The University of Tokyo

Additional information for admitted students—such as course registration, insurance, and pre-departure preparations—is available on the USTEP Type U: PORTAL SITE. Access will be sent to students ahead of course registration.

Further resources are available on the Type U website.

The GO LSE team is not legally permitted to give you advice on obtaining a visa to enter Japan. You will be responsible for making your own arrangements and we recommend starting the process at the earliest opportunity.

When applying for a student visa, a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) issued by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan is required. The University of Tokyo has outsourced the CoE application process to the Legal Professional Corporation (IMS), who will handle the CoE application on the students' behalf. In May, students will receive an email from IMS with instructions to upload required documentation. After receiving the documentation, IMS will apply for the CoE. The process typically takes 2-3 months. IMS will send students a scanned copy of their CoE which can be used to apply for a student visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate in their home country or at their current place of residence.

Students should submit all required documentation to the Japanese Embassy/Consulate.

The original CoE will be returned to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan by IMS after the USTEP orientation on September 29 as proof of the students arrival.

LSE strongly advises that you do not book non-refundable flights or make binding accommodation arrangements until you have obtained your visa.

UTokyo dormitory move-in period will be from October 1 to 7 2026. The housing information will be informed by late December by USTEP office.

USTEP students may apply to stay in one of the following UTokyo residence halls: Mejirodai International Village, Komaba Lodge (Main, B, C, D, Annex), or Mitaka International Hall of Residence. Communal student housing offered by private organizations is also available, and it includes a meal plan. Students may browse the housing website to review the types of housing, room layouts, and locations.

Students should not submit a housing application on the OSTA system until they receive detailed instructions from the USTEP office in late May. Even with priority, placement in university housing is not guaranteed due to limited space. If no housing is available, students must arrange their own off-campus housing. Since the notification time may vary by dormitory, students should be sure to review each option carefully. If they are unable to wait for the results, they may want to consider finding an apartment or shared housing on their own. Additionally, once assigned to university accommodation, students may not cancel their placement, so students are advised to review their housing options carefully before applying. Each facility has set move-in dates, and students may only move in during those designated periods.

Further details will be provided by the University of Tokyo in late May.

Students will be sent a Health Questionnaire which they must complete and submit by 7 May. Submission is mandatory for all USTEP Type U students, regardless of whether they require reasonable accommodation.

USTEP students must join the National Health Insurance (NHI) Program regardless of the kind of insurance they may already have. This is a strict legal requirement in Japan. Once they arrive in Japan, they must complete the required procedures at their local city/ward office. Please note that National Health Insurance (NHI) becomes effective only after students complete resident registration in Japan.

More information about USTEP insurance and the UTokyo Inbound Medical Assistance Service (IMAS) can be found under the ‘Additional information’ tab on the USTEP website.

LSE Notification of Travel:

All students undertaking travel as part of their studies must complete the Travel Notification Form. You will need to have confirmed your proposed departure and return date before completing the form (these can be amended later).

After you have submitted the form, it will be reviewed by LSE's Health and Safety team. Once approved, you will receive confirmation via email.

LSE Travel Insurance:

By completing the mandatory Travel Notification Form, you will automatically be covered under LSE's Travel Insurance policy.

• The insurance will cover you for losses sustained during your period of cover, including against lost, stolen, and accidentally damaged property.
• It will also cover you for medical emergencies. However, please note that this is not comprehensive medical cover.
• The insurance will not cover travel that is taken outside the scope of your exchange programme.

For further details visit the LSE Travel Insurance webpage and contact the Health and Safety Team if you have any questions.

You are strongly encouraged to procure your own travel insurance if you intend to travel elsewhere within Italy or the EU during the year as this is not covered under LSE’s policy. Similarly, you may wish to insure high value items you will be travelling with such as your phone or laptop as these may not be covered under some travel insurance schemes.

Students must enter Japan by September 28, 2026, to attend the mandatory orientation on September 29 2026. Further information will be shared with students ahead of arrival.