You are required to register your address at the municipal office of the city within 14 days of your entry into Japan. (Registering your address is mandatory.) If the residence card was not issued by immigration at the airport of entry, please bring your passport and apply for it at the municipal office during the school orientation period. After submitting the application, your residence card will be issued approx. 2~3 weeks later.

International students are required to join the National Health Insurance scheme in Japan. Once registered, 70% of medical expenses are covered by the insurance. If you fail to join this insurance, you will be required to pay very expensive medical expenses for treatment for any sickness or injuries. We strongly encourage all students to join the insurance.

In order to work part-time during your studies, you must obtain the “Permission to Engage in Activities other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted”. A persons entering Japan for the first time who is granted “Student” status with the permitted period of more than 3 months, may apply for the “Permission to Engage in Activities other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted” at the port of entry during the issuance of permission of landing. Permitted working hours for international students is limited to 28 hours per week, except during long school holidays when they are permitted to work 40 hours per week. The “Permission to Engage in Activities other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted” is valid only when you are registered and attending a school. In addition, working part-time without having the necessary permission, exceeding the permitted number of hours or working outside of the permissible scope of status of residence will get you penalized and/or deported.

Living expense in Miyakonojo, especially rented accommodation, is cheap in comparison to larger cities like Fukuoka, Tokyo and Osaka. However, living in Japan is somewhat still expensive, so we encourage you to prepare at least 100,000yen to be available to you for your personal expenses when you first come to Japan.

Average monthly expenditure in Miyakonojo (Sample for students living alone):
・Rent : 25,000yen ～ 35,000yen
・Electricity/Water: 7,000yen ～ 8,000yen
・Food: 15,000yen ～ 20,000yen (in case of cooking for yourself)
・Other (Clothing, communication, etc.): 5,000yen ～ 10,000yen