International Student Identity Card (ISIC)

Qualification Requirements Card Fees Necessary Documents How to Obtain an ISIC

Qualification Requirements

People obtaining a [STUDENT/SCHOLAR/TEACHER/IYTC] Card

Card Type	Qualification Requirements
STUDENT (ISIC)	Student at University, Junior College, or Graduate School 4th or 5th year at College of Technology Full-time student enrolled in Technical College (= specialized courses at Specialized Traning College)
SCHOLAR (ISIC)	Student at Junior/Senior High Schools 1st - 3rd year at College of Technology Specialized Vocational High School (= advanced courses at Specialized Training College) Full-time student enrolled in general courses at Specialized Training College
TEACHER (ITIC)	School teacher (submit a copy of identification proving that you are a teacher)
YOUTH (IYTC)	More than 12 years old Under 26 years old

* Issuing criteria: "Detailed Manual" by WYSETC (World Youth Student & Educational Travel Confederation)

"Full-time students" at technical colleges and specialized training colleges
- A "full-time student" refers to a person who belongs to a course providing a degree or a diploma.
- A guideline for issuing criteria in Japan is that the student attends classes every day for a period of one year or more, and is eligible for a student discount (fares and commuter pass fees) by public transport including Japan Railways (JR).
- Cards may also be issued to people enrolled in correspondence courses (university, junior college, high school) if they are "regular students" or "full-course students."
- However, cards shall not be issued to short-term students such as research students, occasional students, selective students, single-subject students or special course students other than "regular students".
If an "Admission Permit" for studying abroad has already been received
- If studying abroad as a full-time student, cards may be issued in Japan 1 month before the admission date if you have an "Admission Permit" (issued by the school abroad).
When traveling on a "leave of absence" from a Japanese school
- Cards may be issued if you have a "Leave of Absence Certificate" (stating the duration of the leave) issued by the school leave is being taken from.
Issuing TEACHER cards
- These are for teachers who have been employed by schools able to issue STUDENT/ SCHOLAR cards and taught at least 18 hours per week for no less than 1 year.
Issuing IYTC (International Youth Travel Card) cards
- These can be issued to anyone aged under 26.
Language schools located overseas
Issuing criteria for "language schools (located overseas)"
Cards may be issued to students that have entered language schools recognized by the government or similar public organizations (such as the British Council in the United Kingdom) as "Full-time Students^*" and are enrolled in courses providing "Certificates" upon course completion. However, cards cannot be issued for language schools other than these regardless of whether the enrollment is short-term or long-term.
Full-time student^*: A student in a course with "at least 20 weeks" or 8 months of lessons per year, and for which there are "at least 15 hours" of classes per week. (When attending a short-term language school while enrolled in a Japanese university, cards may be issued by the Japanese university.)
Other points of note
There are no age limits for issuing, but some discount benefits may not be available in cases where age restrictions have been set. E.g. many airlines have age restrictions on flight discounts.

Card Fees

1,430 yen
(incl. tax)

When applying by post, the fee is 1,700 yen for STUDENT, SCHOLAR, TEACHER and IYTC cards including commissions and postage.

Necessary Documents

Download application form (PDF)
→ Sample entry of application form

Necessary Documents	Number	Notes
Application form	1	Download the application form for the card you want and print it for use. If you are unable to print, enter the necessary details
Photo	1	Size 3.3cm high x 2.8cm wide No hat, no background. Name printed on back Taken within the last 6 months * Be sure to cut large photographs to 3.3cm high x 2.8cm wide. (Print name on back)
Copy of student card or enrollment certificate	1	Cut the copy of your student card to actual size for submission Copy of faculty ID or proof of employment is required for the TEACHER card Copy of passport or driver's license for IYTC (item certifying age) * Foreign nationals and people who have had name changes through marriage, etc should submit a copy of their passport.

How to Obtain an ISIC

University Co-op Play Guide (ticket agency) and nearest issuing offices
However the issuing offices for SCHOLAR, TEACHER and IYTC cards are limited, so contact the University Co-op Tourism for details.
Applying by post
When making a postal application, send the necessary documents with a "Postal Money Order" or a "Registered Mail For Cash" equivalent to 1,700 yen (card fee: 1,430 yen + postage and commission: 270 yen) to the attention of ISIC division of the offices below.. If you are in a hurry, add express postage of 270 yen to the 1,700 fee.
- University Co-op Tourism Head Office
  4th floor, Daigakuseikyo-kaikan Bldg, 3-30-22, Wada, Suginami-ku, Tokyo 166-8532
  PHONE: 03-5307-1155
  FAX: 03-5307-1187
- University Co-op Tourism Osaka Branch
  2th floor, DaigakuSeikyoOsaka-kaikan Bldg, 2-7-15, Nishimiyahara, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka
  532-0004
  PHONE: 06-6395-3730
  FAX: 06-6396-4530
Please note that some issuing offices except the above University Co-op Tourism offices does not accept postal applications. Please contact us before applying.
* Approximately 10 days are required to deliver cards after the postal application is received. Please contact us if there are less than 10 days remaining until your departure.