To apply for a student visa in Japan, you need to submit a few official documents. While the procedure may be complex and confusing, your Japanese language school or study abroad agent may help you prepare them and check them in advance before submitting them to the immigration
While there are some basic documents needed for your visa application, keep in mind that additional materials may be required. This can depend on your nationality and whether or not your previous student visa application has been declined. If you have applied for a student visa in Japan before but were rejected, you might need to present more documents.
If you want to come to Japan and study in a language school, we’re here to help. Coto School Finder works with you to match you with the right Japanese language school and make your student visa application easy. If you are ready, get started with your application today!
Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is not intended to constitute legal advice.
Basic Documents for Your Visa Application
1. High-resolution ID Photo

You need to take a recent photo of yourself against a plain background. The photo shouldn’t be older than three months and should preferably be in high-resolution. The passport-style photo must be printed in a 3×4 centimeter size.
For your attire, you don’t need to wear a black-and-white suit, but make sure you’re not wearing any hats, scarves or other clothing that covers your head (unless it’s for religious reasons). You should also face front ways, without your head tilting or your face making extreme expressions.
2. Passport
If you don’t have a passport, you will have the time to apply for one before you actually leave for Japan. Applications for a Japanese language school close 6 months before the start of the semester, so this should give you plenty of time to prepare.
If you have a passport, however, you will need a copy of your passport’s front page (the one with your passport number and profile picture). You should also include a scanned copy of your arrival and departure stamps if you’ve been to Japan in the past.
3. Most Recent Bank Statement

You or your sponsor, who is usually your family, need to prove that you have a certain amount of money in your bank account that’s enough for your studies.
The amount varies according to the length of your student visa. For a 1-year visa, for example, the minimum amount must be equal 2.5 million yen when converted. For a 6-month visa, this would be 1.5 million of savings and annual income.
You can request your bank to create a certificate or letter showing the current account balance, but some schools also accept printouts of online bank balances. You may also be required to provide your sponsor’s most recent income tax return.
Other Documents Your School and Japanese Immigration Might Need
These documents depend on who’s going to be sponsoring your studies.
1. Birth Certificate
This is particularly important if your sponsor is your parents or close relatives.
2. Marriage certificate
If your spouse will be sponsoring your studies, you will need to prove your marriage.
3. Business certificate or license
This also depends if you or your sponsor owns a business.
4. Payslips or employment certificate
Your payslips can be included in the proof of your employment. Immigration is interested in how much you or your sponsor earn to prove that either both of you are financially capable of sponsoring your stay in Japan. If you or your sponsor are employees, you will need something that shows that you are currently employed and the company. An official letter from the company is the best way.
5. School’s additional forms
Your Japanee language school will have its own application form that you have to fill out. This might include agreement forms and other legal documents.
6. Doctor’s Note
This is to confirm you are fit to live in Japan for a long period of time, but this is usually only required when you have an ongoing medical condition — physical or mental.
These are definitely a lot of documents, and the biggest reason why the schools and immigration ask for the above is for them to be able to confirm that an applicant is fit to study in a language school, especially in the financial aspect of things. Please also understand that applying for a student visa means you are asking for permission to live in Japan for a certain period of time — which is also why there are a lot of documents required.
We’d like to hear from you and help you in a better way. Discover and connect with a Japanese language school that meets your needs. If you’re interested to partner with Coto School Finder, head to our application form and we’ll get in touch with you soon!
For more FAQs about visas and studying in Japan, check out our FAQ page.
Live and Study in Japan! Use Coto School Finder’s Free Support
Coto is excited to announce that we’re offering a matching service to help students find a Japanese language school that provides student visas.
So if you want to come to Japan, let us help you! We provide free support — no agent fee. Our goal is to help make your dream of moving to Japan come true.