Visas for study in Japan

Author: Edutraveller
Date written: 2003/04/18 12:41:50
Last edited: 2003/05/25 16:52:47
Keywords: Visas, Study in Japan, Japanese visas, Visas for study in Japan, Japanese language study

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Visas

There are a range of visas available for study in Japan. The main ones are outlined here below. Note that in all cases, which visa you can get, the application process, time and eligibility requirements vary depending on your nationality, location, and visa status if not in your home country.

Tourist visa

In fact, you do not necessarily need a student visa to study in Japan. It depends on how long you want to study, your nationality and your visa status if not in your home country. If your country has a visa exchange agreement with Japan, then you should be able to get a tourist visa for a stay of up to 3 months or 90 days (depending on the arrangement). Nationals of a few countries can renew the tourist visa for another 3 months without leaving the country. Check this list on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs homepage for the list of countries with visa exchange agreements with Japan (the MOFA page is slightly out of date: Singaporean nationals can now easily obtain visas for 3 months instead of 14 days as listed).

To get the visa, you generally need to go to the Japanese Embassy in your home country and request the visa. In some cases, you will be asked for a letter of acceptance if you are studying at a language school. In the case of most OECD countries, you will be issued the visa on arrival in Japan. However, it is always best to contact the Japanese Embassy and confirm any requirements before you come. In some cases, you may require a guarantor to get the visa.

Shugaku visa

The main visa for long-term study of Japanese, the shugaku (pre-college student) visa is issued four times a year for study starting at the beginning of January, April, July and October. Applications usually close three to four months or more before the start date of the course, although many schools fill up their quota of places well before the deadline. The visa is valid for up to 6, 12, 15, 18, 21 or 24 months depending on the school, the start date of the course, your nationality, and so on. The school through which you apply for the visa will be able to give you complete details (you cannot apply directly for the visa).

Application is through a language school and requires the school's forms plus several documents from the immigration office that the school will either send you or complete for you. Results of applications are usually issued on the first of the month before the start of the course (i.e., March 1st for visas starting early April, etc.) but you can usually enter the country as soon as you have received the Certificate of Eligibility (the document from the immigration office that confirms your application has been approved). You need to take the Certificate of Eligibility to the nearest Japanese Embassy in order to get your visa stamp - do not just bring the Certificate with you to Japan. If you have no time, you can either (a) get the Certificate of Eligibility in Japan and then go to the immigration office and change status or (b) get the Certificate of Eligibility outside Japan, bring it with you to Japan, and then change status in Japan. While this is usually possible, it is best to get the visa before you come. If you do bring it with you, do not show it to the immigration office as they will probably refuse you entry to the country.

Ryugaku visa

The Ryugaku visa is similar to the Shugaku visa, but is only for study at a University. Application is through a university, and is usually for start in April each year (requirements for application vary between universities but you should begin thinking about the application 9 months to one year before the start of the course.

Generally, you will have no trouble getting the ryugaku visa once you have the support of the university, but of course it will depend on the university and your nationality. Sometimes you may be asked for a guarantor.

Guarantors

A guarantor is a person who lives and works in Japan who agrees to be legally and morally responsible for you while you are in the country. Since the legal responsibilities are quite extensive, you should try to find someone you know well. Not all nationalities require a guarantor, but contact your nearest Japanese Embassy for complete information.

A guarantor must be employed full time with a contract that covers at least the period that you will be in the country; they can be Japanese or foreign, as long as their period of residence is longer than your planned stay in Japan. They should also be able to convince the language school/university/immigration office that they have sufficient disposable income to support your stay in Japan if they are required to do so. Effectively, the guarantor becomes responsible if you are in financial difficulty or if you break the law.

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