Follow Zagdim
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result

Zagdim Reader Desk · Japan student visa

Japan student visaResidence application and proof of funds

If you are preparing to study in Japan or to continue your studies there, you first need to confirm that your school and course correspond to Student status, and how tuition and living costs will be evidenced. The Zagdim Reader Desk first establishes your study arrangements and source of funds, then shortlists suitable administrative scriveners in Japan.

Book a free 20-minute callSee what the service covers
The Tokyo skyline
Who it is forStudents heading to Japan or continuing their studies there
Handled byAdministrative scriveners in Japan
LanguagesEnglish or Japanese; other languages on request
Reader Desk feeFree of charge
Rules differ by nationality

Consular visa procedures, visa fees, and the supporting documents an embassy or consulate asks for vary by nationality and country of residence. This page describes the general rule, largely from the position of applicants in Taiwan and Hong Kong; passport holders of the United Kingdom, United States, Singapore, Australia, Canada and other countries should confirm the position for their own nationality.

Information checked: 29 October 2026

01 · ABOUT

What does a student visa depend on? Start with your current situation

Student status (留学) is based on study at a legally recognised educational institution. You need school and course documents, and must explain where tuition and living costs will come from.

  • The period of stay may not run to graduationSet case by case, up to 4 years 3 months.
  • Part-time work needs permission firstGenerally up to 28 hours a week, and up to 8 hours a day during long vacations; it must not affect your studies.
  • Family cannot always accompany youJapanese language schools differ from the kinds of study for which a Dependent (家族滞在) application can be made; the conditions must be checked separately.

Where it is handled

Immigration Services AgencyImmigration Services Agency

Examines status of residence and related applications.

Logos belong to the respective bodies and are shown only to identify where a matter is handled. Zagdim is not affiliated with them.

Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau, Konan, Minato
Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau, Konan, Minato
Sample residence card (image: Iwate Prefectural Government)
Sample residence card (image: Iwate Prefectural Government)

Start with your current situation

Start with the closest situation:

Overseas, studying in Japan for the first time

  • Type of applicationThe Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is usually applied for by a representative on the Japan side, such as the school; you then apply for a visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate.
  • What to prepareAdmission documents, academic records, passport and proof of funds.
  • What the budget consists ofCOE application ¥0; single-entry visa about ¥15,000 equivalent; enrolment fee and tuition as set by the school; professional fees.

Next steps

  1. Ask the school for its submission date and what it handles on your behalf

Continuing your studies in Japan

  • Type of applicationAn extension of period of stay, filed before your current period of stay expires. If your period of stay is 6 months or longer, you can generally apply from about 3 months before expiry.
  • What to prepareEnrolment, grades, attendance and living-cost records.
  • What the budget consists ofExtension fee according to the period of stay granted – for 1 year, ¥33,000 (about US$205) at the counter or ¥27,000 (about US$170) online – plus professional fees.

Next steps

  1. Look at your expiry date and count back about 3 months

Graduating, with a job offer

  • Type of applicationA change of status of residence from Student to the applicable work status. You cannot work full time on Student status.
  • What to prepareGraduation documents, employment contract and job description.
  • What the budget consists ofChange-of-status fee according to the period of stay granted; professional fees.

Next steps

  1. First confirm which work status the role corresponds to

Sources: Immigration Services Agency – Student status of residence page and extension of period of stay page / Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) – pages on entry procedures for study and on part-time work rules / Ministry of Foreign Affairs – visa fees page. Checked 29 October 2026.

02 · SERVICE

What do the professionals do for the application?

Confirms the school and eligibility to study, prepares proof of funds for study and living costs, and handles the Student residence application.

Who charges what

What the Reader Desk does at no charge

Establishes what you need, sets it out in a written brief, introduces professionals in Japan and follows up.

Professional fees

Quoted by the administrative scrivener handling the matter once they understand your situation; receipts are issued by them after engagement.

How payments flow

Zagdim does not charge readers a matching fee and does not handle payments for professional services. Providers quote case by case, and you contract with and pay the provider directly.

  1. 01Review of residence conditions

    The type of application and the documents required are confirmed from the school and course.

  2. 02Organising financial documents

    Income, savings and proof of relationship are checked for you or your financial sponsor.

  3. 03Help with application materials

    COE or change-of-status documents are prepared within the school’s existing procedure and the scope of authorisation.

  4. 04Explanation of procedures during your studies

    Covers extension of your period of stay, permission for part-time work and the documents needed to change status after graduation.

03 · CASES

Which situations do not fit, or need extra care?

In every caseAdmission to a school does not mean residence permission has been granted. Funds cannot rest only on projected part-time earnings, and part-time work must not interfere with your studies.

This service may not suit you if: you have no school arranged yet and need advice on choosing a school or progressing to further study, as this service handles the residence application only; or family members will travel to Japan with you, in which case see “Family and dependant residence in Japan”.

04 · SERVICE PROCESS

From consultation to filing: who does each step?

The process follows the school’s submission procedure.

English or JapaneseOther languages on request

  1. Explain your studies and funding

    You tell the Reader Desk your school, course, enrolment date and source of funds.

  2. The administrative scrivener checks the conditions

    The administrative scrivener (行政書士) confirms the type of application, the school’s existing procedure and the documents required, then lists what is missing and quotes.

  3. Prepare personal and financial documents

    You and your financial sponsor prepare academic records and proof of savings and income; the administrative scrivener assembles the application.

  4. File the application

    The COE, extension or change-of-status application is filed in line with the school’s procedure; the outcome is decided by the immigration authorities.

Not included

  • School admission and entrance examinations
  • Tuition, accommodation and living expenses
  • Introductions to part-time jobs

What you need to prepare

  • Passport and academic records
  • Admission or course documents
  • Savings, income and financial sponsorship records
  • Existing residence, enrolment and attendance records

05 · TIME

From submission to enrolment: who does what, and how long is the wait?

Look at the school’s submission date first, then arrange financial and academic documents. The immigration authorities and the embassy or consulate each carry out their own review, and travel to Japan must follow the outcome.

  1. On the school’s schedule

    Confirm enrolment and submission

  2. Your preparation

    Financial and academic documents

  3. Immigration review

    COE, extension or change of status

  4. Embassy or consulate

    Consular visa and travel to Japan

  5. Before your current period of stay expires

    Extension for those continuing their studies

06 · FEES

What money should you prepare before starting?

Taxes and official fees

  • Certificate of Eligibility (COE) application¥0
  • Single-entry consular visaAbout ¥15,000 equivalent(Accepted from 1 July 2026; charged in local currency; exceptions by nationality are checked separately.)
  • Fee for renewal or change of status (one year, counter / online)¥33,000 / ¥27,000(Accepted from 1 October 2026; a ¥330 payment fee applies online.)

Professional and service fees

  • Professional service for application documentsQuoted once your situation is understood(Check first what the school’s existing service covers.)
  • Enrolment fee, tuition and accommodationAs quoted by the school(Published fees differ by school; calculated on the actual course.)
  • Zagdim Reader DeskFree of charge(Consultation, clarifying what you need and shortlisting professionals)

The table above illustrates the components and is not a quote. A first application from overseas involves the COE and a consular visa; an extension or change of status in Japan involves the official fee. Enrolment fee, tuition and accommodation are set by the school. Professional fees are quoted by the administrative scrivener once your case is understood, and depend mainly on what the school’s existing service covers and the volume of documents. Ask the provider to state in the written quote whether out-of-pocket costs such as translation are charged separately.

07 · EXPERTS & PROFESSIONALS

Who helps with the application?

Depending on the case, different Japanese professionals are involved.

Administrative scrivener

行政書士 · gyōsei shoshi

A suitably qualified administrative scrivener can be engaged to prepare documents and submit residence applications on your behalf; where the law requires you to attend in person, you must still do so.

Lawyer

弁護士 · bengoshi

Gives legal advice on disputes and complex cases; submitting residence applications on your behalf requires separate qualification and notification.

MATCHING

How Zagdim shortlists the right professionals

What you need
Zagdim Reader Desk
  • Clarifying the need
  • Matching providers
  • Follow-up at key points
The right professional

Zagdim Reader Desk

Free consultation · clarifying the need · matching · follow-up

No charge to readers

Professionals in Japan

Professional advice and handling

Quote · contract · payment · receipt

Whether a professional can be arranged

  1. You tell the Reader DeskWhere the school is, your current situation, and your enrolment date or the expiry of your period of stay
  2. The Reader Desk checksWhether an administrative scrivener registered with the immigration authorities can be arranged
  3. The Reader Desk repliesIf it can be arranged, we say who will take it on. If no suitable provider is available, we say so plainly

08 · CONSULTATION

What happens next?

Zagdim Reader DeskFirst understand the situation, then shortlist the right professionals

Four steps after you get in touch

  1. Contact the Reader DeskExplain your situation by WhatsApp or email and arrange a call.
  2. A written briefThe Reader Desk sets out your school, course, funding and current residence position; once you confirm it, the introduction is made.
  3. Introduction to a professionalIntroduction to an administrative scrivener. Before the introduction, the written quote, out-of-pocket costs and conditions for extra charges are confirmed with them.
  4. Quote and engagementThe professional explains what is missing and quotes; you decide whether to engage, and contract with and pay them directly.

Have the points below ready before you get in touch.

  • School name, course and enrolment date
  • Who will pay tuition and living costs, and how that will be evidenced
  • Whether you are overseas or in Japan, and your current status of residence and its expiry date
  • Whether you plan to work part time, or to work in Japan after graduation
WhatsAppEmail the Reader Desk

The Zagdim Reader Desk handles contact and follow-up.

Send us your details

The more you tell us, the better the Zagdim Reader Desk understands your situation before we speak.

09 · FAQ

Japan student visa: common questions

Does an offer of admission allow you to enter Japan for a long stay?

No. You must still complete the applicable Certificate of Eligibility, consular visa and landing examination.

Do you need a fixed amount in savings?

Not necessarily. You must show that you can meet tuition and living costs; the amount and the documents are confirmed from the school and the application checklist.

Can you work while studying?

You can work part time, but you must first obtain permission to engage in activity other than that permitted under your status (資格外活動許可). Work is generally limited to 28 hours a week, and you must keep to the restrictions on activities and not let it affect your studies.

Is the limit still 28 hours a week during long vacations?

Not necessarily. During the school’s official long vacations, work can be arranged under the rule of up to 8 hours a day, subject to the other labour and permission conditions.

Is Student status granted through to graduation in one go?

Not necessarily. The period of stay is set case by case, up to 4 years and 3 months, and may not cover the whole course.

What happens if part-time work affects attendance?

Insufficient attendance may affect the extension of your period of stay. Keep up your studies and stay within lawful activities.

Can you work full time on Student status straight after graduation?

No. You must first check which work status applies and complete the necessary change of status.

Confirm your enrolment arrangements first, then organise proof of funds.

Book a free 20-minute call

Residence applications are examined by the Immigration Services Agency, and consular visas are handled by Japanese embassies and consulates. Official fees follow the current notices of the Japanese authorities. Quotes, contracts, payments and receipts for professional services are handled by the professional concerned; neither the Zagdim Reader Desk nor the professionals guarantee that any application or review will succeed. This page is general information and is not legal or tax advice.

Photographs of institutions (Wikimedia Commons): Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau, Konan, Minato, Nesnad (CC BY 4.0); sample residence card (image: Iwate Prefectural Government), Iwate Prefecture Government website (CC BY 4.0)

No Result
View All Result

©2026 Zagdim Overseas All Rights Reserved · Privacy Policy