A student visa is not required for U.S. citizens planning to stay just one term in Japan. U.S. citizens can stay in Japan for 90 days without a visa. Non-U.S. students are encouraged to check with their local Japanese Consulate about application procedures and eligibility requirements.

If you plan to study longer than one term, or if you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you need a visa.

A visa is simply a stamp placed in your passport allowing you to enter another country. Requirements vary depending on your citizenship. U.S. citizens can enter Japan as tourists and stay up to 90 days without applying for a visa. Citizens from other countries may have different requirements for entry. To find out specific requirements, ask the nearest Japanese Consulate.

The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a very informative website explaining the visa policy:

Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Web Site

No matter what country you are from, if you want to study in Japan without obtaining a visa, you will need an exemption of 90 days (or three months) for one KCP semester. To check whether your country has a visa exemption arrangement with Japan, and to see how many days it includes, visit www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/02.html.

When you sign up for a KCP extended or full-year program, KCP staff assists you in application for a student visa, by checking your application for completeness, translating necessary parts, serving as the sponsor institution and providing other crucial aid. Since it takes quite some time to obtain a visa, begin the visa application process as soon as you receive notification of acceptance from KCP.

Japanese Immigration is extremely rigorous in its criteria for correct, complete, perfect (no mistakes or evidence of corrections) information when considering visa applications. The most common reasons for visas not being granted are: (1) incomplete information, (2) lack of financial support, (3) inaccurate information, and (4) long time periods that are not accounted for by school, work, or other valid activity. Give yourself all the time necessary (at least 6 months) to apply for a visa. DO NOT leave student visa application for the last minute.

In accordance with Japan’s official policy, before you begin the visa process, if you want to stay for an extended semester (two or more terms), you must be able to show available funds (bank holdings and financial aid) of at least $15,000 US. In addition, KCP may ask you to verify income from a financial supporter.

If you do not obtain a student visa before beginning the term, you must have a return air travel ticket before departing for Japan.  Airlines will let you board only if you have either a visa for longer than 90 days, or a return ticket.

For more information about applying for a visa, so that you can begin gathering the necessary documents, download this Preliminary Student Visa Packet including Personal Records Form and Financial Support Form (PDF file).

Preliminary Student Visa Info