Student Visa / Status of Residence
Do you currently possess Status of Residence (在留資格 / ざいりゅうしかく) in Japan?
Students who do not have Status of Residence
For the successful applicants from the Nationals of the Philippines, Nepal, Vietnam and Indonesia
Please check the following information and related website to complete the necessary procedures.
Information will be updated regularly.
Be sure to check the latest information.
Website: Announcement on Japan Pre-Entry Tuberculosis Screening (JPETS)
1. Application for Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
A COE (在留資格認定証明書) is a document issued by the Immigration Services Agency (ISA), an agency under jurisdiction of Ministry of Justice of Japan, prior to a visa application as evidence that the foreign national meets the conditions for landing in Japan.
*The ISA takes one to three months to review COE applications. If you do not submit your application by the specified deadline, there is an increased risk that your COE will not be issued by the time you move into your dormitory, or worse, by the start of the new semester.
Click the following for necessary instructions and documents.
Those who are currently enrolled at or have been previously enrolled at a Japanese language school in Japan
If you are/have been enrolled at a Japanese language school in Japan before enrolling at Ritsumeikan University, you must submit documents that confirm your attendance during that period (e.g. an academic transcript or certificate of attendance). Please complete the form and upload the required documents via this URL. *This form will be available from November 13, 2026.
2. Application for Student Visa
A visa (査証) is an official document that allows the bearer to legally enter a foreign country. Japanese visas are issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
Once a COE is issued, we will send it to you by e-mail. Please follow the instructions and apply for a visa at your local Japanese Embassy/Consulate General.
*Please book your airline tickets only after your visa is issued. The University will not be held responsible under any circumstances if you book your airline ticket before you have the visa, but cannot obtain it by the scheduled departure date.
3. Receiving Status of Residence (在留資格) and Residence Card (在留カード)
Status of Residence (在留資格) is a legal status of residence that allows foreign residents to engage in specified activities during their stay in Japan.
A Residence Card (在留カード) is issued to mid- to long-term residents who have been granted permission to stay in Japan.
At the immigration, a foreigner must present a valid visa, and he or she may be asked to show the COE as well. Once permitted to enter Japan, a resident status and resident card will be issued.
Students who already have Status of Residence
Are you enrolling in April or September?
Those who are currently enrolled at or have been previously enrolled at a Japanese language school in Japan
If you are/have been enrolled at a Japanese language school in Japan before enrolling at Ritsumeikan University, you must submit documents that confirm your attendance during that period (e.g. an academic transcript or certificate of attendance). Please complete the form and upload the required documents via this URL. *This form will be available from November 13, 2026.
April Enrollment
Please select the category that applies to you.
Those whose Status of Residence expires on or before December 31, 2026
Consult with your current organization about renewing your status of residence. If you are told that it is not possible, please consult with the Immigration Services Agency (ISA) (https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/about/region/). Let us know their comment(s) as soon as possible. We will give you an instruction according to the answer.
Please be aware that you may be asked to leave Japan once and apply for COE and visa again.
Those who plan to change their status of residence to "Student" before enrollment, OR
Those whose status of residence "Student" will expire between January 1 and May 31, 2027
Submit the following documents via Ritsu-Mate and the University will complete required forms by ISA for you to either change the status of residence or extend the period of stay.
Once you have received them, prepare the necessary documents and apply to the ISA in your residence area to change your status of residence or extend your period of stay.
Expense Planning Form
- Download a designated form here.
- The form must be filled out by the applicant AND financial supporter.
Request Form for Certificate of Scheduled Enrollment
- Download a designated form here.
- The University will e-mail you the certificate along with the other documents.
Scans of Passport
Copy of the page with photograph and personal information.
Scans of Residence Card
Submit a copy of both sides of your Japanese Residence Card.
Those whose current status of residence "Student" expires on or after June 1, 2027 OR
Those whose current status of residence is other than "Student" which allows attendance to a university
Submit the following documents via Ritsu-Mate
Scans of Passport
Copy of the page with photograph and personal information.
Scans of Residence Card
Submit a copy of both sides of your Japanese Residence Card.
WHERE APPLICABLE
Prospective Students who need Certificate of Scheduled Enrollment
- If you are applying for external scholarships, or securing rented accommodations in Japan, Certificate of Scheduled Enrollment can be issued upon request. Submit the following documents via Ritsu-Mate.
- Expense Planning Form
- Request Form for Certificate of Scheduled Enrollment
- Download designated forms here.
- Certificate of Scheduled Enrollment will be sent by e-mail.
September Enrollment
Please select the category that applies to you.
Those whose Status of Residence expires on or before June 30, 2027
Consult with your current organization about renewing your status of residence. If you are told that it is not possible, please consult with the Immigration Services Agency (ISA) (https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/about/region/). Let us know their comment(s) as soon as possible. We will give you an instruction according to the answer.
Please be aware that you may be asked to leave Japan once and apply for COE and visa again.
Those who plan to change their status of residence to "Student" before enrollment, OR
Those whose status of residence "Student" will expire between July 1 and October 31, 2027
Submit the following documents via Ritsu-Mate and the University will complete required forms by ISA for you to either change the status of residence or extend the period of stay.
Once you have received them, prepare the necessary documents and apply to the ISA in your residence area to change your status of residence or extend your period of stay.
Expense Planning Form
- Download a designated form here.
- The form must be filled out by the applicant AND financial supporter.
Request Form for Certificate of Scheduled Enrollment
- Download a designated form here.
- The University will e-mail you the certificate along with the other documents.
Scans of Passport
Copy of the page with photograph and personal information.
Scans of Residence Card
Submit a copy of both sides of your Japanese Residence Card.
Those whose current status of residence "Student" expires on or after November 1, 2027 OR
Those whose current status of residence is other than "Student" which allows attendance to a university
Submit the following documents via Ritsu-Mate
Scans of Passport
Copy of the page with photograph and personal information.
Scans of Residence Card
Submit a copy of both sides of your Japanese Residence Card.
WHERE APPLICABLE
Prospective Students who need Certificate of Scheduled Enrollment
- If you are applying for external scholarships, or securing rented accommodations in Japan, Certificate of Scheduled Enrollment can be issued upon request. Submit the following documents via Ritsu-Mate.
- Expense Planning Form
- Request Form for Certificate of Scheduled Enrollment
- Download designated forms here.
- Certificate of Scheduled Enrollment will be sent by e-mail.
ONLY FOR THOSE with status of residence "Student"
After enrollment at Ritsumeikan University, complete procedures for notification concerning an organization for the activity by following instructions on the Immigration Service Agency's website.
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/nyuukokukanri10_00014.html
Download Documents
Ritsu-Mate Manual
Please refer to this manual and upload the required documents to Ritsu-Mate.
COE Application Handbook
Please refer to this handbook for more information about COE and application documents.
