Procedures for Entry and Residence in Japan / 入国・在留の手続き

In principle, foreigners wishing to enter Japan (with the exception of shipping and airline crews) are required to apply at an overseas Japanese diplomatic establishment (embassy or consulate) for a visa to be stamped in or attached to their passport valid for travel to Japan.
Under Japan's Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (hereafter referred to as the Immigration Control Act), it is stipulated that any foreigner wishing to enter or land in Japan must possess a valid passport and a visa obtained from an embassy or consulate. In other words, when foreigners apply to an Immigration Inspector (immigration officer) at a port of entry or departure (hereafter referred to as a port of entry) of an airport or seaport for an examination for landing, one of the conditions that they must meet is possession of a valid visa.
Accordingly, if a foreigner does not possess the necessary visa, in principle he or she is not granted permission to enter Japan.   
   
Japanese Version /  
Notice：The necessary documents must be written in either Japanese orEnglish.


Applicants
initial/change
Classification
Procedures
status of residence, period of stay etc.
in the case whereby applicants initially get a visa abroad initial acquisition
Statuses of residence for engaging in specified activities in Japan
Statuses of residence permitting work Certificate of Eligibility
&
Procedure flow		 ① Professor
② Researcher
Statuses of residence not permitting work　 ③ Cultural Activities
④ College Student permission of activity outside scope permitted
in the case inviting family members (visa applicants already reside in Japan.) initial acquisition ⑤Dependent
in the case whereby applicants get a visa in Japan(visa applicants already reside in Japan.) renewal Change in status of residence ① from Working Visa, Precollege student Visa, Dependent Visa to College student Visa
② from College Student Visa to Temporary visitor's Visa
③ from College Student Visa to Researcher Visa
④ from College Student Visa to Spouse of Japanese national Visa, etc

In case of changing in status of residence from Temporary visitor's Visa to College Student's visa, you need the initial acquisition of status of residence for College Student.
Extension of Term of Residence ① Professor
② Researcher
③ Cultural Activities
④ College Student
⑤ Dependent

Common contents of the application
Alien Registration ① Initial registration
② Exchange： If damaged or spoiled
③ Reissuance：If lost or stolen
④ Application for registration of residence change 　： In case of a change of address
⑤ Application for registration of entries except for residence：
        In case of changing the status of residence, passport number, and etc…
⑥ Renewal issuance(confirmation)
       Foreign people must obtain the confirmation if the registered matters are the actual fact every 6 years. After the conformation at your domicile, a new alien registration card will be reissued. The next confirmation (renewal issuance)application period appears on the alien registration certificate.
Temporary Department from Japan and Re-entry

For the consultation of immigration and status procedures  
   
The person related to Osaka University can apply for the Certificate of Eligibility for Status of Residence (CESR) through Support Office.  
http://www.rcnp.osaka-u.ac.jp/osaka-ip/supportoffice/eng/visa/index.php