A passport must be obtained in accordance with the procedue in
your native country.It may be necessary to obtain permission to
enter a Japanese language institute in some countries.
It is not possible to obtain a visa without a valid
passport.Having a valid passport does not give automatic
approval to obtain a visa.
2. Application/Issuance of Certificate of Eligibility
Certificate
It is beneficial to ontain a Residence Approval Certificate of
Eligibility before applying for a visa. In Japan, Japanese
language institute act on behalf of applicants in makibg
applications for this certificate of eligibility at regional
immigration bureaus or their branchs.
The screening deals with such matters as whether the applicant's
real intention is to study in Japan, whether the educational
institute has any problems, and whether the applicant has
sufficient resources to cover tuition and living expenses. The
certificate will not be issued if the applicant's real purpose
is to work.
The time period from application to granting of this Certificate
of Eligibility is aboout 2 to 3 months.
The documents required for the application of this Certificate
of Eligibility is the following. For more detail refer to the
procedures for entrance of the specific school:
Application form
-2 photographs(about 4cm high * 3cm wide)
-Passport or copy of travel certificate(if one is possessed)
-Copy of the school entrance approval
-Graduation certificate or document clarifying personal history
-Proof of sufficient funds to live in Japan
Note: In cases where someone other than the applicant will cover
expenses, a document explaining why that person will cover the
expenses.
- Future objectives for the student after graduation (document
showing resons for entering Japan.
- Letter of guarantee by the person living in Japan.
In the case when the institution at which the applicant intends
to receive education serves as the personal
guarantor(institutional guarantor), the applicant is requested
to submit a document showing the name of institution and its
representive.
There are cases where documentaton other than the above stated
is required.
The Certificate of Eligibility must be used in an application to
arrive in Japan within 3 months from the day of issue, or the
effectiveness is lost.
3. Obtaining a Visa
Submit passport, visa applicaion, institute entrance approval
certificate, identification and other necessary documents at the
Japanese embassy/consulate to apply a visa to enter Japan. If a
Certificate of Eligibility has been received it is a good idea
to include the Certificate of Eligibility and the passport with
the visa application.
As previously expressed, a visa is generally only issued to
those students entering a Japanese language education institute
published in this directory. Even with the institute entrance
approval from these institute, the issue of a visa is not an
automatic process. Even with the approval of the institute there
may be problems with the student or guarantor.
It is impossible to change to a "Shugaku(Pre-college Student)"
status in the case of indiniduals who have entered Japan with a
"Tanki-Taizai(Temporary Visitor)" status. This also applies to
those who have entered Japan from coutries having a reciprocal
visa agreement with Japan. If these inddividuals want to study
at a Japanese language education institute in Japan, they must
leave Japan, acquire a certificate of eligibility to a status of
residence, again obtain a proper visa, and then reenter Japan.
4.Landing (Entering Japan)
Visa, passport, Certificate of Eligibility and oter documents
must be presented(or submitted) at the Japanese port of entry.
From the results of teh inspection at Immigrations the entrance
to Japan is approved of disapproved. In the case of approval,
the residence qualification and period are decided and the
entrance is completd. In the case of "Shugaku(Pre-college
Student)" status, the period of stay is normally set at 6
months.
Immediately after entering Japan, please notify the Japanese
language education institute that you will attend of your arival.
