How to Apply―
Short-Term Programs: Semester/Year Programs

Application Period

Please refer to the “Application Timeline” page for the Nomination and Application Periods.

Application Procedure

Our application procedure consists of three parts:

Step 1: Online Nomination *submitted by home institutions.

Step 2: Online Application *submitted by nominated students.

Step 3: Application Submission

Please click here for the Application Timeline.

Step 1: Online Nomination

Step 2: Online Application

Step 3: Application Submission

After completing the online application, please scan all application documents and email them to international@gl.aiu.ac.jp

When submitting your application documents*, please:
　●　Scan each document as its own separate file (do not send all the documents together as one data file).
　●　Attach the files directly to the email (do not share a link to your documents).
　●　Send all files in a single email.
　●　Use a computer instead of a smartphone or tablet when sending files, as mobile devices may not allow
　　　you to attach all files in a single email due to file size limitations.
　*All documents must be in English.

Submission Deadline (Documents must arrive before the deadline)
Fall Semester Admission:	April 1
Spring Semester Admission:	November 1

Applications that arrive after the deadline may not be processed.

Document (Submission file format)	Notes
1. Completed, signed Application Form (pdf) (ALL PAGES must be submitted.)	?Complete the online application after receiving your username and 　password following your nomination by your home university. (Some 　functions in the Online Application Portal may not work properly on 　mobile devices, so please use a computer.) ?Print the entire completed online application. ?Click the “Submit” button to finalize your online submission. ?On the printed application, complete, sign, and date the “Certification 　and Consent” section on the last page. ?Ask your study abroad advisor to review your printed application form 　and to complete, sign, and date the “Study Abroad Advisor” section 　on the last page. (The last page will print with the form. If your home 　institution does not have an International Office, your academic 　advisor must complete this section instead.) ?Submit ALL PAGES of the application form, completed and signed by 　both you and your study abroad advisor, via email.
2. Official academic transcript in English (pdf)	?Applicant Enrollment Status and GPA must meet our requirements. ?Academic transcripts must include course titles, credits, and final 　　　grades for each semester, covering all semesters completed at your 　home institution. Transcripts showing only partial records or specific 　semesters/years will not be accepted. Students enrolled in a Master’s 　program at the time of application must submit an academic 　　transcript for their Master’s program. (See also the Enrollment Status 　　requirements for Master’s students here.) ?Self-translated academic transcripts CANNOT be accepted. Ask your 　home university to issue an official English version of your academic 　transcript.
3. Reference Form from an instructor at your university (doc) (2 pages) (Please click to download)	Students from Partner Institutions: Submit 1 Reference Form Students from Non-Partner Institutions: Submit 2 Reference Forms written by 2 different professors The Reference Form needs to be filled out by your academic advisor and/or the professor who best knows your academic abilities. Both pages of the form must be completed and it must be either physically or digitally signed and dated by the Referee.
4. Reference Form from Home Institution (pdf) (1 page) (Please click to download)	?The Reference Form needs to be filled out by the sending university 　staff (e.g. Study Abroad Advisor) to confirm that the nominated 　student meets AIU eligibility requirements. It must be either physically 　or digitally signed and dated by the Referee.
5. Proof of English Language Proficiency (pdf) (Non-native speakers, only)	?TOEFL, IELTS?, TOEIC scores that meet our requirements. ?AIU-Approved Alternative: Ask your study abroad advisor to contact AIU 　for details about alternatives before application submission
6. Digital ID-style photo (jpg or png) NOT a scan or photocopy of your ID card (To be submitted to the Immigration Services Agency for Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) application.)	?Taken within 3 months of submission ?At least 800 px x 600 px, jpg or png format ?Front-facing, showing from the shoulders up ?Clear, high resolution ?No hats ?Must be unedited photo with no image manipulation or processing ?Must not show a smile with visible teeth ?Plain white background ?Color or grayscale is acceptable ?No shadows *The Immigration Services Agency has VERY STRICT photo requirements. Please submit a photo that meets the conditions listed on this webpage.
7. Photocopy of passport (pdf) (To be submitted to the Immigration Services Agency for Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) application.)	?A valid passport that covers the entire duration of your study abroad 　program ?Information page(s): photo, name, etc. ?Entire page, including all edges ?ALL information must be clearly scanned and readable ?The copy of your passport will be used for verification and visa 　preparation at the Immigration Services Agency and so must meet the 　Immigration Services Agency criteria. As such, we will NOT accept any 　passport copies that do not meet all of the above requirements.
8. Bank Account Balance Statement in English as Proof of Financial Resources (pdf) (To be submitted to the Immigration Services Agency for Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) application.)	?Be sure to submit a Bank Account Balance Statement that meets the 　following conditions ?Insufficient documents will NOT be accepted by the Immigration 　Services Agency.
9. Tuberculosis (TB) Clearance Certificate (pdf) (To be submitted to the Immigration Services Agency for Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) application.) Nationals of the Philippines, Nepal, and Vietnam ONLY	The Japanese government now requires nationals of the Philippines, Nepal, and Vietnam to undergo pre-entry tuberculosis (TB) screening. Follow one of the instructions below according to your situation: Nationals of the Philippines, Nepal, or Vietnam Currently Residing In These Countries ?Take a tuberculosis (TB) test at a clinic designated by the Japanese 　government, obtain a “TB Clearance Certificate” written in English, 　and submit the certificate along with a Japanese translation (self- 　translation is acceptable for this document). Ensure that the 　translator’s name is included in the translation. ?Certificates issued and TB tests conducted by non-designated clinics 　will NOT be accepted. Nationals of the Philippines, Nepal, or Vietnam Currently Residing Outside These Countries ?Submit a copy of your residence permit or other official 　documentation issued by the government of your current place of 　　residence to verify that you live outside the target countries. The 　document must be in English and accompanied by a Japanese 　translation (self-translation is acceptable for this document). Ensure 　that the translator’s name is included in the translation. ?You must also submit the completed “Explanation” form designated 　by the Japanese government. You can download the form from 　here. ?These documentations are required by the Immigration Services 　Agency to be exempted from the TB screening. Nationals of the Philippines, Nepal, or Vietnam With Multiple Nationalities ?May be exempted from TB screening if you apply for your student visa 　with a passport of a nationality other than that of one of the above- 　mentioned nationalities. Refer to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare website for details, including the list of designated clinics, and follow the instructions provided.

Proof of Financial Resources

Acceptable Bank Account Balance Statement

Must include an issue date or show the balance as of a specific date.
Must show at least the minimum amount listed in the chart.
Must be dated no more than 1 month prior to submission.
Account must belong to you or your financial sponsor.
Must show account holder’s full name (as it is registered to the account) and balance on the same page. *Internet-printed statements are acceptable only when the account holder’s full name and account balance are shown on the same page.
All submitted statements must be visible in their entirety. A screenshot or image of only part of the bank account balance statement is NOT acceptable.
Bank Name, Account holder’s full name, Date and Final balance amount must be highlighted.
Must be in English or accompanied by a translation.
If you do not wish to disclose the balance, a letter from the bank certifying that you have at least the minimum amount of funds, according to the table below, with an original signature or bank official stamp is acceptable. The amount from the table must be specified in the letter.

The Following Documents are Not Acceptable

Salary letters or statements of income
Tax records
Credit card statements
Stock certificates, real property, or corporate assets, which may lose value, or property that cannot be converted into cash

Minimum Amount

To meet Immigration Services Agency standards for student visa processing, your Proof of Financial Resources must show at least the minimum amount listed in the chart below. Please be sure to convert your local currency into Japanese Yen (JPY).

	Exchange Students	Fee-Paying Students (Including from Partner Institutions)
One semester	700,000 JPY	1,000,000 JPY
One semester + Winter Program	1,000,000 JPY	1,300,000 JPY
Two semesters	1,200,000 JPY	1,800,000 JPY
Two semesters + Winter Program	1,500,000 JPY	2,100,000 JPY

Alternative Financial Documentation

If you are unable to submit a Bank Account Balance Statement that meets the minimum amount requirement, you may alternatively submit Proof of Financial Aid (such as scholarships, grants, or student loans). However, the document MUST meet ALL of the following requirements, and additional information or documentation may be requested by the Immigration Services Agency if needed.

Must show the amount and period of disbursement.
Must show that you are the recipient and that the disbursement decision is final.
(Preliminary statements or conditional letters will NOT be acceptable.)
Recipient’s name, Total amount, and Period of Disbursement must be highlighted.
The disbursement period must cover the semester(s) you will be at AIU. Proof of financial aid for a previous or current term cannot be accepted.
*Certification of disbursement periods that do not include ALL the semesters you will be at AIU CANNOT be accepted.
Must show at least the minimum amount listed in the chart.
Must be in English or accompanied by a translation.

If you have any questions about the validity of the financial documentation that you plan to submit, please contact AIU in advance.

For more information about the visa application process, please see our Visa and Entry to Japan page.

Center for International Affairs

Akita International University

Yuwa, Akita-City 010-1292 Japan
Inbound Students (Students coming to AIU)：[mail international]
Outbound Students (AIU Students going overseas)：[mail studyabroad]
Office Hours (Mon – Fri) 9:00 – 12:30 and 13:30 – 17:00

How to Apply―Short-Term Programs: Semester/Year Programs