From Results Day to Move-in: A Timeline for New Students
In Japan, when you learn you've been accepted depends heavily on your admission route.
For some routes, there are only a few weeks between the announcement and the start of term.
Here's the general shape of that timeline, and what to do when time is tight.
When are results announced?
| Admission route | Typical announcement timing | Time before move-in |
|---|---|---|
| Recommendation / AO (comprehensive) selection | Around November–December | Relatively comfortable |
| Common Test-based selection | Around early February | Somewhat tight |
| General selection (first round) | Around mid–late February | Tight |
| General selection (second round / additional admission) | Around mid–late March | Very tight |
*Exact dates vary by year, university, and faculty. Always confirm the official schedule with your university.
The general flow from results to move-in
- 1. Results announced
- 2. Start the room search — viewings and applications. For a standard lease, expect a few days to about a week to narrow down candidates and apply
- 3. Screening — guarantor company (or guarantor) screening typically takes a few days to a week
- 4. Sign the lease — paperwork and paying the move-in costs
- 5. Move and settle in — including buying and delivering furniture, a standard lease commonly needs 1–2 weeks between signing and move-in
If your route leaves only a few weeks for all five steps (typically second-round or additional admission), the "short on time" option below is worth considering.
What you can prepare before results day
- Get a sense of the area in advance — use our by-university housing pages to see typical rents and popular areas within reach of your target school, before you're accepted. It makes the post-results decision much faster.
- General knowledge on pre-acceptance holds — some agencies offer a "hold" or early reservation before results are announced. Availability and terms vary by agency and property, so confirm the details individually if you're considering this. Check in advance whether you can move to a full application after results, without a cancellation fee.
Short on time? A practical option
When results land only a few weeks before move-in — common with second-round or additional admission — fitting a standard lease's full process (viewing → screening → signing → buying and delivering furniture) into that window is genuinely hard. A practical option here is a furnished apartment: bed, fridge, and washer are already in place, the lead time from signing to move-in is short, and many units charge no deposit or key money, which keeps upfront costs down too.
オークハウス（Oakhouse）
One of Japan's largest operators of furnished housing. Private-room and apartment-type units combine low move-in costs with the comfort of your own space — no key money, no deposit at most properties.（Furnished private rooms / No guarantor）
Browse furnished rooms →
Read next
・See typical areas near your school → Find student housing by university
・The short-on-time option in detail → Furnished studios in Tokyo
*This page may contain advertisements (PR). Figures are general estimates; please confirm the latest terms and fees with each provider.
← Back to Housing Guide