To contribute to promoting academic growth through international exchange of academic culture and to admit international researchers*i from overseas engaged in specific research, this scheme was originally established by the Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) on March 7, 1986, under the name of “National University Corporation Tokyo Institute of Technology Guidelines for Accepting Visiting Researchers”. Following the merger of Tokyo Tech and Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) on October 1, 2024, resulting in the establishment of the Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo), the scheme has been expanded to include medical and dental sciences members. Please note that the status of “Visiting Researcher” as defined in Article 2, Item 3 of the former “National University Cooperation Tokyo Medical and Dental University Regulations on Accepting Researchers” has been discontinued. Under the guidelines, visiting researchers were separated into three categories: visiting scholars, visiting fellows, and visiting junior fellows.
The scheme does not constitute an employment scheme, and due to this fact, visiting researchers are not entitled to salaries nor eligible for worker’s compensation insurance. Although the scheme stipulates that travel expenses and living expenses are not provided, exceptions may apply under certain conditions. Host researchers must be those employed as full-time faculty members at the level of ‘associate professor (lecturer)’ or above.
Host researchers must obtain the approval of their affiliated organization before accepting visiting researchers. For details of the procedure, contact the administrative group of your affiliated organization*ii. For details, read the guidelines and supplementary details regarding visiting researchers (see links below).
◇ Institute of Science Tokyo Guidelines for Accepting Visiting Researchers
*i. Definition of international researchers:
International researchers are academic researchers and academic experts who are affiliated to overseas universities or public research institutions and who come to Science Tokyo to engage in specific research. The definition also applies to distinguished researchers who are not at present affiliated to an organization. Japanese nationals who have lived outside Japan for a significant period (approximately 10 years or longer) and have attained distinguished achievements abroad are also recognized as international researchers.
*ii. Please obtain a format for the Visiting Researchers Acceptance Application from each School or Institute Administration Group.
◇ Funding Opportunities for International Exchange (SHIORI )
◇ Insurance for Visiting Researchers
◇ Comparison of Visiting Junior Fellows with International Students (See table below ⇩)
|
Visiting Junior Fellows |
International Exchange Students |
International Visiting Students |
|
|
Purpose of stay |
To engage in specific research |
To receive research and educational guidance |
To receive research and educational guidance |
|
Eligible applicants |
Researchers affiliated to universities or public research institutions overseas. *Graduate students will only be considered if they are deemed to have sufficient research ability based on the information provided by their supervisor at their home institution. *Master’s course students will no longer be eligible for acceptance starting on October 1, 2024. |
Students of partner universities (and universities that Science Tokyo recognizes as being equivalent to partner universities) |
Students of non-partner universities |
|
Residential status |
|||
|
Application for Certificate of Eligibility (COE) |
Made by host researchers |
Made by the Global Education Division |
Made by the Global Education Division |
|
Tuition |
None |
Required 4 |
Required |
|
Course enrollment |
Not permitted |
Permitted (upon approval by the host researcher and course instructor) |
Not permitted (auditing is permitted upon approval by the host researcher and course instructor) |
|
Processing time for accepting applicants |
Time required to deliberate on the acceptance or rejection of candidates at faculty councils and steering committees. 5 |
Applications must be submitted by the 10th of the month four months prior to the month of enrollment. |
Applications must be submitted by the 10th of the month four months prior to the month of enrollment. |
|
Approval procedure |
Host researchers prepare materials for the faculty council (or steering committee) of their affiliated organization, and submit them to their organization’s administrative office. Deliberations are made by the faculty council (or steering committee). Candidates that are approved are then reported to the president. |
Students apply online according to the procedure specified in the Guidelines on Acceptance of International Exchange Students. Based on materials prepared by the Global Education Division, acceptance of candidates is discussed at the faculty council (or steering committee) of the host researcher’s affiliated organization. |
Students apply online according to the procedure specified in the Guidelines for Admitting International Visiting Students. Based on materials prepared by the Global Education Division, acceptance of candidates is discussed at the faculty council (or steering committee) of the host researcher’s affiliated organization. |
|
Accommodations |
International House, Suzukakedai House, Minami-Tsukushino House (Options at former TMDU to be confirmed) |
Dormitories (may be difficult to find a room depending on the time of year) |
Dormitories (may not be possible to find a room depending on the time of year) |
|
Orientation |
Not provided |
Provided |
Provided |
|
Tutors |
Not available |
Available (tutors receive honorariums) |
Available (tutors receive honorariums) |
|
Accident and liability insurance 6 |
Insurance for Visiting Researchers and Sponsored International Trainees is available. |
Purchase of Disaster and Accident Insurance for Students (gakkensai) and Personal Liability Insurance for Students (gakkenbai) is mandatory. |
Purchase of Disaster and Accident Insurance for Students (gakkensai) and Personal Liability Insurance for Students (gakkenbai) is mandatory. |
|
Information Infrastructure |
Access card can be issued to science and engineering members by their affiliated department |
Student ID card |
Student ID card |
|
Student commuter pass |
Not available |
Available (for Tokyu railway lines only) |
Available (for Tokyu railway lines only) |
|
Part-time jobs |
Those who possess a ‘Professor’ status may be allowed to receive remuneration. 2 |
May hold part-time jobs if they have been granted a ‘Student’ residential status with a residency period greater than three months. Students must file an application called Permission to Engage in Activities Other than Those Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted at the Immigration Bureau. |
May hold part-time jobs if they have been granted a ‘Student’ residential status with a residency period greater than three months. Students must file an application called Permission to Engage in Activities Other than Those Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted at the Immigration Bureau. |
Note:
1. In some cases, a student may be granted a ‘Temporary Visitor’ status if the period of stay is 90 days or shorter and if both the student and host researcher agree to this. Students wishing to enter Japan under this residential status are requested to apply for their visas themselves with assistance from their host researchers (unless they are from visa exempt countries). Applying for this status has the following drawbacks: (a) the Japanese embassy may refuse to issue a visa; (b) the student may be denied entry at the airport; (c) the student will not be eligible to apply for National Health Insurance nor open a bank account; (d) the student may experience other disadvantages including difficulty purchasing a mobile phone.
2. The eligibility to apply for a visa under the ‘Professor’ residential status may depend on the amount of funds received, including grants and scholarships. See ‘Procedures for Accepting International Researchers‘ (4. Visa Application>Determination of Visa Type> Info: Visa types for non-hire researchers) for more information.
3. Holders of a ‘Temporary Visitor’ status will be ineligible to work as TAs or RAs. Also, they will be ineligible to apply for scholarships in most cases.
4. Tuition fee for international students does not apply to partner universities under a tuition waiver agreement.
5. Time required to process the Certificate of Eligibility application must also be taken into account.
6. Individuals whose period of stay is longer than three months must, in principle, join Japan’s National Health Insurance.
International Infrastructure Group, International Affairs Division