How to get a Japanese student visa: UK student’s guide

There are endless reasons to want to live in Japan coming from the UK. From the fascinating culture, incredible food and top-tier healthcare, it’s easy to see why Japan is at the top of your list of dream living destinations.

And the bonus would be if you could go there to get your degree. But before you can do that, you’ll need to get your visa sorted.

In this guide, we’ll run through everything you need to know to get a Japanese student visa and make your first steps to living your academic dreams.

We’ll also show you a cost-effective way to manage your money as an international student. Open a Wise account and you can manage your money in multiple currencies at once, including the Japanese yen (JPY).

You can even get a Wise international debit card, to start spending like a local from the moment you arrive in Japan.

Please see the Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise fees & pricing for the most up-to-date information on pricing and fees.

What is a student visa in Japan?

The Japanese student visa allows international students to move to Japan to study at educational institutions for the length of their course.

Unlike most other countries, this particular student visa comes in various durations, with the available options being:¹

• Six months
• One year
• One year and three months
• Two years
• Two years and three months

You can renew your visa should you need up to 90 days before the expiry date.

It’s important to note that you must have been offered a place at an eligible institution and received a certificate of eligibility from them before you can begin the application process. Without a confirmed place already established, your application won’t even see the light of day.

Types of student visas in Japan

While the Visa itself may come in various duration options, there is thankfully just one Japanese study visa to choose from. This makes the process far simpler when working out how to apply.

It’s simply known as the Japanese Student Visa. As well as allowing you to study at a recognised and eligible academic institution, it also lets you to work up to 28 hours per week during the term, or 8 hours per day during long school holidays.²

One thing of note however is that the Visa comes in two forms - single-entry, or double/multiple entry.

Single entry allows entry into Japan where you’ll receive a Landing Permit, which then renders it invalid. Double or multiple entry allows holders to leave and re-enter Japan.¹

Does a student visa count towards residency in Japan?

Sadly, time spent in Japan on a student visa does not count towards the ten or more years required to be eligible for permanent residency in Japan.

Instead, you’ll need to build up those years on a work visa or other resident visa.³

What are the requirements for a student visa in Japan?

One of the most important parts of the Japanese student visa requirements is to have a confirmed place at a recognised educational institution in Japan.

When trying for this visa, the institution involved will arrange the certificate of eligibility for you so this part of the process should not be an issue.¹

You’ll also need to be able to cover the financial requirements of your stay in Japan, and prove as such. The financial requirement for each year of study is around 2,000,000 yen, which at the time of writing converts to around £12,000.¹

These two things are really the only requirements that could stop you from getting a Japanese student visa.

The list of documentation however is a very different, much bigger deal. What you’ll need for your application is this:¹

• Student Visa Application Form
• Your valid passport along with photocopies of it
• Passport-size pictures with the following specifications:
• The Certificate of Eligibility
• Letter of Admission into the Japanese educational institution, indicating the duration and details of the course
• Previous academic and/or professional qualifications, as applicable (diploma, transcripts, etc.)
• Proof you can meet the financial requirements for the duration of your stay in Japan. The financial requirements for a Japanese Student Visa are about 2 million yen for one year. You can show that you meet the necessary financial requirements through:
  • Bank or income statements
  • Proof of a Scholarship
  • Proof you receive Financial Aid
  • Letter of Sponsorship, if someone is sponsoring you, along with your sponsor’s proof of income and bank statements
• If required:
  • Letter of Invitation and Letter of Guarantee issued from your educational institution
  • A Motivational or Cover Letter, written by you stating the reason for your travel.

The average processing time for Japanese student visas

The average Japan student visa processing time is only around 5-10 working days, once the application has been submitted.

However, receiving the Letter of Eligibility can take anywhere between 1-3 months, so take this into account.¹

Are there any restrictions on working hours with a Japanese student visa?

The Japanese student visa allows students to work for up to 28 hours per week.² This can help with living expenses and such, but doesn’t offset the financial requirement for the visa when applying.

Japan student visa working hours restrictions also allow students to work up to 8 hours per day during long school holidays, if they have the schools’ permission.

Student visa application fees for Japan

The single entry variant of the Japanese student visa comes with a 3,000 JPY fee, which roughly translates to £17 GBP at the time of writing. The double entry visa comes in at 6000 JPY, which is around £35 GBP.¹

Compared with the application fees for many other visas worldwide, these fees are pretty low.

Need an easy, affordable way to pay visa fees in JPY? Open a Wise account, and you can get a Wise card. It’s ideal for spending in multiple currencies, including online. So you can use it to pay your visa fee in JPY for low fees and fair exchange rates.

Sign up with Wise

Please see the Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise fees & pricing for the most up-to-date information on pricing and fees.

How to apply for a Japanese student visa?

Let’s run through the exact process of the application.

The first thing you’ll need to do is ensure you have a Certificate of Eligibility. Since you should have a place confirmed at a recognised educational institution, they will take care of this step for you.

With the certificate in hand, you can apply for the visa itself. Here’s how:¹

1. Contact a Japanese embassy or consulate near you and submit your application along with any documentation required.
2. The embassy might request an interview depending on the application but not always so cross that bridge when you come to it.
3. Once the application and documentation is submitted, you simply need to sit back and wait for the visa to be either accepted or denied.

All in all, the process is pretty straightforward.

Is the Japan study visa easy to get?

Provided all documentation is up-to-date and error-free, and all eligibility requirements are met (and there aren’t many), the Japanese student visa is surprisingly easy to get.

If it is rejected, it is most likely due to an error in the application process.⁴

How long can you stay in Japan after your student visa expires?

In order to stay in Japan for any length of time after your student visa expires, you’ll need to apply for a different visa.

Luckily, there are quite a few visas good for those looking to go sightseeing before heading home. For example, there’s the Short-Term Stay visa which grants a 90-day extension.⁵

How to extend your Japanese student visa?

You can submit an application to have your Japanese visa extended up to 3 months prior to the expiration date.

You’ll need to submit the application at the immigration office that represents the area of Japan in which you’re studying.

The documentation required is the same as before. The only difference is that you’ll also need a completed ‘Extension of the period of stay’ application form which can be found on the website of the Japanese immigration services agency.⁶

Can you change a student visa to a work visa in Japan?

If you have a job lined up after graduation, then you should be able to switch fairly easily to a Japanese work visa and remain in Japan.

If you haven’t managed to find a job, however, there’s still an option available. You can switch to the ‘Designated activities’ visa allowing for a maximum stay of 2 years during which you can continue to job hunt.⁷

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After reading this guide, you should have all the essential info you need to start a Japanese study visa application. Then you can get on with the rest of your pre-move tasks. Good luck!

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Sources used:

1. Visa Guide - Japan Student Visa
2. Take Me To Japan - How to apply
3. Tokyo Weekender - Getting permanent residency
4. Wings - Japan Student Visa Rejection
5. Chiba University - about status of residence after graduation
6. Visa Guide - How to Extend a Japanese Visa?
7. Quick Jobs Japan - Student Visa to Working Visa

Sources last checked on date: 24-May-2023