Guidelines for entry and residence in Japan

NARO welcomes international researchers for research and study in Japan. Here is an introductory guideline for international researchers who have been accepted to pursue research at the Tsukuba campus of NARO including procedures for entering and residing in Japan.

Immigration procedures before coming to Japan

After receiving an official notice of acceptance from NARO, international researchers will need the following documents:

MOFA: VISA to Japan	MOJ: Immigration	Tsukuba International House / JST Foreign Residence for Researchers

Certificate of Eligibility for visa application

Visa will be issued by the Japanese embassy or consulate in the country of the researcher (Please refer to MOFA:VISA to Japan, in the table above). A Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is generally required for visa application. Upon submission of the COE and other supporting documents to the Japanese embassy or consulate, the visa will be issued generally within 5 business days.

Before the international researcher applies for his/her visa, NARO makes the application for COE to the Japan Immigration Bureau for a COE on behalf of the international researcher. Several documents will be requested from the international researcher to facilitate the application. Upon approval, the COE will be sent to the international researcher by way of NARO. Since entire procedure at the Japan Immigration Bureau for the COE may vary from one to three months including mailing of documents, sufficient time must be allotted to meet the target date of arrival in Japan.

Arrival at airport & Access to NARO

A valid passport with valid visa affixed, Certificate of Eligibility and embarkation and disembarkation card are submitted to the immigration officer, and personal identification data (fingerprints and facial photograph) will be taken. For international researchers, who have Certificate of Eligibility Residence Card will be issued at the Immigration in 7 international airports of Japan including Narita. After the process of Immigration and Custom clearance, smart phone connection/contract and conversion plug, bus/train schedules, currency exchange etc. can be checked at the airport arrival lobby, if necessary.

Arrival Lobby (ex.Narita)		Smartphone	Terminal 1 Terminal 2		Train JR TX	Express bus for tsukuba Timetable	Welcome to NARO
		Conversion Plug	Terminal 1 Terminal 2		Express bus

Arrival Lobby (ex.Narita)		Smartphone	Terminal 1 Terminal 2
		Conversion Plug	Terminal 1 Terminal 2

	Train JR TX	Express bus for tsukuba Timetable	Welcome to NARO
	Express bus

Starting research life at NARO

International researchers with a permit to stay more than three months in Japan need to sign up "Notification for moving-in" and "National Health Insurance" at a local city office within 14 days. and procedures for opening a bank account is also necessary. If the researchers contact to rent private apartments, it is also necessary to contact public utilities for provision of electricity, water, or gas etc. Please take note that rental housing is usually unfurnished in Japan.

Moving-in notification	National Health Insurance	Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation	Medical care & Hospital	Tax treaty

Living in Japan:Daily Life Information

Many organization such as local governments and public service corporations provide living support for international residents.

International Relations	School & Education	Child Raising	Local Transportation	Sightseeing

Before leaving:Moving-out・Closing・Moving

When leaving Japan, international researchers must carry out procedures for closure of their bank account, submission of moving-out notification, and National Health Insurance card at city office. When moving out their apartment, connection of all utilities, such as electricity, water, gas, or NHK, should be canceled and terminated accordingly. Please note that furniture and electric appliances must be removed as well.

JAPANESE