Index

Author: Edutraveller
Date written: 2003/05/22 22:33:08
Last edited: 2003/05/25 16:53:22
Keywords: Japanese visas, Visas for Japan, Shugaku visa, Ryugaku visa, Visas for study in Japan

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What's new in this section:
2003/05/23 00:19:26: Immigration Offices And Deadlines

Visas for study and travel in Japan

By special arrangement, we will be bringing you the reknowned Education Japan visa guide in this section soon. This top page contains roughly the same content as the visa page in the Education section, but introduces some new material as well. See below for important information about deadlines for applications.

Visas for study in Japan

The basic visa that most language schools issue is the shugaku (pre-college student) visa. This visa is for study at a language school or other institution than a university, and allows the bearer to stay in Japan for up to two years. In most cases, the initial visa is for between six and twelve months, but depending on your study at school and the school's relationship with the Immigration Office, this may be extended to a maximum of two years.

The other visa you may have issued for studying Japanese in Japan is the ryugaku (university student) visa. This is issued not only by Japanese universities, but by certain language schools for courses that lead to study at a Japanese university. If you take one of these courses, you will also be required by law to study a certain number of English, mathematics and history classes in preparation for the entrance examination.

The other option is of course the tourist visa, that is much easier to get - but does not allow you to work part time (you may work up to 28 hours per week on the ryugaku and shugaku visas, provided you apply for the permission to do so beforehand). For short term courses, the tourist visa is ideal.

Another handy option for nationals of some countries is the Working Holiday visa. If you hold a passport from Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Canada, France, Germany or the UK, you can apply for a working holiday visa. This allows you to study or work as you wish in Japan.

Deadlines

A little-known fact is that the deadlines for application for shugaku visas varies around the country. The actual date varies from year to year and area to area, at the whim of the Immigration Office in charge of that area. For full details, see the Immigration Office page.

If you are told by a school in Tokyo that they are not accepting applications any more, because the deadline has passed, do not despair. The schools in the Nagoya region may still be accepting applications, as may those in other areas too. A little flexibility and you may still be able to make that deadline after all - if you are not sure, contact us.

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