If I change schools while studying, is the visa procedure difficult?

Foreigners Employment Support Organization (FESO)　／　Published 3 May 2025　／　Last updated 21 August 2026

This article is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails. Read the Japanese original（日本語版を読む）

Answer

If you change Japanese language school, you need to go through the procedure for changing the organisation you belong to under your student visa. In addition to the 所属機関等に関する届出 (Notification of the Accepting Organization), you need either an 在留資格更新許可申請 (an application to extend your period of stay) or an 在留資格変更許可申請 (Application for Change of Status of Residence), depending on how much of your period of stay is left. While screening is under way, you may continue to stay in Japan under your current status of residence.

What is this enquiry about?

An enquiry from a student who wants to move from the Japanese language school they attended to prepare for university to another school with a curriculum aimed at finding work.

Subject: 在留資格「留学」 (Student), change of the organisation you belong to
Situation: The enquirer holds a student visa and attends Japanese language school A in order to go on to a Japanese university. While also working part-time at an izakaya, they have begun to feel drawn instead to Japanese language school B, which has a curriculum aimed at finding work.
Question: If I change schools, is the student visa procedure difficult? How long does it take? Is it all right for me to stay in Japan while screening is under way?

What procedures are needed if I change schools?

In addition to the 所属機関等に関する届出, you need either an application to extend or an application to change your status, depending on your situation.

所属機関等に関する届出: within 14 days of the day you leave the school you now attend, notify the 地方出入国在留管理局 (Regional Immigration Services Bureau). This can be done online or by post.
Enrolment at the new school: obtain permission to enrol at the new school. You will need a document proving your enrolment, such as a certificate of admission.
在留資格更新許可申請 or 在留資格変更許可申請: if you still have plenty of your period of stay left (generally at least 3 months), you will most likely file an 在留資格更新許可申請, which changes the organisation you belong to and extends your period of stay at the same time. When you apply, you will be asked for the new school's certificate of admission, documents showing how the school is run, documents showing that you can pay the tuition, and so on. You may apply from 3 months before your current visa expires.

If the 地方出入国在留管理局 judges that your purpose in studying has changed greatly, from preparing for university to looking for work, it cannot be ruled out that you will be asked to file an 在留資格変更許可申請 instead. However, as long as your purpose is still to attend a Japanese language school, it is said that you will most likely remain under the 「留学」 status.

How long does the procedure take?

The 所属機関等に関する届出 is completed fairly quickly, but screening of an application to extend or to change your status often takes roughly 1 month and a half to 3 months.

The 所属機関等に関する届出 is completed fairly quickly. Screening of an 在留資格更新許可申請 or an 在留資格変更許可申請 varies with the contents of the application and how busy the 地方出入国在留管理局 is, and it is said that in general it often takes roughly 1 month and a half to 3 months.

Is it all right to stay in Japan while screening is under way?

Yes. While screening is under way, you may continue to stay in Japan under your current status of residence.

While an 在留資格更新許可申請 or an 在留資格変更許可申請 is being screened, you may continue to stay in Japan under your current status of residence. Even if your visa expires, you do not become an overstayer as long as the application is pending. However, until permission is granted, the conditions on your part-time work (the number of hours and so on) are in principle those attached to your current student visa.

Permission for part-time work: even if you move to a school aimed at finding work, you need to obtain 資格外活動許可 (Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted) again from the 地方出入国在留管理局 in order to keep working part-time.
Ability to pay tuition: you need to prove that you have the financial means to pay the new school's tuition properly.
Attendance record: your attendance at your previous school may also be taken into account during screening.
Consistency of purpose: it is important to be ready to explain clearly why you want to change schools, and how you will work on your Japanese towards your new goal.

Frequently Asked Questions

By when do I have to file the notification after leaving a school?

Within 14 days of the day you leave, you must notify the 地方出入国在留管理局. This can be done online or by post.

Can I keep working part-time while screening is under way?

While screening is under way, the conditions of the 資格外活動許可 attached to your current student visa apply. If your school has changed, you need to obtain 資格外活動許可 again.

How long does screening take?

It is said that in general it often takes roughly 1 month and a half to 3 months.

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This article provides general information. Immigration rules change, and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Please check the Immigration Services Agency website or consult a qualified specialist.
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.