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If you want to study in Japan, then the student visa application is your first step. This journey can be challenging; however, with the right guidance and preparation, navigating through this process becomes an exciting adventure in itself.
The student visa in Japan is a long-term visa that facilitates international students’ pursuit of education in the country. The visa is accepted by all higher educational institutions in Japan, including schools, universities, and vocational institutions.
In this article, with the right information and preparation, we will walk you through the steps to obtaining your student visa for Japan.
Why should you study in Japan?
Studying in Japan offers a unique blend of academic excellence, cultural immersion, and career opportunities. You should consider some of these reasons.
- 50 QS World Ranking Universities
- 1-Year post-study work visa after study
- 95% Student Visa Success Rate
- Tuition Fee: 820,000 yen to 1,200,000 yen per academic year
- Scholarship of up to 30,000~250,000 JPY per month
- Get a Visa in 2 to 4 weeks
Why apply for a Japan Student Visa?
Long-term international students can get a Japanese student visa. Students seeking higher education in Japan can get a student visa.
Reserve admission to Japan’s public and private institutions and apply for a student visa. The Japanese government also has a visa exemption program for a variety of nations.
The exemption only applies to short-term uses such as tourism, visits, and conferences. Students wishing to pursue any graduate, postgraduate, or master’s degree in Japan, however, must first get a study visa.
- The Student Visa in Japan facilitates international students to study in the educational institutions in the country.
- The international candidates want to stay in Japan for more than 6 months.
- International students can work in Japan through a student visa.
- They can avail of the healthcare and financial services offered by Japan.
- International students can convert their study visa to a full-time work visa in Japan.
What are the requirements to get a Japanese student visa?
When you apply for a Japanese student visa, you need several documents that support your application. The documents you need for a Japan Student Visa application include:
- Student Visa Application Form, which you can download from
- Your valid passport, along with photocopies of it
- Passport-size pictures with the following specifications:
- Dimensions: 4cm x 3cm
- Taken within the last three months
- Plain white background, without any patterns or shadows
- You must be staring straight ahead with a neutral facial expression
- Your face has to be fully visible
- The picture must be good quality (focused, clear, and sharp)
- The Certificate of Eligibility
- Letter of Admission into the Japanese educational institution, indicating the duration and details of the course
- Previous academic and/or professional qualifications, as applicable (diploma, transcripts, etc.)
- Proof that you can meet the financial requirements for the duration of your stay in Japan. The financial requirements for a Japanese student visa are about 2 million yen for one year. You can show that you meet the necessary financial requirements through:
- Bank or income statements
- Proof of a Scholarship
- Proof that you receive Financial Aid
- letter of Sponsorship, if someone is sponsoring you, along with your sponsor’s proof of income and bank statements
- If required:
- letter of Invitation and Letter of Guarantee issued from your educational institution
- A Motivational or Cover letter written by you stating the reason for your travel
You also have to send several of these documents to your school so they can apply for the Certificate of Eligibility.
How to get a Student Visa to study in Japan
The application process for applying for a student visa in Japan is divided into two parts:
- Obtaining the Certificate of Eligibility
- Submitting the Japan Student Visa application
1. Obtain the Certificate of Eligibility in Japan
Every foreigner who enters Japan for non-temporary reasons needs to get a Certificate of Eligibility from the Immigration Services in Japan.
However, since you have to get this before you enter Japan, it is your school that’s in charge of handling the COE application on your behalf. You have to send them the required documents.
The purpose of the Japan Certificate of Eligibility is to support the actual visa application process. It serves to show you have the approval of the Japanese Immigration Services and that you meet the entry requirements set by the Japanese government for international students.
However, the Certificate of Eligibility for Japan is not the same as a visa; it is merely a prerequisite; you still have to apply for a Japan Student Visa from your home country.
The application process for a Japanese Certificate of Eligibility takes between one to three months.
2. Apply for the Japan Student Visa
After you receive the Certificate of Eligibility, your school has to send it to you so you can use it to apply for a student visa from a Japanese Consulate or Embassy in your country. You have to:
- Contact a Japanese Embassy or Consulate near you. Find a list of the Japanese embassies, consulates, and permanent missions here. Some embassies and consulates don’t accept direct visa applications, in which case you need to apply through an accredited travel agency or visa application agency.
- Collect the required documents for a Japanese student visa.
- Submit the Japan Student Visa application either directly at the Embassy/Consulate or at the travel agency or visa application agency. If the Consulate or Embassy considers it necessary, you may also have to go back for an interview or submit additional documents.
- Collect the visa. Once your Japan Student Visa application has been processed, you have to go back to receive your passport. If the application is approved, you may enter Japan.
When you travel to Japan with a student visa, what next?
After you enter Japan with a student visa, you will receive a landing permit at the port of entry from the immigration officers.
If you have a single-entry visa, it will become invalid once you get the landing permit, whereas a multiple-entry visa with a longer validity remains valid even after you get the landing permit.
The landing permit replaces your visa and allows you to legally stay in Japan. In addition to the landing permit, you also have to get the following:
A Residence Card
If you enter Japan through Narita, Haneda, Kansai, or Chubu airports, you will receive a Japanese Residence Card upon entry. If you enter through any other port, you can get the Residence Card at one of the local municipal offices in Japan.
Then, regardless of whether you have gotten the Residence Card on entry or later, within 14 days of setting up residence in Japan, you have to report your stay at one of the local municipal offices. Your address will be printed on the residence card.
A Re-Entry Permit
If you want to be allowed to leave and re-enter Japan for the duration of your visa, you can apply for a Japan Re-Entry Permit at your local Japanese Immigration Office.
How much is the Japan Student Visa Fee?
The fees for Japan visas are as follows:
- Single-entry visa: 3,000 Yen
- Double-entry or multiple-entry visa: 6,000 Yen
- Transit Visa: 700 Yen
However, you only have to pay the visa fee if the application is approved.
How Long Does It Take to Process a Japan Student Visa?
When you apply for the student visa itself, the application process can take between 5-10 working days. However, the application to receive the Certificate of Eligibility can take up to three months.
What is the duration of the Japanese student visa?
Japan Student Visas are issued for the following durations:
- Six months
- One year
- One year and three months
- Two years
- Two years and three months
The duration that you are allowed to stay in Japan is stated on your landing permit as well as on your residence card.
Conclusion
Securing a student visa to study in Japan is a significant milestone in your educational journey. By understanding the visa types, choosing the right institution, meeting the requirements, and navigating the application process, you can embark on an exciting adventure of learning.
