How to Apply for a Student Visa to Study in Japan

Planning to study in Japan and your duration exceeds 3 months? You will need a student visa for it. Well, the word student visa may seem intimidating but here in this blog, we have provided a detailed guide about the student visa for Japan.

To begin with, you can take a sigh of relief as a Japanese student visa is one of the easiest visas to get. If you need to consult an expert you can directly call eVisaNation.

If you are someone who already has a permit to live in Japan, then you can simply modify it to apply for a student visa. However, if you are applying from abroad then the detailed guide is given below.

Step 1: Select a School 

Every school and program are unique and the first step is choosing a school and program that matches your requirements. Some things you can consider are what is the prerequisite, cost, city of the school, etc.

Step 2: Get acquainted with the application process

So, the usual steps to get a seat include:

●     After choosing a school, you fill in the visa application

●     Along with the application, it is mandatory to submit all the required documents

●     Now the school shall submit the form to the concerned authorities

●     It usually takes 2-3 months for the process and gets a COE. The Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is a permit, given by a regional immigration authority to show that the person applying meets the requirements for residing in Japan.

●      After your visa is approved, the authorities will send your COE to the school and they shall forward it to you.

●     Then submit the COE and visa application to the Japanese embassy in your country or city

●     Now, wait for 3-7 days to get your student visa.

Step 3: Document Preparation

Now for your COE submission to the embassy, you need the following documents:

●     Visa application (filled in the first 2 steps)

●     Eight identical Photos of dimensions 4cm high × 3cm wide

The pic must be clear and in color showcasing the student's face. Ensure the photo is no older than 3 months

●     Photocopy of passport: You should have a copy of the Photo/ID and Signature page of the passport. If you had visited Japan in the past, then the page containing the stamps should also be submitted

●     Official transcript: Your academic transcripts like mark sheets and certificates

●     Proof of finance: To get a student visa for Japan you should be able to prove that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during the stay. The exact cost may vary and depends on several factors. But the approximate amount is around ¥2,000,000 or more for the first few months. You should also be able to prove where that amount is coming from. Note the following documents in English or Japanese can be used for the same:

○     Bank statements

○     Income statements

○     The Financial Aid award letter

○     Scholarship award letters

○     Letter of sponsorship

Note: If you are self-sponsoring then you need to show around ¥3,000,000 in your account.

Step 4: After you get your COE

Once you get your COE, immediately apply for an actual visa at the nearest Japanese embassy. For getting the visa you need the following documents:

●     Valid Passport

●     Visa application form

●     One photograph

●     Certificate of Eligibility original plus a copy

●     Certificate of Admission issued by the school

●     Other additional documents as required, depending on your country of birth

Note: Ensure you get back the original COE and keep it safe as you would be required to present it during your arrival.

So here is a detailed guide about studying in Japan. If you need any further assistance, reach out to our expert at eVisaNation.