Step 1 of 11
Understand Why Students Choose Japan
Japan offers globally respected universities, affordable national-university tuition, world-leading research and technology, a safe and orderly society, and a growing set of English-taught degree programs — plus generous government scholarships.
World-class — + affordable (national)
Research & tech — world-leading
English programs — and growing
How to help: Weigh Japan’s quality, affordability (at national universities), and safety against the language and the structured COE process — for research and technology especially, it’s outstanding.
Good to know: National-university tuition (~¥535,800/year) is very affordable for the quality — private universities cost more.
Step 2 of 11
Understand the System
Japan has national universities (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Tohoku, Tokyo Tech and others — prestigious and affordable), public universities, and private universities (Waseda, Keio and many more). A growing number offer full degree programs in English. Degrees run bachelor’s/master’s/doctorate.
National — Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka
Private — Waseda, Keio
English degrees — growing
How to help: Choose among national, public, and private universities, and check whether your program is taught in Japanese or English — both routes exist.
Good to know: Prestigious national universities are also the most affordable — but admission is competitive.
Step 3 of 11
Get the Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
This is the heart of the process: after admission, your university applies to immigration for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) on your behalf (it takes about 1–3 months). The COE confirms you meet the requirements for the “Student” status of residence.
COE — university applies for you
1–3 months — processing
“Student” status — the residence type
How to help: Work with your university, which applies for your COE after admission — provide the documents it needs promptly, and allow 1–3 months for issuance.
Watch out: The COE is issued by immigration, not the embassy, and your university handles it — start early, as it takes 1–3 months.
Step 4 of 11
Get Your Student Visa
Once the COE is issued, you apply for the student visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country (processing ~5–10 business days). Bring the COE, your acceptance letter, passport, and documents; some applicants have a short interview.
Student visa — at the embassy
~5–10 days — after COE
Bring the COE — + documents
How to help: After your COE is issued, apply for the student visa at the Japanese embassy with the COE and documents — it’s a quick step (5–10 days) once the COE is in hand.
Good to know: The visa step is fast (5–10 days) but requires the COE first — so the timeline is driven by the COE.
Step 5 of 11
Apply to Universities (EJU & English routes)
For many national/public undergraduate programs you take the EJU (Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students). English-taught programs (e.g., Global 30 / top global universities) use TOEFL/IELTS instead. Japanese-taught programs require JLPT (often N2/N1).
EJU — national/public undergrad
English programs — TOEFL/IELTS
Japanese programs — JLPT N2/N1
How to help: Check your program’s route — EJU for many national/public undergrad, TOEFL/IELTS for English programs, or JLPT for Japanese-taught — and prepare accordingly.
Good to know: Many national/public undergrad programs require the EJU — plan for it if you’re applying to those in Japanese.
Step 6 of 11
Plan for Tuition & Scholarships
National universities charge a standard ~¥535,800/year (plus a ~¥282,000 admission fee); private universities cost more (~¥1,000,000–1,500,000/year). Scholarships include the prestigious MEXT (Japanese government) — which can fully fund tuition and living — plus JASSO and university awards.
National — ~¥535,800/year
Private — ~¥1–1.5M/year
MEXT — full funding
How to help: Budget national-university tuition (~¥535,800) or a private university’s higher fees plus living costs, and pursue MEXT (embassy or university route), JASSO, and university scholarships.
Good to know: The MEXT scholarship fully funds tuition and living — the strongest funding (and the strongest visa financial proof).
Step 7 of 11
Meet the Financial Requirement
For the COE you must prove funds — typically about ¥2,000,000/year (more in Tokyo) for tuition and living. Stability matters: funds should have been in the account for months, and a large last-minute deposit is a red flag. You’ll also enrol in National Health Insurance (¥1,500–2,000/month).
Funds — ~¥2,000,000/year
Stability — seasoned funds
Health insurance — NHI (student rate)
How to help: Prepare proof of funds (~¥2,000,000/year, seasoned for months — avoid last-minute transfers), and plan to enrol in National Health Insurance after arrival.
Watch out: Immigration scrutinizes financial stability — a large deposit made just before applying can trigger extra checks or rejection.
Step 8 of 11
Meet Language Requirements
For Japanese-taught programs you prove Japanese (JLPT N2/N1 and/or EJU); for the many English-taught programs you prove English (TOEFL iBT ~80+ or IELTS ~6.0+). Even in English programs, learning Japanese greatly helps daily life and work.
Japanese — JLPT N2/N1
English — TOEFL 80+/IELTS 6.0+
Some Japanese — helps a lot
How to help: Take the right test for your program’s language, and learn some Japanese regardless — it strongly helps daily life, part-time work, and job-hunting.
Good to know: You can complete a full degree in English, but Japanese markedly improves daily life and job prospects.
Step 9 of 11
Prepare for the Move
On arrival you receive a residence card, register your address at the local city office, and enrol in National Health Insurance and (often) a pension. Set up banking and a phone. University or private housing is available; Tokyo is pricier than regional cities.
Residence card — on arrival
Register + NHI — at the city office
Housing — university or private
How to help: Handle arrival admin — residence card, address registration, National Health Insurance, banking — and arrange housing (regional cities are cheaper than Tokyo).
Good to know: Enrolling in National Health Insurance is required and cheap at the student rate — do it soon after arrival.
Step 10 of 11
Understand Work Rules
With “Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted” (applied for on arrival), students may work up to 28 hours per week during term (and full-time during official vacations) — but not in certain industries.
Work — 28 hrs/week in term
Permission needed — apply on arrival
Full-time — in vacations
How to help: Get work permission (applied for at the airport or immigration) to work up to 28 hours/week during term and full-time in vacations — within the permitted industries.
Watch out: You must have the work-permission endorsement before working — working without it violates your status.
Step 11 of 11
Thrive & Work After Study
After graduating, you can switch to a job-hunting status (Designated Activities) to look for work, then to a work visa once employed — a clear pathway, with Japan actively seeking international talent and offering routes toward long-term residence.
Job-hunting — Designated Activities
Work visa — once employed
Long-term — residence routes
How to help: Plan for the post-graduation job-hunting status and the switch to a work visa, build networks and Japanese skills during study, and target Japan’s in-demand sectors.
Good to know: Japan’s post-study job-hunting and work-visa pathway is a strong route to staying — and it’s actively recruiting international graduates.
Quick Reference
Studying in Japan: The Essentials
A snapshot — figures change, so confirm everything with Study in Japan, the Immigration Services Agency, and your university.
- The systemNational universities (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka — prestigious and affordable), public, and private universities (Waseda, Keio); a growing number of full degree programs in English.
- COE & visaTwo-step: your university applies for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from immigration (1–3 months), then you apply for the “Student” visa at a Japanese embassy (5–10 days).
- Admissions & languageEJU for many national/public undergrad; TOEFL/IELTS for English-taught programs; JLPT (N2/N1) for Japanese-taught; 12 years of prior education.
- MoneyNational tuition ~¥535,800/year (private ~¥1–1.5M); prove ~¥2,000,000/year in seasoned funds; enrol in National Health Insurance; MEXT, JASSO, and university scholarships.
- Work & afterWork up to 28 hrs/week with permission (full-time in vacations); after graduating, a job-hunting status (Designated Activities) leads to a work visa and long-term residence.
Official & Trusted Sources
Where to learn more
About this guide. This guide is a general, plain-language overview compiled by K12 Academics, current as of 2025–26, and is not legal or immigration advice. Japanese immigration rules, tuition, and the funds requirement change; confirm all details with Study in Japan (studyinjapan.go.jp), the Immigration Services Agency, and your university.
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