Student Guidelines
GUIDELINES TO LIVING & STUDYING IN JAPAN
* Studying in Japan
According to the survey more than 100,000 international students are currently studying at universities, junior colleges, professional schools and other educational institutions in Japan. Their number has been increasing rapidly.
Foreigners, who wish to study in Japan need to get a student visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate outside of Japan in order to enter the country on a status of residence that permits long term studies.
Sponsors is require with sufficient funds to cover all your expenses during your stay to qualify for a student visa.
Studying in Japan is impossible without being issued a COE. If a visa has not been issued, it is impossible for you to study in Japan even with the admission sent by school In such cases, you will have to defer your admission and try again later.
* Visa Matters
Two factors will be inspected when the immigration authority screens your application for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
Whether you received Admission or not: The immigration authority will inspect your school certificate of the latest school you attended in your home country and the admission issued by the school you will enter in Japan.
Whether you have sufficient financial resources that cover tuition and living expenses. The immigration authority will inspect certificates of your bank balance and income. In some cases, the COE will not be issued if your documentation is incomplete, even if you have enough money to cover the expenses for studying in Japan.
If you are a citizen of one of the over 50 countries, with which Japan has a "general visa exemption arrangement", you need only a valid passport to study at a Japanese language school for short periods of time (generally up to 90 days).
All other foreign students in Japan need a student visa in order to study in Japan. Visa applicants require an educational institution as their sponsor in order to obtain a student visa.
Student visa holders are not allowed to engage in any paid activities, unless they get the permission of the school and the immigration office. Even then, students may work only a set maximum number of hours per week.
Temporary visitors are not allowed to engage in any paid activities. However, short term studies at Japanese language schools are permitted.
All foreign tourists in Japan are required to carry their passports with them at all times.
It cost three-four months to apply for Certificate of Eligibility. After receiving Certificate of Eligibility from the proxy, you should go to the Japanese embassy in your homeland to apply for "VISA".
* Working in Japan
Work Permit: International students coming to Japan with a visa status of "Student" may engage in part-time work as long as the work does not interfere with their studies. If you would like to engage in part-time work, you need to obtain permission from the Minister of Justice in advance of the Immigration Control. If you engage in part-time work without permission, you may be subject to punishment including deportation. Doing prohibited types of work and working more than the legally permitted hours could also result in deportation. There have recently been cases of international students being tricked into engaging in illegal part-time work and eventually being arrested.
Working limitations: As a student you can work up to maximum of 28 hours a week. This is a rules of immigration that needs to follow. If you leave your school, since you will no longer doing activities related to being a student, your work permit will become invalid.
* Cost of Living
What is the monthly average cost of living in Japan for a single fresher Student.
It depends heavily on your area, company and habits. In Tokyo the rents are very expensive and that makes most of the expenditure. Here is breakup of monthly expenses in yen.
Rent 50,000 JPY (180sq ft. room)
Utility fees 10,000 JPY
Food 35,000 JPY
Phone/Internet 8,000 JPY
Travel 2000 JPY
Total= 105000-110000 JPY
Now if you are living outside Tokyo, you may get apartment in 30,000 JPY. But it depends on the area you live. However, if you live in school's dorm then it will be very cheap. Schools dorm will be usually near to school so you can commute using bicycle or by walk and can save some money. Overall I can say if you prefer to live in school's dorm and outside Tokyo but not in other metropolitan area like Osaka, Nagoya then your average monthly expenses would be around 70,000-80,000 JPY.