Certificate of Eligibility (COE) 

• A Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is a document required to obtain a student visa before coming to Japan. 

• Keio CEMS Office will apply for a "Certificate of Eligibility (COE) " at the Immigration Bureau on your behalf.

When & How you expect to receive

• After we receive the COE from the immigration bureau, the document (in PDF) will be uploaded to the online application system.  Once we upload the document, we will send an e-mail notification  to you.

• The issuance schedule totally depends on the Immigration Bureau. Therefore, we cannot provide the exact issuance schedule or hasten the process under ANY circumstances.

• In general, we receive COE from the immigration bureau in July/August and January/February for Term 1 and Term 2, respectively.

Notes

• COE is NOT a visa and it does not guarantee the issuance of the "College Student visa" 

• You are required to show your COE to an immigration officer at the airport upon entering Japan.

Student Visa

(IMPORTANT)

You are required to enter Japan with a "College Student visa" under Japanese immigration law. 

If you come to Japan under temporary visitor (tourist) status, you may be asked to leave Japan and obtain a "College Student Visa" in your home country. 

We also recommend that you book a flight AFTER the visa is granted.

Where & How to obtain Student Visa

• Where ?

At the Japanese embassy or consulate. 

• How?

You can apply for your Student Visa by submitting your COE along with your valid passport.
There may be other documents required to apply for your student visa.
Therefore, contact the embassy/consulate (Websites of Japanese Embassies/Consulates) and confirm what documents are necessary before you submit your application.

For visa processing time, please refer to the MOFA site for general information and also contact the embassy/consulate for local information. 

VISA information (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

If you are a Japanese National or related to those who are Japanese National

Click here for details 

Guarantor Information

Upon applying for a visa, you may be required to state your guarantor or reference in Japan. The guarantor information will be sent to you with the COE.

Working Permission

Your visa status is "Student". Therefore, if you wish to engage in secondary activities aside from your studies, such as a part-time job, you must obtain a permit from the Immigration Bureau beforehand. 

Working Permission/Part-time job

Visa Expiration for One Semester Students

You CANNOT stay in Japan after September 22 with your student visa as your student status at Keio is only valid until the date. 

You are required to leave Japan by September 22 even if your Residence Card states your “period of stay in Japan” is “one year”.

When Leaving Japan Temporary (Special Re-entry Permit) during your stay at Keio

If you will re-enter Japan within 1 year

Special Re-entry Permit

-You will NOT be required to apply for a re-entry permit

-Must indicate your intention of re-entry on the Embarkation Card

What you need to bring

-Passport

-Residence Card. 

If your permitted period of stay will expire within 1 year of your departure, make sure to re-enter Japan before the expiration date. 

At departure, be sure to check the specified box of the Embarkation Card for re-entry and present your Residence Card.

For more information: https://www.ic.keio.ac.jp/en/life/visa/re-entry.html