Student Visa (Ryugaku)

The Japan Student Visa (Ryugaku) covers foreign nationals accepted into a recognized institution — universities, graduate schools, technical colleges, or language schools — for full-time study. The school applies for a Certificate of qualification (COE); once issued, the applicant applies at a Japanese embassy.

Stay is individually designated up to 4 years and 3 months, renewable by course extension. Students may apply for permission to work part-time, capped at 28 hrs/week. Dependents may join on a dependent visa for degree programs. The visa carries no PR pathway and dual intent is not permitted.

This visa is ideal for full-time students at Japanese institutions who need a structured, renewable study pathway with limited work rights.