student visa required documents

Student - Required Documents

Student - Required Documents

The Student status of residence is required for receiving education at universities, colleges of technology, vocational schools, Japanese language institutions, and other educational institutions in Japan.

Applicable ActivitiesReceiving education at universities, colleges of technology, high schools, junior high schools, elementary schools, specialized training colleges, miscellaneous schools, etc. in Japan
Period of StayA period individually designated by the Minister of Justice (not exceeding 4 years and 3 months)

About the Certified School Classification

The required documents for a Student visa vary significantly depending on the certified school classification of the educational institution you are enrolling in.

ClassificationDescriptionRequired Documents
Certified School (Class I)Institution with good enrollment managementSignificantly simplified (financial support documents not required)
Certified School (Class II)Institution meeting certain standardsSimplified (some financial support documents required)
Non-Certified SchoolInstitution not notified as certifiedAll documents required (including financial support documents)

Please confirm with the educational institution whether it is a certified school.

Required Documents by Application Type

Important Notes Before Applying

  • For questions about how to fill out application forms and required documents, please contact the Immigration Information Center. (TEL: 0570-013904)
  • If your application is submitted with incomplete documents, the review may be significantly delayed or your application may be denied.
  • All certificates issued in Japan must be submitted within 3 months of the date of issue.
  • Documents written in foreign languages must be accompanied by a Japanese translation.
  • Submitted documents will not be returned in principle.
  • You may be asked to submit additional documents during the review process.
  • For notes on applications, please refer to Notes on Application (PDF).

Certificate of Eligibility Application (New)

This application is for those who wish to newly enter Japan with the Student status of residence.

Common Required Documents (All Institution Types)

1. One copy of the Certificate of Eligibility application form

Go to application form

Attach a clear photograph (4cm height x 3cm width) taken within 6 months before application, front-facing, without hat, plain background. Write the applicant’s name on the back of the photo.

2. Document checklist (main form and attached “Various Confirmation Forms”)

Download the checklist for the applicable educational institution type from the table below.

3. Copy of the passport biographical page

If there are entries in the endorsement pages, copies of those pages are also required.

4. One return envelope

Write the recipient address on a standard envelope and attach stamps for registered mail.

For Certified Schools (Class I)

Application is possible with only the common documents (1~4) above. However, the following additional documents are required when applicable.

  • When a minor under 18 lives independently: Materials confirming the care arrangement prepared by the educational institution
  • If previously denied issuance or permission: Explanation and materials clarifying the reason for the previous denial

For Non-Certified Schools (Additional Documents)

When enrolling in an institution not notified as a certified school, the following documents are required in addition to the common documents.

5. Materials regarding Japanese language proficiency

Not required if the applicant has graduated from a foreign university, junior college, or graduate school and submits a graduation certificate.

6. Documents certifying research content (if applicable)

Required when being accepted as a research student not through specialized auditing.

7. Copy of course registration form or documents certifying audited courses and hours (if applicable)

Required for auditing students, credit-earning students, and research students through specialized auditing.

8. Statement of Financial Support

Statement of Financial Support form (PDF)

9. Materials certifying the relationship between the financial supporter and the applicant

10. Bank balance certificate (original)

Must be from a bank account authorized by the national government, central bank, or equivalent.

11. Materials certifying the process of fund formation over the past year

Deposit/withdrawal statements, bankbook copies, etc.

12. Materials certifying the financial supporter’s occupation

13. Materials certifying the financial supporter’s income over the past year

14. Certificate regarding scholarship grants (if applicable)

Required when receiving a scholarship. For details, please refer to Scholarship Certificate List (PDF).

New Application - Document Checklist (PDF)

Institution TypeCertified School (Class I)Certified School (Class II)Non-Certified School
University, Graduate School, College of TechnologyPDF(Same as Class I)PDF
Specialized Training College, Miscellaneous SchoolPDFPDFPDF
Japanese Language InstitutionPDFPDFPDF
High School, Junior High School, Elementary SchoolPDF——

Change of Status of Residence Application

This application is for those already residing in Japan with a different status of residence who wish to change to the Student status. If you wish to change your activity to study, please apply promptly.

Common Required Documents

1. One copy of the Change of Status of Residence application form

Go to application form

Attach a photograph (4cm height x 3cm width) taken within 6 months before application. Not required for those under 16 years old.

2. Document checklist (main form and attached “Various Confirmation Forms”)

3. Materials related to activities corresponding to your current status of residence

Example: For employment-based status, copies of pay slips, withholding tax certificates, etc.

Passport and Residence Card - Must be presented at the time of application.

For Non-Certified Schools (Additional Documents)

The same financial support documents as for the new application are required (Statement of Financial Support, bank balance certificate, evidence of fund formation, financial supporter’s occupation and income certificates, etc.).

Change Application - Document Checklist (PDF)

Institution TypeCertified School (Class I)Certified School (Class II)Non-Certified School
University, Graduate School, College of TechnologyPDF(Same as Class I)PDF
Specialized Training College, Miscellaneous SchoolPDFPDFPDF
Japanese Language InstitutionPDFPDFPDF
High School, Junior High School, Elementary SchoolPDF——

Extension of Period of Stay Application

This application is for those already residing in Japan with the Student status of residence who wish to extend their period of stay.

Common Required Documents

1. One copy of the Extension of Period of Stay application form

Go to application form

Attach a photograph (4cm height x 3cm width) taken within 6 months before application. Not required for those under 16 years old.

2. Document checklist (main form and attached “Various Confirmation Forms”)

3. Attendance certificate (if issuable), academic transcript, and graduation certificate

Certificates from all educational institutions attended since the most recent residence-related application are required.

4. Certificate of enrollment (or letter of admission if applying before enrollment)

Passport and Residence Card - Must be presented at the time of application.

Additional Documents for Extension (If Applicable)

5. Notification regarding payment of living expenses (if applicable)

Required if you received guidance regarding permission to engage in activities other than those permitted under your status at the time of the most recent extension application.

Notification Regarding Payment of Living Expenses (PDF)

6. Municipal tax assessment (or tax exemption) certificate and tax payment certificate (if applicable)

Required when the applicant bears their own living expenses and has been working part-time for more than one year. The certificate must show the total annual income and tax payment status. Alternatively, a bankbook copy or web banking screenshot showing part-time work income (showing transaction details) may be submitted.

Extension Application - Document Checklist (PDF)

Institution TypeCertified School (Class I)Certified School (Class II)Non-Certified School
University, Graduate School, College of TechnologyPDF(Same as Class I)PDF
Specialized Training College, Miscellaneous SchoolPDFPDFPDF
Japanese Language InstitutionPDFPDFPDF
High School, Junior High School, Elementary SchoolPDF——

Notes on Financial Support

When enrolling in a non-certified school, documents related to financial support (covering tuition and living expenses) are required.

  • Bank balance certificate: Must be from a bank account authorized by the national government, central bank, or equivalent.
  • Evidence of fund formation: Deposit/withdrawal statements, bankbook copies, annual income certificates, etc. must be submitted.
  • Living expense reference: Please refer to the “Survey of Living Expenses of Privately Financed International Students” by the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO).
  • Country-specific required documents: Additional documents may be required depending on your nationality. Please check the Appendix (Required Documents by Country, PDF).

Note: The Student status of residence generally prohibits income-generating activities, and covering all tuition and living expenses through part-time work alone is not recognized.

FormDownload
Statement of Financial SupportPDF
Various Confirmation Forms (Attachment)Excel
Notification Regarding Payment of Living Expenses (For Extension)PDF
Scholarship Certificate ListPDF
Appendix (Required Documents by Country)PDF
Notes on ApplicationPDF

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