It is best to obtain a proper visa for study in Japan. Go through this article to get all information on acquiring student visa for Japan.

Student Visa for Japan

High degree of scientific technology, academic theory work, and everyday advanced basic and applied research come involuntarily to this destination. The second largest economy in the world, Japan has plenty of high points to boast of, apart from the diverse culture, forested mountains, surprising climate, and industry uniqueness. The drastic increase in commercialization and industrialization in Japan has led its way to setting up some of the most distinguished and prestigious universities, renowned for high-quality education, advanced technology, up-to-the-minute knowledge, and precision. So, if high-tech skills and lifetime experience of learning is what you’ve been yearning for, then Japan is your one-stop destination of education and scholarship. Japan offers a diverse range of visas for students planning to pursue higher studies, based on the course, duration of the course, and the nationality of the applicant. Glance through the sections below to know the types of Japanese visa and the procedure to obtaining one for pursuing higher education.
 
Who Requires a Visa?
  • Depending upon the nationality of the student and the duration of the course, a student visa may or may not be required for study in Japan.
  • Nationals of Austria, Germany, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and Mexico do not require visa for stays up to 6 months.
  • Students belonging to Singapore, Republic of Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao, Canada, USA, Argentina, Bahamas, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Suriname, Uruguay, Barbados, Bulgaria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Andorra, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Monaco, Poland, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Turkey, Lesotho, Mauritius, and Tunisia do not have to get a student visa issued if the stay is for 90 days or less.
  • Visas are highly recommended for students belonging to Malaysia and Peru.
 
Types of Visa Issued
 
  • College Student Visa: This visa entitles you to study in Japan at a college/university and shows that you have secured admission in a sponsoring educational institution. College student visa is issued for one year or two years. But it will be valid initially for one year, which has to be renewed every year.
  • Pre-College Student Visa: Students, who have acquired admission in an educational institution in a study program below college/university level, are issued a pre-college student visa, valid for duration between six months and one year. The students are allowed to study at high school, vocational school, or other equivalent levels of education.
  • Temporary Visitor Visa: Students, who have applied for, summer programs, short-tem courses, or a language course, lasting for not more than 3 months, are issued the temporary visitor visa, or tourist visa.
 
Documentation Required
 
  • Five passport size photographs, taken not later than six months of applying
  • Two completed visa application forms, available at the embassy or consulate
  • Certificate of Eligibility, issued by the Ministry of Justice in Japan
  • Graduation diploma or certificate of graduation from the last school
  • Academic transcripts from the last school or college attended
  • Copy of certificate of admission/acceptance from the educational institution where the student intends to pursue his studies
  • Financial documents to certify that the student can defray all the expenses incurred during the whole stay in Japan
  • Photocopy of the passport pages showing the photo, name, and other personal details
 
Cost and Time Required

The duration of the application is relatively short as compared to the months’ long procedure followed by most countries of the West. It takes about 5 working days from the visa application to the issuance of the visa. However, in cases where the applications require approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (e.g. applications for work or study visas which are not accompanied by a Certificate of Eligibility), it can take about two to three months or even longer. Hence, keep plenty of time in hand to manage such situations. The fees for obtaining a Japanese visa differ from nationality to nationality, though it costs about Yen 3000. Contact the Japanese embassy or consulate for detailed information on the same. Based on the nationality and the course duration, students are issued a one-year visa, which can be extended after arriving in Japan, until the completion of your course.


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