Sections

Visa/Obligations/Other Information

Temporary Visitor Visa for Entrance Exams

For international applicants to enter Japan for Kyoto University entrance exams, the applicant must obtain "Temporary Visitor Visa (Tankitaizai)" through the Japanese diplomatic mission in their country. Temporary visitors are not allowed to engage in any paid activities.

College Student Visa for a University Student

Those who are relocating from overseas

Successful candidates must obtain "College Student Visa (Ryugaku)" through the Japanese diplomatic mission in their country by presenting a certificate or notification of acceptance from Kyoto University, a valid passport and other relevant documents.

In order to receive a visa, you may need to submit evidence that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in Japan.

Those who are already in Japan

Successful candidates who are already in Japan with a resident status other than College Student (Ryugaku) must change their current resident status (for example Temporary Visitor [Tankitaizai]) to College Student (Ryugaku).
Due to a revision of immigration control act in July 2010, when international students with a Pre-College Student (Shugaku) Visa enroll in a university, they do not have to change their status to College Student(Ryugaku) as long as there is no change in their educational activities.

Foreign Resident Registration

All foreign nationals who intend to stay in Japan for more than 90 days must register themselves at the local municipal office within 90 days of their date of entry. Once registered, foreign residents will receive Foreign Resident Registration Card. They must carry the card at all times.

National Health Insurance

All foreign nationals residing in Japan for more than one year are required to be covered by one of the Japanese public medical insurance programs. For students, the most common and highly recommended option is to join the National Health Insurance (NHI). Students with a "Temporary Visitors' Visa" or a "College Student Visa (with a 6 month period of stay)" will not be eligible for the NHI, and are highly encouraged to buy a travel insurance policy (or other similar policy) before coming to Japan.

Applications are accepted at the City/Ward Office Health Insurance Department after completing the Foreign Resident Registration. Subscribers need only pay 30% of medical costs upon presentation of their National Health Insurance Card at the hospital reception prior to receiving treatment. The insurance premium varies depending on individual circumstances such as the number of their family members. The yearly fee is approximately \18,000 for unmarried international students living in Kyoto City. 

Working Permission

International students are allowed to have a part-time job provided they receive permission in advance from the immigration office.

They must follow the terms below.

  1. The part-time job must not interfere with academic work.
  2. The maximum hours of work for "College Student Visa" holders is 28 hours per week (during summers and other long vacations, this is extended to allow up to 8 hours of work per day, within the confines of the legal 40 hour work week).
  3. The job must not affect public order and morals (for example, sex-related industry employment is forbidden). 

Working without permission will incur a penalty.

Japanese Language Ability

Most classes at Kyoto University are taught in Japanese, unless specified as otherwise. Those who wish to enroll in an undergraduate program or a Master's program must have sufficient proficiency in Japanese upon entering the University.

Administration contacts are usually made in Japanese. For daily lives outside the university, it is necessary for international student to have adequate Japanese language ability depending on their needs

Although Kyoto University offers non-credited, supplementary Japanese language classes to international students and scholars at Kyoto University, there is no faculty of Japanese Language.

General Information for Studying in Japan