Residence management, permission to engage in activities outside the scope of status of residence, etc. (full-time international students)
Information regarding residence management after enrollment
In order for international students to maintain a valid residence status throughout their stay in Japan, they must apply for and obtain permission for "Change of Residence Status" or "Extension of Period of Stay" at a regional immigration bureau as needed. Aoyama Gakuin University does not handle applications for "Change of Residence Status" or "Extension of Period of Stay" on behalf of students; therefore, students must apply themselves at the regional immigration bureau that has jurisdiction over their place of residence. Furthermore, if a student's residence status in Japan expires due to a leave of absence or other reasons and they wish to return to school, the student or their representative residing in Japan must apply for a "Certificate of Eligibility" at a regional immigration bureau. After obtaining the certificate, the student must then apply for a "Student" visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate in their home country.
- Application for extension of period of stay
- Application for permission to change status of residence (changing status of residence to "Student")
- Application for Certificate of Eligibility (Obtaining a "Student Visa")
- Immigration Services Agency related information
- Residency management
- About Attendance Confirmation
Residency management
We regularly report the residence status and period of stay of all international students to the Immigration Services Agency.
In accordance with Article 19-17 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, Aoyama Gakuin University reports the residence status and expiration date of each international student to the Immigration Services Agency twice a year (May and November).
If any student is expelled, drops out, or whose whereabouts are unknown, we will report this to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the Immigration Services Agency.
For the above reasons, if any of the following (1) to (4) apply to you, please notify the International Center immediately.
-
(1) When your residence procedures, such as changing your residence status or extending your period of stay, are approved -
(2) If you lose your residence card and receive a new one -
(3) If your application for a change of status of residence or extension of period of stay is denied -
(4) If you are considering taking a leave of absence
Report to the International Center
*If you fall under (1) or (2) above, please report using one of the following methods.
Reporting method 1: (For both campuses) Visit the International Center
Please come to the International Center with your ① new residence card, ② passport, and ③ student ID card.
Advance reservations may be required, so be sure to check for updates.
Reporting method 2: (Aoyama Campus students only) Online
This is a reporting method where you upload data via a web form.
Please enter the required information and upload your data.
Reporting method 3: (Only for students affiliated with Sagamihara Campus) Send by email
Please attach a photo of ① the front of your new residence card, ② the back of your new residence card, and ③ the permission sticker for engaging in activities other than those permitted under the status of residence permitted by your status of residence affixed to your passport and send it to agu_iec_sc@aoyamagakuin.jp by email.
* If you have not applied for permission to engage in activities other than those permitted under the status of residence permitted under the visa status specified above, please indicate so.
Confirmation of class attendance
We report the enrollment status of all international students holding "Student" residence status to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology every month.
The "Student" residence status is granted for the purpose of studying at Aoyama Gakuin University, and the university has an obligation to accurately keep track of each international student's long-term absences, academic performance, and other relevant information.
Attendance checks are conducted to ensure that international students are engaging in activities that align with their objectives.
If an international student has not responded to attendance checks for more than a month and has been absent from classes for an extended period, the university must report them to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology as a "person whose whereabouts are unknown."
At Aoyama Gakuin University, attendance is not taken for all classes, so attendance for international students is checked at the International Center.
When you attend class, please touch your student ID card to the IC card reader located in the International Center.
As the International Center, we want to support your student life in a way that allows us to connect with you face-to-face, so please feel free to talk to us if you have any anxieties or concerns.
If you are visiting the International Center solely for attendance confirmation, you do not need to make a reservation in advance.
<Notes>
Please keep your student ID with you at all times so you don't forget it.
Assuming you are attending classes, please scan your student ID card into the card reader at least once by the 15th of each month.
If attendance cannot be confirmed by the 15th of each month, the International Center will contact you.
If you are a graduate student and your in-person classes are only held after the 5th period, or if you have a period where your thesis guidance or classes are conducted online only and you do not come to campus, making it difficult to touch the card reader by the 15th of each month, we will consider your case individually. Please contact the International Center in advance by visiting the office or emailing them.
Please visit the International Center during its opening hours.
If you are unable to attend classes for an extended period due to illness or other reasons, please be sure to contact the International Center and explain the reason.
Application for permission to engage in activities other than those permitted by status of residence
Foreigners residing in Japan are prohibited from engaging in business activities that generate income or activities for which they receive remuneration that go beyond the scope of their status of residence as stipulated in the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act. If a person with a "Student" status wishes to work part-time, they must apply in advance for "Permission to Engage in Activities Outside the Status of Residence Permitted" at the Regional Immigration Bureau and obtain permission beforehand. In addition, there are legal restrictions on the places and times that you can work part-time.
If you do have a part-time job, please be careful not to let it interfere with your studies. If you work too hard at your part-time job and neglect your studies, your grades will go down, and you will not be able to receive your scholarship. This will lead to a vicious cycle of having to work more hours at part-time, which will mean you have even less time to study. If your academic performance drops, it will affect your visa application, so please keep part-time work only as a way to earn supplementary income.
Also, please note the following:
If you wish to apply
-
Required documents are listed here. *This applies to students already enrolled Aoyama Gakuin University.
Application procedure window The regional immigration office that has jurisdiction over your place of residence Everyone (1) Application for permission to engage in activities other than those permitted under the status of residence permitted under the visa
You can download it . *Please note that a different application form is required for international students entering the country for the first time.Everyone (2) Student ID card Everyone (3) Residence card (presentation) Everyone (4) Passport (to be presented) Everyone (5) Student certificate (original) *There is no handling fee
Notes
① Obtain prior permission from the Immigration Services Agency.
Before starting a part-time job, you need to apply to your local immigration office and get "permission to engage in activities other than those permitted under the status of residence permitted under the visa status you have been granted." Working part-time without permission will result in penalties and deportation, so be sure to get permission beforehand if you are going to work part-time. Please note that while you are applying for a visa period extension or a visa status change, your previous permission to engage in activities other than those permitted under the visa status permitted under the visa status of residence ...
② Protecting places where international students can work part-time.
Working part-time in adult entertainment businesses or places related to adult entertainment businesses (snack bars, bars, nightclubs, restaurants that entertain customers, pachinko parlors, mahjong parlors, etc.) is prohibited by law. Working part-time in such places, including cleaning, distributing tissues, washing dishes, etc., is a violation of the permission for activities outside the status of residence permitted, and you may be subject to penalties such as fines, imprisonment, and deportation, so you should never do so.
Even if you think you are working part-time at a restaurant, it may be considered adult entertainment or adult entertainment-related business. If you are unsure, please consult with the International Center before signing an employment contract.
③ Respect the hours during which international students can work part-time.
The maximum number of hours that international students can work part-time is 28 hours per week, and during long vacation periods (summer vacation, winter vacation, spring vacation) specified by the university regulations, the maximum number of hours is 8 hours per day, and 40 hours per week.
If you have multiple part-time jobs, the total working hours must be within 28 hours per week. Working longer hours than this is considered a violation of the permission for activities outside the scope of your status of residence and may result in fines, imprisonment, or deportation, so be sure to adhere to the time limit. There has been an increase in the number of applications for visa renewal or change of status of residence being denied due to past overwork. Companies that employ international students are also required to report the employment status of international students to the government, so the government can have a comprehensive understanding of your working situation. Try to limit your part-time work to less than 28 hours per week.
[Proof of long vacation period]
Your part-time job may require you to submit a certificate for your long vacation period, but the university does not issue such certificates. Please print out your academic calendar from the student portal and submit it.
Aoyama Gakuin University academic regulations (excerpt)
Article 18
The holidays are as follows:
(1) Sunday
(2) Holidays prescribed by the Law Concerning National Holidays (Law No. 178 of 1948)
(3) Aoyama Founding Anniversary, November 16th
(4) Summer vacation: A period between late July and late September as determined by President
(5) Winter Break: A period between late December and early January of the following year, as determined separately by President
(6) Spring break: A period between late January and late March as determined by President
④ Entering into an employment contract with an employer
To reduce trouble, be sure to have a written contract outlining the employment conditions (working days, working hours, wages, etc.) that you confirmed during the interview. International students are subject to the same relevant laws as Japanese people, including the Basic Labor Law and the Minimum Wage Law.
⑤ Submit a notification to the International Center.
Once you have decided on a part-time job, please fill out the "Report on Activities Outside the Status of Residence Permitted by the Employer" at the following URL. If there are any changes in your part-time job, please also notify us of these changes each time (as you will need to submit this at the request of the Immigration Services Agency).
Regarding the contract with the university
If you are working as a TA (Teaching Assistant), RA (Research Assistant), or chat room leader based on a contract with the university, you do not need to obtain permission to engage in activities outside the scope of your status of residence as these are considered to be within the scope of activities permitted by your "Student" visa.
Important information for international students on leave of absence
International students on leave of absence are not permitted to work part-time.
[IMPORTANT] General precautions for residence application
Note 1) In addition to the necessary documents, the Immigration Services Agency may request you to submit additional documents. If you are required to submit additional documents, please notify the International Center.
Note 2) Documents using correction fluid or correction tape will not be accepted. If you make a mistake, draw a line through it, stamp or sign over it, and write the correct information next to it.
Note 3) Documents filled out with erasable writing implements such as pencil or FRIXION pen are invalid.
Note 4) Documents not written in Japanese must be translated into Japanese. The student applying may translate the document on a separate sheet of paper. In the margin of the translation sheet, please clearly write: 1) the translation date, 2) the translator's name, 3) the translator's address, 4) the translator's phone number, and 5) the translator's signature.
Note 5) All attached documents must be in A4 size and certificates must have been issued within three months of the application date.
Deemed re-entry permission
Special re-entry permission is a permission that, in principle, does not require a normal re-entry permit for foreigners residing in Japan with a valid residence card and passport who re-enter within one year of the date of departure. The validity period of special re-entry permission is one year from the date of departure, but if the expiration date of your stay arrives before one year has passed since the date of departure, it will be valid until the expiration date of your stay.
If you intend to depart Japan with a special re-entry permit, you must possess a valid passport and residence card, and at the time of departure, must state to the immigration officer that you wish to depart Japan with a special re-entry permit.
Residence status cancellation system
If you stay in Japan for a certain period of time without engaging in activities that correspond to your residence status, your residence status will be revoked. Foreign students with a "student" residence status who continue to stay in Japan even after not studying at Aoyama Gakuin University, or after graduating, withdrawing, being expelled, or taking a leave of absence, will be subject to "revocation of residence status."
Furthermore, if the reason for the revocation of residency status is deemed serious, immediate deportation may occur.
In that case, you will be prohibited from entering Japan for five years, and you will not be allowed to resume your studies in Japan. Please understand this thoroughly and take all necessary precautions.