A 10-minute guide to「 Visas for studying in Japan～～」

Hello everyone! If you are a bit confused about your study visa, don’t worry! Now, to help you get started easily, we will use the easiest way to understand the whole process step by step, from application to renewal to transition to a work visa. This article not only explains the detailed process, but also sprinkles some tips and answers to frequently asked questions to help you thoroughly handle your visa application.

Introduction to the application for studying in Japan

First, the most basic step to study in Japan is to apply for a school and a residence status. So what is a **Certificate of Eligibility (COE)**? Simply put, it is a document issued by the Japanese Immigration Bureau to prove that you are eligible for a student visa. Schools will help you with the application, but you will need to provide the following documents.

Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

  • Application form for Certificate of Eligibility (a template will be provided by the school)
  • Copy of passport
  • Photo (a recent photo of your bare head with no other elements in the background)
  • Proof of funds (bank deposit certificate from parent or student, recommended amount is 2 million yen or more)
  • Proof of educational background（Graduation certificate, student certificate, etc.）

Things to note：

  1. COE Application Cycle: It usually takes 1-3 months, and we recommend you prepare your materials in advance.
  2. What if I don’t have enough funds?：You can provide proof of funds in the family member’s name and attach documents proving your relationship.
  3. Don’t emphasize requirements with photos: Some schools have special sizes (e.g. 3cm x 4cm) to avoid rework.

The school will send you a completed COE, and then you can apply for your study visa!

Japan Student Visa Procedures

Applying for a visa is actually not as complicated as it may seem. It is broken down into the following steps：

Prepare the ingredients

Preparation is necessary, not just COE：

  • Visa application form (can be downloaded from the official website of your local Japanese embassy)
  • Original passport
  • photograph
  • Tuition fee payment certificate or admission notice
  • Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

Submit your application

  • Bring all the necessary documents to the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in your country and make sure to make an appointment in advance on their official website！
  • When you submit your documents, the visa officer may ask you simple questions such as “Why did you decide to study in Japan?” Please be prepared to answer accurately and concisely.

Obtaining a Visa

  • Visa applications usually take 5-10 working days to process, after which the embassy will notify you to collect your visa.
  • NOTE： Please check the expiry date and personal information immediately after getting your visa.

Once you have everything ready, your new journey begins. After that, the most important thing to do to live in Japan is to get a visa to stay and work in Japan!

How to change your student visa to a working visa

Many international students plan to find employment in Japan after graduation. Once you receive a job offer (notice of enrollment), you can apply for a work visa.

Prepare the ingredients

  • New employment contract
  • Materials provided by the Company (company profile, pay slip, etc.)
  • Graduation certificate

Submit documents to the Immigration Bureau

  • Go to your nearest immigration office, fill out a work visa application and submit it. Processing time usually takes 1-2 months.
  • NOTE：Peak application periods are March and September. We recommend submitting materials in advance to avoid delays.

Obtaining a new visa

  • Once your visa is approved, you will receive a new residence card. At this point, your status will officially change from “student” to “working adult”.

Documents required for student visa renewal

If your visa is about to expire during your study abroad period, you will need to apply for a visa renewal. The renewal procedure is relatively simple, and all you need to do is prepare the following documents：

Prepare the ingredients

  • Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
  • Certificate of enrollment (obtained from school)
  • Certificate of attendance (attendance rate below 90% may affect renewal and requires an explanation)
  • Renewal Application Form
  • Passport and residence card

NOTE：

  • Renewal applications must be submitted within three months before the visa expires, failing which penalties will be levied and your visa record will be affected.
  • It takes about two weeks to renew your visa, during which time your passport will be kept at the immigration office, so avoid planning any international travel.

I hope this detailed and easy-to-understand guide will be helpful to you! If you have any other questions, please feel free to leave a message. We will work together to get you a Japanese student visa!