FULL-TIME COURSE ADMISSIONS

As we offer classes at all levels, the only real requirement for classes at Yoshida is the equivalent of a high-school degree and the motivation to study in an academically rigorous environment. The school year is broken into four, three-month terms, each with 50 days of classes (see the school calendar for a more detailed schedule):

School Terms
Term Classes Start
Summer 2008 — admissions closed —
Fall 2008 October 09, 2008
Winter 2009 January 08, 2009
Spring 2009 April 06, 2009

For the most part, the admissions process depends upon what type of visa you will use to come to Japan. A normal tourist visa is sufficient to study for a single term but to study for a longer time, students typically obtain a pre-college student visa.

Short-term study (1 term)

Nakade-sensei When studying for just one term, citizens of many countries can easily obtain tourist visas for travel to Japan. These are typically three-month visas but this differs depending on your nationality. For example, upon arrival in Japan, Americans are typically given a 90-day visa, most Europeans a three-month visa. Students in other areas may need to apply for a tourist visa before arrival so please contact the Japanese embassy or consulate nearest you to determine the exact requirements for travel to Japan.

The application deadline for students wishing to study for just a single term is two weeks before the start of classes. But deadline is subject to change without announcement depending on the number of applicants. Please contact us in advance. —Note: this is also the deadline if you are already in Japan with working visa or spousal visa. You can apply online or, if you prefer, you can download and print out an application from our forms page and send or fax it to us.


Long-term study (2 or more terms)

Hon and Mihe Students studying for longer periods usually obtain a pre-college student visa (shugakusei visa in Japanese). The procedure is somewhat time consuming so students need to apply well in advance of the date they hope to start classes. Students cannot obtain these visas on their own, they must first apply to Yoshida to begin the process. We will guide you through the process to try and make it as simple as possible.

You can study for up to two years on a student visa and during that time you can work at a part-time job for up to four hours a day. Many students use these jobs to help offset the cost of living in Japan. Students are also allowed to travel in and out of the country freely without having to reapply for a visa each time. A student visa can be extended for up to two years, assuming proper attendance is maintained.

Application Deadlines(a pre-college student visa)
Term Beginning Application Period Results of Selection
October 2008 — admissions closed — Aug. 28, 2008
January 2009 June 16 to Sep. 10, 2008 Nov. 25, 2008
April 2009 Aug. 18 to Nov. 15, 2008 Feb. 28, 2009
July 2009 Jan. 15 to Mar. 15, 2009 May 20, 2009
Application

To apply for long-term study, you'll need to prepare the documents listed below and send them to us by the deadline listed above. You can find all the necessary forms and instructions on how to fill them out on our forms page.

Application Requirements
 
1. Application form Use the prescribed form.
2. Personal history Use the prescribed form to list your (a) educational history, from elementary school through the last school attended and (b) the purpose of your study (at least 150 - 200 words in English).
3. Diploma The diploma from the last school you attended. This must be the original, and it will be returned after the application process is completed. or the copy of it which already legalized by your own university.
4. Photographs Six identical passport-style, 4cm x 3cm photographs, taken in the last three months. One should be attached to the application form and on the back of the other five the applicant's name should be written.
5. Copy of passport If you already have one.
It must include all the pages which show applicant's photo, passport number, and past visit (s) to Japan.
6. Reference letter A letter of reference from your previous employer.(if currently a regular occpation) Or, a copy of your student ID or leave of absence certificate.(if cerrently a student).
7. Oath for Payment
     of Expenses
Method of support to meet the expenses while in Japan. Self or Remittance from outside Japan.
If you have your supporter, please use the prescribed form.
8. Certificate of
     deposit Balance
It must be the original form of bank, and must show the account number. The amount of deposit balance must be more than 10,000 (USD).

For students living in OECD countries (i.e. America, Canada, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea and most European countries), these are the only required documents. However, because of problems caused by illegal immigration and overstays, the Japanese government has imposed additional requirements for students from non-OECD Verb Practice countries (e.g. Vietnam, Pakistan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, China, India, Mongolia, etc.). Students applying from these countries must typically submit documents verifying the status of their sponsor, typically a parent, during their time in Japan. Beyond this, their are additional requirements that vary depending by country. These requirements often make it very difficult for students from non-OECD countries to study in Japan. If you're not sure whether these requirements affect you or not, please contact us directly.

Visa Process

Once you send in your application with all the needed documentation and application fee, we submit a request to the Tokyo Immigration Bureau for document called a Certificate of Eligibility. If the request is approved, the Immigration Bureau notifies us and we pass the word on to you. At that point, you are required to pay two terms worth of tuition and other fees (see the fees page for more details). After that is received, we send you the certificate which you use to apply for a student visa at your local embassy or consulate.

You submit your application to Yoshida

We review your application and request a Certificate of Eligibility from the Immigration Bureau

Immigration Bureau examines your documents, approves the request and sends us the certificate

We notify you that the certificate is ready

You pay for two terms of tuition and other fees

We send you the certificate

You submit the certificate at your local Japanese embassy or consulate

You receive your student visa and head to Japan!
Changing your visa

For those already working in Japan on working holiday visas or some other type of working visa, it is possible to change your visa to a student visa but you may be required to leave the country to do so. Please contact us for more information.

How to read and write the Kanji on our Kanji pages.

For short-term study you can apply online! Students wishing to study on a student visa can find application forms on our forms page.