Our team has many years of experience helping people find the right language school for them, and guidance in applying for the student visa.
The japan student visa allows the long-term language study of the Japanese language, on-site in Japan, and thus offers the opportunity to learn Japanese quickly and efficiently.
Especially in Japan, the following applies: Together with language skill, a variety of career paths or opportunities to gain a foothold in Japan in the long-term open up.
Anyone who thinks about immigrating/moving to Japan can’t avoid learning the Japanese language.
To quickly jump to a specific section of the guide, click on the “≡” menu icon in the bottom left corner of the screen. In the table of contents that opens, you can jump directly to the content by clicking on the desired section.
Who is it suitable for?
Which nationalities are entitled to submit applications?
No restrictions.
For which age group?
No restrictions.
Part-time job possible?
Yes, up to 28 hours a week – up to 40 hours during school holidays. (Employment in industries such as nightlife, gambling, love hotels or the other industries affecting public morals is strictly prohibited.)
Suitable for flexible travel through Japan?
No. The visa is tied to the purpose (study), and thus does not allow a long absence from school. A change of school is only possible in exceptional cases, requiring a proven reason, and a lot of paperwork. Another reason it is important to choose the right school for you.
Terms possible to start:
April, July, October & January.
Start of the new school year:
April (some in October)
Application deadlines:
The student visa, as the name suggests, is intended to study in Japan – in other words, studying the Japanese language at a language school in Japan. Also, it is possible to study at a Japanese university or a “vocational college” (vocational school).
In order to be eligible for the student visa at a language school, certain requirements must be met. These vary slightly depending on the school and have tended to become stricter in recent years.
The student visa allows a stay of up to two years in language school studies. If the move to a Japanese university is sought, a longer period of time can also be granted.
Student visas should not be confused with the Working Holiday Visa. Both visas differ fundamentally in purpose, prerequisites and target group. If you are unsure which visa is a better fit for your own situation, you will find all the relevant information in our Working Holiday Guide.
The student visa can be applied for by people of all nationalities. Unlike the Working Holiday Visa, which is only available for applicants from certain countries with which Japan has a bilateral agreement, there are no such restrictions for the Japanese student visa.
However, the required documents and the visa application procedure vary slightly depending on the applicant’s nationality and the school.
Send us a free inquiry, and we will match you to the right language school that suits your individual needs, as well as inform you of the necessary requirements in detail.
No, the student visa is not tied to a specific age. Anyone who meets the requirements can apply for the visa regardless of their age.
However, it’s important to know that applicants over 30 are subject to stricter scrutiny by the Japanese immigration authorities and may request additional documentation, such as a detailed explanation of their study goals or evidence of career plans. These requirements increase even further for applicants over 35.
Furthermore, some language schools are unofficially more hesitant to accept older applicants; not out of personal bias, but because a high number of rejected visa applications could jeopardize the school’s reputation.
We can help you find the right school for your situation.
Yes! The student visa allows you to work part-time for up to 28 hours per week – and even up to 40 hours per week, up to 8 hours per day during school holidays (summer, winter, spring). This employment is intended to help offset the living costs of a long-term stay. Meaning: It should not be relied on for paying your tuition fees.
At the same time, a part-time job offers the opportunity to be actively involved in your new language environment – which makes learning Japanese particularly efficient.
To take on paid employment, you need to apply for a special permit – the so-called “Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted Under the Status of Residence Previously Granted.” The easiest way to do this is directly upon arrival at the airport, as this is faster and allows you to start work sooner. Alternatively, you can apply for the permit later at the relevant regional immigration office, but this takes about a month to process.
Don’t worry – we will guide you through the entire process together with your school and ensure that you can take on a part-time job!
Generally, classic part-time jobs are permitted, such as working as a helper in a supermarket or convenience store, tutoring English, cleaning, or doing simple manual labor in trades.
However, all businesses that fall under Japan’s Entertainment Industry Regulation Act are prohibited—for example, hostess clubs, nightclubs, pachinko parlors, love hotels, and the adult entertainment industry. It doesn’t matter what kind of work you do there: Even tasks like washing dishes or cleaning in such establishments are strictly forbidden. If in doubt, you should check beforehand whether a job offer is permissible—ideally with your language school or an immigration advisor.
Important: The lower your language level, the more difficult the job search will be. In Japan, even for part-time jobs, a basic understanding of the language is almost always required. This means that someone currently at JLPT N5 level will likely have difficulty finding a part-time job. From N3 onward—and especially from N2 onward—significantly more opportunities open up, and the job search becomes noticeably easier.
The purpose of the visa is, after all, to allow you to fully concentrate on your studies. Improving your language skills is doubly beneficial – it makes finding a job easier and simultaneously opens doors to an active social life in Japan.
The student visa for Japan is not suitable for traveling throughout the country and flexibly visiting various locations and popular sightseeing spots. The visa is purpose-bound, meaning that studying at a language school or other institution is the primary focus. Schools and universities are therefore required to monitor and report attendance. If the attendance rate falls below a certain percentage, the visa is revoked. Spontaneous travel throughout Japan for a few weeks is therefore not possible.
To prevent visa misuse, since November 2024 – valid for all studies commencing from April 2025 onwards – proof of language proficiency at level A1 (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, CEFR) must be provided at the time of visa application. This corresponds to passing the JLPT N5 exam or 150 documented hours of instruction at a recognized school or institution.
Important: Self-study is not accepted as proof by the immigration authorities. However, those who have studied Japanese as a school or university subject can submit this proof.
The JLPT N5 can be taken outside of Japan in many countries (see overview of JLPT test centers) and, with the official certificate upon passing, is the simplest and clearest way to prove proficiency.
In practice, different language schools handle this requirement slightly differently. If you are unsure whether you meet this requirement, please contact us for a more accurate assessment.
The good news first: Applying for a visa at the relevant Japanese embassy or consulate is free of charge for most European nationalities.
However, since the visa is directly tied to attending a language school, university, or vocational school, the costs of the respective institution are a key factor in your planning.
Tuition fees per year (as of 2026):
| Institution | Fees per year |
|---|---|
| Language school | Approx 1,000,000 JPY (~6300 USD) |
| University | Approx. 535,800 JPY (~3,400 USD) + one-time registration fee approx. 282,000 JPY (~1800 USD) |
| Vocational College | Approx. 1,200,000 JPY (~7500 USD) |
The information provided is for guidance only and varies depending on the school, location, and course selection.
Monthly living expenses:
| Cost per month | |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (shared house or student residence, city) | Approx. 50,000 JPY (~315 USD) |
| Food, clothing, social life, other | Approx. 120,000 JPY (~750 USD) |
| Social security contributions (health insurance + pension fund) | Approx. 2,000 JPY (~12 USD) the first year (based on the previous year’s income, which is 0 in Japan). |
Note regarding social security contributions: As a student, you can apply for an exemption or reduction of contributions for both items. However, this is not automatic – the application must be actively submitted and renewed annually, ideally immediately after registering with the residents’ registration office.
Income from a part-time job:
Typical entry-level jobs pay just above the minimum wage. Those who are able to quickly find a job and fully utilize the visa’s working hour limits (28 hours/week during term time, 40 hours/week during school holidays) can roughly expect the following annual income:
| Annual Income | Monthly | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage Tokyo (1,226 JPY/hour) | Approx. 1,900,000 JPY (~12000 USD) | Approx. 160,000 JPY (~1000 USD) |
| Average starting wage Tokyo (1,381 JPY/hour) | Approx. 2,200,000 JPY (~13800) | Approx. 183,000 JPY (~1155 USD) |
Important: Anyone earning more than 1,030,000 JPY per year exceeds the income tax threshold and must pay taxes on the amount above it. This is realistic in Tokyo when working full hours.
In Japan, the school year for most schools begins in April. This is also when most courses start. April is therefore the recommended starting time to ensure you can follow the curriculum from the beginning and be on the same level as your classmates.
Some schools also offer courses that begin in October.
Starting in January and July is usually possible as well; however, starting mid-semester can be quite challenging, especially if your classmates are already significantly more advanced and you struggle to keep up due to a lack of grammar or vocabulary.
For short-term courses, most schools offer beginner classes where you can start at the beginning of any month.
Typically, language schools in Japan accept new students four times a year: in April, July, October, and January.
While there are slight differences between schools, the application deadlines for the respective start dates are as follows:
Unsure? We offer free, no-obligation support with your application!
Do you have any suggestions for the guide, or have you even had your own experiences with a student visa in Japan? Leave a comment – we look forward to hearing from you!