Japanese Student Visa: Language School versus University
Next to the working holiday visa, student visas are popular among people who are keen to stay in Japan for a longer time. Although it does require a somewhat substantial financial investment, it can allow you to stay in Japan for up to four years. In this blog, I want to dive into the two most popular types of student visas, one for language schools and one for universities, as they differ in costs and length of stay.
Language Schools: a good place to start
For everyone who is planning to stay in Japan for a longer time, I’d recommend to learn the language. Not only is it a respectful thing to do when you decide to live in a country that’s not your own. It will also help you out with finding a job or dealing with things like administration.
Language schools are designed to help you build your Japanese skills from the ground up—or refine them to perfection if you’re already at an intermediate or advanced level. The programs are typically flexible, with courses lasting anywhere from a few months to two years, and they often cater to all kinds of goals, whether you’re aiming to pass the JLPT and build a career or just want to be able to have a casual chat with the old lady in your apartment complex.
Let’s start with some basics about the visa:
Maximum of 2 years studying at a language school of your choice
Allowed to work up to 28 hours a week on a side-job
Not every language institution offers visa sponsorship. Usually you need to apply for at least a full year of language school to be able to get sponsored.
Now, finding the right school can feel overwhelming, but there are great resources to make the search easier. For example, I was looking for a school that focuses more on daily and casual conversation, rather than business Japanese. Here are some resources to help you out:
Gaijinpot: Gaijinpot has been a huge help for me to find a school that fits my needs. I told them I was looking for a more casual way of learning, emphasising conversational skills rather than reading and writing. They listened to me, helped me get my documents in order, reminded me of deadlines, and basically made sure I got my visa in time.
Go! Go! Nihon, like Gaijinpot, is a good starting point if you need guidance in finding a suitable school and getting your CoE and visa fixed.
Coto Academy provides smaller, personalised classes, that are very adaptable when it comes to your schedule. Note that they don’t provide student visas, but I wanted to highlight this one in case you already have a visa and need a kickstart for improving your Japanese.
Make use of forums like Reddit to read about the personal experience and reviews from past students—sometimes the best advice comes from those who’ve already been in your shoes.
In short, language schools are a great stepping stone if you’re not quite ready to commit to a full university program but want to experience life in Japan for a year or two.
Universities: Beyond the Language Barrier
For those ready to pursue a degree, Japanese universities form a great way to stay in Japan and work on your education at the same time. Unlike language schools, universities are long-term commitments. You’ll typically spend four years in an undergraduate program or two to three years for a graduate degree. The great news? Many universities in Japan offer English-taught programs, so you don’t need perfect Japanese skills to enroll. However, I would recommend getting familiar with Japanese basics to not completely feel lost when you arrive at your university.
Some of the best options include:
Waseda University (ideal for business and global studies),
The University of Tokyo (perfect for engineering or science programs),
Kyoto University (a hub for research and innovation),
Sophia University (known for its liberal arts and international relations programs).
There’s a program for just about every interest, so take some time to research what suits you best. A great resource for this is the Japan Study Support website, where you can search for programs by field, location, and language of instruction.
How to Get a Student Visa
Now for the practical stuff: how do you actually get a student visa? It’s simpler than you might think—though it does require some patience. Normally, the school will help you out with your Certificate of Eligibility once you have handed them all the required documents. Once they provide you with the CoE, the only thing you have to do is obtain your visa.
Good to know is that, if you’re currently on a working holiday or tourist visa, you will have to go back to your home country to switch to a student visa. I had to find that out the hard way and had to book a last-minute flight back to Europe for a week, just to obtain my visa. So be warned!
Here’s how it goes:
Apply to a School or University:
Get in touch with a party like Gaijinpot or GoGoNihon (or directly with your language school of choice) for applying for a language school. If you’re applying for a university, you’ll need to get accepted to a program first. Once that’s done, your school will issue you a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), which is essentially the golden ticket for your visa application.Apply for the Visa:
With your COE in hand, head to your nearest Japanese embassy or consulate. You’ll need to submit your COE, a completed visa application form, your passport, and proof that you can financially support yourself during your stay (like a bank statement or sponsorship letter).Arrival in Japan:
After landing in Japan, you’ll receive a Residence Card at immigration. Congratulations, you’re officially a resident!
What You Can Do on a Student Visa
One of the perks of being on a student visa is that it allows you to work part-time—up to 28 hours a week during school terms. This is great for covering living expenses or saving for travel while staying on top of your studies.
But keep in mind: the primary purpose of your visa is to study, so make sure you don’t overwork yourself. Balancing a part-time job and school life is not for the faint-hearted! I am still learning to juggle my school life, work life, social life, and self care all at once, and I still have a mental breakdown approximately once a month.
Another thing to note is that student visa holders are required to enroll in National Health Insurance (NHI), which will cover 70% of your medical costs. It’s a lifesaver when you need to visit a doctor or buy prescription medications.
Language School vs. University: Which One’s for You?
Choosing between a language school and a university mainly depends on your goals. Want to build a life in Japan on the long term and be able to speak and understand the language? A language school is your best bet. Already have some Japanese under your sleeve and ready to commit to a degree? Then a university program might be the better choice.
Studying in Japan isn’t just about the classroom; it’s about discovering yourself in a whole new environment and exploring all the nooks and crannies of Japanese culture. Whether you’re crying over your kanji homework in a language school or spend all your free time in a local coffeeshop researching your thesis at a top university, the student visa gives you the chance to experience both the good and the bad sides of Japan.