Studying in Japan
- pre_applicationMandatory
Certificate of Eligibility (COE) — the SCHOOL applies, not the student
⚠ THE SEQUENCE STUDENTS MISS. Before a student visa can be issued, a Certificate of Eligibility must be obtained from a Japanese regional immigration bureau — and it is applied for IN JAPAN, in practice by the accepting school acting as the student's proxy. A student abroad cannot obtain it alone. The official standard processing period is one to three months and there is no fee. No COE means no visa, whatever the offer says.
- Takes
- 90d
- Costs
- JPY 0
- When
- after_offer
www.studyinjapan.go.jp · 2026-08-17 · Immigration Services Agency of Japan
標準処理期間 １か月～３か月 ／ 手数料はかかりません。 — and on the proxy point: 'An international student wishing to study in Japan or his/her proxy (for example, a family member of the student or an employee of the school accepting the student) will first apply for an authorized COE at a regional immigration services burea
- pre_applicationMandatory
Certificate of Eligibility (CoE)
A student visa cannot be issued until a Certificate of Eligibility is obtained from a regional immigration bureau in Japan, usually by the accepting school as proxy.
- When
- before_travel
www.studyinjapan.go.jp · 2026-08-17 · Immigration Services Agency of Japan
An international student wishing to study in Japan or his/her proxy (for example, a family member of the student or an employee of the school accepting the student) will first apply for an authorized COE at a regional immigration services bureau in Japan. In most cases, the school accepting the inte
- visaMandatory
Student visa at a Japanese embassy — a SECOND step after the COE
The COE is not the visa. With the COE in hand the student applies separately for the Student visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate in their home country, submitting the original COE as the core supporting document.
- When
- before_travel
www.studyinjapan.go.jp · 2026-08-17 · Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Passport, Visa application form, Photographs, Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
- financial_proofMandatory
Financial proof for CoE and visa
Evidence of ability to pay all expenses during the stay is required, including a sponsor's savings balance certificate and a year of income documentation.
- When
- before_travel
www.studyinjapan.go.jp · 2026-08-17 · Immigration Services Agency of Japan
Financial sponsor's (the person wishing to study in Japan or their guarantor) savings balance certificate, income certificate covering the past year, documentation identifying sources of funds, etc.
- financial_proofMandatory
Ability to meet expenses — NO published national figure
Ability to cover study and living costs is assessed during the COE application, but Japan publishes no national threshold. The only official number is JASSO's MEASURED average student expenditure of 105,000 yen per month, which is a survey result, not a visa requirement, and is recorded here as a planning benchmark only.
- When
- after_offer
www.studyinjapan.go.jp · 2026-08-17 · Immigration Services Agency of Japan; cost data from JASSO
Total expenditure: 105,000 yen — 2023 Lifestyle Survey of Privately-Financed International Students (JASSO). ⚠ This is a measured AVERAGE, not a threshold; Japan publishes no national financial requirement for the COE.
- healthMandatory
National Health Insurance is COMPULSORY over three months
Any foreign resident staying three months or more must enrol in National Health Insurance. It is not optional and cannot be replaced by private cover. NHI pays 70% of medical costs; premiums are income-assessed and usually low for students.
- When
- after_arrival
www.studyinjapan.go.jp · 2026-08-17 · Municipal government office / Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Foreign residents who will be staying in Japan for three months or more have to subscribe to the National Health Insurance program.
- registrationMandatory
Municipal residence registration within 14 days
After deciding where you will live, you must register at the municipal office covering that address within 14 days. This registration — not the visa — is the gateway to health insurance, a bank account and a phone contract.
- Takes
- 14d
- Costs
- JPY 0
- When
- after_arrival
www.studyinjapan.go.jp · 2026-08-17 · Municipal government office
After you determine where you will live in Japan, please bring your residence card to the municipal office administering your address within 14 days to register as a resident.
- language_certification
NO national Japanese language requirement
CHECKED, NONE EXISTS at country level. Japan sets no national Japanese threshold for a student visa or COE. EJU and JLPT exist, but which test and what score are decided by each university. English-taught programmes may require no Japanese at all.
- When
- before_application
www.studyinjapan.go.jp · 2026-08-17 · MEXT / JASSO — requirement is institution-level
Be sure to check the admissions guidelines of your school of choice and sit for the designated exam.
- work_rights
No automatic right to work — permission needed, then 28 hours a week
A student visa carries NO right to work. Separate permission must be obtained from immigration, after which work is capped at 28 hours per week. Exceeding the cap can end in deportation and refusal of visa renewal, so a student planning to fund living costs by working must budget within 28 hours.
- Costs
- JPY 0
- When
- after_arrival
www.studyinjapan.go.jp · 2026-08-17 · Immigration Services Agency of Japan
Within 28 hours a week