Orientation
Orientation will be held for new international students by the International Center. The orientation will cover important information for new international students, such as status of residence, application procedures for scholarships and tuition reduction, and what to do if you have any problems in your student life.
Date, Time and Format
|
２．Before your departure and after your arrival in Japan
（１）New entry into Japan（acquiring a visa, entry into Japan, and self-quarantine)
-If you are entering Japan on a new "STUDENT" visa, please check this page regarding the necessary procedures for newly entering Japan.
-The page here explains what procedures you need to complete after arrival in Japan and before you enroll at the university (or for those living in Japan already, what you must do before enrollment).
（２）Complete the following procedures at your local municipal office (city hall, ward office, etc.)
All three procedures below can be done at the municipal office on the same day. Complete everything on the same day if possible.
| ① Register your address |
Students with a status of residence are legally obliged to report their address at their local municipal office within 14 days of their arrival in Japan and within 14 days of any change of address thereafter. Please register your address within 14 days of your arrival. |
| ② Enroll in National Health Insurance |
“National Health Insurance” is a public health insurance system. All international students who will stay in Japan for 3 months or more must enroll in National Health Insurance. After joining, you will have to pay the National Health Insurance premium, however, if you receive medical treatment at the doctor, you will be responsible for only 30% of the medical expenses. For more details, please refer to the Kyoto City International Foundation website or the page here. |
| ③ Enroll in the National Pension System |
The National Pension System allows income security for the elderly and disabled. All people between the ages of 20 and 60 years old who live in Japan, including foreign nationals, must enroll in this system. Once you join the National Pension you will have to pay the National Pension premium, however, students can defer payment of their premiums with the “Special Payment System for Students”. Please enroll and apply for deferment at the municipal office. |
（３）Submit a copy of your residence card to the University
All international students are required to submit a copy of their residence card. The Immigration Service Agency of Japan requires foreign students to report their status of residence to the institution in Japan they are affiliated with.
[How to submit] Upload photos of your residence card (front and back) via this form.
* To access the form above you must log in with your Ritsumeikan University RAINBOW ID, which will be sent to you via Ritsu-Mate on Tue, Sep 13th.
３．Important information for your international student life at Ritsumeikan
（１）What every international student must remember to do
You have been granted "Student"(留学) residence status by the Immigration Bureau as a qualification to study and conduct research at Ritsumeikan University. If you are not studying or conducting research at the university or if we are unable to contact you, you will be considered as either staying in Japan illegally or as unaccounted for, and your "Student" residence status may be revoked. Of course, even if you are engaged in study or conducting research at the university, forgetting to complete the procedures to extend the period of your "Student" residence status may also result in you staying in Japan illegally.
To avoid these such problems, please remember to do the following.
| No | What to do. | When to do it. | How to do it. |
| 1 |
Submit copies of your residence card |
・After you enter Japan |
Web Form |
| 2 |
Extend your Period of Stay |
Within 3 months of the expiration date written on your residence card | See this page |
| 3 | Confirm your monthly attendance at the university | Every month (this goes for students stuck overseas as well) | See this page |
| 4 | Register/update your personal/contact info |
Whenever your personal info changes (i.e. name, address, phone number, etc.) |
|
| 5 | Submit the "Notification for Temporarily Leaving Japan" | Any time you will temporarily leave Japan （e.g. When you return to your home country for summer vacation） |
See this page |
（２）Useful information for student life
The following is information useful for your student life at Ritsumeikan University such as an introduction of the "Online Support Desk" through which you can ask questions, consult with staff, and submit applications and documents to the International Center at any time, the "International Student Handbook", which contains important daily life and academic life info and instructions on how to apply for scholarships and tuition reduction, etc., and the "Study Support Site", which contains information on classes, how to order certificates, etc.
Particularly important points will be reviewed during orientation itself.
| No. | Topic | Guidance Materials |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
About your Residence Status |
|
| 2 | Ritsumeikan University Online Support Desk | About the Online Support Desk |
| 3 | International Student Handbook | |
| 4 | About Scholarships | How to apply for scholarships and tuition reduction as a self-financed student |
| 5 | Study Support Site | Registering for courses, syllabus, academic calendar, etc. |
| 6 | Commuting to Campus by Bicycle | Commuting to BKC by bicycle |
| 7 | About IT Support |
-Use of IT Services (Wi-Fi, university email, computer-equipped classrooms, etc.) |
| 8 | Using the Library | |
| 9 | About Health Insurance and National Pension | Health Insurance, Pension, Discounts and Subsidies |
| 10 | Office of Student Affairs | |
| 11 | A Message from the Health Center |
-How to visit a clinic in town or on campus, and how to prevent transmittable disease |
| 12 | About the University Co-op |
-Ritsumeikan University Co-op Membership Instructions |
| 13 | Job Hunting in Japan and University Support |