Student Visa in Japan: How to Apply

Introduction

Japan’s Student visa (Status of Residence: “Student”) lets you stay in Japan for the main purpose of studying at a school or university. It is your legal base for:

going to language school, vocational school, college, or university,
living in Japan for more than 90 days, and
sometimes working part-time within strict limits.

In this guide, we will walk through:

what the Student Status of Residence actually is,
who can get it,
how to apply step-by-step (from outside and inside Japan),
what documents you and your school need,
rules for part-time jobs (the 28 hours rule), and
what happens at graduation (renewal and change to a work visa).

💡 If you mix “study” and “work” without understanding the rules, you can easily break immigration law without noticing. This article focuses on the real-life points you need to know.

Important:

In Japan, a “visa” is only for entering the country.
The permission that actually lets you study or work is your Status of Residence.
In this article, we use “Student visa” for convenience, but the correct legal term is Student Status of Residence.

What Is the Student Status of Residence?

In Japan, you don’t just have a “visa” – you have a Status of Residence that defines what you can do.

“Student” status is for people who study at an approved institution in Japan.
It covers language schools, vocational schools, junior colleges, universities, and graduate schools.
It is granted only for studying, so by default it does not allow work.

If you want to work part-time, you must get separate permission called:

work permit (資格外活動許可)

This permission lets you work within strict limits, explained later in the article.

Who Is the Student Visa For? (Eligibility)

The Student status is generally for people who:

have been accepted by a school in Japan (language school, vocational school, university, etc.),
can pay tuition and living costs (or have a sponsor who can),
have a study plan that makes sense, and
have no serious criminal record.

In practice, immigration and the school will check:

Your admission letter
Your financial capacity (bank statements, sponsor letters, scholarships)
Your academic background and study plan
Whether your purpose is truly study, not work

💡 Schools that regularly host international students usually guide you step-by-step through document preparation.

How to Apply (Step-by-Step)

There are two main application routes:

Route A: From outside Japan (standard CoE route)
Route B: Inside Japan (change to Student status)

Route A — Applying from Outside Japan (with CoE)

Most students apply from abroad using a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE).

Step 1 — Get accepted by a school
You apply to a Japanese school and receive an admission letter.

Step 2 — Submit documents to the school
The school asks for:

passport copy
photos
financial documents
application forms
academic records, CV, etc.

Step 3 — School applies for your CoE
The school submits your CoE application to the immigration office.

Step 4 — CoE is issued and sent to you
Processing time is usually 1–3 months.

Step 5 — Apply for a Student visa at the embassy
Bring the CoE, passport, photo, and visa application form.

Step 6 — Enter Japan and receive your Residence Card

Step 7 — Register your new address within 14 days.

Route B — Changing Status to Student Inside Japan

If you are already in Japan (e.g., temporary visitor), you can:

Apply to a school
Prepare financial documents
Apply for Change of Status of Residence at your local immigration office

Immigration checks the purpose of stay, your financial stability, and your study plan.

Not every case is approved.

Required Documents

From you (the student)

Passport
Visa application form (if applying at embassy)
Photos
Admission letter
Financial proof
Academic records
CV or study plan (depending on school)

From the school / sponsor in Japan

CoE application
School registration documents
Course description and schedule
Any extra documents immigration requests

💡 Most schools prepare the immigration-side paperwork for you.

Period of Stay, Renewal & Maximum Duration

Typical periods of stay

Common lengths:

6 months
1 year
1 year 3 months
2 years

Universities often issue an initial 2-year period or match your course duration.

Extending Student status

You apply at the immigration office, usually within 3 months before your expiry.

Immigration checks:

attendance
grades
financial stability
part-time work compliance

Poor attendance or repeated failures can result in refusal.

Working Part-Time on a Student Visa (28-Hour Rule)

You must get permission first

Student status does not allow work by itself.
You need a work permit (資格外活動許可).

Limits

With permission:

Up to 28 hours per week during the school term
Up to 8 hours per day during long vacations
Hours across all jobs combined
Overtime also counts toward the 28-hour limit

Prohibited work

You cannot:

work in adult entertainment-related industries
work without a permit
exceed the hourly limits
work after withdrawal or long absence from school

Violations can lead to deportation or refusal of future visas.

After Graduation: Renewal, Change of Status & Job Hunting

When you graduate, your Student activity ends.

Your options:

Leave Japan
Change to a work status
Apply for “Designated Activities (job-hunting)” if your school supports it

💡 Note:
You cannot move from Student status to the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP).
TITP requires sending organizations in your home country and cannot be joined from within Japan.

Changing from Student to a work visa (overview)

To work full-time:

Secure a job offer
Prepare documents (you + employer)
Apply for Change of Status of Residence

Common Mistakes (to Avoid)

Treating the Student visa as a work visa
Working without permission
Exceeding 28 hours
Poor attendance or academic performance
Missing your visa expiration date
Changing schools without proper procedures

FAQ

Q1. Can I work part-time with a Student visa?
Yes—if you have a work permit (資格外活動許可) and follow the hour limits.

Q2. Can I change schools?
Possible, but you must follow formal procedures and ensure your status still matches your activity.

Q3. What if I fail many classes?
Extensions may be refused; in serious cases, your status may be cancelled.

Q4. How long can I stay after graduation?
Until your current period expires—unless you change status or apply for job-hunting status.

Q5. Does Student status count toward Permanent Residence?
It helps show residence history but does not satisfy the “5 years under work/residence status” requirement by itself.

Conclusion

The Student visa is your foundation for studying and living in Japan long-term.
If you:

prioritize study,
manage part-time work correctly,
maintain good attendance and grades,
plan early for graduation,

you can avoid most immigration problems and move smoothly toward future goals.

👉 Back to: Visa & Residency in Japan: A Complete Guide

Note: This article is written for foreigners living in Japan or planning to move to Japan. Conditions and requirements may vary depending on individual circumstances.