How to Study in Japan from Nepal

Going to Japan to study Japanese is a long process with several stages. This guide gives you the whole path in order, so you know what comes next. The steps and timing below follow the Japanese government's student guide (Study in Japan) for Japanese language school students. Details such as documents and deadlines depend on the school, so always confirm them with the school you are applying to.

The path in seven steps

1. Gather information

Start by checking the language skills and fees that apply to the kind of school you want. Request materials from several schools about 10 months to 1 year before the course starts, so you can compare them.

2. Choose schools

Check each school's admission requirements, courses, fees and intake months, and decide where to apply. The government guide suggests deciding on your school by about 7 months before the course starts.

3. Prepare proof of your Japanese ability and your documents

Schools may ask for proof of your Japanese level, such as a test result or a record of your study, and may hold an interview. Ask each school what it requires. Do not assume that tests meant for university entrance, such as the EJU, are needed for a language school.

4. Apply

Send the documents the school asks for and pay the application fee. The guide suggests applying about 5 to 7 months before the course starts. Basic documents usually include an application form, a resume, your graduation certificate and transcript from your last school, and proof that you can pay your expenses.

5. Screening and interview

The school reviews your documents and may interview you. Ask early whether the interview is done online or in person, and whether you need to come to Japan.

6. Admission and tuition

After you are accepted, the school sends a Letter of Admission and you pay tuition. The guide shows this at about 3 months before the course starts. This is also when you arrange accommodation and confirm your arrival date.

7. COE, visa and travel preparation

After admission, the school normally helps you apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Once the COE is issued, you apply for a visa by following the instructions of the Embassy of Japan in Nepal. Check that your visa has been issued before you buy your flight ticket and travel insurance. The guide suggests arranging these about 1 month before the course starts. A COE does not guarantee that a visa will be issued.

Understanding the visa steps

Two documents are involved, and they are easy to mix up.

• **Certificate of Eligibility (COE):** The application goes to a regional immigration services bureau in Japan. In most cases the school that accepts you applies on your behalf as your proxy. Ask the school which documents it needs from you. These can include proof of who is paying for your studies, such as a sponsor's savings balance certificate and income certificate for the past year. Required documents and periods differ, so confirm them individually.
• **Student visa:** Once the COE is issued, you apply to the Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country. Application methods and booking can change, and an application center may be used, so always follow the latest instructions from the Embassy of Japan in Nepal. The documents are usually your passport, the visa application form, photographs, a copy of the COE, and any other documents requested.

Study at a Japanese language school falls under the "Student" status of residence. The length of stay is decided for each applicant by the Minister of Justice and does not exceed 4 years and 3 months. This is separate from the length of your school's course.

Arriving in Japan

At the airport you will need your passport, your visa and the COE (a copy is accepted). If you will stay in Japan for more than three months, you receive a residence card. At the airports that issue the card on arrival, you get it at the airport. If it is not issued at the airport, it is sent to you after you register your address.

Once you have decided where you will live in Japan, report your address at the municipal office within 14 days of the day you settled there. Take your residence card, or your passport if the card was not issued at the airport. Carry your residence card with you at all times.

Choosing a Japanese language school

Japanese language schools mainly start new students in April and October, and some also start in January or July. Programs differ in purpose: some prepare you for university or graduate school, some teach general Japanese, and some focus on business Japanese or specific fields.

To get the "Student" status of residence at a Japanese language school, you must choose an institution that is allowed to accept international students. Japan's system for language schools has changed: the Ministry of Education (MEXT) now certifies Japanese language institutions (the system began in April 2024), and schools that were previously approved by the Ministry of Justice are covered by transitional rules. Both kinds currently exist. Before you apply, check the latest lists published by MEXT and the Immigration Services Agency to confirm that the school can accept you.

The Japanese government's guide also suggests asking whether:

• the refund policy is clearly explained
• the classes match your goals
• class levels and class sizes suit you
• the school helps with JLPT or EJU preparation
• graduates move on to further study or work, and the school offers career and daily-life counseling
• dormitory or housing support is available

How to choose a reliable study-abroad agent

Doing the process yourself costs less and builds your language skills, but a good agent can help if you are busy or worried about language. The Japanese government's guide notes that some agents charge excessive fees or give wrong information, so compare several. A reliable agent:

• charges fees that are reasonable compared with other agents and explains them clearly
• asks about your goals and suggests a school that fits them
• never suggests forged documents and does not rush your application
• explains the difficulties as well as the benefits
• can show a track record of sending students to Japan

This site is free to use. Schools may pay us a referral fee, and we do not guarantee admission or visas.

What to do next

Browse Japanese language schools on this site, compare fees, locations and dormitory options, and contact us if you want help narrowing your list.