If you wish to obtain a college student visa (Ryugaku visa), we can help you by applying for a Certificate of Eligibility (the document needed to obtain a visa) to the Immigration Bureau on your behalf. Please apply for the visa through your guardian who lives in Japan.
Studying the Japanese language for a relatively long time
In principle, if you coming to Japan for the purpose of studying the Japanese language for 6 months or longer, you need a college student visa (Ryugaku visa).
College Student Visa (Ryugaku visa)
A college student visa is issued to those who intend to enroll for the Japanese Comprehensive or the University Prep. Courses for the period of one year or more. Those who wish to enter higher education or vocational schools in Japan also study under the college student visa. Usually, the validity of this visa is 12 months or 24 months. It can be extended only up to 24 months in total.
Requirements for Visa Extension
One of the requirements to extend the validity period of your college student visa is that your attendance to your course must be 90% or higher (for visa extension, our school is required to submit a report indicating your attendance in accordance with law).
Extra-status-of-residence activities (part time jobs)
Students with a college student visa can take a part-time job for up to 28 hours per week by applying for and obtaining the “permission to engage in extra-status-of-residence activities”. Please note that, to actually receive the permission, it takes two to four weeks from the time you submit your application.
Studying the Japanese Language with a Short Stay
Tourist visa
The validity of a tourist (short stay) visa is 3 months or 90 days. If your country has reciprocal visa exemption arrangements with Japan, a tourist visa is issued upon your arrival in Japan. Please contact your nearest consulate for more information. You are not allowed to work or conduct business on a tourist visa.
Studying the Japanese Language on Other Types of Visa
Our school has students who are living in Japan on a working visa or a working holiday visa, which they have obtained for the purpose of other than studying abroad.
Working visa
Even if you are working full time in Japan with a diplomatic or other type of visa, you can enroll in our school. Select a course that suits your schedule (you can take the Comprehensive Course or University Prep. Course). Please note that we do not apply for a working visa on your behalf. Also note you need to change the type of your visa to a college student visa if you intend to quit your current job to enroll in our school.
Working holiday visa
If you are a citizen of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, France, Germany or UK and are under 30 years old, you are eligible to apply for a working holiday visa. This visa allows you to work and study in Japan for up to one year. Some of the countries listed above may permit an extension of your working holiday visa from 6 to 12 months, though this is not always possible. You can apply for a working holiday visa in your own country only. In case you wish to continue studying at our school after the expiration of your working holiday visa, please consult us in good time before the expiration date.
Steps to obtain a visa
Reciprocal Visa Exemption Arrangements
Japan has reciprocal visa exemption arrangements with many countries. Please refer to the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan for countries that have concluded reciprocal visa exemption arrangements with Japan. The maximum duration of stay in Japan with a tourist visa depends on the nationality of the visitor.
Even if you are a citizen of a country that has reciprocal visa exemption arrangements with Japan, there are cases where it is desirable to apply for a tourist visa before entering Japan. Please contact your nearest Japanese embassy or consulate for more details.
Please note that many airlines will not permit boarding of individuals with only a one-way ticket to Japan, even if their nationality is of a country that has the exemption arrangements with Japan (except for a case when a stamp for a student visa, etc. has been printed on their passport).
