Do you love Japanese culture and want to embark on an educational culture? If you want to study in Japan for more than 3 months, you must apply for a valid student visa. You also need to prepare the necessary documents for a student visa before you visit Japan. In this article, we will show you a complete guide to Japan visa requirements for students.
Japan student visa requirements
A Japanese student visa is one of the easiest visas to obtain. Understanding the Japan student visa requirements is crucial to ensuring a smooth application process. Check required documents for study visa here.
- A completed visa application form
- A valid passport and a copy thereof
- Recent ID photo measuring 4×3 cm
- Proof of financial stability (such as bank statements, income statements, previous year’s tax return, proof of stock holdings, rental receipts or other sources of savings/income, scholarship letters)
- Copy of the photo page of your passport
- Certificate of Eligibility
- Admission letter from the Japanese institution
How to apply for Japan study visa
Once you have prepared all the necessary documents, you can apply for a Japan study visa from outside Japan. By following the steps of the Japan immigration department, the Japan student visa application process is straightforward. Here you can check the instructions below and obtain a student visa at the consulate.
Acceptance by a Japanese educational institution
You must obtain secure admission to a recognized Japanese school, university, or language institute, which will apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) on your behalf at the Japanese Immigration Bureau.
Receive the Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
After the institution submits your COE application to the Immigration Department, it will take a few weeks to receive the COE, which is crucial for your visa application. Japan Immigration will take 2-3 months to approve a visa application and issue the COE.
Prepare the required documents
After you have received the COE, you should prepare all the necessary Japan visa requirements for students as mentioned above to begin applying for a student visa.
COE sent to the university
The COE, issued by the immigration department, the electronic (via email) and physical copy (via DHL or Fedex) will be sent back to the university. At this time, you need to pay the first semester’s tuition fee and confirm the address you wish the COE to be sent to.
Submit Your Application
You need to book an appointment at your nearest Japanese embassy or consulate to convert your COE into a Student Visa. Fill out the application form and submit the application fee and other documents. Some require an interview, so you need to answer their questions honestly.
Pick up your student visa
The Embassy will issue the actual student visa one week after you have submitted the student visa application.
Get 4×3 proof photo for Japan student visa
You must submit a 4 x 3 proof photo with a clear and full front view. The photo must be taken within 3 months to show a recent appearance. The background of the Japanese student visa photo must be light and grey. Do not wear sunglasses, tinted glasses, hats, caps, or other head coverings that may cover your facial features.
If you want to save money and time, you can take a photo at home and upload a photo to AiPassportPhotos, a professional passport photo editor. AI technology will automatically detect your face, resize the photo to 4×3 cm and change the background. Within seconds, you will receive an ID proof photo that meets the official government requirements.
After entering Japan with student visa
After you enter Japan on a student visa, you will receive a landing permit at the port of entry. This landing permit will replace your visa, which allows you to legally stay in Japan. Of course, you will also receive a resident card and a re-entry permit. You will be allowed to leave and re-enter Japan for the duration of your visa.
How long does it take to process student visa
The process of obtaining a Japan Student Visa usually takes 2-3 months, depending on the following factors. For example: the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) application processed by the regional immigration authority in Japan, which will cost you about 4 to 8 weeks. The visa application at the Embassy/Consulate will take an additional 5 to 7 business days. However, the timeline can vary depending on the embassy’s workload and the completeness of your application.
How much is the Japan student visa fee
The cost of a Japan Student Visa varies depending on your nationality and the type of visa you are applying for. The fees for Japan Visas are as follows:
- Single-entry visa: 3,000 Yen
- Multiple entry visa: 6,000 Yen
Keep in mind that this cost is only for the visa itself and does not include additional costs such as the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) application or other associated costs.
Duration of Japan study visa
The duration of a Japan Student Visa depends on the length of your academic program. Here you can check the chart below:
| Japan student visa programs | The duration of the time |
| For short-term language studies, preparatory courses or exchange programs. | 6 Months to 1 year |
| For Graduate programs | 2 years and 3 months |
| For Undergraduate Programs | 4 Years and 3 months |
If you need to continue your studies beyond the initial duration, you can extend the duration of your student visa.
How to Extend a Japan Study Visa
It is allowed to extend your Japanese study visa up to 90 days before your visa expires. According to the local immigration office, you are required to provide the following documents before extending the Japan Study Visa.
- Confirm eligibility for extension
You must be enrolled in a recognized Japanese educational institution and demonstrate satisfactory academic progress. The extension request is consistent with the duration of your program.
- Prepare the required documents
You should prepare all the necessary documents, such as application form for Japan visa extension, passport, passport size pictures in 4cm x 3cm, residence card and proof of financial stability and a copy of your registration certificate.
- Submit the extension application
You can visit your local immigration office in Japan and submit your application. The application should be submitted at least 1 month before your visa expires but no more than 3 months in advance.
- Wait for Approval
After paying 4,000 yen for the extension fee, you can wait for processing, which takes 2 weeks to 1 month.
- Collect Your Residence Card
Once approved, you will receive an updated residence card with an extended visa period.
How to Convert a Japan Student Visa to a Work Visa
Japan offers many job opportunities for graduates. If you want to find employment after graduation, you can apply to change your student visa to a work visa. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Secure a job
You must obtain a job from a company in Japan that is willing to sponsor your work visa. In addition, the job must be in line with one of the approved categories for work visas, such as Engineer.
- Gather required documents
You must provide these documents before applying for a work visa, such as an application form for permission to change residence status, a copy of your passport, residence card, CV, proof of graduation (diploma), proof of previous academic and/or professional history, school transcripts and a copy of the employment contract.
- Submit your application
You can visit your local immigration office in Japan to apply for a change of residence and submit the completed application form with all required documents. You must pay for the application form with 4,000 yen.
- Wait for approval
Processing time will take 2 weeks to 2 months, depending on the complexity of your application and the workload at the immigration office. Once approved, your residence card will be updated with your new visa status and duration.
What to do if your application is denied or delayed?
If you monitor your email but find that your student visa application is rejected or delayed, you must check the official notification or visit the Japanese embassy or consulate to find out why your visa was denied.
After you have found the problems, you need to correct any errors in your application or provide missing documents. For example, you must ensure that you have adequate funds in your account and submit a clear financial plan (bank statements, scholarships, sponsorships). You should contact your Japanese educational institution for assistance if the problem is COE-related.
Then you can submit a new application with all the required documents. Don’t forget to double-check all forms and details to avoid repeating mistakes.
FAQ
Can I work part-time on a student visa?
Yes, you can work part-time on a student visa, but you must obtain a work permit. After you get it, you can work up to 28 hours a week during the semester, and 40 hours a week during holidays.
Is IELTS required for a Japan student visa?
No, it is not usually required to have IELTS (International English Language Testing System) for a Japanese student visa. However, if you are applying to a university or program taught in English, you may be required to take an English language proficiency test such as IELTS or TOEFL.
Conclusion
All in all, it is simple for you to obtain a Japanese student visa after you have followed the detailed steps and prepared all the necessary documents. Don’t forget to double check the details of the applications before submitting them. We hope that you will have a wonderful and unforgettable study experience in Japan.
Erin Lo