01. How fast do I have to apply for a passport to apply for admission to a school in Japan?

It is important to as soon as possible as it is essential to submit a copy of your passport along with the receipt of application acknowledgement that has to be shared with the Japanese school upon the issuance in India.

02. What is COE? When is it issued and what is the process involved once the COE is received?

Japanese immigration law requires that the Ministry of Justice has the authority to consider, based on an application, whether a foreign student/ person who wishes to enter Japan must satisfy the requirements for landing, which is related to the status of residence and to issue the document certifying the status of residence to which the activities he/she must be into, in correspond. This document, known as the “Certificate of Eligibility,” is issued by the regional immigration bureau. If one wishes to stay for a longer period of time in Japan to work or study, it is a must to obtain a certificate through your embassy representative in Japan. Applying for a visa with a COE makes the visa application process a much straightforward and a simpler process.

COE is issued 45 days prior to the school program in Japan. The COE is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. A copy of the COE will be issued to the student which must be transferred along with the fee mentioned in the fee letter issued by the Japanese school, name of the school, bank account details, and the total amount to be transferred in Japanese Yen. Upon confirmation, start your documentation process, and the training session for the Visa interview process.

03. Where can the application for Visa be done?

1. For North and North East India – Embassy of Japan, New Delhi
2. For Eastern India – Consulate General of Japan, Kolkata
3. For Western India – Consulate General of Japan, Mumbai
4. For Southern India – Consulate General of Japan, Bangalore, Chennai, and Hyderabad

04. How long is a visa valid?

Single-entry visas are only valid for entering Japan on a single occasion. The period of validity of the single-entry visa is of a three-month duration. It is also important to ensure that the bearer of the Japanese visa applies for landing with an immigration inspector at the port of entry where he/she seeks to land and undergo an examination for landing before the visa expires. The visa will become invalid once he/she has applied for landing or may be expired by reaching its normal expiry date which is much earlier, especially if applied for an initial 3-month duration.

05. I lost my passport with my Japanese visa. What should I do?

You should report to the Embassy/Consulate-General of Japan about the loss, where you obtained the Japanese visa immediately. Also, it is important to report to the nearest police station about the loss. If you need another visa, you will have to submit a new visa application along with the required documentation process, and other valid papers for further processes.