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If you do not have Japanese citizenship and wish to study at Yamasa for an extended period of time then you will probably need a student visa. Most short stay (tourist) visas are only valid for 3 months. There are a handful of countries (mainly in Europe) whose citizens can extend their tourist visas for a maximum of 6 months - but with some bureaucratic hassles and as it is a tourist visa then of course they are still not allowed to work part-time. There is also the working holiday visa - however it is restricted to only 5 nationalities (Australia, Canada, France, Korea and New Zealand).

In summary if you want to study for even 1 day longer than the maximum period of stay on a tourist visa that is allowed for your nationality, and think you would like to be able to work part-time if the opportunity was available, then a student visa (In Japanese it is called 'Shugakusei') is the best option.

The student visa offers the following advantages:
a) The student visa has a period of stay of 1 year and can be renewed for a maximum stay of 2 years.
b) You are able to work part-time.
c) You are able to leave Japan and re-enter without needing to apply for the visa again.

To apply for a student visa, the easiest way is to complete Yamasa's Student Visa Application Kit. Usually this involves enrolling in an Academic Program for 2 quarters (6 months) or more. You are eligible for a 12 month extendable period of stay (students at most schools/institutes receive only 6 months) due to our higher level of accreditation. Please note that due to the limited number of student visas that can be issued, Yamasa does not usually permit students studying in Extension programs to apply for a student visa.

Notes:
a) Yamasa is flexible. It is possible to study for 4 months or 7 months if your schedule requires it. The visa remains the same.
b) While we are flexible, the Immigration Bureau is not. The visa is only available for students for April or October commencements.
c) If you are in Japan on a work visa, working holiday visa or equivalent then it is usually possible to convert to a student visa without having to leave the country.
d) It is no problem to commence a program on a tourist visa and then apply for the student visa - but you need to leave the country and then re-enter for either April or October. Please contact Admissions for the latest information.

Obtaining the student visa will require some documentation. All of the details are specified in the Student Visa Application Kit and you will also find enclosed sample copies of the forms already completed by Yamasa's Admissions office staff. You do not need to be able to read Japanese - the kit can be easily completed in English, German, Spanish, Chinese and Korean. You will find the rest of the information regarding the Student Visa Application Kit in the Applications section.

Please remember that as a foreign citizen wishing to study in Japan your visa status is all important. If you have any doubt whatsoever regarding the appropriate visa for you or the application process - please contact Mr. Declan Murphy (Director - International Office) and his staff at Admissions immediately.

Click here to return to the Visa Information Index.

Questions regarding this file...

If any of the information in this file is unclear, or if you need more detailed information, please click here and read the study/applications section of the FAQ before contacting us. Best regards, Declan Murphy.

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