This information is for orientation only. Always confirm with the Japanese embassy/consulate in your country and the Immigration Services Agency (ISA) before you travel or submit applications.

Bureaucracy roadmap

Admission → CoE (school) → Visa → Entry + Zairyu → Ward office (14 days) → Annual renewals → After graduation

Student checklist — where are you now?

  • Before the CoE: accredited admission, documented funds (often ¥1.5–2.0 million/year or a sponsor), valid passport.
  • Before the visa: original CoE (valid 3 months), embassy application form, required-format photo, bank statements.
  • Within 14 days of arrival: 転入届 at the ward office + NHI enrollment (same counter or linked procedure).
  • Before working (baito): Permission to Engage stamp on your Zairyu card — see the Work guide.
  • Every move: ward office + immigration within 14 days.
  • Before card expiry: permit renewal (¥6,000 fee) with school documents.

MEXT / JASSO scholarship students and language schools

  • MEXT: the school handles the CoE and often initial housing — follow the agency’s instructions; do not improvise entry dates.
  • JASSO: scholarships and student support — keep letters for renewals and bank account setup.
  • Japanese language school (pre-university): same College Student status; mandatory attendance counts toward renewal.
  • Short-term / tourism: you cannot study full-time on a tourist visa — you need the correct status.

Status types for international students

Status / documentUseTypical duration
College Student (学生)University, vocational school, accredited senior high schoolAligned with the course (periodic renewal)
Certificate of Eligibility (CoE)Immigration pre-approval before the visaValid 3 months from issue for visa application
Entry visaEntering JapanSingle or multiple entry — check with the embassy
Residence card (Zairyu)Immigration identity in JapanExpiry date on the card
Designated Activities (特定活動)Post-graduation job search (e.g. job hunting)Up to about 1 year if approved — verify current ISA circular
Working HolidayCountries with bilateral agreement onlyDoes not replace a student visa

Last updated: May 2026 — ISA

Non-EU and EU: same visa process

Japan does not distinguish EU/non-EU for visas: all non-Japanese nationals follow the same status of residence rules.

Steps (from abroad)

  1. Admission — Acceptance letter from an accredited school/university.
  2. CoE — The school applies to ISA; typical processing 1–3 months («適正校» schools are often faster).
  3. Financial proof — Often about ¥1.5–2.0 million per year (or a sponsor with documented income) — the school specifies the exact amount.
  4. Visa — Embassy/consulate with CoE, passport, application form, photo (often 4×3 cm), other locally required documents.
  5. Entry — At major airports you usually receive your Zairyu card at immigration.
  6. Municipal registration — Within 14 days of moving: 転入届 (tennyu todoke) at the ward office / city hall.
  7. NHI — Enroll in National Health Insurance at the ward office (same counter or linked procedure).

Document checklist (visa + CoE)

  • Valid passport.
  • Original CoE (or a copy if the embassy accepts it — confirm).
  • Visa application form, required-format photo.
  • Admission letter, study plan.
  • Bank statements / scholarship certificate / sponsor letter.
  • Diplomas and language certificates (JLPT, EJU, TOEFL if required).

Fees and timelines (indicative)

ItemAmount / time (2026)Source
CoE application¥0 (government fee)ISA
Visa fee (consular)Often ¥3,000 (single) / ¥6,000 (multiple) — varies by nationality/agreementsMOFA / embassy
Renewal / status change in Japan¥6,000 (revenue stamp fee)ISA (current tariffs)
Part-time work permission¥0 («Permission to Engage…» application)ISA
CoE processing time1–3 monthsSchool + ISA

Last updated: May 2026 — MOFA — Visa; ISA

After arrival: Zairyu, address, My Number

  1. Address change notification — Every move: ward office + immigration within 14 days.
  2. Residence certificate (juminhyo 住民票) — Required by banks, phone providers, and universities.
  3. My Number — Assignment notification; optional My Number card (digital ID).
  4. Permit renewal — Apply before the expiry date on your card (often 3 months ahead is recommended).

Renewal and extension of stay

  1. Timing — File for extension of period of stay well before the date on your Zairyu card (many students aim for 2–3 months ahead).
  2. School pack — Certificate of enrolment/attendance, academic progress, proof of tuition paid for the next term, expected graduation date if applicable.
  3. Funds — Bank balance or scholarship letter matching your school’s living-cost requirement for the next period.
  4. Fee — Revenue stamp ¥6,000 for extension (confirm current ISA fee list).
  5. Channel — Some steps can be started via ISA online residence procedures; others still require your regional immigration bureau — check the latest ISA guide.
Renewal itemTypical proof
EnrolmentCertificate from university / language school
AttendanceTranscript or attendance rate (language schools are strict)
TuitionReceipt for next semester/year
Living costsBank statement or sponsor letter (amount set by school)
HousingLease or dormitory letter with address matching ward registration
InsuranceNHI card or enrolment certificate

Last updated: May 2026 — ISA — Extension of period of stay

Part-time work (baito) — before you start

  • Apply for Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted (often a stamp on your Zairyu card) before your first paid shift.
  • 28 hours/week during the academic term; up to 40 hours/week during official long vacations — confirm the latest ISA notice for College Student status.
  • Prohibited sectors include adult entertainment and related businesses even with permission.
  • Keep payslips and your school’s work rules — see the Work & Taxes guide for contracts and withholding.

Exchange, short programmes, and language schools

  • University exchange (short stay): may use visa waiver or short-stay visa depending on nationality and length — coordinated by your home and host universities; not the same paperwork as a degree CoE.
  • Japanese language school (pre-university): same College Student status; low attendance can block renewal.
  • Cultural activities visa: for specific short programmes only — not for full-time degree study.
  • Tourist visa: cannot enrol as a full-time student — you need the correct status of residence.

After graduation: job hunting and work visas

  1. Designated Activities (job hunting) — Some graduates switch to this status for up to about one year to seek employment with university support documents and ISA approval.
  2. Work status change — Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services and other categories require a sponsoring employer; your student card does not cover full-time work after graduation.
  3. Start early — Shukatsu (job hunting) often begins in the final year; immigration and HR timelines differ from EU campuses.

Last updated: May 2026 — ISA — Change of status

Expiry, overstay, and status change

If your permit expires or you lose status
  • Before expiry: apply for extension of period of stay (¥6,000) with school documents and income proof.
  • Overstay: consult an immigration lawyer; voluntary departure may reduce penalties compared with deportation.
  • Switch to full-time work: requires a new status (e.g. Engineer/Specialist) with an employer sponsor — do not improvise.
  • Emergencies: 110 police, 119 ambulance (they do not resolve immigration issues).

Last updated: May 2026 — ISA

University life

  • Calendar: Typical academic year April–March (some autumn intakes); confirm on your university schedule.
  • Credits: Credit-based system (many universities use credits compatible with international transfer).
  • Language: Courses in Japanese; English-track programmes (G30, MEXT, private universities) — check the call for applications.
  • Japanese: Often JLPT N2 or a preparatory course is required for Japanese-language programmes.
  • Degree recognition: Case-by-case evaluation by the university; regulated professions require local exams.
  • Student ID: Transport discounts, cafeteria, library — issued by the registrar.
  • Scholarships: MEXT, JASSO, university scholarships — JASSO.

Last updated: May 2026 — Study in Japan

Next step: housing and upfront costs — see the Housing & Rent guide.

COE delay

Without Certificate of Eligibility the visa will be postponed — follow the campus timeline.

Quick reference

Student (college) or designated activities visa for research. University issues COE; after arrival, residence card and ward registration. Part-time work: extra activities permitted (28h/week as a typical rule).

  • COE before visa at the embassy
  • Residence card = key document
  • Registration within 14 days at the town hall
  • Part-time: request for separate permit on card

Universities and pathways

National rule

National universities tuition relatively low vs private. English programs in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka. Japanese N2 often for off-campus life.

Recognition

Direct admission; preparatory Japanese schools (bunka) if language insufficient.

  • EJU
  • JLPT
  • COE

First documents

  • Passport + visa + residence card
  • Rental contract or dorm letter
  • University enrollment certificate
  • Hanko (stamp) useful for traditional contracts
  • Japanese format photo

Registration and permit

Municipality registration

Varies by city or federal state Moderate

Carry RC, passport, contract. Get juminhyo (residence certificate) — needed for bank and NHI.

Part-time work permit

National rule

Immigration application with university form — do not start job before approval.

Deep dive (optional)

Go deeper

Operational detail and official links—amounts and deadlines change; always confirm on the competent portal before filing or paying.

Immigration & residence card

Residence card

Your residence card states status of residence, validity, and any part-time work permission—carry it at all times. Renewals and status changes go through regional immigration bureaus or online services where available.

Address changes

After every move, notify immigration and your municipality within the legal deadline (typically 14 days)—late notification can be penalised.

Visas from abroad

Certificate of Eligibility (COE) routes for study/work visas are handled via Japanese embassies/consulates with sponsor documents.

Resident registration

Ward office / city hall

Moving-in and moving-out notifications; juminhyo certificates for banks, mobile contracts, and schools.

My Number

Individual Number notification and optional My Number card for digital ID; update your address after you move.

Study

Scholarships, Japanese preparation, and international-student procedures via JASSO.

Municipality first

Forms, counters, and ward names (e.g. kuyakusho in Tokyo) differ by city—always check your local government site alongside ISA and MOFA.

Note

This block complements the guide with institutional entry points—not legal or tax advice.

Sources · Last verified: 2026-05

  • Immigration Services Agency — Japan (official link being updated)
  • University international office (official link being updated)
Trusted sources we used for this content

Japanese government sources (many offer English pages) plus Eurostat for comparison: MOFA, the Immigration Services Agency, the National Tax Agency, MHLW, and e-Gov. Procedures change—confirm on the official site.