FAQ HR Relocation

It depends on your nationality and your visa status, however, it usually takes about 3 to 4 weeks to be issued.

You can apply your visa in the country of your residence or in the country of your nationality.

Yes, OIST supports your family members’ visas if they are relocating with you or within three months from the CoE issuance. If your family members will relocate later than three months from the CoE issuance date, you will need to apply their CoEs once you arrive in Okinawa.

This is not necessary. Once you enter Japan with the provided visa, your legal residence is guaranteed during the period of stay on your Residence Card, which is either given to you at major airports or delivered to your registered address.

We can’t arrange your partner’s CoE or visa because Japanese government doesn’t issue dependent visas for unmarried partners even though some couples are regarded as common-law marriage in certain countries. In order to apply for dependent visas, you have to prove your marriage with official documents clearly stating your marriage status.

No. The moving allowance is only used for your household shipments. OIST does not provide the moving allowance for purchasing things in Okinawa.

No. Even if your shipment is small, we ask you to use a mover. Movers can survey through email or telephone for small shipments without visiting your place.

No. Fundamentally OIST cannot reimburse a moving cost. The Relocation Team contacts at least two moving companies for quotations. The least expensive company will be selected.

The relocation period is from 14 days prior to your hiring date and you are expected to arrive Okinawa and be present at OIST on/before your hiring date.

If you use the universal adopter and converter, these items may work. This web-page may be useful. https://selectra.jp/en/living-japan/guide/voltage
 

If you are referring to the cost in Tokyo, please refer to the costs for foods for your reference: https://matcha-jp.com/en/2532 Some new arrivals brings cash and withdraw money from bank or send money to Japanese bank from Overseas bank account as soon as they open bank in Okinawa. The initial cost of signing a housing contract is probably the biggest concern, some agents may be able to wait a few days for payment. In any case, relocation team staff will work with you to make arrangements. You can obtain the full version from following: Welcome package. Please also visit relocation web for general information too: https://groups.oist.jp/hr-relocation
 

You can bring some cash for daily necessities but you can also use credit card to make payments in most shops in Japan.

In most major international credit card should work and can withdraw money from Seven eleven machine but it is not guaranteed 100%. Please refer to the following: https://www.sevenbank.co.jp/intlcard/index2.html You may also be able to withdraw money from Post Bank ATM depending on your bank. (you may get information from your bank).

There is two conditions for your family's relocation to be covered by OIST; remaining of your employment contract term is longer than 6 months at the time of your family's relocation travel starts, and if your family arrived within 1 year from your relocation. The date of your relocation is determined by the start date of your relocation travel. If your relocation travel started on the 1st of Janauary 2021, your family needs to travel by the 31st of December, 2021. The arrival date at Okinawa may also be considered if there will be a large gap between the start and end of travel date.

You need to apply for a visa change at the immigration office which has jurisdiction over your residence. If your address is registered in mainland Japan, you need to aplpy at the apporopriate immigration office in the mainland. This is the least time-consuming option in the most case. If you would like to apply for a visa change at the immigration office in Okinawa, you need to first move your address to Okinawa (meaning, you need to find the place to live, close housing contract and transfer your address registration.). You need to also consider paying for the rent as OIST will not provide housing allowance before your employment starts. OIST can only co-sign your housing lease during your appointment so you will need to find a co-signer to closed the housing contract as well.

OIST cannot receive the personal package since every postal packages need to go through inspection at the inspection centre of OIST. If you are sending something from Overseas, please include it in your relocation shipment. If sending package by Japan Post, you may be able to send it to pickup at the local post office of Okinawa.

onsite survery is preferrable to avoid any misscommunication.However, vitual survery is acceptable considering the pandemic situation. please make sure to inform both movers have noticed all of your items.

Your flight can be arranged with ANA or JAL since OIST has business account with both company and you are asked to fly with ANA or JAL. Please inform the relocation team staff if you have no alternative other than Skymark.

Deposit, Fire Insurance, Rent, Common Service Fee, Parking Fee, Car parking lot brokerage fee, Brokerage Fee
*Depending on the move-in day schedule, the first month rent (Partial) and full rent for the next month will be charged.

Please go to the Resource Center or visit their website : https://groups.oist.jp/resource-center/family-member-access-card

Please visit the facility section's website: https://groups.oist.jp/bfm/shuttle-bus-pass-application.

Majority of the apartment units are unfurnished.

Usually stove and air conditioner are installed. Some may have other appliances, but
it is depending on the unit.

Please visit : https://groups.oist.jp/conference-venues/bus#local

1. Submit the application.
2. Sign the contract.
3. Obtain the OIST Seal on the contract.
5. Settle the payment (Bank transfer/ convenience store payment/ cash).
4. Visit the agency, go over the contract, purchase the fire insurance, receive the key.
5.Move in.

Bank transfer/ convenience store payment/ cash

Please visit GLBB website https://www.glbb.jp/ or visit Resource Center
*Service is provided in English.

The temporary accommodation is equipped with essential electronics, kitchen appliances such as pots, pans, spoons, forks, knives, cups, microwaves, stoves and etc.…

【Restaurants & Shop】
There is a small shop called Jimmy's on campus, you can find its location on the second attached map.
There is a coffee shop as well as the restaurant on Floor B&C, in the Center building.
https://www.oist.jp/ja/visitors-center-shops-restaurants
 
  AIEN Coffee & Bakery: Monday to Friday 08:00-18:00, Saturday 08:00-15:00 (Sweets Time: Mondays and Tuesdays, 14:00-18:00)
Location: Center Building, Floor C
 
  Restaurant: Monday to Friday 11:30-14:00
Location: Center Building, Floor B
 
  Jimmy's: Convenience Store 10:30 - 19:30 (Closed on Sundays, national Holidays)
Location: Village Center
 
  Food Vendors: https://groups.oist.jp/csd/food-vendors
Location: Center Building, Floor C

It takes about two weeks after your starting date. You will be advised by HR Recruiting team when it is ready.

You can obtain the test kit at the Health Center located on  the Floor B, Center Building.