Japan Student Visa Policy

Depending on your status of residence and reason for coming to Japan, you will be updated with the appropriate type of Visa. Usually, international students who attend Japanese educational institutions such as universities, junior colleges, colleges of technology, professional training colleges or Japanese language institutes, etc. will be Student Visa is available for a period from 6 months up to a maximum of 2 years, and of course, this period can be extended if necessary.

                                         Japan Student Visa Policy

1. Application for Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

First, to be able to apply for a Student Visa, the student or his/her representative, usually a relative or the receiving school, needs to apply for a COE at immigration service offices in Japan. Normally, it will take you about 2-3 months to get a COE, but some schools require you to have a COE 6 months in advance. Therefore, carefully check the requirements of your school to arrange the preparation time accordingly.

It should also be noted that COE is only one of the conditions that allow you to apply for a Student Visa, obtaining a COE does not mean that you will definitely get a Visa.

You need a COE to apply for a Japan Student Visa

Documents required to apply for a COE include

• Application for a COE
• 8 identical ID photos (4cm high x 3cm wide): The photo must be a color photo, clearly capture the student's face, clearly see the student's eyes and ears. In addition, students may not wear sunglasses, hats, or have anyone else in the photo. Photos should be taken within the last 3 months.
• Copy of passport including a copy of your photo/personal information page and signature on your passport. If you have been to Japan before, you should back up those immigration stamps.
• Student academic records typically include your high school diploma and transcripts.
• Proof of financial ability:
  • You need to prove you can afford to live while studying in Japan including tuition fees, living expenses, and other fees.
  • If you want to support yourself, you need to provide documents in your name. If someone is sponsoring you, you should include a letter written by them with their signature and all other financial documents in their name. Documents required to prove financial support may include Bank statements, income statements, financial aid scholarship letters, sponsorship letters, etc.

Note: All documents must be in Japanese or English.

2. Visa application:

After the COE is issued, you can apply for a Visa to the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in your home country.

Documents required to apply for a visa include:

• Valid passport
• Visa application form from the Japanese Embassy or Consulate
• A photo was taken within the last 3 months
• COE - original and a copy
• Admission letter - issued to you by the school
• Other additional documents that specific consulates may require, depending on your country.

Note: Don't forget to get your COE back once your visa has been issued –– you will need it when you land in Japan.

Normally, getting a student visa will take you about 5 months.