Study In
Japan
An Academic Haven Down Under…
Academic Excellence
Research Opportunities
Global Recognition
Industry Connections
Studying abroad in Japan offers a high-quality education, a rich cultural experience, and a safe environment, but requires proper visa procedures and financial planning. Key steps include applying to a Japanese school at least six months in advance, obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), and applying for a student visa at the local embassy. Be prepared for costs, which include tuition, monthly living expenses, and potential scholarship applications for financial support.
General Overview
123M
Population
Tokyo
Capital
Japanese
Language
0.7M +
Int. Student
4.2T
GDP
YEN
Currency
+81
Dialing Code
40+
Universities
1. Basic Overview
A Student Visa is required for anyone studying in Japan for more than 3 months (language school, university, or research program).
It’s issued after you get a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from Japan.
The visa category is usually:
“Student (留学 – Ryūgaku)”
2. Steps to Apply
Step 1 – Apply and Get Accepted
Apply to a recognized Japanese institution (language school, university, research institute, etc.).
The institution applies for your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) at the Japanese Immigration Bureau on your behalf.
Step 2 – Receive COE
The COE confirms you meet the entry requirements (financial, academic, etc.).
It’s valid for 3 months from issue date.
Step 3 – Apply for Visa in Nepal
Once you receive the COE, apply for your visa at the Japan Visa Application Centre (VFS Global), Kathmandu, or directly at the Embassy of Japan in Nepal.
STEP 1: Choose Your Study Program and School
Before anything, you must decide where and what to study.
Common options:
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Language School (Japanese language study, 1–2 years)
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University (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD)
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Vocational / Technical College
STEP 2: Apply to the School in Japan
Submit an application to your chosen institution.
They’ll ask for:
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Passport copy
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Academic transcripts
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Statement of purpose
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Financial documents
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Application fee (if applicable)
If accepted, the school will begin your COE application to the Immigration Bureau in Japan.
STEP 3: Certificate of Eligibility (COE) Process
This is the most important step.
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The Japanese school applies for the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) on your behalf.
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The Immigration Bureau in Japan reviews your financial and academic background.
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If approved, the COE is issued and sent to you via courier.
Processing time: 1–3 months (depends on the intake season).
Validity: 3 months from the issue date.
STEP 4: Prepare Documents for Visa Application
Once you have the COE, gather all necessary documents for submission at the Embassy or VFS:
| Category | Documents |
|---|---|
| Core Documents | – Passport (valid at least 6 months) – Completed Visa Application Form (Download from VFS Japan Nepal) – One recent photograph (4.5 cm × 3.5 cm, white background) – Certificate of Eligibility (original + photocopy) |
| Educational | – Academic transcripts and certificates (SEE, +2, Bachelor’s, etc.) – Admission Letter from your school/university |
| Financial | – Bank Certificate and Bank Statement (6 months) – Income Verification (tax, salary slip, land ownership, etc.) – Financial Sponsor Letter – Relationship Certificate (if the sponsor is a parent/relative) |
| Additional | – Tuition fee payment receipt (if applicable) – Copy of sponsor’s citizenship and ID |
Here are some typical monthly expense categories to get a feel:
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Housing / Rent: In the survey, average rent for international students nationally was about ¥41,000/month; in Tokyo it was ~¥57,000/month. For private apartments in Tokyo you’ll often see ¥50,000-¥80,000+ depending on location.
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Food / Groceries: One survey of university students in Japan suggested food cost for a single student was around ¥40,000/month in Tokyo.
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Utilities, Internet, Phone: Combined utilities + internet + mobile phone might run ~¥10,000-¥15,000 or more depending on usage & location.
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Transportation (commute / local travel): Varies a lot, but perhaps ¥5,000-¥15,000/month depending on distance, rail usage.
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Miscellaneous / leisure / insurance: Budget for health insurance, leisure activities, books/materials, etc — maybe several thousand yen each month.
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After you finish your studies and hold a “student” residence status, you cannot just remain indefinitely on that status to seek full-time work. You’ll need to change your status.
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One common path: switch your residence status to Designated Activities Visa (job‐hunting activity) if you haven’t yet secured a job. For example, Tohoku University mentions you can apply for this with a recommendation letter from the university.
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If you land a job that qualifies (full‐time, relevant field), you then apply to change your status to a work‐visa category such as Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services.
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Fields with decent demand: IT, engineering, manufacturing, business/finance, language services.