This time, I will share my personal experience of changing my visa from ‘researcher’ to ‘student’ in Japan. At the end of January 2020, I had the opportunity to come to Japan earlier, about two months before April. The purpose of this early arrival was to adapt to the new environment and become familiar with the research atmosphere in the lab where I would be working. However, my researcher visa was only valid for three months, which prevented me from completing some important administrative tasks, including obtaining a residence card (在留カード), which is essential for various needs in Japan.
After arriving in Japan, about 1-2 weeks later, specifically in mid-February, I immediately proceeded with the process of changing my visa status from ‘researcher’ to ‘student’ at the Mito Immigration Office. Having a student visa is an absolute requirement to become a student, so this process became my top priority. The visa change process usually takes around 1 to 2 weeks. However, in my case, the immigration office did not immediately send the notification postcard (hagaki) for collecting the residence card. After coordinating with the lab secretary, I found out that the delivery of the residence card was intentionally delayed so that I could continue working as a researcher at NIMS-GRA until the end of March. Finally, at the end of March, I received the notification letter, and I was asked to collect my residence card in April. On April 1st, I officially picked up my residence card at the Mito Immigration Office and legally became a student in Japan.
The process of changing the visa status is actually quite simple. The first step is to go to the visa support section at the university and ask for their help in preparing the necessary documents. Usually, this process takes around five working days. In addition to the documents from the university, you only need to bring your passport, a passport photo, and a revenue stamp (印紙). If you plan to work part-time, there are additional documents that need to be prepared, such as a form that needs to be approved by your employer. In my case, since I was working at the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), I asked the lab secretary to help prepare the necessary documents related to my work contract. Later, when you collect the residence card, there will also be a stamp on the back indicating permission to work with a maximum of 28 hours per week.
The journey to the Mito Immigration Office from Tsukuba is relatively easy because there is a direct bus to Mito Station. From the station, the immigration office can be reached on foot as it is quite close.
I highly recommend arriving at the immigration office as early as possible. Based on my experience, by taking the early morning bus from Tsukuba, I could arrive in Mito around 7:30 or 8:00 AM and usually get the first or second queue number. This way, the process at the immigration office becomes faster, allowing me to return to Tsukuba and continue my research. If you have free time, it’s worth enjoying the atmosphere around Mito Station, as there are many interesting places to explore.
Conclusion: Changing your visa from researcher to student in Japan might seem like a complicated process, but it is actually quite simple if you follow the proper procedures. With support from the university and your employer, the documentation process can go smoothly. It is important to arrive early at the immigration office to save time and avoid long queues. Additionally, the trip to Mito can be an opportunity to explore the surrounding area and enjoy some interesting places after your errands are done.
