Student visa to Japan for expats abroad?
Hi, I'm a US citizen who have been working in Chinese for 6 yrs now. I graduated in US back in 2014. Now I'm planning to get a student visa in Japan, here are some questions regarding to my specific situations.
1. I'm a freelance designer, even if I qulified for the financial requirement, is this going to be a problem? Can I apply in US using a foreign bank account?
2. If my freelance thing doesn't work, my wife, who is a Chinese, can she be my sponsor?
3. Me and my wife are planning to go to Japan together, is there a way to plan this accordingly because she need to apply in China while I need to apply in the US.
Thanks!
Asked by: Mackenzie Hugh, 1602 days, 6 hours, and 17 minutes ago
Answer:
I don't think there should be any problem. The student visa application to Japan is primarily done through the school where you want to study. You submit the requested documents including proof of finance to the school and if you use a sponsor they will need to fill out a form for you as well. As long as you can show the requested amount both method 1 and 2 should work, they are usually not so strict with American citizens.
Once your school has accepted the application they will translate it to Japanese and submit it to the Japanese migration authorities. Once it is approved and your tuition fee has been paid the school will send you your CoE that you need to make the final visa application at the Japanese Embassy in your home country. At this point it is usually only a formality unless you have a criminal record. Once the visa is approved you can travel to Japan at a date of your own choosing, so I don't see any reason why you should not be able to go together if you apply to the same start date. Just make sure to apply on time, submit a complete application, pay on time and make sure you give the school the right address for where to send your CoE.
I think you have to go back to the US for the final visa application, but I suggest that you double check this with the Japanese Embassy. If you live in China it might be possible to apply from the Japanese Embassy there but I am not sure of that.
Read more:
- Study in Japan
- List of language schools and universities in Japan
- Japanese Language Schools in Tokyo
Answered by: Johan at DreamStudies, 2020-07-14 10:55:39 
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