Return
Visa Requirements and Exemptions

What visa do I need?

Some of Yamasa's students have Japanese passports, but almost all students are citizens of other countries. If you are a foreign citizen and wish to study in Japan then you will need a visa - some people need to apply for one in advance, others are granted a visa upon arrival in Japan. There are two vital factors that will determine what you need to do. These are a) your nationality and b) the length of the course of studies for which you wish to apply.

Nationality: Your nationality will determine whether you require a personal guarantor or not. To check please read through the information regarding guarantors before continuing.

Length of Studies: The length of your course will determine whether you need a student visa or just a short-stay visa (commonly known as a tourist visa).


Click here for visa information for programs of three (3) months duration or less.

Click here for visa information for programs longer than three (3) months duration.


Most of the information you will require can be found using the two links above. Some other useful information may be found if you use the following links. Please remember though 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 us immediately.

Other useful information:

Accreditation: Information regarding our accreditation level.
Part-Time Work: Information regarding the regulations for part-time work. Please note that it is illegal for any student in Japan on a short stay (tourist) visa to seek or accept part-time work.
Working Holiday Program: Information regarding the Working Holiday Program for young people from Australia, Canada, France, Korea and New Zealand.
Association for the Promotion of Japanese Language Education Outline of the governing body for Japanese Language Education and its role in the visa and accreditation process.
Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (Your browser will need to support frames)

Return