Passport
A passport is needed to travel to Japan and to obtain your visa. If you have not yet submitted a copy of your passport please do so immediately. Please make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months in order to go to Japan. If you are a US citizen and need to apply, please contact the passport division of the State Department. Routine service to obtain a passport requires 4-6 weeks.
Visa
In addition to your valid passport, you may need a visa to enter Japan. In order to get a visa you will have to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility through your host company. This document is not your actual visa; you will use it to get a visa at the Japanese consulate. If you are planning to return home or go on vacation prior to leaving for Japan make sure you will receive your Certificate of Eligibility in time for your departure. There may be a Consulate near your hometown, but check in advance. The visa can take 3-5 business days at the Boston Japanese Consulate once you submit the application and Certificate. As soon as your internship is confirmed please begin gathering the following documents:
A. Your MIT Enrollment Certification (to be obtained from MIT Registrar’s office in 11-120).
B. A photocopy of the information page of your passport and any pages with Japanese visas or stamps of prior entry to Japan, if not already submitted.
C. Two passport photos, which you can get at the MIT card office. Some companies may want photos for IDs and you will need one for the visa so it may be a good idea to get four photos. The U.S. standard is 2x2 inches so they need to be cut to the Japanese size of 4x3 centimeters. You can get two passport-sized photos taken in E17 @ MIT Atlas Service Center where you had your MIT ID card made for about $10.
D. Signed copy of your confidentiality or internship agreement.
E. A copy of your valid MIT ID card.
F. A history (dates) of your travels to Japan and sign the printed document.
G. Responses to any questions your host sends (as e-mail or excel spreadsheet).
H. A current resume.
Once you have collected these documents, bring them to the MIT-Japan Program. We will add the following documents and ship it to your host in Japan:
A. Your original recommendation letter.
B. A certification letter from the MIT-Japan Program.
Final Steps
Once all of the documents have arrived in Japan it can take up to two months or more until you get the Certificate of Eligibility. It will take another four business days to get your visa after you have received your Certificate.
Please keep these time frames in mind in submitting documents and scheduling travel. If your host asks you to come on a “tourist visa” or visa waiver you do not need to apply in advance so long as you are a citizen of a country that doesn't’t need to apply for a visa with Japan. For United States nationals, you will receive the 90-day landing permission upon entering the country. However, certain nationalities always need to obtain a visa prior to entering the country. If you are not a U.S.. citizen be sure to look into the requirements.
Note: If you have a visa (not tourist) and you travel outside of Japan during the program, you must obtain a re-entry permit (sainyuukoku kyoka再入国許可) at your ward office before leaving or you may not be able to re-enter the country. You may be able to request a multi-entry visa when you apply to avoid this. If you are not a U.S.. citizen, make sure that you also have a re-entry permit to the U.S.. if necessary. Alien Registration Card: Once in Japan, you should register at your local ward or city office (Kuyakusho区役所or Shiyakusho 市役所) to obtain an Alien Registration Card (Gaikokujin Tourokushou外国人登録証) if you are able to (it is not required for summer, but still a good idea).If you are staying long-term, you must register and obtain the card within 90 days of arrival. The card must be carried at all times and is also needed to open a bank account, and, in some cases, to purchase a cellphone.