01 Preparation for Coming to Japan
STEP 01 Acquiring a Visa for studying abroad
Students must obtain a visa to enter Japan as an international student. Please make sure to apply for a visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate overseas. A certain amount of time is required from the submission of the application to the issuance of the visa, so be sure to allow plenty of time when applying. However, Japanese nationals (including those with dual citizenship) do not need to follow this procedure, as they enter the country as Japanese nationals.
Documents required for applying
【Letter of Acceptance】
*If you have not downloaded it yet, please contact the Division of International Affairs.
【Certificate of Eligibility(CoE)】
【Passport, Picture and Handling charge, etc.】
※The documents necessary for the application will vary depending on the country, so please check in advance.
STEP 02 Purchasing an Airplane Ticket
Please purchase an airplane ticket to Japan with a designated arrival date after the visa has been issued.
In certain cases, it may take some time for a visa to be issued following the submission of an application. Please make sure to purchase the plane ticket only after receiving your visa.
Arrival date
September 7 (Sun) or 8 (Mon), 2025 JST
Students must enter Japan on either day in order not to miss any orientation.STEP 03 Registration of arrival information
Once you have obtained your airline ticket, please register your information at 'Registration of arrival information' form from the form below.
Please be sure to register this information as it is very important for us to confirm that you have arrived in Japan safely.
Arrival date
August 28, 2025(Thu)JST
STEP 04 Course Registration
Courses that international students take at Kansai University can be registered by submitting a "Course Registration". You can check the flow of course registration from the "Course Guidance Video" on the following page. Please check the registration requirements and required credits at your university before registering for the course, and submit the "Course Registration" by the due date. For your information, course registration will be done each semester.
*The website for course registration will be released on August 7 (Thu) (JST). There's a possibility that we may release it later than August 7(Thu).
*The information of course registration for OSIP exchange students from FPT University, Panyapiwat Institute of Management (PIM) and Prince of Songkla University will be sent by email separetly.
Period for course registration
August 7, 2025 (Thu) ~ August 28, 2025 (Thu) 12PM(JST)
Those who wish to take Japanese classes must take the Japanese placement test to determine the class level. The Japanese placement test includes an online test (selection type) before coming to Japan and an interview test after coming to Japan.
There are beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels of online tests (selection type), so please check the table below and take the test that suits your level.
| JLPT N4~N5 | JLPT N2~N3 | JLPT N2~N1 |
* You can take the test by clicking on each level.
* Those who do not plan to take Japanese classes or have no history of learning Japanese language do not need to take the Japanese placement test.
* If you are not sure which level you should take, you may take multiple tests.
* If you have never learned Japanese language and wish to take Japanese class, you can take Japanese 1. In this case, you do not need take a placement test.
●Online test(selection type):
July 22, 2025 (Tue) to July 27, 2025 (Sun) (JST)
At a later date, we will announce the level of the Japanese class for which you will be required to register based on the results of the online test(selection type). The detailed level of your Japanese will be confirmed in an interview test after your arrival.The official Japanese class level will be announced after the interview test.
*You may be asked to change your Japanese class level depending on the result of the interview test.
●Japanese class level announcement date:
August 7, 2025 (Thu) (JST)
Grading System
Kansai University evaluates grades for the courses taken and issue a CERTIFICATE OF ACADEMIC RECORD. Based on the certificate, credits will be accredited in accordance with the student's home university's standard.
We define 1 credit as equivalent to 45 hours of workload complying with the requirements of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's provision.
Please see the sample of the CERTIFICATE OF ACADEMIC RECORD below and make sure to check with the responsible person at your home university concerning credit transfers beforehand.
【Others】Necessary Preparations Before Arriving in Japan
Purchasing Insurance
To reduce the cost of medical expenses, all international students are required to join Japan's National Health Insurance system. Procedures for joining the insurance will be held during the orientation after your arrival.
We also recommend all students to apply to purchase Comprehensive Insurance for Students Lives Coupled with “Gakkensai”. You can purchase this insurance after arriving at Kansai University.
Bringing Medication, etc.
You may need to apply in advance to bring some pharmaceutical products to Japan. Please read the contents of the following website carefully and make all the necessary preparations before arriving to Japan.
Information for those who are bringing medicines for personal use into Japan
SIM Contract *Will be ready soon.
Kansai University has arranged special SIM card plan for international students.
The SIM information will be ready soon. We will update the information on this website as soon as it is ready.
02 About the day of arrival in Japan
Once you have finished all your preparations for studying abroad, it is time to head to Japan.
All of us at Kansai University are eagerly awaiting your safe arrival at our campus.
What to do on the day of your arrival in Japan
Procedures for acquiring Permission to Engage in Activity Other than that Permitted Under the Status of Residence Previously Granted
If you wish to work part time while studying in Japan, you must obtain “Permission to Engage in Activity Other than that Permitted Under the Status of Residence Previously Granted” beforehand.
When applying at the airport after your arrival
It will be issued on the same day.
When applying at a later date
You will need to submit your application at the Immigration Bureau.
Period of Examination:
approximately 2 weeks to 2 months
We recommend you apply for it at the airport whether you have a plan to work or not.
Entering Student's Dormitory
For those who reside in our dormitories, we included "Letter of Dormitory Acceptance" and information on dormitory fees in the Welcome Pack. Cash may be required when you move into the dormitory, so please check carefully and prepare for it. The available hours for entering dormitory are as follows.
| Available Check-in Time (AM) | Available Check-in Time (PM) | |
|---|---|---|
| Available Hours on September 7 | AM9:00 ～ PM12:00 | PM1:00 ～ PM5:00 |
| Available Hours on September 8 | AM9:00 ～ PM12:00 | PM1:00 ～ PM5:00 |
*Please make sure to move into the dormitory during the designated check-in hours stated above.We will not be able to accommodate any check-ins outside of the specified time.
*If you are unable to arrive during the designated dormitory check-in hours, you will not be allowed to move in on that day. In such cases, please make your own arrangements for accommodation (e.g., a hotel) and consider staying nearby the day before.
Access to Dormitories
We do NOT provide pick-up bus from the airport. Students must come to the designated dorm on their own. For the access to each dormitory, please click the name of the dormitory that you are supposed to check in.
03 Notification of Schedule after Arrival
Basically following events are planned to be held face to face. ★=compulsory
※Above schedules are subject to change.
※Details on place/time will be announced separately after arrival into Japan.
OrientationCompulsory
Following an orientation on student life and living in Japan, we will explain how to respond to emergencies, such as natural disasters in the orientation.In addition, the website of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan provides orientation videos that introduce rules and daily life in Japan. Please make sure to check them in advance.
Campus TourCompulsory
Kansai University students will give a campus tour for international students.
Even before you come to Japan, you can see and experience the campus on the Kansai University Virtual Campus Tour below.
Consultation with Academic AdvisorCompulsory
Professor of Division of International Affairs will be assigned to each exchange student as an academic advisor. Here, you can consult about learning and living in Japan, including counseling on course. If you wish to change your course after the consultation, you can change it at a later date during the course change period. The schedule for consultation will be announced separately.
SIM card Pick UpFor applicants only
If you made an application for SIM card before coming to Japan, please pick it up at the following designated place.
★Senriyama Campus★※KUID, Dormitory Tsukigaoka, Shurei-ryo, Apartment, Homestay
・Pick up location: Mi-Room Session Room
・Pick up time and date: September 10 (Wed) 1:00PM ~ 4:00PM
★Suita Mirai Campus★ ※KU G-House
・Pick up location: KU G-House Dining Room
・Pick up time and date: September 10 (Wed) 1:00PM ~ 3:30PM
City Hall ProceduresCompulsory
You will need to complete paperwork for Resident Registration, National Health Insurance at the local City Hall.
Resident Registration
According to Japanese law, all international students must first complete their Resident Registration.
Resident Registration serves as the base for your National Health Insurance, National Pension and other administrative services.
National Health Insurance
If you get sick or injured during your stay in Japan, National Health Insurance makes it possible to receive medical treatment with only partial payment of the medical expenses (partial obligation). In principle, you can receive medical treatment with a payment of just 30％ of the total medical care expenses.
National Pension
*Schedule for the national pension procedures will be announced separately.
Everyone between the ages of 20 and 59 must enter the Japanese pension system upon completing their Resident Registration. You may receive and exemption from insurance premium payments, if you apply for a waiver from the National Pension system.
At a later date, we will go through the national pension procedures at Kansai University. For the procedures, you will need an individual number notice that will arrive at your home about two to four weeks after resident registration, so please keep it in a safe place.
Orientation for DormitoryFor applicants only
For students who move into the Kansai University’s dormitory, we will explain the rules of the dormitory. Resident assistants will also offer in-dormitory tours.
* The date and time of orientation varies depending on each dormitory.
Opening a Bank Account (for interested parties only)Apply by yourself
Students who plan to live in a dormitory for 2 semesters at Kansai University will need a Japanese bank account to pay for your dorm fees. Students can only apply for opening a bank account after completing city hall procedures in Japan. For more detail, please check this website.
Students will be responsible for opening their bank account on their own.
※You might need to declare your Tax Identification Number (TIN) to open a bank account in Japan. Please check your TIN before coming to Japan. The Tax Identification System differs in each country. The website below has information on the Tax Identification System of each country. If you cannot find your country on the website, please check it on your own.
https://www.nta.go.jp/taxes/shiraberu/kokusai/crs/pdf/nouzeibangou.pdf
Japanese Placement Test(interview)For applicants only
This is an interview test for determining the level of Japanese classes. * Those who have taken the online test (selection type) before coming to Japan must take it.
※Students who will not take Japanese courses are not required to take the Japanese placement test.
Global Teaching Assistant(GTA) For applicants only
【We are hiring Global Teaching Assistants!】
The Division of International Affairs at Kansai University will be hiring students who can work as a Global Teaching Assistant (GTA).
As a GTA, you will be actively engaging in supporting inter-cultural exchange activities at the “Mi-Room (Multilingual Immersion Room)”, where Japanese and international students meet and interact with each other to learn different cultures and languages.
With other passionate international students from all over the world and local students who have experience in working in multi-cultural environments, you will be assisting Japanese students with their improvement in their language and cross-cultural communication/understanding skills. Not only can you share your language, culture or experience with them, you can also develop your practical skills such as teaching.
More details will be provided during the orientation you will be attending after your arrival in Japan. You can also check out the “Recruitment Info” section in our website below, which we will regularly update with new information. Visit our Instagram page as well to get to know more about Mi-Room and GTAs. *Smart phones are recommended to access the Instagram.
Looking forward to your application!
Global Buddy ProgramFor applicants only
Global Buddy Program (GBP) is a program in which Kansai University students act as your "buddies" to support your daily life in Japan, encourage interaction with other students, and make your study abroad experience better.
You will be connected online with your group of Kansai University students and other exchange students before you arrive in Japan, and you will be able to talk about any concerns or worries you may have about studying in Japan.
After your arrival in Japan, we will hold a face-to-face group meeting event to provide an opportunity for you to meet your group members for the first time and to interact with GBP participants.
After the face-to-face group meeting event, GBP group will have lunch together, go out to sightseeing spots, and freely interact with each other.
Those who have requested to join the GBP at the time of exchange application should have already received an email with more information.
Welcome Party for International Students
This welcome party is for international students. In addition to international students, many other students such as Buddies and Resident Assistants will be in attendance, so make sure to talk with everyone and make as many friends as possible.
Please wear formal clothes or your country's traditional costume for the welcome party.