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New Entry into Japan under the Residence Track Framework

To YNU international students and researchers planning to enter Japan as new arrivals

March 4, 2021

Yuichi Hasebe
President
Yokohama National University

The Japanese government began permitting the new entry of foreign nationals into Japan under the Residence Track framework from all countries and regions, in principle, on October 1, 2020 (suspended from January 14, 2021). With the introduction of various new entry requirements, international students and researchers are now required to obtain a written pledge (to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare) from YNU certifying that the University ensures the students and researchers’ observance and fulfillment of these requirements and is responsible for their monitoring, guidance, and supervision, before submitting it with their visa application.
Regarding the procedures for accepting international students and researchers under the Residence Track framework, YNU has issued this written pledge only if its undergraduate and graduate schools/faculties evaluate the students and researchers’ reasons for entering Japan and recognize the need before approval by their Deans. In preparation for the 2021 academic year beginning in April, however, YNU will revise this policy as follows.
?YNU will, in principle, accept new arrivals of international students and researchers and issue a written pledge (Residence Track for foreigners) once the Japanese government resumes the Residence Track framework and permits entry into Japan.

The following are the procedures for issuing the above pledge and accepting international students and researchers under the Residence Track framework.

1. International Students
(1) To obtain the above pledge, international students are required to submit a written pledge to the University (YNU) and use JTB's “AMARYS” web system for travel to Japan .(“AMARYS” will be available once the Japanese government resumes the Residence Track framework and permits entry into Japan.)

(2) International students invited to Japan by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport, Science and Technology (MEXT), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the World Bank, foreign governments, or other institutions should follow the organization's guidelines. YNU will respond to requests from these organizations.

(3) Please check the AMARYS website新しいウィンドウが開きます for an overview of the written pledge (to YNU) and its procedures.

(4) With Japan expected to maintain its 14-day quarantine upon arrival for the time being, accommodations for international students will be arranged by JTB, except for students who already have a residence in Japan (university dormitories and private homes are not allowed). JTB will also arrange transportation for the students, excluding those who will be picked up by family members. The students shall bear the costs related to travel within Japan after arrival, accommodations during the quarantine period, and services in the AMARYS web system.

(5) Immediately after the entry restrictions are lifted, international students can expect difficulties reserving flights and longer waits for visas to be issued. YNU will provide the necessary care and support for those students unable to enter Japan before the start of the new semester or to attend orientation and classes due to the 14-day quarantine requirement upon entry. Students should contact the undergraduate or graduate school to which they belong. (They should also contact their school if they wish to take a leave of absence for health, financial, or other unavoidable reasons.)

(6) Under its class policies for the following academic year, YNU plans to conduct as many in-person classes as possible for undergraduate courses, while providing remote classes or combining in-person and remote classes for courses difficult to teach in person due to measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus infections. (Classes for general education courses will be conducted, in principle, in an on-demand format, excluding some subject groups.) However, since YNU will endeavor to provide remote access to in-person classes at least during the first term (April 12 to June 9), please make careful preparations for travel to Japan while monitoring the ongoing situation, rather than rushing to attend the start of the first term.

(7) International students bringing family members to Japan need to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) by themselves. YNU will issue a written pledge on the condition that these students submit a written pledge (to YNU) after obtaining the CoE and use JTB's AMARYS web system for travel to Japan. However, since it is difficult for international students to obtain a CoE for family members before traveling to Japan, students should enter Japan alone first and bring their family members in after settling down.


2. International Researchers
(1) To obtain the above pledge, international researchers are required to submit a written pledge to the University (YNU) and use JTB's “AMARYS” web system for travel to Japan . (“AMARYS” will be available once the Japanese government resumes the Residence Track framework and permits entry into Japan.)

(2) International researchers receiving support from governments, private institutions, or other entities are expected to follow the organization's guidelines.

(3) Please check the AMARYS website新しいウィンドウが開きます for an overview of the written pledge (to YNU) and its procedures.

(4) With Japan expected to maintain its 14-day quarantine upon arrival for the time being, accommodations for international researchers will be arranged by JTB, except for researchers who already have a residence in Japan (university dormitories and private homes are not allowed). JTB will also arrange transportation for the researchers, excluding those who will be picked up by family members. Unless otherwise specified, the researchers shall bear the costs related to travel within Japan after arrival, accommodations during the quarantine period, and services in the AMARYS web system.

(5) Immediately after the entry restrictions are lifted, international researchers can expect difficulties reserving flights and longer waits for visas to be issued. For those unlikely to enter Japan before the acceptance period, YNU will allow the period to be changed at the discretion of their Faculties. (Researchers receiving support from governments, private institutions, or other entities should follow the organization’s guidelines.)

(6) International researchers bringing family members to Japan need to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) by themselves, unless otherwise specified. YNU will issue a written pledge on the condition that these researchers submit a written pledge (to YNU) after obtaining the CoE and use JTB's AMARYS web system for travel to Japan. However, since it is difficult for international researchers to obtain a CoE for family members before traveling to Japan, YNU strongly recommends that researchers enter Japan alone first and bring their family members in after settling down.

3. Related Links
● Yokohama National University Residence Track System “AMARYS”
https://amarys-jtb.jp/ynu/?&g=1新しいウィンドウが開きます

● Overview of Japan's phased measures for resuming cross-border travel
https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/cp/page22e_000925.html新しいウィンドウが開きます

● List of countries and regions subject to denial of entry into Japan
https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html新しいウィンドウが開きます

● Procedures and documents necessary for entry and return to Japan
? Countries and regions subject to denial of entry (Travel Advice and Warning on Infectious Diseases: Level 3)
https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/cp/page25e_000337.html新しいウィンドウが開きます
? Countries and regions not subject to denial of entry (Travel Advice and Warning on Infectious Diseases: Level 2)
https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/cp/page25e_000338.html新しいウィンドウが開きます

● FAQ's on Japan's strengthened quarantine measures (in Japanese)
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/kenkou_iryou/covid19_qa_kanrenkigyou_00001.html新しいウィンドウが開きます

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