Frequently Asked Questions from International Students

Status of Residence

• How do I extend my status of residence?
• What should I do if my status of residence expires while I am away from Japan?

Confirming Student Enrollment

• At what times do I have to submit a copy of my Residence Card to the university?
• Why do International Students need to have their attendance confirmed every month?

Procedure before coming to Japan

• I would like to go to Japan during the 2020 AY, but it is a big financial burden to pay for the 14-day quarantine and other expenses. Is there any university support?
• I applied for a COE because my status of residence (or my special Re-entry Permission) expired while I was in my home country. What are the required procedures?
• I found some information saying that we will be able to enter to Japan. What are the required procedures?(Updated on 5th Nov.)
• I have been affected by the novel coronavirus situation and I will not be able to go to Japan before my Certificate of Eligibility expires. What should I do?
• I have already received my visa from the embassy (consulate) but due to Japan's entry restrictions, I am not able to go to Japan. Is that okay?
• I have received my Certificate of Eligibility (COE) but I have not been able to apply for my visa at the nearest embassy (consulate). Is that okay?

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Procedure when leaving Japan/re-entering Japan

• I heard that I will be able to re-enter Japan. What are the required procedures?
• After re-entry to Japan, by what means should I move from the airport to a place of residence/accommodation?
• Can I return to my dormitory directly after re-entry to Japan?　
• If I do plan to leave Japan temporarily, do I need to notify the Immigration Bureau?
• If I do plan to leave Japan temporarily, do I need to notify the university?
• If I do plan to leave temporarily Japan, how do I get a Special Re-entry Permission/Re-entry Permission to return to Japan?

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Tuition Reduction and Payment

• I am currently away from Japan, so I am worried that the invoice for my tuition has been delivered to my address in Japan. How can I obtain my tuition invoice?
• After paying my tuition, the results of the tuition reduction applications were released and I found out that I over-paid. Can I be refunded?
• The results of tuition reduction have not yet been announced, but I have already received my tuition invoice. Am I allowed to pay tuition after the results have been announced?
• When applying for the 2020 AY tuition reducation, there was a requirement to submit our Residence Card by April 30th, but I am not in Japan and don't have a Residence Card. What should I do?
• When will we find out the results for tuition reduction?
• Are there any rules or restrictions on tuition reduction?

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Scholarships and Support Funding

• Is there any kind of support available for those people who are in a difficult financial situation due to the novel coronavirus?
• How do I apply for a scholarship?
• When will the results of the scholarship applications be announced?

Help desks supporting life in Japan

• I heard that I can talk to the international student support coordinator to talk about my student life. Should I go to the service window?
• Where can I collect information on living in Japan?
• I am feeling uneasy since I am unaccustomed to living in Japan. Are there any help-desks that I can consult?

Part-time Jobs (ARUBAITO)

• What kind of procedure do I have to do in order to do a part-time job?
• Are there restrictions on when I am allowed to do a part-time job?

Housing

• How do I look for housing in Japan?
• Can I live in a university dorm?

For Alumni/Graduated students

• I would like to issue a certificates of graduation. However, I'm no longer in Japan, how should I apply?
• Due to the effects of COVID-19, I cannot secure my return flight, and cannot return to my home country. Since I'm no longer an int'l student at Ritsumeikan, I think I have to change my residence status to something other than "STUDENT". What should i do?