Application Processes for Study in Japan

School or University

First you will have to select your institution. If you want to study at University, consider whether you want to study in English or Japanese (your only options). If English, then you will be limited in the universities you can apply to. If Japanese, then you can apply to any university - but in both cases, if not a native speaker, you will be required to show proof of your language ability (TOEFL, TOEIC for English; JLPT or the new General Examination for Foreigners for Japanese).

Applications are generally tied to visa start dates (allow six to nine months before the start date of the visa for the process) or course starts. For short-term studies (on a tourist visa) you should be able to get the visa more quickly and can leave it later, but for any other studies you should begin planning six to nine months in advance. Visas and courses are on a quota system for many institutions, and once full/past the deadline, you might have to wait another year for your next opportunity.

Schools will send you application kits to complete; return these well before deadlines so that you have time to correct errors/missing information. The forms you complete will also include those for the visa - you cannot apply for this directly.

Visas

The most important thing that you need to arrange is your visa before you come to Japan. Without this you cannot enter Japan unless your country has an exchange agreement with Japan (see the Visa Guide for complete details). Your choice of visa will be limited by your purpose in Japan.

You will have to apply for the visa through a language school (shugaku visa), university (ryugaku visa) or a cultural organisation of some kind (cultural activities visa). You will need to meet the deadlines for application.

When your application for the visa is approved, you will usually have to pay tuition fees in advance to get the documents you need from the university or school. Take these to the Japanese Embassy in your home country (unless you are from an OECD country, in which case you can generally go to the nearest Japanese Embassy). You will be issued your visa there, and you can then come to Japan.

Living in Japan

Life in Japan is very easy and comfortable. It is possible to get by without any Japanese at all, although outside of major cities this would be more difficult. Particularly for the short-term student, this means that even absolute beginners can come to Japan and enjoy the experience. Accommodation can be the biggest problem of all if your school or university does not provide you with something. The main problem is that you will generally need a guarantor to rent accommodation. If at all possible, try to arrange accommodation before you leave, either through the school or university, or speak to friends in Japan for more information. Read the accommodation page in the Japan Guide for more information.

Work

If you are planning to work in Japan, then you require either the work visa or permission to work on another visa. Not all visas allow you to work. Unless it is a full-time job, you will generally not be able to arrange work outside Japan. Full-time positions are often arranged before moving to Japan, and the company will then take care of all the paperwork. See the Japan Guide for more information regarding work.