How can I extend the program and the VISA
VISA & Program Extension
Students who wish to extend their stay need to complete some essential tasks.
Please be reminded you must apply for an extension of period of stay (VISA) at the Immigration Bureau.
Applications are accepted from three months prior to the expiry of the current period of stay.
Please check the steps below and work on them with enough lead time.
Please be reminded you must apply for an extension of period of stay (VISA) at the Immigration Bureau.
Applications are accepted from three months prior to the expiry of the current period of stay.
Please check the steps below and work on them with enough lead time.
Complete the following steps
Step1■Get approval from your coordinator at your home university and submit this approval on ScombZ
Step2■Renew your student ID card
Step3■Fill out the VISA Application for Extension of Period of Stay
Step4■Request SIT international office to fill out the VISA Application for Extension of Period of Stay (Organization part)
Step5■Apply for an Extension of the Period of Stay at the local Immigration office
Step6■Submit a copy of your new residence card through the Scomb
Step1 Get approval from your coordinator at your home university and submit this approval on ScombZ
Since you are participating in the university-to-university program, first you need to get approval from your coordinator (Someone who is responsible for your program participation). Please contact your coordinator at your home university about the extension and submit the proof of approval on ScombZ.
You do not need to ask for the official letter, but the screenshot of an email is enough for us.
If you are a Research Exchange Program student, you need to get an approval from your supervisor at SIT too.
Once you get the approval, please also have your SIT supervisor to send us an email stating that he/she agrees about the program extension.
**ATTENTION**
When you decide on the program end date at SIT, please make sure that the end date does not exceed the date of your graduation or the completion of your studies at your home university.
It is highly recommended to return to your universityat least one full month before your graduation.
Also, the total length of your stay at SIT cannot exceed 1 year.
It is highly recommended to return to your universityat least one full month before your graduation.
Also, the total length of your stay at SIT cannot exceed 1 year.
Step2 Renew your student ID card
After your program extension request is accepted by SIT, we will inform you by email.
You must go to the Student Affairs section to renew your student ID card. Please tell us when you can go to the Student Affairs section and we will notify them.
*Please note once a new student ID card is issued, the old one will become invalid. You can keep your old student ID card as a souvenir or return it to us.
Step3 Fill out the VISA Application for Extension of Period of Stay
Please download the“APPLICATION FOR EXTENSION OF PERIOD OF STAY” issued by the immigration office and fill in the first 3 pages. (For the applicant, part 1-3P (“student”)
Application for extension of the period of stay | Immigration Services Agency of Japan (isa.go.jp)
Please refer to the “Format” and download the VISA application for “Student(Study)”. The VISA application consists of 2 parts, fill in the “For applicant part” from pages 1 to 3.
We may need to revise your answer, so use the Excel format, not the pdf file or handwritten.
Please also check the documents you need to prepare when submitting the form. You can check the required documents from the above link, but we summarized the required documents too.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with the local immigration office.
(Please note that we cannot answer the questions related to the visa application form.)
Step4 Request SIT international office to fill out the VISA Application for Extension of Period of Stay (Organization part)
SIT International Office (Division of Global Initiatives) will fill in the remaining 2 pages of the Organization part.
Please request us to complete your application form using your SIT campus email.
*Please note it takes some time to complete the internal procedures.
We will notify you once we prepare the VISA application form.
Step5 Apply at the local Immigration Bureau
You must go to the Immigration Bureau to hand in the required documents.
Applications are accepted 3 months prior the expiration of the period of your stay and it is illegal if you stay in Japan after the last day of your period of stay without a permit. Therefore, please visit the Immigration Bureau as soon as possible.
Step6 Submit a copy of your new residence card through the Scomb
After receiving the new residence card, please scan/take a photo of the front and back side of the card and upload it through the ScombZ.
Required items for VISA extension
| Required items for application | Note |
| Application Form | APPLICATION FOR EXTENSION OF PERIOD OF STAY（issued by Immigration Bureau） |
| Portrait face photo | -Image Size: H 4cm x W 3cm -Taken within 3 months prior to submission -Full face (front view), neck, and top of the shoulder are on display -Use plain background (A white or off-white background is suitable) -No shadow on the face and background -Have a neutral expression with your mouth closed -Sharp, clear, no frame, no name on it If your photo is unacceptable, you will be asked to submit it again and the process will be delayed. |
| Passport | |
| Residence card | |
| SIT Transcript (or Course Certificate) |
Obtainable in the Student Affairs section, 1.5 months after the semester end. |
| Handling charges for the immigration office | Fee: 4,000 Yen Payment must be made with a revenue stamp. ("Shunyu-inshi" in Japanese) You can get it at the post office or convenience store at Tokyo Immigration Bureau. |
| Others | For the Research Exchange Program students -Certificate of the research activities *Include the scheduled period of education until graduation in your Research Plan **A4 paper, Free Format ***Your Supervisor’s signature and seal are required For students who have a part-time job now -Application for permission to engage in activity other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted *Even if you already have this permission, you still need to apply it again when you extend your VISA. **Please check the following page about the part-time job permission. Permission to engage in an activity other than those permitted under the status of residence of "Student" | Immigration Services Agency of Japan (isa.go.jp) *Immigration Bureau might ask you to submit additional documents such as Bank statements, Certificate of scholarship, etc., so please follow their instruction. |
If you couldn't find an answer to your question or concern, you may inquire us by email.