The tutors are TGU students recommended by their academic advisors. If an academic advisor has no particular recommendation, however, we will match you up with a student who has indicated an interest in being a tutor. As fellow students of TGU and as friends, tutors provide assistance with academics and issues related to living in Japan. The university pays tutors a fixed honorarium, so international students do not need to pay for their services. For details, please contact the International Division.

National Health Insurance

• International students must enroll in the National Health Insurance system.
• Enrolling in the National Health Insurance system will substantially reduce the medical expenses that an individual must pay.
• For information on how to enroll in the National Health Insurance system, please contact the ward or city office where you live.

Japanese National Pension System

• It is not necessary for international students to join Japanese National Pension System.

Any part-time job an international student holds must meet the time limits indicated below, and must not impede the student’s studies in any way.

Part-time job time limit: Up to 28 hours per week (up to eight hours per day during long breaks) 　　

• Application for Permission to Engage in Non-Specified Activities (available from the Immigration Bureau or via download from their website)
• Passport (must be shown to the authorities)
• Residence card (must be shown to the authorities)

Visa Inquiries

Foreign Residents Information Center, Tel: 03-5796-7112
(at the Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau)
Hours: Mon. to Fri., 9:30 a.m.–12 noon and 1:00–4:00 p.m.

Languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Thai

The Tachikawa branch office of the Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau can process visa extensions and re-entry procedures.

Tachikawa Branch Office: Tachikawa Legal Office Bldg.,
3-31-2 Kita, Kunitachi-shi, Tel: 0425-28-7179

Be sure to complete the necessary procedures for extending your visa. If you fail to do so, you could end up having to return to your home country during your study-abroad program.

*The extension application period starts two months before your visa expires.
TGU will issue the documents you need to complete these procedures, such as a guarantee certificate and a transcript or certificate of enrollment. (The Student Affairs Division handles this for full-time students, and the International Division does the same for non-full-time students.)

1) Visa renewals

Regular Students (Undergraduate, Graduate)

• Visa renewal permission application (prescribed form)
• Certificate of enrollment
• Transcript
• Passport
• Residence card
• Processing fee
• Other documents as required by the Immigration Bureau
• Document verifying your ability to pay your academic and living expenses

Non-Regular Students (Research Students)

• Visa renewal permission application (prescribed form)
• Certificate of enrollment
• Transcript
• Document verifying your ability to pay your academic and living expenses
• Passport
• Residence card
• Processing fee
• Document verifying the nature of your research and your research findings (prepared by your academic advisor)
• Other documents as required by the Immigration Bureau

Non-Regular Students (Non-matriculated Students)

• Visa renewal permission application (prescribed form)
• Certificate of enrollment
• Transcript
• Document verifying your ability to pay your academic and living expenses
• Passport
• Residence card
• Processing fee
• Certificate of class attendance (indicating the number of class hours per week)
• Other documents as required by the Immigration Bureau

2) Changes in visa status

The following documents are needed when changing your visa status (such as changing from a “pre-college student” visa to a “college student” visa).

• Visa renewal permission application (prescribed form)
• Certificate of enrollment or certificate of admission
• Document verifying your ability to pay your academic and living expenses
• Passport
• Residence card
• Processing fee

*Procedure at municipal offices (Notification at the place of residence)

• Those who have received a residence card at a port of entry/departure are asked to notify at the municipal office where you live within 14days of settling a place.
• When moving to a new address, be sure to report your change of address to the ward or city office in your new location. Remember to update your address with the National Health Insurance program at the same time.
• If you lose your residence card, you must request a new one within 14 days. (Before requesting reissuance, report the loss of your card to your local police station or police box.) You will need your passport and two identical photos to get a new card.

*Procedure at a Regional Immigraion Office

• In case you change an item other than the place of the residence, be sure to notify the Ministry of Justice at a Regional Immigration Office within 14 days of the change, with bringing your passport, photo and residence card.
• A new residence card will be issued on the day of notification or application.