Japan · study
Student Visa (留学)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Guidance updated 10 September 2026. Full-review date shown above.
Source check: all 2 official citations reconfirmed 13 September 2026
Visa for international students at Japanese universities, language schools, and vocational institutions — includes part-time work rights.
- Processing time
- No single Japan-wide clock: COE and visa timing vary by the school, regional immigration bureau and competent consular post.
- Government fees
- COE: free; visa fee varies.
- Typical duration
- Individual period of stay set by the Minister of Justice, not exceeding 4 years 3 months; renew/change status as circumstances require.
- Sponsorship required
- Yes
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
In short
Visa for international students at Japanese universities, language schools, and vocational institutions — includes part-time work rights. Guidance updated 10 September 2026. Costs, application stages and eligibility conditions are set out with their sources below.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/japan/student-visa-japan#answer
Japan Student route: what happens next
The practical sequence is school-led at the COE stage and mission-led at the visa stage. Do not treat a COE as a visa, or the Student status as permission for unrestricted work.
Primary-source check for this panel: . Processing and appointment clocks vary by school, immigration bureau and consular post; no single Japan-wide end-to-end time is published here.
| Stage | Action | Who leads | Decision point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Choose and secure admission | You | Check the institution’s admission rules, course dates and document list. The Student status covers study at qualifying Japanese education institutions; the school’s requirements are not the same as immigration requirements. |
| 2 | Prepare the COE application | School / proxy | In most cases the accepting school acts as your proxy and applies to a regional immigration services bureau for the Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Give the school the financial and identity evidence it requests. |
| 3 | Apply for the entry visa | You + competent mission | After the COE is issued, submit the visa application to the Japanese embassy or consulate responsible for your place of application. A COE supports the visa application; it is not itself the visa. Post-specific documents and appointment arrangements apply. |
| 4 | Enter and register | You | Carry the passport, visa and COE if issued. A residence card is issued at designated airports for eligible medium/long-term residents; after finding an address, register it with the municipal office within 14 days. |
| 5 | Work only with permission | You + immigration | Student status is for study and does not by itself authorise paid work. Apply for permission to engage in activities outside the status. With the comprehensive permission, the official limit is normally 28 hours per week, or 8 hours per day during the institution’s long vacation; prohibited work and other conditions still apply. |
| 6 | Plan the next status before graduation | You + employer / immigration | Full-time work requires a change to a status that permits the job. Eligible graduates may instead apply for Designated Activities to continue job hunting, subject to the relevant conditions and immigration approval; neither outcome is automatic. |
What is the Student Visa (留学) in Japan?
Student Visa (留学) is a sponsor-led Japan route. Indicative government fees are COE: free; visa fee varies; indicative processing time is No single Japan-wide clock: COE and visa timing vary by the school, regional immigration bureau and competent consular post; typical duration is Individual period of stay set by the Minister of Justice, not exceeding 4 years 3 months; renew/change status as circumstances require. This route does not lead to permanent residence.
Primary guidance checked with ISA on 22 June 2026.
Overview
The Student visa covers foreign nationals studying at Japanese universities, vocational schools (senmon gakkō), and Japanese-language institutes. Students can work up to 28 hours per week during term and up to 8 hours per day during holidays with a "Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted" (資格外活動許可). Graduates can transition to an Engineer/Specialist visa, HSP, or other work status.
Guidance by nationality
Specific information for applicants from these countries. Don’t see yours? The general eligibility criteria above apply to everyone.
Chinese applicants
Chinese students are the largest international student cohort in Japan. Many study at Japanese-language schools first be…
Vietnamese applicants
Vietnamese students are the second-largest cohort. Many enter via language schools and transition to senmon gakkō or uni…
South Korean applicants
South Korean students benefit from geographic proximity and cultural familiarity. Korean is the closest major language t…
Nepali applicants
Nepali students form a significant cohort, particularly at Japanese-language schools and vocational institutions in the …
Indonesian applicants
Indonesian students at Japanese universities benefit from the Japan–Indonesia Economic Partnership Agreement and strong …
Bangladeshi applicants
Bangladeshi students are a growing cohort at Japanese language schools and universities. The Japan–Bangladesh scholarshi…
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Acceptance at a Japanese educational institution.Immigration Services Agency (ISA), Ministry of Justice ↗
- ✓Financial resources to cover tuition and living costs (approximately ¥2,000,000/year — varies by region).
Common blockers
- !Insufficient financial guarantees.
- !Institution not recognised by ISA.
Typical evidence
- ·Acceptance letter from institution.
- ·Financial sponsor evidence or bank statements.Immigration Services Agency (ISA), Ministry of Justice ↗
- ·Academic transcripts.
Application pathway
Secure admission
Accept an offer from a Japanese institution.
Institution applies for COE
The institution typically applies for the COE on your behalf.
Apply for visa and enter
Apply for a Student visa at the consulate with the COE.
Work part-time with permission
Apply for Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted at the immigration bureau. Work up to 28 hours/week during term.
Transition to work visa on graduation
Find employment and apply for a change of status to Engineer/Specialist or HSP.
After approval: prepare for your next step
For Student Visa (留学), use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.
- 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
- 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
- 3. Confirm what you may do. Coordinate enrolment and attendance with the institution. Check the actual work conditions before accepting a job or freelance work.
- 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
- 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Plan the practical side of your stay
Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Japan. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceSchoolPrepare Student COE ↗
Japanese institution uses the status page to prepare the student COE documents and supporting evidence.
Immigration Services Agency (ISA) · verified
- Official guidanceApplicantApply for visa with COE ↗
Student uses the COE to file the entry visa application at the competent Japanese embassy or consulate.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) · verified
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Related routes
Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services
Japan's most common work visa for knowledge workers — engineers, IT professionals, translators, designers, and business staff.
Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) Visa
Points-based visa for highly skilled foreign professionals — the fastest route to Japanese permanent residence (1–3 years).
Frequently asked questions
Can I work while studying in Japan?+
Yes — up to 28 hours per week during term and up to 8 hours per day during holidays, with Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted. You must apply for this permission at the immigration bureau after arriving in Japan (typically at the airport on arrival or at the local immigration office).
Is there a post-study work pathway in Japan?+
Yes. Graduates can apply for a change of status to Engineer/Specialist, HSP, or other work visas. There is also a "Designated Activities" (tokutei katsudo) post-graduation job-seeking status available for 6–12 months. Japanese companies conduct "shūshoku katsudō" (job-hunting) activities annually — foreign students at Japanese universities can participate in this structured recruitment cycle.
Do I need to speak Japanese to study in Japan?+
It depends on the programme. University degree programmes taught in Japanese typically require JLPT N2 (or pass the institution's own Japanese examination). Many top universities offer English-taught programmes — notably the G30 (Global 30) programme at 13 leading universities (University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Osaka University, Tohoku University, etc.) does not require Japanese. Language school programmes obviously teach Japanese from beginner level.
How much does it cost to study in Japan?+
National universities charge approximately ¥535,800/year (approximately USD 3,600) in tuition — among the most affordable in developed countries. Private universities range from ¥700,000 to ¥1,500,000+/year. Living costs are approximately ¥90,000–¥130,000/month in Tokyo and ¥70,000–¥100,000/month in other cities. MEXT (Japanese government) scholarships are fully funded and highly competitive.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in JapanHow we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: ISA
Last checked: 22 June 2026