Some context:
My Uni that I'm doing the exchange with said not to arrive more than 2 days before the start date. I also cannot move in any earlier. The wording they used kinda scared me, but when I asked about how strict it was they directed me to the immigration office for the region. I would call them, but it is an international number so I am abstaining as I'm kinda lacking information, plus I'm unsure in my Japanese level to convey exactly what I want.
Can I enter ~2 weeks or more earlier on a student visa? This would mainly be to do touristy things (shopping, visiting friends, etc.)
I saw an option that I may be able to enter on a tourist visa and then leave the country and reenter on my student visa.
I was also wondering if I needed to stay where my exchange was happening immediately on arrival or if I have some time to explore. I was considering traveling to Korea for a bit and then entering about a week before if 2 weeks was way too early.
Are there constraints for doing some of these things such as entering too early? Not living where the program will start for a while? etc.
On the flip side once my program ends can I stay longer? I'm assuming once my program ends, the visa is no longer valid as I will not be a student there anymore. Can I just leave and reenter on my tourist visa?
Other information that may be useful:
I am from the USA, I will have COE, which will be used to apply for a student visa. The program is only for a semester. If I enter early I will not be staying in the same prefecture where the exchange is happening.
by SetsunaFrost