Before Arrival in Japan
Things to keep in mind before arriving
Whether you are coming to Japan for one month, six months, four years, or even longer there are a couple of things that you need to keep in mind before arriving.
- The sections below are divided based on visa categories with
- short term stay meaning less than 90 days and
- mid to long term stay meaning more than 90 days.
- The following also assumes the reader has already received official acceptance to a Juntendo University program.
- You may have more questions after reading this. For more information please check Juntendo University’s Student Life website. If you still have questions please contact Juntendo University International Center (JUIC).
Short Term Stay in Japan
Housing (1/6)
- The Japanese Embassy or Consulate may require short term residents in Japan to confirm their housing situation prior to their arrival in Japan for visa purposes.
- Short term residents who will not be using Juntendo University housing should contact Juntendo University International Center (JUIC) about their housing situation before their arrival.
Obtain a Visa (2/6)
- Short term residents will need to apply for a Visa at the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in their home country.
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) lists countries whose nationals have visa exemption arrangements with Japan.
Identification (3/6)
- Japanese law requires short term residents carry identification with them at all time. More information about identification may be found on the following link.
Insurance (4/6)
- Short term residents should acquire insurance prior to coming to Japan.
- Juntendo University will not be responsible for any medical costs short term residents may incur.
Internet (5/6)
- Short term residents should get a portable wi-fi or a sim card, that they will be able to use during their stay in Japan before coming to Japan.
Money (6/6)
- Short term residents should make sure they will have access to a bank account and credit card in their home country while in Japan in the case of an emergency.
Mid to Long Term Stay in Japan
Housing (1/8)
- Visa regulations require mid to long term residents in Japan to register their address at their local Municipal Office within 14 days after their arrival.
- More information about the procedures may be found on the following link.
- Mid to long term residents who will not be using Juntendo University housing should contact JUIC about their housing situation before their arrival.
Obtain a Visa (2/8)
- To receive a visa first complete the Certificate of Eligibility procedures.
- After receiving the certificate of eligibility, apply for a visa at a Japanese Embassy or Consulate.
Residence Card (3/8)
- Mid to long term residents will receive a Residence Card after arriving at the airport when they enter Japan.
- Japanese law requires mid to long term residents carry their residence card with them at all time. More information about the law may be found on the following link.
- Mid to long term residents who need to update information on their Residence Card or lose their residence card will need to notify the Immigration Bureau. More information about the procedures may be found on the following link.
Residence Status / Period of Stay (4/8)
- Residence Status: Mid to long term residents must make sure that they abide by the set of activities outlined by their residence status. More information about how to change your residence status may be found on the following link.
- Period of Stay: Mid to long term residents must make sure that they either renew their period of stay or return to their home country before their period of stay ends. More information about how to extend your period of stay may be found on the following link.
National Health Insurance (5/8)
- Mid to long term residents who will be staying in Japan for at least 3 months must register in Japan’s National Health Insurance program. More information about the program may be found on the following link.
- Juntendo University will not be responsible for any medical costs mid to long term residents may incur.
National Pension System (6/8)
- Mid to long term residents in Japan must register in the National Pension System regardless of whether they intend to live in Japan long term. More information about the system may be found on the following link.
Money (7/8)
- Mid to long term residents should make sure they have access to a bank account and credit card in their home country in the case of an emergency.
- Mid to long term residents are not required to open a bank account. Some Japanese scholarships require a Japanese bank account. Scholarship students should check with their scholarship to determine whether a Japanese bank account is needed. More information about the banking system in Japan may be found on the following link.
Family (8/8)
- Mid to long term residents who are thinking of having a family member accompany them to Japan should contact Juntendo University International Center (juic＠juntendo.ac.jp) before their arrival about the housing situation and visa status of their family member.
Before Departure from Japan
Things to keep in mind before departing
International students and researchers should make sure to take care of the following things so that everything is in order before they leave Japan.
- The sections below are divided based on visa categories with:
- short term stay meaning less than 90 days and
- mid to long term stay meaning more than 90 days.
- The following information does not apply to mid to long term residents who will be leaving Japan on a re-entry permit.
- You may have more questions after reading this. For more information please check Juntendo University’s Student Life website. If you still have questions please contact Juntendo University International Center (JUIC).
Short Term Stay in Japan
Housing (1/6)
- Short term residents must:
- Settle all housing related bills, such as rent and utility bills.
- Complete any housing related procedures if necessary.
Internet (2/6)
- Short term residents who rented a portable wi-fi or a sim card should return the items they borrowed and complete any remaining payments.
Payments (3/6)
- Short term residents should make sure to settle all financial matters before leaving Japan.
Accounts (4/6)
- Short term residents who registered any items or opened any personal accounts in Japan should be sure to complete the registration procedures and close the accounts before their departure.
Trash & Cleaning (5/6)
- The Japanese trash collection system is very strict.
- Short term residents should check with the trash regulations of their municipality and comply with the procedures when disposing of their trash.
- Some municipals require residents to purchase large trash tickets to dispose of large items. Large trash tickets may be purchased at convenience stores and placed on trash.
- Residents living in Juntendo University housing should check with the dormitory superintendents for more information about dormitory trash regulations.
- Residents living in Juntendo University housing should clean their rooms before their departure.
Visa (6/6)
- Short term residents must be sure to leave Japan before their visa will expire.
Mid to Long Term Stay in Japan
Housing (1/8)
- Visa regulations require mid to long term residents notify their local municipal office within 14 days of their departure from Japan. More information about the procedures may be found on the following link.
- Mid to long term residents must:
- Settle all housing related bills, such as rent and utility bills.
- Complete any housing related procedures if necessary.
National Health Insurance (2/8)
- Mid to long term residents who registered in Japan’s National Health Insurance program must notify their local municipal office that they will be leaving Japan.
- Depending on the mid to long term resident’s date of departure he or she will either need to make additional payments for unpaid insurance premiums or be able to receive money for excess insurance premiums already paid. Mid to long term residents will be able to find out their status when they go to the municipal office.
National Pension System (3/8)
- Mid to long term residents must cancel their National Pension account at their local municipal office prior to leaving Japan.
- Mid to long term residents in Japan who received a salary and had the Japanese pension coverage periods for six months or longer may be eligible to receive a lump-sum withdrawal. More information about the procedures may be found on the Japan Pension Service website.
Bank Accounts (4/8)
- Mid to long term residents who choose to open a Japanese bank account should be sure to close the bank account and withdraw all of the money from the account prior to leaving Japan.
Payments (5/8)
- Mid to long term residents should make sure to settle all their financial matters before leaving Japan.
Accounts (6/8)
- Mid to long term residents who registered any items or opened any personal accounts in Japan should be sure to complete the registration procedures and close the accounts before their departure.
Trash & Cleaning (7/8)
- The Japanese trash collection system is very strict.
- Mid to long term residents should check with the trash regulations of their municipality and comply with the procedures when disposing of their trash.
- Some municipals require residents to purchase large trash tickets to dispose of large items. Large trash tickets may be purchased at convenience stores and placed on trash.
- Residents living in Juntendo University housing should check with the dormitory superintendents for more information about dormitory trash regulations.
- Residents living in Juntendo University housing should clean their rooms before their departure.
Visa (8/8)
- Mid to long term residents must be sure to leave Japan before the “Date of Expiration” on their residence card.
- Mid to long term residents will need to return their residence card at the immigration checkpoint at the airport they depart from.