Switching to a language school with a Pre-College residence status

[dimitribouniol]

I came to Japan back in September through a study abroad program and have since been studying in a Japanese High School under a 1 year Pre-College Student residence. Since I have already completed High School back home, and learning Japanese in a High School isn't quite working out, I wish to further my education by going to a Japanese language school to study Japanese and only Japanese. After visiting several of them, it seems that I met all their requirements, and I could theoretically start as soon as January. However, when I presented this to my exchange program, I was told that it was impossible to change schools because they were my visa's current guarantor. This, however, sounded quite odd to me, seeing as all the language schools I visited said it was fine that I already owned a Pre-College Visa. I therefore ask what the best course of action is, and what exactly the legality of me simply switching schools is. Any help is much appreciated.

 

[epigene]

Welcome to JREF, dimitri!

I'm no expert on the issue but have some knowledge from people who are on various visas in Japan. So, it's just my two yen.

From what I know, you can usually switch schools for the length of the visa's duration, provided that you attend the school and study.

However, if the study abroad program makes such claims, there might be technicalities in the contract concluded in the program that I have no knowledge of, allowing your program sponsors to be able to rescind their sponsorship and notify the immigration authorities to cancel your visa. Please note that this is pure conjecture.

You may need to consult with the immigration authorities and/or with the Japanese language school you plan to attend. Maybe the school will agree to sponsoring you for the remaining period of your visa.

Hope this helps!

 

[dimitribouniol]

Thanks for the reply!

This is the same thing I've been hearing from everyone, so I thought it was odd that only the exchange program said the opposite. I'm told that the local immigration office is closed for the new years holidays, so I was hoping to get a clear answer here instead. Also, if anyone is familiar with the procedures I need to go through to change schools, that would be very helpful as well.

Again, any help is much appreciated.