2025 Startup site Guide for New Students

I sent all of the required documents to Ritsumeikan University to obtain the Certificate of Eligibility(COE). When will I receive it?

It will take about two months after we confirm the completion of your 2nd enrollment procedure (Payment of Tuition Fee and Membership Fees). The length of this procedure may vary. The COE is issued by the Immigration Office, and the time they take to issue the certificate is not something the university can control. As it can take many weeks for the certificate to be issued, we recommend paying your 2nd enrollment procedures fees as early as possible.

Is there a dormitory at Ritsumeikan University? Am I eligible to live there? (Note:The dormitories at Kinugasa Campus accept only undergraduate international students WHO HAVE NO EXPERIENCE OF LIVING IN JAPAN.)

Yes. There are off-campus dormitories at Kinugasa Campus, Biwako Kusatsu Campus, and Osaka Ibaraki Campus for international students who will be studying at Ritsumeikan University. Students who reside outside Japan at the time of application have priority for securing rooms in the dormitory.

How can I find a part time job? Is there any special permit from the university?

To do a part time job with the student resident status you need to obtain “Permission to Engage in an Activity Other Than That Permitted by the Status of Residence Previously Granted” (Work Permit). You can apply for this at the airport when you enter Japan or later at the Immigration Office.
You should be aware that there are limits on the number of hours per week you can work and also on the types of part-time job you can do.

Can I request Ritsumeikan University to be an "inviter" or "sponsor" to apply for a short-term visa for a family member who are coming to Japan with me?

No. Ritsumeikan University cannot be the “inviter” or “sponsor” for your family members applying for their short-term visa. Please check the necessary conditions and apply for the visa on your own.

Is there any service for International Students who do not have a guarantor for renting a room?

Please refer to the following Student Life and Career Support Site

Is there any way to contact current students before entering Ritsumeikan University?

No. Ritsumeikan University will not release any student's personal information.

I would like to do a homestay, do you have any information on this?

No. We do not have any information about homestay programs.

When can I start using the university library and computer rooms?

You can use these facilities as soon as you receive your student card and user ID for the system. You will receive them on the first day of the academic orientation session.

What should I wear to the entrance ceremony and orientation?

Please do not dress too casually for the entrance ceremony. (Many Japanese students wear suits.) On the other hand, you can wear normal clothes to orientation. It is recommended to wear warm clothes since it can be cold in the beginning of April.