Japan Student Visa 2026 — Universities & Language Schools

Language schools, universities, vocational colleges, and research programs

Japan is a top destination for international students, offering world-class universities, affordable language schools, and unique cultural experiences. The student visa allows you to study full-time while working part-time to support your living expenses.

Visa Categories

🎓

Student

Study at universities, graduate schools, vocational schools, or language schools

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📚

Trainee

Skills training at public or private institutions in Japan

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🎎

Cultural Activities

Unpaid academic or artistic activities, or learning traditional Japanese arts

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Types of Educational Institutions

Japanese Language Schools

Learn Japanese from beginner to advanced. Often a stepping stone to university.

6 months – 2 years

Vocational / Professional Schools

Specialized training in IT, design, cooking, automotive, and more.

1 – 3 years

Universities (Undergraduate)

Bachelor's degree programs. Many offer English-taught courses.

4 years

Graduate Schools

Master's and doctoral programs at top research universities.

2 – 5 years

Junior Colleges

Two-year associate degree programs in various fields.

2 years

Study & Training Paths Compared

Study & Training Paths Compared
	留学 — University / Graduate	留学 — Japanese Language School	研修 (Trainee)	技能実習 (TITP)
Target audience	Students pursuing a Bachelor's, Master's or PhD at a Japanese university	Beginners to intermediate learners preparing for university or employment in Japan	Overseas employees sent by an affiliated company for short skill transfer	Workers from developing countries learning practical skills in 90+ designated job types
Duration	2–5 years (undergrad 4 yrs, grad 2–3 yrs)	6 months – 2 years (hard cap at 2 yrs)	Up to 1 year, non-renewable	Up to 5 years total (phases: 1 + 2 + 2 yrs)
Japanese requirement	JLPT N2+ for Japanese-taught programs; N1 preferred for grad school; many English tracks require none	No minimum to enter; from 2026-04, schools must place students at JLPT N5 or above before issuing a COE	No formal requirement; set by the receiving company	JLPT N5 or equivalent before entry; N4 needed to extend past 3 years
Part-time work	Up to 28 hrs/week during term, 40 hrs/week during official school holidays (with 資格外活動 permission)	Same 28 / 40 hrs rule — but strictly enforced; violations cause refusal on renewal	Not permitted — 研修 is non-working	Not permitted outside the employer — TITP itself is full-time paid training
Annual cost (tuition + living, rough)	¥600k–¥1.5M tuition + ¥1.2M living = ¥1.8M–¥2.7M	¥700k–¥900k tuition + ¥1.2M living = ¥1.9M–¥2.1M	Sponsor / sending company usually covers costs	Paid work — receives a Japanese wage (¥2M+/yr)
Path after completion	Change to 技術・人文知識・国際業務 work visa, or use Job Seeker Visa for up to 1 extra year	Move on to university / vocational school, or secure a work visa	Return to home country; can re-enter later on a work visa	Can transition to 特定技能 (SSW-1) after passing tests; no direct PR path
Latest 2025 / 2026 rules	Stricter financial evidence checks; more English-track programs through MEXT	From 2026-04, JLPT N5 pre-arrival proficiency required; tighter attendance auditing	Narrowed scope — most intra-company training has shifted to ICT or HSP	Being phased out and replaced by 育成就労 (Ikusei Shurou / Employment for Skill Development) from 2027

General Requirements

✓Acceptance letter from a recognized Japanese educational institution
✓Certificate of Eligibility (COE) — applied for by the school
✓Proof of financial ability (approx. ¥2M/year or sponsor letter)
✓12+ years of education (for university) or equivalent
✓Japanese language proficiency (JLPT N5+ for language schools, N2+ for universities)
✓Valid passport with sufficient validity
✓No criminal record

Application Process

Choose a School

Research and apply to Japanese language schools, universities, or vocational colleges

Receive Acceptance

Get an acceptance letter and the school applies for your COE

COE Issued

Immigration bureau issues the Certificate of Eligibility (takes 1–3 months)

Apply for Student Visa

Submit visa application with COE at your local Japanese embassy

Arrive & Register

Enter Japan, get your residence card, and register at city hall

Part-Time Work Permission

Student visa holders can apply for a 'Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted' at the airport or immigration office. This allows up to 28 hours/week of part-time work during school terms and up to 40 hours/week during holidays.

Student Visa — Job Hunting After Graduation

Can I stay in Japan to find a job after graduation?▾

Yes — apply for the Job Seeker Visa, a subcategory of Designated Activities that allows up to 1 year total (in two 6-month blocks) to search for employment. You can work part-time up to 28 hours/week during the job hunt, similar to Student visa rules.

How do I transition from student to work visa?▾

After receiving a job offer, file a Change of Residence Status (在留資格変更) at the Immigration Bureau. You don't need to leave Japan. The most common transition is Student → Engineer/Humanities/International Services. The Job Seeker Visa is an optional bridge if you need extra time to find work. See the job-seeker visa guide for details.

Planning to Study in Japan?

We can help you choose the right school, prepare documents, and navigate the visa process.

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