[New Corona] Visa application for foreign students and former international students who have difficulty returning to Japan

It seems that many foreigners living in Japan are in a situation where it is difficult to return to Japan due to the effects of the new coronavirus.

• "The return ticket I had reserved has been cancelled."
• "I want to book a ticket, but there are few tickets I can book"
• "Airline tickets are more expensive than usual"

In fact, I hear many people say that it is difficult to return to their home country now, depending on their country of origin or the area where they live in Japan.
“Can I extend my international student visa?”However, if you wish to extend your stay in Japan, there are other ways to do so.

What is a "specific activity" visa for international students who have difficulty returning to Japan in Corona?

Under such circumstances, the Immigration Bureau of Japan will start on October 2020, 10.For "international students" who are "currently having difficulty returning to Japan", we will allow them to change to a new specific activity (duration: 6 months, part-time work within 28 hours per week) visa.We have released a notification to that effect (notification image / attachment).

This is the case corresponding to "3" in the image below. (source:Immigration Control Agency）

Part-time job is possible for "specific activity visa" for international students who have difficulty returning to Japan

There have been visas similar to this specific activity before, but the specific activity visa in this notification is considerably wider than the previous one.

For example, previously, only those who had a "study abroad" visa at the time of application and graduated from school after January 2020 were eligible.This time, including "former international students", it doesn't matter when you graduate or whether you graduate..
In other words, if the original visa type is "study abroad", even if the current visa type is "short-term stay" or "specific activity (preparation for departure)", even if you have not graduated from school, this time Specific activities (Period: 6 months. Part-time work within 28 hours per week is possible) Changes to visas are permitted.

If this specific activity visa is approved,You can work part-time up to 28 hours a weekTherefore, you can earn living expenses in Japan until you return to Japan.

How can international students who have difficulty returning to Japan apply for a "specific activity visa"?

So what do you need to change to this specific activity (duration: 6 months, part-time job within 28 hours per week) visa?

The required documents are as follows.

1. XNUMX. XNUMX.Passport (original)
2. XNUMX. XNUMX.Residence card (original) (not required if not available)
3. 4. 3 ID photo (1 cm x XNUMX cm)
4. XNUMX.Materials explaining the circumstances that make it difficult to return to Japan
5. 5. Application for permission to change status of residence

What are the precautions when applying for a 6-month specific activity visa?

In order for this visa to be approved,You must explain that it will be difficult to return to your home country..
For example, it would be a good idea to submit the following materials together with the required documents as "materials explaining the circumstances that make it difficult to return to your country."

<Examples of materials explaining circumstances that make it difficult to return to Japan>

• ● Cancellation notification email from the airline, etc. when the return flight ticket is cancelled.
• ● A copy of the airline's flight status page showing that there are very few flights flying from Japan to your country.
• ● A copy of a page on the Internet showing that airline tickets are becoming more expensive.

If you apply for a visa for this specific activity (period: 6 months, you can work part-time within 28 hours a week),As a general rule, you can get a new residence card within the day.
If you want to get a new residence card, you will also need a stamp worth 4,000 yen.

For questions regarding specific activity visas, please contact Climb.
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