Enrollment management for international students

MEXT has a policy on institutions that do not manage international students’ enrollment properly (April 2024) and an operating guideline for it (April 2026). For Japanese-language institutions an attendance rate of 80% or more is the guide; lower rates risk refusal of extensions of stay.

Article 19-17 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act says institutions that accept such students “must make efforts to notify” the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency of the start and end of each acceptance and similar matters — a duty to make efforts. Notifications cover the start and end of acceptance and, each year, the acceptance status as of 1 May and 1 November, each within 14 days.

MEXT’s guideline likewise asks schools to make efforts to notify when an international student withdraws or is dismissed, and to report students who cannot be contacted in the periodic report. There is no penalty for not notifying, but the facts may be checked when the student applies to extend their stay.