(2) Students without 12 Years of Education
　As for those who have had school education for less than 12 years, their enrollment in institutions of higher education will be permitted only with either of the following conditions:

	a. Those who have passed the national examination of the relevant country (or pursuant to it) to qualify that the examinees have the attainments equal to or higher than those who have finished 12 years of school education. The applicants also need to have become 18 years old. Such examinations include Baccalaureat in France and Abitur in Germany.
	b. Those who have finished the school system equivalent to upper secondary schools (including those who have passed the above mentioned examinations) abroad, have finished University Preparatory Course to enter Japanese professional training colleges and universities provided at the educational institutions in the chart below or prefectural settlement facilities or self-support facilities for returnees from China, and have become 18 years old
* University Preparatory Course refers to what is assigned by MEXT for students from countries where secondary education requires less than 12 years for graduation to obtain eligibility to apply for Japanese professional training colleges and universities.

(1) Admission Requirements for Professional Training Colleges
　Individuals must meet one of the following criteria to apply for admission to a Japanese professional training college. Be sure you meet the requirements indicated if you are thinking about studying abroad in Japan.

1. Applicants must have completed 12 years of school education (which includes meeting the requirement for completing secondary education) in a foreign country.
   * Including individuals who are 18 years of age or older and have completed a secondary education program (12 years) at an educational facility in Japan that is positioned within the school education system of a foreign country
   
   
2. If an applicant graduated after completing 10 or 11 years of secondary education, they must be 18 years of age or older and must have completed a program at an institution designated as a “preparatory educational institution.”
   
   
3. Applicants must be recognized as possessing the equivalent or greater academic capabilities of a high school graduate with regard to admission of university or other institutions of higher education.
   
   a. Individuals who are 18 years of age or older and hold an International Baccalaureate degree or a German Abitur degree
   b. Individuals who are 18 years of age or older and have completed a 12-year program at an international school that has been certified by an international assessment organization (WASC, ACSI, ECIS)

(2) Japanese Language Skills
　Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:

1. Applicants who have received six or more months of Japanese language education at an institute for Japanese language education designated by the Ministry of Justice, that is, an educational institution certified by the Association for the Promotion of Japanese Language Education
   
   
2. Applicants who have passed N1 or N2 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) administered by Japan Educational Exchanges and Services and the Japan Foundation
   
   
3. Applicants who have received education for one year or longer at a Japanese elementary school, junior high school, or high school
   
   
4. Applicants who have scored 200 or more points (combined total for reading, comprehension, and listening) in Japanese on the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU)
   
   
5. Applicants who have scored 400 or more points on the Japanese Listening and Reading Comprehension Test (JLRT) portion of the Business Japanese Proficiency Test (BJT) administered by the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Association (administered by JETRO until 2008)

(3) Studying at a Professional Training College
　Professional training colleges that want to accept international students are required by order of the Ministry of the Justice to have a full-time staff member responsible for providing guidance on everyday life issues to international students. Also, many professional training colleges have adopted a “homeroom teacher” system in which a specific teacher is assigned responsibility for providing guidance to international students on academic issues as well as on everyday issues outside of school.

1. Confirmation of School Rules and Procedures
　An orientation session will be held soon after students are admitted. At this time, the school will introduce the student advisors, explain various procedures, discuss the school rules, and provide other tips and suggestions.
　There are many procedures that must be completed by international students. Listen carefully to the school’s explanations and be sure to remember what you are told. Changing student’s visa status is particularly important and must be completed by the time the student enrolls. If you have not yet taken steps to change your status, you should do so promptly. Also, be sure you understand the school’s rules regarding grade level promotion, graduation, expulsion, and fee payment systems.
　Be sure to take notes when listening to information on these topics because these will help you understand the information better and may come in handy later when you need the information.

2. When Taking Classes
　Of course, it is better for students to have excellent Japanese language skills, but many international students achieve good grades even with lower levels of Japanese language skills. Do not hesitate to take classes that interest you.
　If you don’t understand the information presented in class, you are welcome to ask questions. If you cannot ask questions during class, you can meet up with the professor or your classmates to ask questions during breaks. It is important that you understand the material presented in class before attending the next class session.

(1) Admission Requirements for University/Junior College
　You have to satisfy one of the qualifications below, in order to be admitted to Japanese universities. Make sure to check these qualifications when you start considering studying in Japan.

1. Applicants must have completed 12 years of school education overseas (including a necessary condition of having finished upper secondary education). This also applies to a person who has completed 12 years of secondary education at an international school system within Japan and is over 18 years old.
   
   
2. Applicants must have completed 10 or 11 years of secondary education, including a graduation from an institution designated as a “Preparatory Education Program” by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and must be over 18 years old.
   
   
3. Applicants must have passed an exam equivalent for the “Certificate for Students Achieving the Proficiency Level of Upper Secondary School Graduates” in each respective country.
   
   
4. Individuals who can be certified of their scholastic ability equivalent to a high school graduate in the following categories:
   a) Individuals who have an International Baccalaureate or German Abitur and are over 18 years old
   b) Individuals who have completed 12 years of schooling and graduated from an international school certified by international evaluating organizations such as WASC, ACSI, and ECIS, and are over 18 years old
   
   
5. Individuals who can be certified of their scholastic ability equivalent to a high school graduate by a university’s entrance examinations and are over 18 years old

(2) Transferring to Japanese Universities
　There are about 40 national, 10 public, and 170 private universities, which accept international transfer students. However, only about 70 of them offer special entrance examinations for international transfer students, and the number to be admitted is very limited. In most cases, international students wishing to transfer must take the same test as Japanese students.

(3) Graduating from Japanese Universities
　If you acquire more than 124 credits at 4-year-universities, 188 credits at 6-year-programs in medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy, or 182 credits at veterinary schools, you are approved to graduate from the university and receive a “bachelor's degree.” A Japanese degree is valid in most countries, generally speaking. Some countries have their own degree certification systems registered by their departments of education or research institutions, so please confirm with the institutions in your country.

(4) Short-Term Study Abroad
　There are two kinds of short-term study abroad programs: one is an exchange program based on official exchange agreements between universities, and another is a program not based on such agreements. The contents of exchange programs vary depending on the subject.

　Short-Term Study Abroad Programs
　School level: 1) university, 2) graduate school
　Program language: 1) Japanese only, 2) English only, 3) Japanese and English
　Study subjects: 1) the Japanese language, 2) Japanese studies, 3) the humanities,
　 　　　　　　　4) the natural sciences, 5) engineering science
　(Some universities offer special classes for short-term international students and some allow them to audit in regular lectures. Short-term international students may have varying status, including such titles as exchange students, auditors, subject registered students, and etc.)

(5) Entering a Junior College
　Prerequisite qualifications and application documents necessary for entrance to junior colleges are the same as to universities. Entrance exams are administered as combinations of the following subjects: document evaluation, achievement test, interview, essay, and other aptitude tests. An acquisition of 62 credits in a 2-year-course or 93 credits in a 3-year-course is required for graduation. If you fulfill these conditions, you can receive an “associate’s degree.”

(1) Admission Requirements for Graduate Schools
　Admission requirements differ depending on the program in which the student is enrolling, but applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Master’s program
   a. Applicants who have graduated from a four-year professional training college (from a department that grants the use of the “advanced diploma” title), have graduated from a four-year university, or are recognized as possessing the equivalent or greater academic capabilities of said graduates
   b. Applicants who have completed 16 years of school education in a foreign country
   c. Applicants who have completed 15 years of school education in a foreign country and have earned the prescribed number of academic credits at a graduate school, with excellent grades
   d. Applicants who are 22 years of age or older and are recognized as possessing the equivalent or greater academic capabilities of a university graduate based on an individual admission qualification investigation by the graduate school
   
   
2. Doctoral program
   a. Applicants who have earned a master’s degree or are recognized as possessing the equivalent or greater academic capabilities of a master’s degree holder
   b. Applicants who have received a degree equivalent to a master’s degree in a foreign country
   c. Applicants who are 24 years of age or older and are recognized as possessing the equivalent or greater academic capabilities of a master’s degree holder based on an individual admission qualification investigation by the graduate school
   
   
3. Doctoral program (Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacology, and Veterinary Medicine)
   a. Individuals who have completed an undergraduate program (six years) in a university faculty of medicine, dentistry, pharmacology, or veterinary medicine
   b. Applicants who were enrolled in a university for four or more years and are recognized as having earned the prescribed number of academic credits at a graduate school, with excellent grades
   c. Applicants who have completed 18 years of school education in a foreign country and are recognized as having earned the prescribed number of academic credits at a graduate school, with excellent grades
   
   
4. Research students
   Admission requirements are the same as for full-time students.
   (See the explanation on page 11.)

(2) Graduating or Completing a Program
　In a master’s program, students will be recognized as having completed their graduate school program and will be awarded a master’s degree after being enrolled for two years or longer, earning 30 or more academic credits, and passing the review and exam on their master’s thesis.
　In a professional degree program (master’s program), students will be awarded their master’s degree (professional degree) after being enrolled for one to three years and earning 30 or more academic credits. However, those who complete a graduate school law program will be awarded a Juris Doctor (JD) degree.
　In a doctoral program, students will be awarded a doctoral degree after being enrolled for five years or longer (including two years in a master’s program), earning 30 or more academic credits (including credits earned in a master’s program), and passing the review and exam on their doctoral dissertation.

(1) Admission Requirements for Institutes for Japanese Language Education

1. To study in a Japanese language course at a professional training college or the Japanese language department of a university, students must have completed 12 years of secondary education.
   
   
2. Students do not need to have completed 12 years of secondary education to enroll in other types of Japanese language schools.
   * Because students must have completed 12 years of secondary education to enroll in a professional training college or university, individuals who have completed 10 or 11 years of education in India, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, or Mongolia can meet the admission requirements of institution of higher education by fulfilling the following criteria: (a) must have been enrolled in a university or other institution of higher education in their home country for one or two years and complete 12 years of school education before coming to Japan, or (b) must have studied for one or two years in a course designated as a preparatory education course for university admission, as mentioned above.

(2) Term of Study
　There are study abroad programs that last 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 1.5 years, and 2 years. Select a program that best suits your goals. International students may not study at a Japanese language school for more than two years.

(1) Whether the Curriculum Allows You to Learn What You Wish to
　Professional training colleges have many different courses with similar names. Furthermore, courses with the same names often have different curriculums at each college.
　Therefore, the first step to select a professional training college is to inspect whether the course offers what you really want to learn or necessary training for you to take up the desired career after graduation. First of all, you may want to study the brochure or ask the recruiting personnel of the college about “the purposes of the course”, “curriculums they offer”, and “kinds of jobs their graduates have found”, and so on.

(2) Whether the Contents of Education and Faculty Members are Fulfilling
　The requirements for establishment of professional training college are not as strict as those of universities and junior colleges, which is one of the characteristics of professional training colleges. That allows each college to design unique curriculums, to develop unique facilities and equipments, and to offer unique classes with suitable teachers based on their own training policies and industrial needs.
　It is all the more natural that there are differences of contents of education and training methods as well as faculty members among colleges, even though names of the fields and courses are quite similar. Therefore, it is important for you to study and compare the colleges with their brochures etc. on your own.

(3) Whether the College Have Enough Facilities and Equipments for Professional Training
　Since classes at professional training colleges put more emphasis on practical trainings, it makes a lot of difference in the students’ skills depending on the facilities and equipments the college can offer.
　When comparing facilities and equipments of professional training colleges, one of the biggest points is whether the students can utilize them in the classes with no difficulties, as well as whether they are up-to-date with the technological progress in the respective industries.

(4) How the Employment Records of the Graduates and Career Options for International Graduates Look
　The employment situations of professional training colleges indicate how well the colleges’ education is accepted in the society. Not only the rate of employment but also how many of them got the job using the profession they learned in the college are important.
　Many of the international students in professional training colleges wish to work in Japan after graduation. However, only those who have been awarded with the title of “Technical Associate” can obtain a work permit. Moreover, your application to change the status of residence to work visa will not be accepted, unless the expertise matches the status of residence eligible for work permit such as “Engineer”, “Specialist in Humanities / International Services” and so on, and the job contents matches the courses undertaken at the professional training college.
　As a conclusion, please make sure that, if you wish to work in Japan in the future, whether the course can offer the title of technical associate and the desired career matches the eligible status of residence. Also, you should ask for the employment records of the former international students to judge the ratio of employment after graduating from the professional training college or the course.

(5) How Much Tuition You Should Pay
　You should be aware how much you should pay for the tuition of the professional training college for the first year in total, how much of it to pay at admission procedure, and about after the second year. There might be some fees that are not written in the brochures. You should also research in advance how much to pay for what items.
　The cheaper the tuition is, the better it might look. However, it is not recommended to select a school only for price of the tuition. The point is, whether you can receive what you pay for.
　Recently, there are more scholarship programs for professional training college students. There are also more colleges that have their own scholarship programs. It would be a good idea for you to enquire colleges about it.

(6) Opinions from Teachers of Japanese Language School or Senior Students
　It is important to decide which professional training college to attend after listening to as many people as possible. The best way for you is to combine what the teachers and administrative staff of your Japanese language school or senior students who have gone to professional training colleges should say, and to reconsider what you wish and what you are good at.

(7) Whether You Have Actually Seen the School and Convinced Yourself
　In addition to the check points above, at the end, you should not forget that you must actually see the college and convince yourself before deciding to attend the college.
　Most of the professional training colleges have a permanent desk for enrollment consultation and the staff will answer your questions. After reviewing the check points mentioned above 1) through 5) and ask what you need to know further. At the same time, you can ask for a tour in the school to see the environment you are going to study in.

(1) Institutions to Provide Japanese Language Education
　Forms of Japanese language education vary greatly, as well as their target students and objectives.
　Among the institutions to provide Japanese language education, some are qualified as Specialized Training College or Miscellaneous School, but majority of them are not.
　If a foreigner wishes to come to Japan for the purpose of studying Japanese, a "college student" status of residence (visa) is required, except for short-term stays. The applicant must enroll in an institute for Japanese language education accredited (written in the official gazette) by the Ministry of Justice. Except for universities, the accredited educational institutions (specialized training colleges, miscellaneous schools, or other schools having facilities/organizations that meet a certain standard) must be suitable as institutions that accept foreigners.

(2) What is the Association for the Promotion of Japanese Language Education?
　The Associationfor the Promotion of Japanese Language Education was established in May 1989, with great efforts of volunteers from staff members of institutes for Japanese language education and specialists of Japanese language education. The goal of the association is contributing to the promotion of Japanese language education by implementing programs needed to improve the quality of institutes for Japanese language education.
The situation the Japanese language education was under in those days was that the number of institutes for Japanese language education was increasing.
　Among such institutes, some had clear educational goals and provided quality education, but some of the new ones had noticeably terrible educational conditions and facilities or troublesome operation which caused problems for the students, which even made social issues. Therefore, to improve the qualities of institutes for Japanese language education so that students who sincerely wish to learn Japanese language can be provided with quality Japanese language education at ease, MEXT's Survey and Research Cooperators' Council on Policies put together the "Standards for Administration of Institutes for Japanese Language Education" with the similar contents to those of Specialized Training College or Miscellaneous School with cooperation of the Ministries of Justice and Foreign Affairs.
　The Association for the Promotion of Japanese Language Education was established with the purposes to certify institutes for Japanese language education that fulfill the "standards" as well as to improve the quality of institutes for Japanese language education by providing training programs for faculties and by implementing researches and surveys. It has been accredited by the Ministry of Education (current Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) and Ministry of Justice in February 1990, as a judicial foundation and by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

(3) Operation of the Association for the Promotion of Japanese Language Education
　The screening and accreditation of institutes for Japanese language education implemented by this association began in 1989. The screening standards were designated based on the above mentioned "Standards for Administration of Institutes for Japanese Language Education." Institutions that file an application are screened to see whether they are appropriate as institutions offering Japanese language education and accredited as private institutions that serve the common good. The screening is strictly implemented by the specially organized judging committee consisting of specialists in Japanese language education and other academic experts. The screening and accreditation are to be renewed every three years in order to maintain and improve the quality standards of institutes for Japanese language education.
　As well as the screening and accreditation of institutes for Japanese language education, this association conducts various programs to improve the quality of institutions for Japanese language education, such as negotiations with major foreign organizations related to international students and Japanese language education in order to promote smooth acceptance of foreign students to Japan; holding foreign student academic advancement consultation events, Japanese language school educational research conventions, and Japanese language education seminars; and offering advice on entry and visa for foreign students as well as instruction on life in Japan.
　The institutes for Japanese language education listed in the school directory in this guide book are 417 members of this association as of April 2011 among the accredited schools which met the "standard" at the time of inspection.
The Conference of Members in the Association for the Promotion of Japanese Language Education held a national convention in Tokyo in June, 2003, and established the "Guidelines for Acceptance of Students by Japanese Language Institutes." These guidelines are the autonomous ethical standards and action agenda of institutes for Japanese language education, established in order to promote the right understanding of the institutes for Japanese language education and to help improve their social credit both inside and outside Japan.

(1) Requesting Brochures and Selecting a School
　If you wish exclusively study the Japanese language in an institute for Japanese language education, you should first inspect the purpose of the courses, levels, and the number of class hours per year for each institution, in consideration of every condition such as your purpose of learning Japanese language and choose what is suitable for you. For example, if you wish to enter a university or a professional training school, it is recommended that you choose an institute with university preparatory courses to prepare for the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students. On the other hand, if you would like to go home with conversational skills in Japanese or learn Japanese expressions that are necessary for business, an institute with such courses and classes is good for you. It is also possible that you choose a school from the location close to one of your relatives, friends or acquaintances who will be able to support your daily life as your financial supporter for tuition or living expenses, as well as in consideration of the location of the school you wish to go after learning the language.
　It is recommended that you compare the contents of different institutes by requesting for their brochures, application guidebooks and forms after selecting some, or obtain information such as situations of the institutes for Japanese language education, educational policies of each institute, contents of their training, and life of their students through Japan Education Fairs where such institutes participate in. Please consider which institute of Japanese language education is suitable for you again before you finally decide which one to apply.
　Please note that general information on institutes for Japanese language education is available in the website of the Association for the Promotion of Japanese Language Education (http://www.nisshinkyo.org/), and information on institutes for Japanese language education accredited by the association is provided. Moreover, the titles of each institute in the list are linked to their own websites for those who would like to obtain more information on their detailed contents, lives of their students, recruitment, and application procedures.

(2) Application to a School
　You will submit the application forms and other required documents according to the instructions given by the institute of Japanese language education you wish to attend. Your health certificate, the graduation certificate from the last school you attended, and/or academic transcript might be required as part of the documents.
　As for the payment, the payment method for the application fee, admission fee, tuition, facility costs etc. is written in the recruitment brochure.

(3) Financial Capability and Financial Supporter
　In order to get an entry permit to Japan, the applicant is basically required to have enough financial backgrounds such as your own financial resource, support from your home country, a scholarship, etc. to live and study in Japan.

○ Important Points Concerning Financial Supporter to Support Tuition and Living Expenses
　i)The same person is not allowed to be named as the financial supporter of multiple applicants.
　ii) The financial supporter is required to have enough financial capability so that the applicant can continuously and stably study in Japan, and must be approved to be able to complete the responsibility to support the applicant’s all the costs such as tuition and living expenses based on the relationship with the applicant. Documents verifying the financial supporter’s financial capability must be submitted.

(4) Admission to a School
　The institute of Japanese language education that has received your application forms will inform you the result (permit or rejection) after considering your application form, interview, and at times conducting scholastic tests, according to their regulations.
　If you cannot enter the school because your application for the entry visa has been rejected, basically the paid cost such as tuition and the original copy of the graduation certificate will be sent back to you. As for the other payments, you will need to study the recruitment brochure of each institute.

(1) Obtaining a Passport
　You should obtain a passport according to the procedures stipulated by your country.
　A visa cannot be issued without a passport, but you cannot always obtain a visa even though you have a passport.

(2) Application for “Certificate of Eligibility”
　If you wish to study at an institute for Japanese language education, you must have a "college student" visa when entering Japan. To apply for a visa, you are usually required to submit a "Certificate of Eligibility."
　To apply for a "Certificate of Eligibility," the institute of Japanese language education in Japan will usually apply for the Certificate with the regional immigration bureau or office on behalf of the applicant.
　The immigration office will examine if your purpose is truly to study in Japan, if the educational institute is eligible, or if you have enough financial capability to support your tuition and living expenses, etc. The "Certificate of Eligibility" will not be issued if your will to study cannot be recognized, such as if your actual purpose is to work, or if it cannot be recognized that you have enough financial capability to support your expenses during your stay.
　Furthermore, it may take two or three months before the "Certificate of Eligibility" is issued.
　In addition, if you obtain this "Certificate of Eligibility" in advance and fail to submit it at visa application, it may take longer to issue the visa.
　The required documents to apply for the “Certificate of Eligibility” (pre-college) are listed below.
　 i) Application forms for “Certificate of Eligibility”
　ii) A photograph (4cm x 3cm)
　iii) A photocopy of certificate of admission (with the name of attending course)
　iv) Certificate of the final institute of education
　v) Your curriculum vitae with school and career records and reasons of study
　vi) Materials to show financial capability
　vii) Certificate of the Japanese proficiency test (over the N5 grade) or materials to prove the equivalent ability of Japanese language
　viii) Certificate of census registration or the equivalent document
　(Note) Other documents of proof than the ones mentioned above might be also required. Please enquire the institute of Japanese language education you will attend for more details.
　The Certificate of Eligibility is valid for three months from the date of issue. Please note that it will become invalid unless you actually arrive in Japan within the period.

(3) Obtaining a Visa
　You should visit your nearest Embassy of Japan, Consulate-General of Japan, Consulate Office of Japan (hereinafter called “Japanese diplomatic offices”) or the offices of Interchange Association, Japan (in Taipei and Kaohsiung, Taiwan) and submit or indicate your passport, visa application forms, Two photographs (4.5cm x 4.5cm) and the Certificate of Eligibility to apply for a visa.
　In case you have not had the Certificate of Eligibility issued, you need to submit the documents written in the above (2) (except for i) application forms for this certificate and ii) photographs) that are required to apply for the Certificate of Eligibility in addition to your passport, visa application forms and 2 photographs (4.5cm x 4.5cm) at visa application. In that case, it may take more than three months before the visa is issued, so it is recommended to obtain the Certificate of Eligibility before visa application.
　Please note that a visa is not always issued even though you apply. If there is any false information in your application forms or there is any other concerned problem, the visa may not be issued as the result of examination.

(4) Arrival in Japan (Entry)
　When you arrive in Japan, you should show (or submit) your passport with a valid visa, the Certificate of Eligibility and other documents at the port of entry to apply for entry permission. Your status of residence and period of stay in Japan is officially determined when you are granted entry permission (an entry permission stamp) by an immigration officer there. If you are studying at an institute for Japanese language education, the period of stay is determined for one year and three months, one year, or six months, depending on the scheduled length of the course of study. (The period of stay can be extended if necessary by applying for a renewal of your period of stay.)
　Once you enter, please go to the institute you are going to attend immediately and report that your entry is permitted.

(1) Immigration Control Act
　The Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (hereinafter shortened as “the Immigration Control Act”) provides for details of the activities which foreigners may engage in and procedures necessary for them during their stay in Japan. (See p.29 on “Alien Registration”) Even if your life and studying in Japan go well, you may not be able to stay here any longer if you should neglect or fail to follow the procedures and rules stipulated by the Immigration Control Act. Therefore care must be taken to follow the regulations.

(2) 27 Categories of Status of Residence
　For foreigners who are permitted to stay in Japan, the status of residence (27 categories) and the period of stay are determined according to their purposes of stay. The scope of activities in which you may engage is limited by your status of residence. If you engage in an activity other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted (i.e. an income or remuneration involving activity) without permission, you may be subject to forced repatriation or rejection of your application for change of status of residence or extension of period of stay.
　The followings are the different categories of status of residence and activity set forth by the Immigration Control Act. For further details, please contact Immigration Information Centers. (See VI. Contact Information)

(1) Before Applying for Extension of Stay or Change of Status of Residence

　Students who obtain "college student" visas are permitted to stay for a period of two years or two years and three months (one year, one year and three months, or six months in some cases) from the time of arrival. If you wish to extend your stay, you are required to apply for an extension of stay or a change of residence of status.
　If your period of stay expires due to carelessness without renewing your period of stay or changing your status of residence, you are regarded as "illegal resident" whether or not it is intentional. It is possible for you to apply for an extension of stay two months prior to the expiration date of authorized period of stay, therefore it would be better for you to make application for an extension of stay two weeks to one month prior to the expiration.
　The more schools take care of applications for an extension of stay for all of their enrolled students recently, the more students of Japanese language schools or other schools know nothing about the Immigration Bureau. These applications should be basically made at the Immigration Bureau in person, so you should know your status of residence and your period of stay and understand procedures required for these application.

(2) Applying for an Extension of Stay or a Change of Status of Residence
　1) Necessary documents and application fee
　In applying, you are required to submit your passport and alien registration certificate to the Immigration Bureau as well as the necessary documents. Application fee is 4,000 yen.

　2) Going to the Immigration Bureau Twice for One Application
　When you apply, a regional immigration bureau or its branch office once receives your application and later give you the result of your application by postcard. After receiving the postcard, you have to go there again in order to obtain permission. When your application is accepted, you will receive a stamp on your passport. Later the Immigration Bureau will send you a notification. If your permission of stay expires while you are waiting for the notification, you are not considered as “illegal resident.” If you need the result at the same day of the application for some special reasons, please ask about it at the application desk.

　3) “Final Extension” Does Not Mean “the Last Time.”
　When you receive an extension permit one year before the graduation of professional training colleges or six months before the graduation of Japanese language schools, there might be another stamp in red below the stamp of permission, which says “Final Extension.” This indicates that this will be the last approval of the extension under the current status of residence. If you need to continue your studying or wish to stay in Japan under a different status of residence, you are able to apply for an extension of stay or a change of status of residence with the submission of a reason. If you wish to change your status of residence and stay here, “Final Extension” stamp does not affect your extension of stay.

　4) Changing from “Temporay Visitor” Status to “College Student” Status
　It is impossible in principle to change from “temporary visitor” status to “college student.” Therefore you have to apply for certificate of eligibility and leave Japan to acquire a new visa at overseas Japanese embassies or consulates and then return to Japan. However, if your "temporary visitor visa" has a proof verifying that the purpose of coming to Japan is for taking entrance examinations, you are able to complete procedures for changing your visa status without leaving Japan (see 2. Changing Status of Residence from “Temporary Visitor” to “College Student”).

(3) Applying for Re-entry Permit
　1) Be sure to apply for re-entry permit when leaving Japan temporarily
　If you wish to leave Japan temporarily to go back to your home country or to visit another countries during holidays and other occasions, you must apply for the permission for re-entry before leaving Japan. If you do not get the "permission for re-entry", you will have to apply again for a new visa for entry upon your return to Japan. A single re-entry permit is valid for one-time re-entry. If you need to leave or enter Japan frequently, you are able to apply for a multiple re-entry permit.
　2) Re-entry Should Be Made No Later Than the Expiration Date of the Period of Stay.
　You must be careful that the re-entry permit would not be effective if the re-entry is made later than the expiration date of the period of the stay. If any inevitable incident occurs and cannot return to Japan during the period, please contact the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate to take necessary procedures for the extension of your stay.

　3) When and Where to Apply
　You can apply for re-entry permit at your local immigration bureau. It is advisable to apply in advance because immigration bureaus are closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays. It is possible for you to apply for re-entry permit at the same time when you apply for an extension of stay or a change of status of residence. In urgent cases, the application can be made even on the holidays at Narita Airport and other international airports.

　4) No Need to Return Your Alien Registration Card on Your Re-entry
　When you leave Japan temporarily with re-entry permit, you need not return your alien registration card. Please take extra care not to lose your alien registration card while you stay out of Japan.

　5) Necessary Documents for Re-entry Permit
　a. Application form for re-entry permit
　b. Passport
　c. Alien registration card
　d. Student ID (for “college student” status) or a proof of school holiday (for “pre-college student” status)
　e. Handling fee: ¥3,000 for single re-entry permit
　　　¥6,000 for multiple re-entry permit

(4) Visa Revocation
　Changes made to the Immigration Control Act enacted in December 2004 created a system for the revocation of an individual’s visa. A visa will be revoked if the holder provides false information regarding the activities they intend to conduct or their background or submits falsified documents. Also, if the individual has not performed the activities allowed under their visa status for three months or longer, their visa status will be revoked except in cases where justifiable reasons exist for their situation.

(5) Bringing Family Members
　Spouses and children who are dependents of a person holding a “college student” visa may receive permission to reside in Japan under a “dependent” visa for one or two years, depending on the length of stay of the visa holder on whom they are dependent.
　Be aware that if a dependent family member enters Japan on a “temporary visitor” visa, it will be difficult to change their visa status to “dependent” while they are in Japan.

(6) Alien Registration
　You must apply for the alien registration within 90 days of the arrival in Japan at a municipal office in the district where you live. At registration, your passport and two photographs (4.5cm x 3.5 cm, which fit in the predetermined standard) are required.
　It is recommended that you join the National Health Insurance program at the same time.

(7) Activities Other Than Those Authorized
　Students with “college student” visa and “pre-college” visa are permitted to stay in Japan for the purpose of receiving education in Japan; therefore, basically you are not allowed to work. If you wish to work part time, after you are used to the life in Japan, and as long as it does not disturb your study and the purpose is to cover your tuition or other necessary costs, you can obtain a permit to engage in activities other than those authorized with your status of residence at the local immigration office etc. However, even with a permit, it is only valid while you belong to an institute of Japanese language education, and the work is basically limited to 4 hours a day (if professional training college students, within 28 hours a week, or within 8 hours a day during long vacations [see p.29]), and you are not allowed to work in a business of entertainment and amusement or where such business is partially involved, such as bars or cabarets.
　Please note that if you work without a permit to engage in activities other than those authorized, or when you have worked beyond the limitation of permit, you will be punished for other than those authorized without permit, and you may be subject to conviction as an illegal worker and may be expelled from Japan.