- Written and reviewed by the Inochi Global Education counselling team
- Last updated:
- 6 min read
How the Japan student visa works: COE first, visa second
Unlike the UK or Canada, you do not apply to the Japanese embassy first. The school in Japan acts as your proxy and applies to the Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁) for a Certificate of Eligibility for the 'Student' (留学) status of residence. Immigration examines your whole file — academics, Japanese ability, sponsor's finances, the school's own track record — and issues the COE if satisfied.
Only after the COE arrives (typically ~90 days after the school submits, in the month before the intake) do you pay the school's tuition and apply for the visa sticker at VFS Global Dhaka, which forwards it to the Embassy of Japan. Because Immigration has already approved your status, the embassy stage is usually quick — but it is a real second check, and the embassy can still refuse.
Documents from the student
- Passport (valid 18+ months, 4+ blank pages) and 6 recent photographs (4×3 cm, white background).
- All academic certificates and mark-sheets from SSC onward — originals plus notarised English copies, then certified Japanese translations.
- Japanese-language certificate: JLPT N5 (or NAT-TEST 5Q, J.TEST F/G, TOPJ) and a 150–180-hour attendance certificate from your Japanese institute.
- Statement of Purpose (理由書) — why Japan, why this school, your plan after the course, and an explanation of any study gap.
- NID / birth certificate, and the school's own application form with a CV-style history of education and employment (no unexplained months).
- Employment certificate if you worked during a gap; medical certificate if the school asks.
Documents from the financial sponsor
- Letter of financial support (経費支弁書) in the school's format, signed by the sponsor.
- Bank statement for the last 6–12 months plus a balance certificate — typically ~12 lakh BDT (parent) or ~15 lakh (relative).
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Japan student visa take from Bangladesh?
About 3–4 months in total: roughly 90 days for the COE from Japanese Immigration, then about 7 working days at the embassy after submission through VFS Global. Start preparing documents 6–9 months before your intake.
What is the bank balance requirement for a Japan student visa?
There is no single official figure; schools and immigration want the first year covered. In practice Bangladeshi applicants show about 12 lakh BDT (parent sponsor) to 15 lakh BDT (relative sponsor), supported by income and tax records.
Is JLPT mandatory for a Japan student visa?
For Bangladeshi applicants to language schools, Immigration requires proof of Japanese ability — JLPT N5 or an equivalent test (NAT-TEST 5Q, J.TEST F/G) — plus a certificate of 150–180 hours of Japanese study. English-taught university programmes may accept IELTS/TOEFL instead.
Can I apply for the visa myself without an agency?
Yes. The school files the COE and you can submit at VFS yourself. Most students use an institute for the Japanese course, document translation, school matching and the sponsor paperwork — which is where applications usually fail.
What is the Japan student visa success rate for Bangladeshis?
The government does not publish a per-country rate, and it varies by school and by year. Immigration has tightened scrutiny on applicants from several South Asian countries since 2023, so complete, consistent files and real Japanese ability matter more than ever. Inochi publishes its own documented COE and visa results on the Success page.
Official sources
Rules and fees change — always confirm with the official source or an Inochi counsellor before you act.
Want your documents checked before the school sees them?
Inochi's counsellors review the student and sponsor file line by line, arrange certified Japanese translations, and run a mock embassy interview — so the first submission is the right one.
This guide is general information based on official Japanese government and institutional sources at the time of writing. It is not legal or immigration advice. Immigration rules, fees and exchange rates change; confirm the latest requirements with the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh, the school, or an Inochi counsellor.