To enter Japan, foreign nationality students whose residence is outside of Japan must apply for a “Certificate of Eligibility” (COE) issued by the Japanese Immigration Bureau.
Required Documents
Prepare the following items and upload them to the visa application portal by the deadline.
1. COE Application Form
COE Application Form will be displayed on your TUJ Application Portal once your admission application is completed
2. Passport
Photo/ID and signature pages of your passport
3. Headshot photo (4 cm high x 3 cm wide)
Submit an official headshot photo that is:
- Taken within the last 3 months
- It must show a clear, full front view of the student's face from the bottom of the chin to the top of the hair
- With a white or off-white background
- 2 inch x 2 inch photo is acceptable
- File extensions allowed for uploads are: doc, docx, gif, jpg, mpg, pdf, png
4. Proof of Financial Viability
The Japanese Immigration Bureau requires all students to show the ability to support themselves when applying for a student visa. You must prove that sufficient funds are or will be available from a reliable financial source.
The proof of financial viability needs to:
- show where the money is actually coming from
- be dated within the last three months
- total 3,000,000 yen (or equivalent in foreign currency) or more
- be in either Japanese or English
Financial viability can be proven by submitting copies of any combination of the following documents:
- Bank statements
- U.S. Financial Aid award letter
(work with TUJ’s Financial Aid Coordinator after your acceptance regarding your Financial Aid award if U.S. citizen) - Scholarship award letters
- Retirement account statements
(must have documentation regarding cash/loan availability) - Loan approvals
(work with TUJ's Financial Aid Coordinator after your acceptance regarding loan certification) - GI Bill Certificate of Eligibility
(Submit a PDF copy of the GI Bill COE issued by the VA. You do not need to submit a Letter of Sponsorship.)
If the document is not under your name or you do not have the full amount, a financial guarantor, such as a parent or relative can submit documents on your behalf to meet the requirement. Your guarantor should provide documents in his or her name and also complete the Letter of Sponsorship below.
5. Academic Record and Record of Completion of Previous Institution (if previously studied at a school in Japan on a student visa)
If you have studied in Japan before (ie: at a language school, credit-bearing program, university, etc.), Japanese Immigration requires documents of your school transcript, attendance record, and a letter of activity completion/letter of withdrawal.
- All documents must be in either English or Japanese
If you have any questions, contact [click-for-email].