Japan Student Visa (2027): Requirements, Proof of Funds, Fee, Processing Time

What you need

The process has two stages. First, the Certificate of Eligibility (COE), applied for in Japan (usually by the accepting university acting as proxy) at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau with jurisdiction over the school: a COE application form, a photograph, proof of admission, and a statement of ability to pay (keihi shiben-sho) prepared mainly by the school or the student's financial sponsor rather than one fixed amount, plus a scholarship certificate if applicable. There is no fee for the COE application itself. Second, once the COE is issued (valid for three months from issue), the student presents it, the original or a copy, at a Japanese embassy or consulate abroad to apply for the actual visa: a completed visa application form, a passport, a photograph, and the COE.

Only a legal spouse or child can apply for an accompanying Dependent visa, sponsored by the student; this is generally not available to students who are themselves enrolled only at a Japanese-language school or other non-degree vocational course.

How to apply

1. Secure admission to a Japanese university or programme.
2. Ask the university's international office to apply for your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) at its Regional Immigration Services Bureau; this step is free and the Immigration Services Agency states it typically takes one to three months.
3. Once issued, receive the COE from the university (it is valid for three months from the date of issue).
4. Apply for the General visa (Student) at the Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country, presenting the COE, your passport and a completed application form, and pay the visa fee: JPY 15,000 for a single-entry visa or JPY 30,000 for a multiple-entry visa, the rate in effect since these fees increased fivefold on 1 July 2026 (previously JPY 3,000 and JPY 6,000).
5. Enter Japan within the COE's three-month validity window.
6. After arrival, apply at your local immigration office for permission to work part time if you plan to (capped at 28 hours a week in term time, up to 40 hours a week during long vacations), and register your residence address.

Why applications are refused

A Certificate of Eligibility application can be refused if the immigration bureau is not satisfied the applicant can financially support the stay, if the accepting institution or programme does not meet the bureau's own conditions, or if submitted documents are incomplete or inconsistent. A subsequent visa application can separately be refused if the passport, photograph or form do not meet the embassy's requirements, even with a valid COE in hand.