Japanese

Extending Your Stay

If a student would like to extend the period of stay at AIU longer than their original plan, they need to submit an extension application.

Before You Begin: Contact Your Home University for Permission

Students will need to obtain a nomination from their home universities as part of the application process to extend their stay at AIU. Please do not wait for the AIU application period to begin, but contact your home university study abroad office as well as your academic adviser, to obtain permission and learn their procedures required for extending your stay.

**Please note that due to the exchange imbalance between AIU and partner schools and capacity limitations we may not be able to accept all applicants for extension.

Application Timeline:

Currently enrolled in:Fall semesterSpring semester
Extension Period:“Winter Program*” or
Winter Program* & Spring Semester”
“Fall Semester” or
“Fall Semester & Winter Program*”
Consultation with your home universityAny timeAny time
Information Announced by emailNovember 1June 1
Application Period for Extension of Enrollment at AIU
*Be sure to submit all required documents by online form.
November 1 –
November 10
June 1 –
June 10
Notification of acceptanceby the end of Novemberby the end of June
Pre-RegistrationMid-NovemberEarly July
Internal Deadline for submitting “Application for Extension of Period of Stay” (Deadline for Submission to AIU)December 10July 10
“Application for Extension of Period of Stay” to be submitted to the Immigration Services AgencyLate December
(Before Fall semester ends)
By end of July
(Before Spring semester ends)
Invoice and PaymentLate December
(Before Fall semester ends)
By end of July
(Before Spring semester ends)

*For more information about the Winter Program, please click here.

Submit Required Documents for Extension Application:

The application process consists of three steps:

Step 1: Application for Extension of Studies at AIU

Submission Deadline:
Currently enrolled in Fall semester: November 10
Currently enrolled in Spring semester: June 10

Be sure to submit all documents by the deadline. Late applications will not be accepted.

DocumentInstructions
1. Nomination Form from Home University– Ask your home university to fill out the form and send it to AIU via email or FAX.
Form may be downloaded from the link to the left
2. Completed, signed Application Form– Complete the online application form with the log-in information that was given to you at the time of AIU admission. This information will be sent to you again via email when the application for extension of enrollment at AIU opens.
– Print online application and make sure you sign on the page
3. Personal statement of purpose– 150-250 words
– Copy your “Personal statement of purpose” in the online application form, and paste it in a separate text file with your AIU ID number and your name at the top of the page
4. Academic Transcript from AIU– Students who have completed at least one semester at AIU only
– Obtain this certificate from the machine in Building A
5. Two Reference Forms– Ask two course instructors to fill out the “Online Reference Forms” (the link will be sent to you via email).
– You must contact your course instructors a week before the submission deadline.
– Students taking only Japanese language courses: Two reference forms from two different Japanese language instructors.
– Students taking both Japanese language courses and subject courses: One reference form from a Japanese language instructor and one reference form from a subject course instructor.
– Students taking only subject courses: Two reference forms from two different subject course instructors.

Step 2: Application for Extension of Period of Stay Once Accepted

Note: Once your extension application is approved, please start preparing the following documents and submit them in person to the Center for International Affairs. Email submission is NOT acceptable. Once the submitted documents have been reviewed, and the university’s portion of the application has been completed, the documents will be returned to you.

Submission Deadline:
Currently enrolled in Fall semester: December 10
Currently enrolled in Spring semester: July 10

Be sure to submit all documents by the deadline. Late applications will not be accepted.

DocumentInstructions
6. Application for Extension
of Period of Stay
– Be sure to download both the Application Form (excel format) and Sample
– Form must be completed as shown in the Sample
– Print all 5 pages single-sided.
– Attach an ID photo to the Application. Refer to the following webpage for the photograph requirements: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/photo_info_00002.html
7. Certificate of Enrollment
(In Japanese, on blue paper)
– Obtain this document from the machine in Building A. (Please ask Student Affairs for the official, blue paper)
8. Official Academic Transcript
(In Japanese, on blue paper)
– Transcripts are required only for students who have completed at least one
semester at AIU. Obtain this document from the machine in Building A. (Please ask Student Affairs for the official, blue paper)
9. Registered Course list and
Study Plan for the extended
semester
– Pre-register for courses for the extended semester
– Print out the screenshots of the “Course Registration Information” for both current AND extended semesters from your ATOMS page.
– Be sure to read the instructions below.
10. Proof of Financial ResourcesBe sure to read the instructions below.
– Insufficient documents will NOT be accepted by the Immigration Services Agency.
Important Instructions

9. Registered Course list and Study Plan for the extended semester
If students apply for an extension of studies at AIU for the Winter Program and apply for an extension of period of stay at the Immigration Services Agency, students must enroll in at least 6 credits of coursework to meet immigration requirements.

10. Proof of Financial Resources
Language: All documents must be written in English or accompanied by an English translation.
To meet Immigration Services Agency standards for student visa processing, your Proof of Financial Resources must show at least the minimum amount listed in the chart below. Please be sure to convert your local currency into Japanese Yen (JPY).

Exchange StudentsFee-Paying Students
One semester, only400,000 JPY760,000 JPY
Winter Program, only200,000 JPY200,000 JPY
One semester & Winter Program600,000 JPY960,000 JPY

For acceptable forms of Proof of Financial Resources, please click here.

Step 3: Submit Application to the Immigration Services Agency

Step 3-1: Submit Application to the Immigration Services Agency

Note: You will need to go to the Immigration Services Agency Akita Branch Office in downtown Akita in person to submit the application documents on your own. After submitting the documents, please report your submission to the Center for International Affairs.

Submission Deadline:
Currently enrolled in Fall semester: End of December (Before Fall semester ends)
Currently enrolled in Spring semester: End of July (Before Spring semester ends)

DocumentInstructions
11. Application
documents 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
(see Step 2), and some
additional documents
that AIU will prepare
– Following approval given by AIU on application form
12. Valid passport and
Residence Card
– Presentation of your original passport and Residence Card will be required at the Immigration Services Agency
– For further information, please see the Application Information from the Immigration Services Agency (please select “Application form for extension of period of stay”) and Map

While your application for an extension of the period of stay is being processed by the Immigration Services Agency, you are not permitted to leave Japan. You MUST stay in Japan until you receive your new Residence Card.

Step 3-2: Pick-up New Card and Send a Copy

Note: You will receive a notification postcard from the Immigration Services Agency when your card is ready for pick-up. Go to pick up your new Residence Card as soon as possible after receiving the postcard and absolutely NO LATER than the due date written on the postcard. Make sure that you send a copy of both sides of your new Residence Card to the Center for International Affairs (international@gl.aiu.ac.jp) immediately after pick up.

DocumentInstructions
13. Notification postcard
from the Immigration
Services Agency
– Bring your passport and current Residence Card as well
14. 4000 yen for issuing fee– You must purchase a 4000 yen revenue seal on the second floor of the Immigration Services Agency building to pay for the issuing fee
– For further information, please see Application Information from the Immigration Services Agency (please select “Application form for extension of period of stay”).

If you temporarily depart from Japan AFTER picking up your new Residence Card, please make sure that you receive the special re-entry permit BEFORE leaving Japan. Be sure to check the Academic Calendar and return to AIU before classes begin.

Costs for Extending Students

Please refer to the Financial Information page for information on expenses related to your extension.

Winter Program: Optional Intensive Studies

Students enrolled in AIU’s fall semester (September – December) have the option to stay at AIU for our optional Winter Program (January – March).

This 7.5-week program offers intensive coursework and is an excellent opportunity for students who wish to take an additional semester’s worth of Japanese language at AIU, or for those who want to make up additional courses. Because classes are intensive and demand heavy time investment, students should consult with their academic advisors at AIU before choosing their courses. For the Credit Hour Requirements, please click here.

Depending on your initial application to AIU, you may already be enrolled in the Winter Program at the time of your arrival. The Center for International Affairs will contact all students before the extension application period starts to inform them of their enrollment status and give them the opportunity to join the Winter Program.

Center for International Affairs
Akita International University
Yuwa, Akita-City 010-1292 Japan
Tel. +81-(0)18-886-5927, +81-(0)18-886-5937
Fax. +81-(0)18-886-5853
Inbound Students:[mail international]
Outbound Students:[mail studyabroad]
Office Hours (Mon – Fri) 9:00 – 12:00 and 13:00 – 17:00