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:
| Extension for Winter Program* and/or Spring Semester. | Extension for Fall Semester or Fall Semester and Winter Program* | |
|---|---|---|
| Consultation with your home university | Any time | Any time |
| Information Announced by email | November 1 | June 1 |
| Application Period for Extension of Enrollment at AIU | November 1 – November 15 | June 1 – June 15 |
| Notification of acceptance | November 25 | June 25 |
| Pre-Registration | Mid-November | Early July |
| Internal Application Extension of Period of Stay in Japan (Deadline for Submission to AIU) | December 15 | July 15 |
| Application to be submitted to the Immigration Services Agency | Late December | By end of July |
| Invoice and Payment | Late December | By end of July |
*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
-
STEP 2. Application for Extension of Period of Stay in Japan (Submitted
to AIU)
**Extending your enrollment period at AIU may require you to extend your residence card at the Immigration Services Agency before your period of stay expires. -
STEP 3. Submit Application to the Immigration Services Agency
**Once your Application for Extension to Period of Stay in Japan is approved by AIU, you are required to take it to the Immigration Office in person.
**After your new Residence Card is issued, you will be informed by postcard from the Immigration Office. Please take that postcard to the office to pick up your new card then bring the card to the Center for International Affairs
Be sure to submit all documents by the deadlines below. Late applications will not be accepted.
Step 1: Application for Extension of Studies at AIU
Note: If you are already enrolled in the Fall and following Spring semester and would like to add the Winter program in the middle as well, you are only required to ask your home university to send us a confirmation e-mail of your additional enrollment of Winter program and 3. Personal statement of purpose.
|
Deadline Currently enrolled in: |
Document | Instructions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Spring | ||
| Nov 15 | Jun 15 | 1. Nomination Form from Home University |
- Ask your home university to fill out the form and send it to AIU via
e-mail or FAX. Form may be downloaded from the link to the left |
| Nov 15 | Jun 15 | 2. Completed, signed Application Form |
- Complete the online application form (https://csw.aiu.ac.jp/campussa/) with the log-in information given at the time of AIU admission. This
information will be sent to you via e-mail. - Print online application and make sure you sign on the page |
| Nov 15 | Jun 15 | 3. Personal statement of purpose |
- 150-250 words **No specified format |
| Nov 15 | Jun 15 | 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 |
| Nov 15 | Jun 15 | 5. Two Reference Forms |
- Submit two from your course instructors. **You must contact your course instructors a week before the submission deadline. **If you are taking courses other than Japanese language, one of the forms should be completed by a subject course instructor. - The form may be downloaded from the link to the left |
Step 2: Application for Extension of Period of Stay in Japan Once Accepted
Note: Once your extension application is approved, please start preparing the following documents and submit them to the Center for International Affairs.
|
Deadline Currently enrolled in: |
Document | Instructions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Spring | ||
| Dec 15 | Jul 15 | 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 |
| Dec 15 | Jul 15 |
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 |
| Dec 15 | Jul 15 |
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) |
| Dec 15 | Jul 15 |
9.Registered Course list and Study Plan for the extending semester |
Print out the screens of “Course Registration Information” of both current and extending semesters from ATOMS. |
| Dec 15 | Jul 15 |
10. Proof of Financial Resources Be sure to read the Important Instructions for 10. Proof of Financial Resources section as well |
(Be sure to read instructions below) **Insufficient documents will NOT be accepted by the Immigration Services Agency. **Be sure to meet all requirements given below. Acceptable forms of proof for visa processing: (Submit 1, and/or 2) **The Immigration Services Agency does NOT accept salary letters or statements of income, credit card statements, stock certificates, real property, or corporate assets, which may lose value, or property that cannot be converted into cash. 1. Bank Account Balance Statement Required if you will be supported in whole or part by “personal savings” or a “financial supporter” - Must be dated no more than 1 month prior to submission - Must show account holder’s name and balance on the same page - Account must belong to you or your financial sponsor - Must be written/translated in English - “Account holder’s name” and “Final balance amount” must be highlighted. - Internet-printed statements are acceptable only when the account holder’s name and account balance are shown on the same page. **If you do not wish to disclose your account details or the balance of your / your sponsor’s account, A letter from your bank / your sponsor’s bank certifying that you have sufficient funds according to the table below with an original signature or bank official stamp is acceptable. 2. Proof of Scholarship/ Financial Aid/ Student Loan/ etc. Required of you will be supported in whole or part by “scholarship/ financial aid” - Must show the amount and period of award - Award must be for the semester(s) you will be at AIU. Scholarship letters from previous terms CANNOT be accepted. - Must show that you are the recipient and that the award is final - Must be written/translated in English - “Recipient’s name,” “Total amount, and “Period of Award” must be highlighted. |
Step 3-1: Submit Application to the Immigration Services Agency
|
Deadline Currently enrolled in: |
Document | Instructions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Spring | ||
| End of Dec | End of Jul | 11. Application documents 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 (above) | - Following approval given by AIU on application form |
| End of Dec | End of Jul | 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 and Required documents |
Step 3-2: Pick-up New Card
**You will receive a postcard from the Immigration Services Agency when your
card is ready for pick-up
After picking up your card, please bring it to the Center for International
Affairs immediately.
| Deadline | Document | Instructions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deadline printed on the Immigration Services Agency postcard | 13. Postcard from the Immigration Services Agency | - Also bring your passport and current Residence Card | |
| 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 and Map |
||
Important Instructions for 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.
Important Instructions for 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).
|
Partner University Exchange Students |
All Other Students | |
|---|---|---|
| One semester, only | 300,000 JPY | 500,000 JPY |
| Winter Program, only | 200,000 JPY | 200,000 JPY |
| One semester & Winter Program | 500,000 JPY | 700,000 JPY |
Costs for Extending Students
Please refer to the Cost of Living 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. As 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.