Do You Need a 150-hour Japanese Study Certificate for a Student Visa?

2025/03/26

If you’re planning to study Japanese in Japan on a long-term basis, you’ll need to obtain a student visa. One requirement that often confuses prospective students is the need for proof of prior Japanese language study.

This article explains the 150-hour Japanese study certificate requirement, when it applies, and what other requirements you’ll need to meet for your student visa application.

Is a 150-hour Japanese Study Certificate Required?

Yes, as of March 2025, the Japanese Immigration Bureau requires proof of Japanese language proficiency for all applicants seeking a student visa to study at a Japanese language school, regardless of nationality or educational background. This new requirement will apply to all students planning to enroll from April 2025 onward.

Previously, most applicants who had graduated from higher education institutions in their home countries could apply for a Certificate of Eligibility without demonstrating prior Japanese language study. However, the rules have changed to ensure students have basic language foundations before beginning their studies in Japan.

The requirement aims to evaluate the applicant’s commitment and motivation to study in Japan. It also helps ensure that students can benefit from their language courses upon arrival, having already established fundamental knowledge of Japanese.

You can satisfy this requirement in one of two ways.

1. Passing a recognized Japanese language proficiency exam, such as the JLPT N5 (or higher)
2. Providing documentation of at least 150 hours of formal Japanese language study

It’s worth noting that self-study or planned study hours before enrollment are not accepted by immigration authorities. You must provide official documentation from a recognized institution or organization.

When Is a 150-hour Japanese Study Certificate Needed?

The 150-hour Japanese study certificate is required in specific circumstances.

Long-Term Study Programs

If you’re applying for a long-term Japanese language program that requires a student visa, you’ll need to provide proof of prior Japanese language study. This applies to programs typically lasting 6 months or longer at Japanese language schools.

Short-term study programs or study trips that last less than 90 days typically don’t require a student visa, and therefore don’t require proof of prior Japanese study. You can enroll in these short-term programs as a complete beginner without any prior language experience.

All Nationalities and Age Groups

The new requirement applies to all applicants regardless of nationality or age. Previously, there were some exceptions based on country of origin or educational background, but the updated regulations apply universally to anyone seeking a student visa for Japanese language study.

This means that even applicants from countries with traditionally lower visa rejection rates, such as the United States, Canada, and European nations, must now demonstrate prior Japanese language study.

Mature Students

There has been some confusion, particularly among “mature” students (typically those over 30 years old), about whether the 150-hour requirement applies to them. According to the latest information from the Immigration Bureau, the requirement applies to all age groups seeking a student visa for language study.

Some language school agents may emphasize this requirement more for older students because immigration officers often scrutinize these applications more carefully, looking for genuine study intent and strong motivation.

Requirements for Student Visa Applications

Beyond the Japanese language study requirement, there are several other important elements to your student visa application.

Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

The first step in obtaining a student visa is to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility through your chosen Japanese language school. The school will submit this application to the Immigration Bureau on your behalf.

Key documentation for the COE application includes the below.

• Application form with your personal information
• Photograph (4cm × 3cm)
• Copy of your passport
• Proof of Japanese language study (150-hour certificate or exam results)
• Academic background documents (diplomas, transcripts)
• Letter explaining your purpose of study
• Documents verifying your financial resources

The processing time for a COE is typically 2-3 months, so plan your application well in advance of your intended start date.

Accepted Proof of Japanese Language Study

To satisfy the language study requirement, you can submit one of the following.

Japanese Language Proficiency Exams

• JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) – N5 level or higher
• BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test – Score of 300 or higher
• J.TEST Practical Japanese Test – Level F or above (250+ points)
• NAT-TEST – Level 5 or above
• STBJ Standard Business Japanese Test – Score of 350 or higher
• TOPJ Practical Japanese Proficiency Test – Beginner Level A or above
• J-cert Daily Life and Vocational Japanese Test – Beginner Level or above
• JLCT Japanese Proficiency Test for Foreigners – “JCT5” or above
• PJC Bridge – “C-” or above
• JPT Japanese Language Proficiency Test – Score of 315 or higher

Documentation of 150 Hours of Study

• Transcript of records from a high school, college, or university
• Certificate from an accredited Japanese language school in your home country
• Completion certificate from a recognized online Japanese course
• Documentation from private lessons with qualified teachers

Self-study alone is generally not accepted, though some schools may consider it in conjunction with a level check test, depending on circumstances.

Timeline for Application

Most applications to study at a Japanese language school should begin between 6-12 months before your chosen study term. This allows sufficient time to the below.

1. Complete the required 150 hours of Japanese study (if not already done)
2. Apply to your chosen language school
3. Wait for the Certificate of Eligibility processing
4. Apply for your student visa once the COE is issued
5. Make travel and accommodation arrangements

For April enrollment, which is the main intake period in Japan, you should ideally begin preparations the previous summer or fall.

Financial Requirements for Student Visa Applications

The Japanese Immigration Bureau carefully examines the financial aspects of student visa applications to ensure applicants can support themselves during their studies without financial difficulty.

Minimum Financial Resources

You must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to cover.

• Tuition fees for at least one year at your language school
• Living expenses (approximately ¥120,000 per month)
• Return airfare or funds for return transportation

For a typical one-year program, this means showing access to roughly:

• ¥600,000 to ¥800,000 for annual tuition fees
• ¥1,440,000 for annual living expenses (¥120,000 × 12 months)
• ¥100,000 to ¥200,000 for miscellaneous expenses

In total, you should be prepared to demonstrate access to approximately ¥2,000,000 to ¥2,500,000 for a one-year program. For longer programs, the financial requirements increase proportionally.

Financial Sponsors

Many students rely on financial sponsors, typically parents or close family members. If someone is sponsoring your education, you’ll need to provide the following.

• Proof of your relationship to the sponsor (birth certificate, family registry)
• Your sponsor’s bank statements (showing sufficient funds)
• Income certificate or tax documents demonstrating the sponsor’s financial stability
• A letter of financial support outlining their commitment

The ideal sponsor is a parent or immediate family member with stable employment and sufficient income to support both their own expenses and your education in Japan.

Documentation Standards

• Officially issued by financial institutions or government authorities
• Translated into Japanese or English by certified translators
• Recently issued (typically within the last 3 months)
• Showing consistent, stable funds (not just a recent large deposit)

Immigration officials are particularly wary of suspicious banking activity, such as large, unexplained deposits shortly before application, as this may suggest temporary funds arranged solely for visa purposes.

Country-Specific Considerations

Applicants from certain countries with higher visa rejection rates may face stricter financial scrutiny. For applicants from countries like Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, the financial requirements might be higher than the following.

• Bank balances of approximately ¥1,500,000 or more for family-sponsored students
• A longer history of fund availability (12+ months of bank statements)
• More detailed documentation of the source of funds
• Self-supporting applicants may need to show approximately ¥9,900,000 (covering four years of study)

Avoiding Common Financial Mistakes

To improve your chances of visa approval, you should do the following.

• Ensure your financial documents show a history of stable funds, not just recent deposits
• Provide clear proof of the relationship between you and your sponsor
• Make sure all financial documents are properly translated and authenticated
• Present a realistic financial plan that accounts for all expenses during your stay
• Be prepared to explain any unusual financial circumstances

By carefully addressing both the 150-hour Japanese study requirement and the financial aspects of your application, you can significantly improve your chances of successfully obtaining a student visa for your language studies in Japan. Remember that thorough preparation and attention to detail are key to navigating the application process smoothly.