Financial Sponsor Documents for Studying in Japan: What a Family Needs When They Pay Tuition and Living Costs

When you study in Japan, you must show the immigration authorities who will pay your tuition and living costs. In Nepal, it is often family. This guide explains, based on the official document lists of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, the documents the financial sponsor (the person who pays) prepares, and what to watch out for.

We checked the official pages listed at the bottom on 8 November 2026. **The documents you need depend on the type of school and on whether the school is a tekiseiko (適正校, an "appropriately managed school" category notified by the Agency). Forms and practice can also be revised. This guide focuses on the new COE application for a Japanese language institution (Japanese language school). Universities, vocational schools and others have different lists. Always check the latest list with the school you will enter and on the Immigration Services Agency's "Status of Residence 'Student'" page. The result of the screening is decided by the Immigration Services Agency, and this guide does not guarantee it.

First, how this fits into the whole process

In many cases the school applies for the COE as your agent. For the whole process, see the COE and student visa guide. This guide explains only one part in detail: the documents of the person who pays.

The Immigration Services Agency places weight on whether the person can actually pay, so that students do not fall into hardship after they enter Japan.

The documents change with the type of school

For Japanese language institutions, the Agency's document list is divided by school category. The categories are the "tekiseiko school" (適正校) categories the Agency notifies to schools: Class I, Class II, and not notified. Ask your school which category it is in.

The "Attached Table" (別表) is a list of countries and regions published by the Agency. Which documents you need depends on whether the applicant's nationality appears in this table. Nepal is not among the countries and regions listed in the table. So in the table below, follow the column for "countries not listed in the Attached Table."

Do not relax if your school is Class I. The Agency's notes say that even for documents not on the list, the school must check, at admission, documents showing the ability to pay all expenses during your stay, or, if someone else pays, that person's ability to pay and how they came to pay. During screening you may also be asked for documents that are not on the list. Even for a Class I school, it is wise for the family to prepare the documents below (a guideline from this guide).

Each document

Statement of financial support (経費支弁書)

This is a document in which the sponsor promises "I will pay the costs." The Agency publishes a reference form. The person who pays writes it. The form has fields for the following:

• How you came to pay: concretely, why you are paying the applicant's costs and your relationship with the applicant.
• Tuition: the amount in yen, per month, per half-year or per year.
• Living costs: the monthly amount in yen.
• Method of payment: write concretely how you will pay, for example remittance or bank transfer.
• The sponsor's address, telephone number, name, and relationship to the applicant.

The form also contains a promise that when you apply to extend your period of stay, you will submit a remittance certificate or a copy of a passbook in the student's name, or other documents that show the living costs were paid. In other words, you must keep paying as you wrote.

Documents showing the relationship between sponsor and applicant

These documents show how the sponsor is related to the applicant. Follow the instructions of your school and the Immigration Services Agency on which document to use. This guide cannot confirm which Nepali documents are accepted. Ask your school which document to submit to show the family relationship.

Bank balance certificate (original)

This shows the balance in the sponsor's account. You submit the original. The Agency's notes say:

• The balance certificate must be for an account at a bank recognised by the government or central bank of that country.
• Originals must be issued (prepared) within 3 months of submission, according to the Agency's notes. If you obtain it too early, it can no longer be used.
• People from countries where it is difficult to send money must also submit a document explaining how they will take their assets out of the country. This guide cannot confirm whether Nepal is one of those countries. Ask your school.

Documents showing how the funds were built up over the past year

These show how the money in the account was saved. The Agency's notes say to submit the following:

• Statements of deposits and withdrawals.
• A copy of the passbook.
• An annual income certificate issued by a public body.

If the public body needs government approval in the issuing country, submit a certificate from an approved body.

Documents showing the sponsor's occupation and income over the past year

These appear on the list for schools that have not been notified as tekiseiko schools. They are a document showing the job (for example a certificate of employment) and a document showing income. Follow your school's instructions on which documents to use. This guide cannot confirm specific Nepali document names.

Things to watch out for

The Agency's notes give strong warnings:

• Do not forge documents. If you submit false documents, you may be viewed as a person whose proper stay is in doubt in later applications too.
• Do not temporarily deposit a large sum. Putting a large amount in the account only for the screening can also cause suspicion. That is why documents on "how the funds were built up" are requested.
• Do not ask anyone to create a false balance or make temporary deposits. Money deposited to show a balance or a savings history that is not real can be questioned in screening. Submit only genuine documents.
• Documents you submit are generally not returned. Submitted materials are generally not returned. If you want an original returned that would be hard to obtain again, say so when you apply.
• If you cannot submit a listed document, explain why and submit substitute materials.
• Add a Japanese translation to documents in a foreign language.

When you pay yourself, or a scholarship pays

If the person paying is you, not your family, or if a scholarship pays, the documents differ. For scholarships, check the required documents in the Agency's "List of certificates on the award of scholarships." Whether the scholarship covers living costs as well as tuition is also looked at. For how scholarships work, see the scholarship guide.

The Agency's notes say that when someone other than the student pays, both the document showing that person's ability to pay and the document explaining how that person came to pay are checked.

How much to plan for living costs

The Agency tells applicants to check the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) "Survey of Living Conditions of Privately Financed International Students" for the living costs needed in Japan. There is no single fixed amount. For school costs and living costs, see the cost guide.

On part-time work, the Agency says that paying all tuition and living costs by part-time work is not permitted. The student status is for studying. Part-time work is an exception, allowed with permission and only within a range that does not interfere with study. For the rules, see the part-time work guide. Do not trust anyone who says "you will pay with part-time work, so you need fewer documents."

When you extend your stay

After you arrive in Japan, the fact that costs are being paid is checked again when you extend your period of stay. For extension applications, the Agency's document list names a "Declaration on payment of living expenses" instead of the statement of financial support. Keep remittance records and passbook copies in line with what you wrote in the statement. The cost guide also touches on how to send money.

A checklist for the family

When you receive the document list from the school, check in this order (a guideline from this guide):

1. 1Ask the school whether it is a tekiseiko school, and whether it is Class I or Class II.
2. 2Get the school's document list in writing.
3. 3Decide who will pay. Prepare the documents in the payer's name.
4. 4Get the payer's bank balance certificate (original) just before applying (within 3 months).
5. 5Collect statements of deposits and withdrawals and a copy of the passbook that show how the savings were built.
6. 6Confirm with the school which documents show the relationship between payer and student, and prepare them.
7. 7The payer writes the statement of financial support personally. Check that the amounts and the payment method match the real plan.
8. 8Add a Japanese translation to documents in foreign languages.
9. 9Check once more that nothing is forged and no temporary deposits were made.

Questions to ask the school

• Is my school a tekiseiko school? Class I or Class II?
• Which financial documents are needed for my nationality?
• By when, and for what minimum amount, do I need a bank balance certificate? (Some schools may give a guideline amount. This guide cannot confirm a single standard amount.)
• Which documents should I submit to show the relationship?
• Who makes the translation, and how?

Frequently asked questions

How much money must be in the account?

The Immigration Services Agency does not give a single amount. What is looked at is whether there is a plan to keep paying tuition and living costs for the whole period of study. Follow your school's document list and instructions.

Can someone other than a family member pay?

The Agency says that when someone other than the student pays, it checks that person's ability to pay and how they came to pay. This guide cannot confirm who may pay or which relationships are acceptable. Consult your school first.

If my school is Class I, do I submit no family documents at all?

For Class I, the list does not directly include sponsor documents. However, the school is expected to check documents showing the ability to pay (including the sponsor's ability if your family pays), and you can be asked for more during screening. Prepare them anyway.

Can the balance certificate come from any bank?

The Agency's notes say it must be for an account at a bank recognised by the government or central bank of that country. Ask your school which banks qualify.

When should I prepare the documents?

The standard processing time for a COE is 1 to 3 months. Originals must be issued within 3 months. Match your school's deadline and do not obtain them too early. For the overall schedule, see the COE and student visa guide.

Next steps

Ask your school for the document list in writing. Show this guide to your family and decide who will pay. For the whole process, see How to Study in Japan from Nepal. For choosing a school and agents, see How to choose a Japanese language school. You can contact us, but we do not guarantee admission or a visa. This site is free to use.