Student visa for Japan

Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) — you are abroad and enrolling at a language school

For a language school the school usually files the CoE application: a staff member takes your file to the immigration bureau. You collect the documents, the school checks and files them. Under ISA rules you can also file yourself if you are in Japan, or through an administrative scrivener (行政書士). With the CoE you apply for the visa at a Japanese embassy, consulate or visa center and enter Japan within 3 months.

Files open from the website of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA). Forms are in Japanese and English; links checked 6 Oct 2026.

These lists are for language schools (日本語教育機関). Universities, vocational colleges (専門学校) and other schools use their own ISA checklists.

Documents

1. Application for a Certificate of Eligibility 在留資格認定証明書交付申請書The school fills in part of the form. Read ISA’s notes before you start.ISA notes · PDF
2. Photo, 4 × 3 cm 写真Glued onto the form; you can also print it directly in the photo box.
3. Return envelope with your address and a registered-mail stamp 返信用封筒Needed for paper applications; the CoE can also be issued by e-mail.
4. School form confirming your Japanese level and other conditions 各種確認書The school fills it in: how your Japanese was checked (test or interview) and the result. Not needed for nationals of countries on ISA’s list who graduated from a university outside Japan and attach the diploma.ISA form · Excel
5. Copy of the passport page with your personal details 旅券の身分事項ページの写しPlus pages with additional endorsements, if any.
6. Japanese test certificate 日本語能力に係る資料（試験の証明書）If level A1 is shown with a test: JLPT N5, JFT-Basic A1 and others. If the school checked you in an interview, the result is in the 各種確認書 form.
7. If you are under 18 and will live alone: a school document naming who helps you in daily life 生活上の世話等の体制を確認したことを証する資料Not needed if you live in a dormitory.
8. If you were refused before: an explanation that the reason no longer applies, with documents 処分理由を払拭する説明及び資料
9. Sponsor’s statement of support for tuition and living costs 経費支弁書Class II, No classClass II school: only if your nationality is not on ISA’s list (see “Class II” above).ISA form · PDF
10. Bank balance certificate — original 預金残高証明書（原本）Class II, No classClass II school: only if your nationality is not on ISA’s list (see “Class II” above).
11. Documents showing how the money was saved over the last year 過去１年間の資金形成経緯を明らかにする資料Class II, No classClass II school: only if your nationality is not on ISA’s list. For example, account statements. In our experience a large deposit just before applying raises questions.
12. Proof of relationship to the sponsor 経費支弁者と申請人の関係を立証する資料Class II, No classClass II school: only if your nationality is not on ISA’s list. For example, a birth certificate. Foreign documents need a Japanese translation.
13. Scholarship certificate — if a scholarship pays for your studies 奨学金の給付に関する証明書Class II, No classClass II school: only if your nationality is not on ISA’s list and a scholarship pays for your studies.ISA list · PDF
14. Sponsor’s certificate of employment 経費支弁者の職業を立証する資料No class
15. Proof of the sponsor’s income over the last year 過去１年間の経費支弁者の収入を立証する資料No classFor example, an income certificate from the employer or a tax certificate.
16. Diploma or certificate from your last school 最終学歴の卒業証明書No classIf you graduate this year — a certificate of expected graduation.

Immigration may ask for other documents too. Full list: the ISA checklist above and the status page.

Where to apply

The regional immigration bureau for the school’s location or the student’s future address. Usually the school files.

Fee

Free

Processing time

1–3 months

Online

Yes — through the online residence application system (在留申請オンラインシステム)

Change of status — you live in Japan on another status and enroll at a language school

For example, you hold a Dependent (家族滞在) or a work status. You file yourself before your current status expires, or a school staff member or administrative scrivener (行政書士) files for you. A change from Temporary Visitor (tourist) to Student is allowed only in exceptional cases.

Files open from the website of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA). Forms are in Japanese and English; links checked 6 Oct 2026.

These lists are for language schools (日本語教育機関). From 1 July 2026 Japanese at level A1 must be shown for a change of status too.

Documents

1. Application for change of status of residence 在留資格変更許可申請書ISA notes · PDF
2. Photo, 4 × 3 cm 写真From 14 June 2026 a photo is required for everyone aged 1 and over.
3. Passport and residence card — to show パスポート及び在留カード（提示）
4. School form confirming your Japanese level and other conditions 各種確認書The school fills it in: how your Japanese was checked and the result. Not needed for nationals of countries on ISA’s list who graduated from a university outside Japan and attach the diploma.ISA form · Excel
5. Japanese test certificate 日本語能力に係る資料（試験の証明書）If level A1 is shown with a test: JLPT N5, JFT-Basic A1 and others. If the school checked you in an interview, the result is in the 各種確認書 form.
6. If you are under 18 and will live alone: a school document naming who helps you in daily life 生活上の世話等の体制を確認したことを証する資料Not needed if you live in a dormitory.
7. If you were refused before: an explanation that the reason no longer applies, with documents 処分理由を払拭する説明及び資料
8. Documents about your activity under your current status 申請時の在留資格に該当する活動に関する資料For example, payslips if you hold a work status.
9. Sponsor’s statement of support for tuition and living costs 経費支弁書Class II, No classISA form · PDF
10. Bank balance certificate — original 預金残高証明書（原本）Class II, No class
11. Documents showing how the money was saved over the last year 過去１年間の資金形成経緯を明らかにする資料Class II, No classFor example, account statements. In our experience a large deposit just before applying raises questions.
12. Proof of relationship to the sponsor 経費支弁者と申請人の関係を立証する資料Class II, No classFor example, a birth certificate. Foreign documents need a Japanese translation.
13. Scholarship certificate — if a scholarship pays for your studies 奨学金の給付に関する証明書Class II, No classISA list · PDF
14. Sponsor’s certificate of employment 経費支弁者の職業を立証する資料No class
15. Proof of the sponsor’s income over the last year 過去１年間の経費支弁者の収入を立証する資料No classFor example, an income certificate from the employer or a tax certificate.
16. Diploma or certificate from your last school 最終学歴の卒業証明書No classIf you graduate this year — a certificate of expected graduation.

Immigration may ask for other documents too. Full list: the ISA checklist above and the status page.

Where to apply

The regional immigration bureau for your address

Fee

Paid only after approval. Applications received by 30 September 2026: ¥6,000 (online ¥5,500), even if the decision comes later. Received from 1 October 2026: the fee depends on the period granted — from ¥10,000 (up to 3 months) to ¥75,000 (5 years or more); online is cheaper except for periods up to 3 months. It can be higher if a specified residence card (特定在留カード) is issued with the permission. Full fee table

Processing time

1–2 months

Online

Yes

Extension of the Student status

You file yourself, or a school staff member files for you — no earlier than 3 months before your status expires and no later than its last day. The school issues the enrollment and attendance certificates.

Files open from the website of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA). Forms are in Japanese and English; links checked 6 Oct 2026.

Documents

1. Application for extension of period of stay 在留期間更新許可申請書
2. Photo, 4 × 3 cm 写真
3. Passport and residence card — to show パスポート及び在留カード（提示）
4. Certificate of enrollment; if you move on to another school — the letter of admission 在学証明書（進学予定の場合は入学許可書）
5. Certificates of attendance, grades and graduation 出席証明書・成績証明書・卒業証明書For every school since your last application.
6. School form confirming your Japanese level and other conditions 各種確認書Not needed if you extend at the same school.ISA form · Excel
7. If you have paid your living costs from part-time work for more than a year — local tax certificates 住民税の課税（又は非課税）証明書及び納税証明書From the city office of your address on 1 January. For Class I schools — only if the school interviewed you about your part-time work at your last extension. A copy of your bankbook showing transactions can replace the income certificates.
8. If you have worked part-time for less than a year — copies of your payslips 給与明細書の写しFor Class I schools — only if the school interviewed you about your part-time work at your last extension. A copy of your bankbook showing transactions can replace them.
9. If you started receiving a scholarship after your last application — a scholarship certificate 奨学金の給付に関する証明書
10. If your sponsor has changed — proof of your relationship to the new sponsor 経費支弁者との関係を明らかにする資料
11. Proof of the sponsor’s income 経費支弁者の収入を証明する資料No class
12. If someone else pays your living costs — proof of the money transfers 送金証明書No class
13. Proof of income or assets in your home country 本国での収入又は資産の額を証明する資料No class
14. Form stating who pays your living costs in Japan 滞在費支弁に関する申告書No classISA form · PDF
15. Proof of funds — only in some cases 経費支弁者の収入を証明する資料・送金証明書・滞在費支弁に関する申告書Class I, Class IIFor Class I schools ISA asks for them only if the school interviewed the student about part-time work (資格外活動) at the last extension. For Class II — see the ISA checklist; your school has it.ISA form · PDF
16. If you are under 18, live alone and your situation has changed: a school document naming who helps you in daily life 生活上の世話等の体制を確認したことを証する資料

Immigration may ask for other documents too. Full list: the ISA checklist above and the status page.

Where to apply

The regional immigration bureau for your address

Fee

Paid only after approval. Applications received by 30 September 2026: ¥6,000 (online ¥5,500), even if the decision comes later. Received from 1 October 2026: the fee depends on the period granted — from ¥10,000 (up to 3 months) to ¥75,000 (5 years or more); online is cheaper except for periods up to 3 months. It can be higher if a specified residence card (特定在留カード) is issued with the permission. Full fee table

Processing time

2 weeks – 1 month

Online

Yes