A college student visa is the first important step to clear when seeking to study in Japan. To obtain a visa, it is essential to obtain admission from a Japanese school and to prepare the necessary documents. The application process and conditions vary depending on nationality and length of stay, so it is important to have a correct and up-to-date understanding of the latest information. This article provides an overview of the Japanese college student visa, application procedures, and key points for obtaining a visa in an easy-to-understand manner to help you start your studies in Japan with peace of mind.
What is residence permit "College Student"?
This is one of the "status of residence" that foreign nationals who stay in Japan to study at an educational institution obtain and is called a "college student visa. This status of residence is required for foreigners staying in Japan for the purpose of enrolling in and studying at Japanese universities, vocational schools, Japanese language schools, and other educational institutions.
Eligible Educational Institutions
- University (undergraduate and graduate)
- vocational school
- technical college
- Japanese language school
- Other educational institutions (e.g., high schools)
Difference between a College Student visa and a Temporary Visitor visa
It is possible to study in Japan without officially "studying abroad," for example, at a Japanese language school for less than three months or at a summer course for cultural experience at a university. For example, you may study in Japan for a short period of time as part of a program at an overseas university,Within 90 daysA short-stay visa may be used if the stay is for Let's compare a college student visa and a temporary visitor visa.
college student visa
- Objective:Long-term study in JapanThe purpose of this visa is to This visa is for students to enroll in a university, vocational school, Japanese language school, etc., and formally pursue their studies.
- Length of Stay:6 months, 1 year, 1 year and 3 months, 2 years, 3 yearsLong-term stays are available for academic purposes, such as The period of stay can be extended if necessary.
- Restrictions on residency activities:The goal is to focus on academics, though,Permission to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residenceto work part-time up to 28 hours per week (up to 40 hours per week may be allowed during long vacations).
- Application Process:The educational institution that has granted admission to the school is required by the Immigration and Naturalization Service to "submit aCertificate of Eligibility (COE)The applicant will obtain a "COE". With this COE, the applicant applies for a visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate.
- Primary use:at universities, vocational schools, Japanese language schools, etc.long-term learningStudents who intend to
Temporary Visa
- Objective:To JapanThe purpose of the visit is for a short period of time,Usually issued for tourism, business, visiting relatives, or to participate in short-term training or workshops. 3 months or less is the basic length of stay.
- Length of Stay:Within 15, 30, and 90 daysA short stay of up to 3 months is permitted, and as a general rule, no extensions are allowed.
- Restrictions on residency activities:No work of any kind is permitted. Activities that involve remuneration cannot be performed, as they are intended for sightseeing or short visits.
- Application Process:A "Certificate of Eligibility (COE)" is not required, and the applicant applies for a visa directly at the Japanese embassy or consulate. Many countries allow visa-free entry for short-term stays of 90 days or less, but certain nationalities require visa applications.
- Primary use:Sightseeing, business meetings, visiting relatives, participating in short-term trainings and workshops, etc,Short-term non-work activitiesVisitors who intend to
International Students
(Source:Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Survey of Foreign Student Enrollment)
The number of foreign students in Japan has been on the rise since 2014, but declined temporarily due to the new coronavirus in 2020. It then began to increase again from 2022.
Visa Application Requirementsand procedures, and points to note
Requirements for applying for a college student visa
college student visaThere are several requirements that must be met in order to apply for a visa.
- Admission from accredited institutions： You must obtain an official admission letter from a Japanese university, vocational school, or Japanese language school. This letter of admission is an important document for visa application.
- Certificate of Eligibility (COE)The COE is a document required for the application for a college student visa, which will authorize the student's status of residence in Japan.
- Valid passport： A passport is required when applying for a visa. Please make sure that it is valid for a sufficient period of time.
- Proof of sufficient funds： Proof of bank account balance, proof of scholarship, or proof of support by a guarantor is required to show that you have the ability to cover your tuition and living expenses in Japan. The specific amount varies depending on the educational institution and region, but in general, proof of finances above a certain amount is required.
- health certificate： In some cases, a medical certificate may be required. This may include, among other things, test results for infectious diseases.
- Photo for visa applicationPhotographs of the specified size and standard are required. Normally, a passport size photo is required.
- visa application form： Fill out a visa application form available at any Japanese embassy or consulate.
- credentials： A certificate of final education or transcripts may be required as a basis for admission from an educational institution.
- Accommodation information during your stay in Japan： You may be asked to provide information about your place of stay and proof that your accommodations have been arranged.
Application Procedures
The process for foreigners applying for a college student visa varies from country to country, but the general process is as follows.
Apply for admission to the educational institution (university, vocational school, language school, etc.) where you will study and receive a letter of acceptance. This notification will be part of the documents required for your visa application.
If you wish to study in Japan, you must obtain a "Certificate of Eligibility" before applying for a visa. This is issued by the Immigration Bureau in Japan and certifies a foreigner's eligibility to stay in Japan for an extended period of time.
- The host school, study abroad mediation agency, or administrative scrivener will often serve as the agent for the application.
- Required documents include a letter of acceptance, a copy of your passport, proof of financial ability (e.g., bank balance certificate), and proof of education and background.
- The Immigration Bureau will conduct an examination, and if the examination is passed, a Certificate of Eligibility will be issued.
Once the Certificate of Eligibility is issued, the next step is to apply for a college student visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate. The following documents are required to apply for a visa
- passport
- Visa application form (downloadable from the embassy or consulate website)
- photograph for passports, ID cards, etc. (usu. 4x3cm)
- Certificate of Eligibility for Resident Status
- Letter of admission (notification of acceptance)
Once your visa application is received, it usually takes one to two weeks to be processed. If the examination is successful, a student visa will be issued and affixed to your passport.
Once your visa is issued, you may travel to Japan. Upon arrival in Japan, you will go through immigration inspection at the airport and will be issued a "Residence Card" (except for some foreign students under 16 years of age). This card will serve as your identification card in Japan.
- resident registrationResidents must register at the municipal office and report their address.
- Enrollment in National Health InsuranceIf you stay in Japan for an extended period of time, you will be required to enroll in the National Health Insurance program.
Time and timeline for application
Time required for visa applicationwill vary depending on the type of visa and the applicant's circumstances, but the following are some general guidelines.
Time required to apply for a student visa
- Certificate of Eligibility (COE):
- 1-3 months: Japanese educational institutions to the Immigration BureauCertificate of Eligibility for Resident Status(COE) to apply for and obtain the COE. The speed of the process varies from institution to institution, but usually takes 1-3 months.
- 1-3 months: Japanese educational institutions to the Immigration BureauCertificate of Eligibility for Resident Status(COE) to apply for and obtain the COE. The speed of the process varies from institution to institution, but usually takes 1-3 months.
- Visa Application Procedures:
- 1 to 2 weeks:Certificate of Eligibility for Resident Status(COE) and then apply for a visa at the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate. Processing a visa application usually takes one to two weeks, but may take a little longer during peak application periods or when additional documents are required.
important point
- Request for additional documentationIt is important to have all necessary documents in order before applying for a visa, as you may be asked for additional documents during the visa application process.
- Timing of ApplicationVisa: It is advisable to plan ahead when applying for a visa. Especially in the case of a student visa,Certificate of Eligibility for Resident Status(COE), it is recommended that you begin the application process several months before you plan to start your studies, as it takes time to obtain the COE, apply for the visa, and have the visa issued.
- Busy season for applicationsFor example, during the entrance season of Japanese universities and long vacation periods, the application process may take a long time due to the high volume of applications.
- Proof of financial capabilityProof of bank balance and a letter of support from your sponsor are required to prove that you have the ability to pay for your living expenses and tuition in Japan.
- Visa ExtensionIf you wish to extend your period of stay in Japan, you must apply for an extension before your period of stay expires.
When applying for a visa, it is important to prepare with a sufficient schedule and check the official website of the Japanese embassy or consulate for the latest information and required documents.
Working on a college student visa
There are certain conditions and restrictions for international students to work in Japan while holding a college student visa. Since a college student visa is basically a permission to stay in Japan for the purpose of "study," it is necessary to apply for "Engaging in activities other than those permitted under the status of residence" in order to work part-time. If you receive permission, you may be allowed to work, including part-time jobs in some cases.
If you work part-time without "Permission to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence," you will be considered to be working illegally and will be subject to penalties of up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 3 million yen, or both. In this case, the employer is also subject to penalties, so please be careful. Furthermore, if a foreign student is found to be working illegally, his/her residence permit may be revoked.
Work Permit Conditions
In order for international students to work in Japan, such as part-time jobs, they must follow the procedures according to the following conditions.
1. Application for Permission to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence
In principle, work is not permitted with a college student visa, but by obtaining "permission to engage in activities other than those permitted under the status of residence," it is possible to work within a certain scope, such as part-time work. In order to ensure that you obtain this permission, please contact a specialist such as an administrative scrivener.
Procedures
- Place of applicationThe application can be made at: immigration checkpoints at the airport or at the nearest immigration office during your stay in the country.
- necessary documentsThe following documents are required: Residence card, passport, and application form.
- Examination period: Usually, permits are granted within a few days to a few weeks.
2. Limitations on working hours
Even with a Permit to Engage in Activity other than that permitted under the Status of Residence, international students are subject to restrictions on the number of hours they may work. It is very important to observe these restrictions.
- Weekdays and during class periodsThe maximum number of hours of work allowed per week is 28.
- During long vacations (summer vacation, winter vacation, etc.)The maximum number of hours worked per day is 8 hours, and the maximum number of hours worked per week is 40 hours.
3. Positions not permitted
Even if an international student receives a work permit, he/she is not allowed to work in some occupations. In particular, the following occupations are strictly regulated.
- Work related to adult entertainment business (nightclubs, casinos, pachinko parlors, bars, cabarets, etc.)
- Work that would involve illegal activities.
Expiration of Permit to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence
The permission to engage in an activity other than that permitted under the status of residence is linked to the period of stay and is valid until the expiration date of the resident card. When you renew your period of stay, you must also reapply for the Permit to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence.
Employment after completion of study abroad
If you wish to find a job in Japan after completing your studies, you will need to change your visa status from a college student visa to a "work visa. To obtain a work visa, you must receive a job offer or an offer from an employer.
It is important for international students to comply with the above rules and procedures when working part-time in Japan.
summary
How was it?
The status of residence "College Student" is a visa for foreigners to study at educational institutions (universities, vocational schools, language schools, etc.) in Japan. Japan is a popular destination for foreign students because of its low cost of living and high level of education compared to other countries. It is also possible to switch to a work visa after graduating from a school with a college student visa and continue working in Japan.
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