Applying for Japan Student Visa

The application process for applying for a Student Visa is done in two ways :

1. Obtaining the Certificate of Eligibility
2. Submitting the Japan Student Visa application

1. Obtaining the Certificate of Eligibility

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. Applying 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 the Student Visa from a Japanese Consulate or Embassy in your country. You have to:

1. Contact a Japanese Embassy or Consulate near you. Find a list of the Japanese Embassies, Consulates and Permanent Missions here. Some Embassies/Consulate don’t accept direct visa applications, in which case you need to apply through an accredited travel agency or visa application agency.
2. Collect the required documents for a Japan Student Visa.
3. 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 to submit additional documents.
4. Collect the visa. Once your Japan Student Visa application has been processed, you have to go back to receive your passport. If the application was approved, you may enter Japan.