Japan is an island nation that sits in the Pacific Ocean on the east coast of Asia. It shares borders with several bodies of water including the Seas of Japan, Okhotsk and East China. Its closest neighbors are Taiwan, North and South Korea, China and Russia. It consists of four large islands and 6,852 (yes, 6,852!) total islands.
If you decide to pack your bags and study abroad in Japan with the 130 million locals of Japan, you’ll need to secure a passport, student visa and, if you decide to work, a work visa. Contact the Japanese consulate or embassy at least six months before you leave for Japan to make sure you have your documentation in order. Working or interning while you study abroad in Japan can allow you to collect Japanese Yen (the colorful currency of Japan) meet new people, and discover how video games, hybrid vehicles, and components of iPods are made. Studying abroad in Japan is a learning experience for any student; especially those studying science, technology, finance or industrial design are of interest to you. Japan is amongst the most technologically advanced in the world and its manufacturing of electronics, appliances and motor vehicles is quickly changing the world. It is home to companies like Nintendo and Toyota and is leading the world in scientific and technological research. Its stock exchange and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency are amongst the most prestigious and aggressive in the world. The Temple University, Japan Campus, study abroad program offers courses in a wide variety of disciplines such as art, art history, Asian studies, economics, film and media arts, history, international business studies, Japanese, political science, psych
More documents may be required, depending on each school’s request.
More specifically the following documents are important.
1) Application form (university-specific form) 2) Certificate of upper secondary school graduation (or anticipated graduation) 3) Upper secondary school transcript 4) Letter of recommendation from the principal or a teacher from the originating upper secondary school 5) Certificate of proficiency in Japanese or English 6) Others Documents for submission vary by school, and some schools require translations in Japanese or English. The best thing to do is inquire directly to the relevant school for details
For the pre-Masters courses, typical entry requirements are at least 3 years of higher education and UK IELTS 5.5 (minimum of 5.0 in all skills).
If you do not meet the English language entry level but have at let UKVI IELTS 4.5 (minimum 4.0 in all skills) you can do a course that includes extended English and skills (EES).
If you want to apply for direct entry to a degree at university in Canada, and your native language is not English, you must provide proof of your proficiency.
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores are the most common language requirement for American universities. IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam scores are the most common language requirement for Canadian universities. But most universities will accept either test as proof of your English language ability. You can take TOEFL and IELTS exams at testing centers worldwide.
Required application materials and enrollment periods April to September/October to February...............Request application form, prepare materials, mail them September to November/February to April...........Application period January to March/July to September....................Immigration and enrollment procedures April/October.........................................................Start of one- or two-year course/Start of year-and-a-half course Please give yourself sufficient time for preparations, generally at least six to nine months or more. Although few in number, some schools offer programs starting in July and/or January.
Japanese proficiency requirements Classes in professional training colleges are conducted in Japanese, so international students must be proficient in Japanese. Any one of the following qualifications must be met. 1) Students who have undergone Japanese language education for more than six months at institutions designated through official notification by the Minister of Justice 2) Students who have passed Level N1 or Level N2 of the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) conducted by Japan Educational Exchanges and Services and the Japan Foundation 3) Students who have undergone Japanese elementary school, lower secondary school or upper secondary school education for one year or more 4) Students who have scored 200 points or more in the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) (Japanese as a Foreign Language subject [the total of reading comprehension, and listening and listening-reading comprehension]) 5) Students who have scored 400 points or more in their BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test conducted by the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation
Target audience: Those wishing to study a program delivered in English.
Required by: Institutions offering programs in English (including English-taught degrees in non-Anglophone countries). IELTS results are also accepted as proof of English language proficiency in countries where this is required to obtain a visa.
Purpose: To test a proficiency in English, for an academic or general context.
Duration: Two hours and 30 minutes, plus 15 minutes for the speaking test.
Test content: There are two versions of the test: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. Both are divided into four sections, with the same content for the Listening and Speaking sections, but different Reading and Writing sections. The Academic version focuses more on English in a higher education context, while General Training focuses more on workplace and social situations.
Scoring: Each of the four sections is marked on scale from one to nine, with band one indicating a non-user and nine an expert user. Candidates also receive an averaged overall score on the same scale. Institutions are responsible for setting their own target scores. There is no limit on the number of times the test can be retaken.
Cost: Varies depending on location.
Valid for: Two years.
Specially students from Bangladesh follow the criteria as:
Immigration Procedures Immigration Procedures 25 3 Chapter Situations Learn about Living 1 Application for Certificate of Eligibility for a Status of Residence (COE) An international student wishing to study in Japan or his/her proxy (e.g., a family member of the student or an employee of the school accepting the student) will first apply for an authorized COE at a regional immigration bureau in Japan. Although an applicant may personally apply for the COE, most of the time it is delegated to their proxy (institution, etc.). Please check with your school on documentation requirements when applying, as each school may have its own requirements. 2 Evidence showing the applicant’s ability to pay all expenses during his/her stay in Japan When applying for a COE or visa, you may be asked for proof that you are able to cover your expenses while studying in Japan. A savings balance certificate, income certificate covering the past several years or taxation certificate of the person wishing to study in Japan (or his/her guarantor) is usually required as proof of the applicant’s ability to cover expenses. If an applicant cannot cover the expenses related to entering, staying and studying in Japan, his/her parents or guardian may qualify to serve as a guarantor who provides the financial means to cover those expenses. 3 Visa application documents Once the COE is issued, the visa application form can be submitted to the Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country.
Issue of residence card: When entering Japan via New Chitose, Narita, Haneda, Chubu Centrair, Kansai, Hiroshima or Fukuoka Airport During the immigration process, a Landing Permission stamp will be affixed in your passport and a residence card will be issued. After you determine where you will live in Japan, please bring your residence card to the municipal office administering your address within 14 days to register as a resident.
When entering Japan via airports other than those mentioned above: During the immigration process, a Landing Permission stamp will be affixed in your passport, with a seal indicating the later issuance of a residence card. After you determine where you will live in Japan, please go to the municipal office administering your address within 14 days to register as a resident. Be sure to bring your passport bearing the seal mentioned above. Your residence card will be mailed to your registered address at a later date. Residence card Immigration Procedures 26 3 Chapter Chapter 3 Learn about Living Situations 6 Social security and tax number (“My Number”) In Japan, an individual 12-digit social security and tax number (also called “My Number” or “individual number”) is given to all residents, including nationals of other countries. Some time after completion of resident registration at the municipal office of your address, you will be sent card notifying you of your individual number. Please keep this notification card or individual number card (issued upon application) in a safe place, as your individual number is required in some situations, such as when completing important procedures at the municipal office. Please also note that this number is different from the 12-digit number written on your residence card.
If a foreign national travels to Japan to take an examination, he/she must obtain a “Temporary Visitor” visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate in his/her country by presenting the examination voucher of his/her school of choice. With a “Temporary Visitor” visa, you may be able to stay in Japan for 15, 30, or 90 days. If a foreign national is a national of a country under the Visa Exemption Arrangements, he/she will not need to apply for a visa. Permission to engage in activities other than that permitted under the status 8 of residence previously granted The “Student” status of residence is granted for the sole purpose of studying in Japan and as such does not permit work. However, if you file an application at a regional immigration bureau or other such official organization and are granted permission to engage in activities other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted, you can work part-time.
Persons with the “Student” status of residence who are entering Japan for the first time and will be living in the country for over three months may apply for permission to engage in activities other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted at an airport, etc. when landing permission was issued (see page 34, “Part-time Work”). If applying after arrival, please do so at a regional immigration bureau. However, please be aware that some schools may not grant students permission to engage in a part-time job so that they focus on their studies. Check whether the school you are interested in allows part-time jobs. 9 Procedures for temporary exit from Japan An international student studying in Japan who will be returning to his/her home country temporarily or visiting another country for a short period must apply for a re-entry permit at a regional immigration bureau (regional immigration bureaus are also located at major airports). If he/she fails to do so, he/she will be required to apply for a visa afresh at the Japanese embassy or consulate in his/ her home country.
Foreign nationals residing legally in Japan for mid- to long term in possession of a valid passport and residence card who will be re-entering Japan within one year of their departure (or before expiration of the period of stay if the period of stay expires within one year after the departure) will, in principle, not be required to apply for a re-entry permit if they indicate their intention to re-enter the country (by ticking the column on an ED Card for the Special Re-entry Permit) to the immigration officer when departing Japan. When you leave Japan, be sure to present your residence card and tick the column on an ED Card for Special Re-entry Permit. Notification card ED Card for Special Re-entry Permit Immigration Procedures 27 3 Chapter Situations Learn about Living 710 Extension of period of stay If a foreign national wishes to stay in Japan beyond the period of authorized stay granted to him/her at the time of entry into Japan, he/she must file for an extension of stay with a regional immigration bureau, etc. in Japan before his/ her original period of authorized stay expires. (Usually, a foreign national can file for an extension of stay three months before the expiration of his/her original period of authorized stay in Japan.)
Staying past the period of authorized stay in Japan without doing so can incur serious penalties or deportation. Forgetting to extend your period of stay and residing illegally in Japan can result in your expulsion from the country and the loss of any scholarships you receive. 11 Changing of the status of residence Status of residence must be changed to a different type when the activity (student) initially applied for is discontinued to engage in other activities (employment, etc.). The application must be filed at a regional immigration bureau. Engaging in income-generating businesses or activities without proper approval will result in punishment and deportation. 12 Revocation of the status of residence Status of residence can be revoked in cases where a foreign national has reported falsely on his/her activities, personal history or submitted false documents. Status of residence will be revoked if activities specified in the status of residence have not been performed for three months or more (e.g., a person with the “Student” status of residence working every day without going to college) unless with valid reasons.
13 Bringing dependents to Japan Dependent spouses and children of international students who study under the status of residence of “Student” in universities can reside in Japan under the status of residence of “Dependent” based on the period of stay of the international student supporting them. It is recommended that international students bring their dependents once they are familiar with life in Japan and are economically stable. Take note that it will be difficult for dependents to obtain the “Dependent” status of residence in Japan if the initial entry was as a “Temporary Visitor” (commonly referred to as the tourist visa). 14 Notification to the immigration bureau and the municipal office Any change in the name, date of birth, sex, nationality/region or the organization the foreign national belongs to (such as a change of school) is required to be notified to a regional immigration bureau within 14 days after the change is made. If your place of residence in Japan changes, you have to file notifications of moving in and out at the municipal office.
Immigration Procedures 28 3 Chapter Chapter 3 Learn about Living Situations Calculating the expenses you’ll have to pay both before and while studying in Japan and creating a solid funding plan (including self-financing) will help you enjoy a more stable life. Doing this calculation before you come to Japan will confirm whether your plan to study in Japan is feasible. Guideline amount (four-year national university) Calculate the amount you will need Costs required prior to applying Examination fees EJU, JLPT, TOEFL®, etc. ¥28,080 Assuming that you will take the EJU (two or more subjects) twice in Japan ¥ Entrance examination fee for desired school ¥17,000 Assuming that you will take the examination once for a national university ¥ Physical examination fee (varies by school) ¥6,000 Varies depending on country ¥ Application mailing costs (varies by school) ¥2,000 Varies depending on country ¥ Costs required to take entrance examinations Airfare and lodging expenses ¥100,000 Varies depending on country and stay schedule ¥ Passport application fee ¥12,000 Varies depending on country ¥ Visa fee ¥5,000 Varies depending on country ¥ Costs required after being accepted into a school Travel costs ¥70,000 Varies depending on country ¥ Lodging expenses (hotel cost until finding a place to live) ¥30,000 Varies depending on stay schedule ¥ Admission fee ¥282,000 National university ¥ First-year tuition fees, etc. ¥535,800 National university ¥ Commuting expenses ¥48,000 Amounts for one year, calculated based on the JASSO 2015 Lifestyle Survey of Privately Financed International Students ¥ Food expenses ¥300,000 ¥ Housing costs ¥372,000 ¥ Utilities (electricity, gas, water) ¥84,000 ¥ Insurance/medical expenses ¥24,000 ¥ Hobbies/entertainment expenses ¥72,000 ¥ Miscellaneous expenses ¥84,000 ¥ Total ¥2,071,880 ¥ Once you’ve calculated your total, check whether you will be able to cover this amount via savings, scholarships, a part-time job, etc.
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