Japan is a beautiful nation known for its innovations and esteemed educational institutions. Moreover, students select this country because of low violent crime rates, making it the safest in the world for nurturing young minds. Students will get an opportunity to learn from the best and proceed in the way of becoming the best. Japanese educational system is different and exclusive as compared to other systems and thus, Japanese students grow faster in terms of development and employability. 

International students must obtain a study visa in order to travel to Japa to study their chosen course. The details concerning the study visa process and essential documents are given below: 

When and where to apply for a Japanese Study Visa?

First of all, Japanese government exempt students from more than 60 countries for study visa for a course of duration less than 90 days. If you don’t belong to one of those country or your program is of more than 90 days, then you can apply for Japanese study visa. To apply, you have to get in touch with the nearby Japanese consulate or embassy. Moreover, to enter Japan, you need two things from immigration office:

1. Certificate of eligibility

2. Japanese student visa

It’s best to apply for both of them before three months of your scheduled travelling. 

Study Visa processing time 

Japanese study visa takes around 10-15 working days for processing. But for receiving the ertificate of eligibility, it may take around 3 months. 

Documents required for Study Visa 

The following are the documents that have to be submitted along with the application for a Japanese student visa: 

1. Certificate of Eligibility 

2. Passport size photographs with plain white background and dimensions 4cm x 3cm

3. Letter of acceptance into a Japanese Educational Institution

4. Valid original Passport with its photocopies

5. Documents evidencing your previous qualifications

6. Proof of funds to sustain your stay in Japan. You can show your income statement, bank statements, Letter of scholarship or sponsorship.

7. Letter of Guarantee and Letter of Invitation from the Japanese educational institution (if required)

8. Cover letter (if required) 

The embassy or consulate may ask for additional documents depending upon your case. 

Japanese Study Visa process 

The step by step procedure of acquiring a Japanese study visa is as follows: 

Step 1 – Receive an acceptance letter from the Japanese University 

Apply to the Japanese Educational Institution and complete the application. If you got selected, you will receive an acceptance letter from the university. Acceptance of this admission letter signifies that you have reserved your seat at the university. 

Step 2 – Find out the best visa for you

Now that you have one spot in your name in Japanese University, it’s time to select the best visa for you. The following are the two types of Japanese visas available: 

1. Short Term Study Visa – It’s for those courses which last less than 90 days or 3 months. 

2. Long Term Study Visa I – It’s for those courses which last more than 90 days but less than 20 weeks. 

3. Long Term Study Visa II – It’s for those courses which last more than 20 weeks or longer. 

Step 3 – Fill up the application form and submit it

Collect all the listed documents and then fill out the application form at nearby Japanese Embassy or consulate. Make sure to follow up with them according to the rules and regulations. Carefully, feed in all the details and then submit it to the embassy.

Step 4 – Obtain the Certificate of Eligibility 

Every Non-Resident of Japan who visit the country for non-temporary reasons has to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the Immigration office.

Step 5 – Visit Japan with your Visa

Once you have received both Certificate of Eligibility and Student Visa, you are all set to book your tickets and go to Japan. 

Step 6 – Obtain Residence permit 

Within 14 days of your arrival in Japan, you should get yourself registered at the local municipal office. On successful registration, they will give you a Residence Permit.