International students must obtain a visa prior to your study at OIST. Check the following information and start the application process if necessary.
Research Intern Visa
What is "Certificate of Eligibility for Status of Residence" (CoE)?
For those who intend to stay in Japan for more than 90 days, you need a document called "Certificate of Eligibility for Status of Residence (CoE)," to obtain your visa at the Japanese embassy/ consulate in your area. Since CoE has the expiration date, OIST can only apply for your CoE three months before your arrival date.
Procedure to obtain "Certificate of Eligibility for Status of Residence" (CoE)
- Fill out the "CoE application form".
- Upload your "CoE application form" to OIST.
- OIST applies for your CoE at the immigration office in Okinawa.
- OIST receives your CoE.
- OIST sends a PDF copy of your CoE via GigaCC.
It usually takes about one month to obtain your CoE, so we strongly recommend that you fill out the CoE application and send it back to us as soon as possible.
While waiting for your CoE to be delivered, please prepare your visa application form and the necessary required documents.
Necessary documents may differ depending on your nationality and the country you are applying in.
Please check the links below for further information about the CoE and visa information/ requirements by the Japanese embassy/ consulate in your area. Please apply for the visa immediately after you receive your CoE.
For Your Reference
What is a visa?
A visa is a document you need when you enter Japan. To obtain your visa, you will need to go to the Japanese embassy/ consulate in your area. For those who received a CoE, you need both a visa and your CoE to enter Japan.
How to obtain a Visa
The visa you obtain will be different based on the period of your stay in Japan.
1. Check your period of stay in Japan
- 90 days or more: "Cultural Activity Visa"
- Less than 90 days: "Short-stay visa"
2. Follow the instruction based on the period of your stay in Japan.
Period of stay 90 days or more
You will need a "Cultural activities visa" to enter Japan and please follow the steps below.
Step 1. Complete Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) Application Form.
Please check HERE for the details about CoE and visa.
1. Download the CoE application form and complete it. (Updated on 10/23/2023)
2. Send the following documents to OIST by uploading it HERE. [Instruction]
- Completed CoE application form (Please submit by excel sheet.)
- A digital photo for CoE application and OIST internal systems (if you haven't submitted the photo, please check HERE for photo qualification)
- Copy of your passport (photo page)
** Please name each file as below when you upload them.
- CoE application form_your Given name/FAMILY NAME
- Photo_your Given name/FAMILY NAME
- Passport_your Given name/FAMILY NAME
3. OIST will submit the CoE application form to the Immigration Bueau in Japan. It takes a few weeks to a month to be issued.
Step 2. Apply for the Cultural Activities Visa at the nearest Japanese Embassy/ Consulate
1. Check visa application procedure and required documents with Japanese Embassy/Consulate where you intend to apply and prepare for visa application form and other documents as necessary. ***How to fill Visa Application Form: CoE and Visa, "What is a visa?"
2. Receive a package/email enclosed CoE from OIST Travel and Relocation Team.
3. Go to the nearest Japanese Embassy/Consulate and apply for the visa (Category: Cultural Activity)
4. After successfully obtaining your visa, send a scanned copy of the visa by uploading it HERE. [Instruction]
Name the file “visa_your Given name/FAMILY NAME”
You can check the links below for further information about visa information/ requirements for the Japanese embassy/ consulate in your area.
5. Apply for the visa immediately after you receive your CoE.
Period of stay less than 90 days
Check to see if your country is on the "Exemption of Visa (Short-Term Stay)". Japan has reciprocal visa exemption arrangements with countries and regions listed in the table. Take following procedures to begin your relocation procedure.
Step 1. Check "Exemption of Visa (Short-Term Stay)"
Step 2. If your Country or Region is listed on the list, you will NOT require visa to enter Japan. Complete Step 3, The Graduate School will contact you for your travel arrangement about one month prior to your arrival. If your Country or Region is NOT on the list, you will need a visa (short-term stay visa). Complete the procedure from Step 3 to Step 7.
Step 3. Send a copy of your passport (a photo page) to OIST by uploading it HERE. [Instruction]. Make sure to name each file as "passport_your Given name/FAMILY NAME"
Step 4. OIST will prepare for a visa document package for your visa application and send them to you via airmail.
Step 5. Receive a visa document package from OIST
Step 6. Go to the nearest Japanese Embassy/Consulate and apply for the short-term stay visa. When you go, please bring printed OIST Offer letter and signed Agreement.
Step 7. After successfully obtaining your visa, send a scanned copy of the visa to OIST by uploading it HERE. [Instruction]
*Please name each file as "visa_your Given name/FAMILY NAME"
**While waiting for your visa document package to be delivered, please prepare your visa application form and the necessary required documents.
Necessary documents may differ depending on your nationality and the country from which you are applying.
Please check the links below for further information about visa information/ requirements for the Japanese embassy/ consulate in your area. Please apply for the visa immediately after you receive your package.
For Your Referencce
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Countries and Regions (from MoFA's site)