Student and tourist visa for Japan (2024–2026)

Application specifics

To travel to Japan, citizens of Kyrgyzstan need to arrange a visa in advance. There is no visa-free entry, so even short-term tourism requires obtaining a tourist visa.

For studying, a separate student visa is arranged on the basis of an invitation from a Japanese educational institution.

Types of visas

1. Tourist visa (Temporary Visitor Visa)

Suitable for:

• tourism

• visiting friends and relatives

• short trips

Key points:

• arranged in advance through the consulate

• usually issued for a stay of up to 90 days

• does not grant the right to work

• may be single- or multiple-entry (at the consulate’s discretion)

2. Student visa

Suitable for:

• study at universities, colleges and language schools

• long-term educational programmes

Key points:

• arranged on the basis of a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

• the COE is arranged by the host educational institution in Japan

• the visa is issued after the COE is approved

• allows a long stay in the country

• after entry, resident status is arranged

How to apply for a student visa

The process includes:

• admission to a Japanese educational institution

• arranging the Certificate of Eligibility (through the educational institution)

• receiving the COE

• submitting the documents to the Japanese consulate

• receiving the visa and entering the country

• arranging resident status in Japan

Main set of documents

• international passport

• completed application form

• a photograph of the required format

• Certificate of Eligibility (for students)

• letter of admission

• proof of financial means

• documents on employment or studies

• proof of accommodation

• additional documents on request

Processing times

• tourist visa: usually 5 to 10 business days

• student visa: depends on receiving the COE (on average several weeks to months)

• it is recommended to start the process in advance

Submitting the documents

• submission is done through the Japanese consulate

• in some cases — through accredited agencies

• in-person attendance or submission through a representative is required

• an appointment may be mandatory

Key points

• for the student visa, the COE is the key document

• without a COE it is impossible to arrange a long-term student visa

• a tourist visa does not grant the right to long-term study

• the consulate carefully checks financial means and the purpose of the trip

• additional document requests are possible

Summary

• Tourism → tourist visa (Temporary Visitor Visa)

• Study → student visa based on a COE

• Submission → Japanese consulate

• Key factor → having a COE and proof of finances