Through the assistance of VSF Global, the process of applying for a Japanese student visa for Indians has become relatively easy. All you need it to follow each step carefully! If not for an educational purpose, do visit this beautiful country once via a Japanese tourist visa for Indians. Moreover, please note that the information provided in this article is correct to the best of our knowledge, but it is subject to alter as per changes in the regulations of the Japanese authorities.

Who needs a student visa?

A student visa is required for every international student who plans to study in Japan for 90 days or more. In Japan, students pursue courses full-time, although they can obtain work permit upon their arrival in Japan. If you wish to enroll in any of the following educational programs in any recognized university or institution of Japan, then you will need a student visa:

• Primary and secondary schools
• Secondary school exchange programs
• Higher Education
• Graduate and Post Graduate Courseworkh
• Vocational Education and Training (Duration of which is more than 90 days)

Documents required for a Japanese student visa

The documents needed for your visa application are as follows: -

1. Valid Passport and any previously cancelled passport(s) are to submitted. The passport must have at least two blank pages and a validity for your entire stay in the country.
2. Proof of sufficient finances- Students are required to present documents that prove their financial credibility, and if they can support their expenses for their course and stay in Japan. For this, you need to submit:
• Letter of Remittance- This states the amount of money you’ll have in Japan and source of said money.
• Bank Account Balance Certificate- This is needed to show that you or your guarantor have the needed money to pursue your educational program.
• Proof of employment, either your own or your sponsor’s.
• Written oath or pledge stating that you/guarantor promise to incur the necessary costs of your selected educational program.
3. Getting the Certificate of Eligibility (COE)- Once your application has been forwarded to the Japanese Embassy by VSF, the COE will be issued to you by the Regional Immigration Bureau of the Ministry of Justice of Japan. This serves as a permission from the Japanese government following which he/she can be issued a visa.
4. The Application Essay- This requires a student to elaborate his or her reason for choosing Japan for the particular education program. One can even write how Japan’s influence would boost their career.
5. If applicable, a Certificate of Previous Japanese Studies needs to attached as well.
6. Student’s CV and experience certificate (if applicable) are required to be attached in the visa application.
7. Diploma or degree and transcript from the school you recently graduated from is required as well. This document ought to be translated to either Japanese or English.
8. Some schools ask for your medical history; however, this Japanese visa requirement varies as per university/institution rules.

Procedure for a student visa

In India, VSF Global handles the entire process of Japanese visa for Indians.Given below are the steps you need to follow to obtain your Japanese student visa.

1. The first step is to download the Visa Application Form. Please ensure that no errors are committed while filling this form, as any discrepancy may lead to rejection of the visa.
2. The next step involves attaching all the required documents along with your visa application form. VSF Global provides all its clients with a detailed list of documents required, be sure to abide by the same.
3. Once your application is ready, it is to be submitted at any one of the VSF centres that is most convenient for you. Embassy of Japan is located in Delhi, whereas Consulates are located in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Bengaluru.
4. When submitting your application, you must pay the visa fee and service charges. The fee is determined as per your nationality and type of entry into Japan. The visa fee will be refunded in case visa is not issued. However the services charges of VSF are non-refundable.
5. The VSF website allows students to track the visa application online. The processing time for Japanese visa for Indian students is 8-10 working days. You will be duly informed of the result.

Things to keep in mind

1. In other countries, students apply for a Japanese visa through their particular university or school’s assistance. However, Indian students are required to adhere to VSF Global’s guidelines and application process.
2. In case you change your course or coursework provider, do ensure to inform the immigration department at the earliest.
3. Students are advised to always keep a copy (soft copy and hard copy) of all your documents, in case of theft or loss, these will be extremely useful.
4. In case of unavailability of a document before application submission, students must inform the authorities through the covering letter. The document’s absence and reason for the same need to be mentioned.
5. Sometimes students may be required to face a visa interview that shall only take place at the Japanese Embassy.
6. You must abide by the date limits mentioned on the Japanese visa for Indian students.

Reasons for rejection

Following are some of the reasons that could lead to rejection of your visa application: -

1. If you failed to establish a clear purpose or motive in your visa application process.
2. If you fail to provide adequate proof of funds to support your stay and return fair to the home country.
3. Filling incorrect or false information, or any other discrepancies in the visa application form, or other academic or non-academic documents.
4. If you have applied to more than one school, then your visa application may get rejected.
5. The visa application was already being processed at a different Embassy of Japan or Consulate General.

Through the assistance of VSF Global, the process of applying for a Japanese student visa for Indians has become relatively easy. All you need it to follow each step carefully! If not for an educational purpose, do visit this beautiful country once via a Japanese tourist visa for Indians. Moreover, please note that the information provided in this article is correct to the best of our knowledge, but it is subject to alter as per changes in the regulations of the Japanese authorities.