Hey everyone. I am a US citizen who will be doing a 4 month undergrad exchange semester in Tokyo this Spring. I was told by the program coordinator (of my home uni in the US) that I would receive a 6 month student visa and would be able to remain in the country recreationally for the last 2 months of my visa once I finish the semester. After submitting my COE to the consulate I have actually ended up receiving a 1 year student visa. Am I allowed to stay in Japan for a year if I’d like? (Realistically I don’t think I would stay more than 8 months). Looking at reddit threads, I am seeing people saying that I must leave Japan as soon as I finish school, which contradicts with what my program coordinator originally had said. I’ve also seen comments/posts saying that I would need to change my visa status. Does anybody with experience have info on this? The phone line at my local consulate has been useless but perhaps I can setup an in-person appointment to ask.
by evisu6565