In recent years, many Japanese universities and schools accept students from overseas. Also, the number of international students in Japan is expected to increase in the future. When you enroll in a Japanese university or school, you definitely receive loads of documents and instructions from them regarding the university or school. But no one really instructs you the detailed procedures to start living in Japan. SO, this column will explain the list of procedures you need to complete in the order of events.
Receive a residence card
At Narita, Haneda, Chubu, and Kansai Airports, residents who are permitted to stay in Japan more than 3 months will be issued a residence card after having a seal of landing verification stamped in their passports. Passengers who entered Japan through any other ports will have a “Residence card to be issued” stamped in their passports beside the seal of landing verification. Once you complete the application at the municipal office in your area, your residence card will be sent to your address. Your residence card will be an important ID during your stay in Japan, so double check if all the information on the card is correct. In these days, many regional airports have become international airports, and a number of foreign travelers enter and depart through ports other than Narita, Haneda, Chubu, and Kansai Airports. In such cases, don’t forget to register your address at the municipal office to obtain a residence card.
Residence card: the Residency Management System in Japan
Apply for “permission to engage in an activity other than that permitted by the status of residence previously granted”
If you are issued a residence card at the airport of entry and the residence status on the card is “Student”, you may also apply for “permission to engage in an activity other than that permitted by the status of residence previously granted (abbr. PEAPSRPG)” at the same airport straightaway. Foreign students who had a “Residence card to be issued” stamped in their passports must visit an immigration office in your area to apply for PEAPSRPG after receiving the residence card. PEAPSRPG allows “Students” to engage in a paid job to the extent that the work doesn’t interfere their study. Apply for PEAPSRPG soon after your arrival if you wish to work in Japan. “Students” will be given comprehensive PEAPSRPG so that they don’t need to notify the immigration office their current employer or change of employer.
Want to work part-time as international students?
Submit initial resident registration and moving-in notification
Mid to long-term residents who newly enter Japan must notify a local municipal or ward office of their residential address within 14 days after finding a place to live in. If you were issued your residence card at the airport of entry, take it with you to the local municipal or ward office to complete the procedures. Otherwise, take your passport with you. You need to fill the “Notification of move” form, which is common to moving-in, change of address and moving-out notifications, at the counter of the local municipal or ward office and hand it to the staff. Once you complete the procedure, your resident record will be created the same as Japanese citizens. You can purchase a certificate of residence when needed. Note that the application must be completed within 14 days from the date of your arrival.
Notify when newly arrived in Japan or moved house: Moving-in & Change of address notification
Enroll in the National Health Insurance
Residents can register for the National Health Insurance along with the resident registration. Mid to long-term residents who reside in Japan, including international students, must enroll in a public health insurance system. If you don’t have the National Health Insurance coverage, you may have to pay a high amount of fees for medical treatments when you unexpectedly get sick or injured, while you only have to pay 30% of medical costs if you have enrolled in the National Health Insurance System. Also, you may be required to present your health insurance card when you go thorough procedures relating to the status of residence such as extension of period of stay. No matter how confident you are about your health, preparing for emergency is always very important. Make sure to enroll in the National Health System and pay contributions.
Praised by the WHO! The Japanese National Health Insurance
Enroll in the National Pension System (if you are 20-59 years of age)
Residents can enroll in the National Pension System along with the resident registration. All mid to long-term residents who reside in Japan are required to register for the National Pension System along with a public health insurance system. However, Students whose income is low thus have difficulties to pay monthly contributions may be allowed to postpone contribution payment while they are still covered by the National Pension System if their application for Special Payment System for Students is approved. Students whose period of stay in Japan is less than a year are not eligible to Special Payment System for Students. They may apply for Contribution Postponement System for Low Income Youth. By the way, international students who are under 20 years of age are not required to enroll in the National Pension System at the time of their arrival in Japan, however, they must register for the pension system once they turn 20 years old.
Studying in Japan for over a year? Apply for Special Payment System for Students
Attention, short term students: contribution postponement system of NPS
Have a great start in Japan!
It is so easy to imagine that you have to follow a hectic schedules for a few days right after your arrival in Japan. You have to find a place to live, organize the place to be ready to settle in and get thing ready for your study. But no matter how busy you are, just make sure you all the procedures mentioned in this column. Good luck in your study, leisure, part time job and everything!
