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Student Visa (Ryugaku)
JapanJapan•Asia
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Student Visa (Ryugaku)

Study

At a Glance

Processing Time

1–3 months

Estimated Cost

JPY ¥45,000

Stay Duration

Up to 4 years

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Not specified

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Apply Now Official Information
Japan flag

Living in Japan

Cost of Living
32% cheaper than United States
Avg Salary¥3,240,000
Quality of Life
181/200
Full Country Guide

Overview

Full-time study at a Japanese educational institution. Language schools to graduate programs.

The Japan Student Visa (Ryugaku) covers foreign nationals accepted into a recognized institution — universities, graduate schools, technical colleges, or language schools — for full-time study. The school applies for a Certificate of qualification (COE); once issued, the applicant applies at a Japanese embassy.

Stay is individually designated up to 4 years and 3 months, renewable by course extension. Students may apply for permission to work part-time, capped at 28 hrs/week. Dependents may join on a dependent visa for degree programs. The visa carries no PR pathway and dual intent is not permitted.

This visa is ideal for full-time students at Japanese institutions who need a structured, renewable study pathway with limited work rights.

Japan

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Cost Breakdown

Single-entry visa feeJPY ¥15,000
Multiple-entry visa feeJPY ¥30,000
TotalJPY ¥45,000

Stay & Extensions

Status typeTied to program duration

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services
Japan flagJapan

Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services

Validity5 years
Processing1–3 months
View Visa Details
Highly Skilled Professional Visa
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Highly Skilled Professional Visa

Validity5 years
Processing2–4 weeks
View Visa Details
Specified Skilled Worker 1 (Tokutei Ginou 1)
Japan flagJapan

Specified Skilled Worker 1 (Tokutei Ginou 1)

Validity5 years
Processing1–3 months
View Visa Details
jp-ssw2 — Specified Skilled Worker 2 (SSW2)
Japan flagJapan

jp-ssw2 — Specified Skilled Worker 2 (SSW2)

ValidityIndefinite
Processing2 weeks – 3 months
View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Acceptance at recognized institution

Financial support (¥2M+ or sponsor)

School obtains CoE

A1-level Japanese proficiency (for language school applicants without a university degree)

KEY CRITERIA

Education

high_school or higher

Min. Savings

2,000,000 JPY

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Passport

CoE

Acceptance letter

Financial evidence

Academic transcripts

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Can work part-time
  • Graduate route available
  • Path to Skilled Worker

Worth Knowing

  • Limited work during term
  • Must leave or switch after course

Application Process

1

Apply to educational institution

Gain admission from recognized school/university

2

Obtain COE

School applies for Certificate of qualification from Immigration Services Agency

3

Apply for visa

Submit application at Japanese embassy with COE

4

Pay visa fee

Pay 3,000 JPY visa fee

5

Receive visa

Passport returned with student visa stamp

Application Forms

Go to application portal
CoE application
Certificate of qualification application (submitted by the school to the Immigration Services Agency)
—
Visa application
Japan Visa Application Form to Enter Japan
Fill online

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