What do I need to do in my first week arriving in Japan as a student?

Complete resident registration (juminhyo), confirm your residence card (zairyu card), enrol in National Health Insurance, and follow your university's orientation checklist.

How do I register my address in Japan as a student from Singapore?

Visit your local municipal office (ward/city hall) within 14 days of arrival with your passport and residence card to complete juminhyo registration and receive your My Number.

Is National Health Insurance (NHI) compulsory for student visa holders in Japan?

Yes — most student visa holders are required to enrol in National Health Insurance; check the official Study in Japan guidance and your municipal office for the enrolment process.

Can I work part-time in Japan on a student visa?

You can apply for permission to engage in activities other than permitted under your status of residence; confirm the latest rules at the official Study in Japan immigration pages.

First Week in Japan as a Student: Admin Checklist 2026

Download printable cheat-sheet (CC-BY 4.0)

22 Jan 2026, 00:00 Z

Reviewed by

Marcus Pang·Managing Director (Maths)

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Q: I’m flying from Singapore to Japan — what admin do I actually need to do in the first week?
A: Think in two layers: (1) what your school will guide you through (orientation, student ID, housing), and (2) what you must still handle on the government side (resident registration, health insurance basics, and permissions). This post keeps it calm, practical, and source-linked.

TL;DR (fast route)\ \- Official arrival/admin baseline (residence card → resident registration → My Number): Study in Japan — Immigration procedures
\- Official “status of residence” checklist (part-time permission, re-entry, extensions): Study in Japan — Residing in Japan
\- Official insurance primer (National Health Insurance): Study in Japan — Insurance
\- Singapore visa documents (verify your checklist): Embassy of Japan in Singapore — Visa documents
\- COE → visa flow (if you’re still pre-departure): Japan student visa checklist (Singapore)

Students settling into dorm life and organising documents after arrival.

Status: Last reviewed 2026-01-22. This is a planning guide, not legal advice. Always verify the latest requirements on the official pages linked above and follow your school’s instructions.

If you’re still deciding Japan vs Korea overall (degree vs language-first), start here:

https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/Study-Abroad-Japan-vs-South-Korea-Checklist

1) Before you fly (Singapore “Day 0” checklist)

If you do these in Singapore, your first week becomes much easier:

Put your key documents in one folder (print + digital):
- passport
- visa paperwork (as applicable)
- university acceptance/admission documents
- housing move-in instructions
Decide who your “home base” contact is (parent/guardian) in case you need a quick scan or document reprint.
Save these official pages as bookmarks (you’ll reuse them):

First Week in Japan as a Student: Admin Checklist 2026

1) Before you fly (Singapore “Day 0” checklist)

Sources

2) Day 1: landing permission, residence card, and resident registration (what the official page says)

3) Day 2–7: National Health Insurance (NHI) (high-level, source-linked)

4) Part-time work permission: don’t guess (use the official status-of-residence page)

5) Re-entry: what to remember if you leave Japan temporarily (holidays, conferences, family emergencies)

6) The 5 questions to ask your school in the first week (copy as bullets)

7) Next action (today)

FAQ

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