Note that while we aim to provide the most up-to-date information, it’s always best to get the latest updates on entry requirements for Japan from your local Japanese embassy or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Japan. Or please contact us for the latest updates for language students.
Japan’s borders are officially open to foreign arrivals, including students and tourists, from October 2022.
So what do you need to do if you’re coming to Japan on a student visa? Read on to learn more and how Go! Go! Nihon can help.
First things first
Before checking off any entry requirements to Japan, double check first that you are actually able to leave your country and fly to Japan. Your country may have its own restrictions in terms of movement in and out of its borders during this time.
We recommend you check with your local embassy, as well as airlines.
COEs and documentation
Before you receive your Certificate of Eligibility (COE), you need to pay your tuition so make sure you do that on time.
Once your school confirms your payment and you receive your COE, you would normally take the COE to your nearest embassy so they can issue you with your student visa.
Depending on your embassy, there could be fewer appointment times available and longer wait times, so we recommend you confirm this as soon as possible.
In order to convert your COE to a student visa, you need:
- The original COE
- A good quality and recent portrait photo
- Your passport
- Visa application form
- School guarantor information – our team will share this with you if you apply through Go! Go! Nihon
- If your entry to Japan has been postponed, you will also need to submit a Declaration (Mōshitatesho 申立書)
If you have already converted your COE to a student visa, double check with your embassy to see if you need to complete any extra steps. Remember, different countries may have different processes and some countries may require their citizens to produce additional certificates before allowing them to leave. If you are in this situation, please contact us and we can assist you with that.
Registration & Fast track
Please register your information here in order to enter Japan: https://www.digital.go.jp/en/services/visit_japan_web-en/
In order to complete some procedures ahead of time, you need to pre-register for Fast Track: https://www.hco.mhlw.go.jp/fasttrack/en/
Doing this ensures you skip lines and speed up waiting times at the airport when you arrive. The fast track also contains a pledge and questionnaire that you have to sign.
Vaccination certificate
You will need a Covid-19 vaccination certification in order to enter Japan without having to self-isolate or quarantine.
Vaccination certificates must be either in Japanese or English and issued by an official body, such as your country’s government. For more information on Japan’s border measures, visit: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/covid-19/bordercontrol.html. For more information about the vaccination certificate, visit: https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page24e_000317.html
Health check & PCR test
If you have had at least three vaccine shots, you will not be required to show proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours before flying to Japan. You also do not need to quarantine.
If you do not have a valid vaccination certificate, you will need to take a PCR test 72 hours pre-departure. If you have symptoms on arrival, you may need to do a PCR test upon arrival and be required to quarantine.
If you do have to quarantine, you should refrain from using public transport. However you can use public transport to get to your private accommodation for quarantine if you do so within 24 hours of your negative PCR test which you do upon arrival in Japan.
If any symptoms of COVID-19 appear, including fever of 37.5°C or higher, respiratory symptoms, strong feeling of weariness, you must cancel your trip to Japan.
Organise accommodation
Once you receive your visa, you can start booking flights to Japan, as well as accommodation. Contact your Go! Go! Nihon team member for help with finding a place to live – we partner with several accommodation partners that offer a range of options.
Read more about the types of accommodation you can find in Japan here.
You must confirm your accommodation before arriving in Japan as you will need the address for the official forms you fill out when you arrive. This will be the place where you will quarantine if you need to after arriving, so it must be accurate.
The school you have applied to may offer quarantine accommodation which you pay for. Some require students to use their package and not book their own accommodation, so please follow your school’s instructions if this is the case.
If your school doesn’t offer a quarantine package, Go! Go! Nihon has an option in collaboration with our partner BeGood Japan.
- Hotel (required)
- Pickup (optional)
- Insurance (optional)
- Online course discount (optional)
- BeGood Japan rent discount (optional) for your accommodation with them after quarantine.
If you are interested in booking the package please fill out the form: https://gogonihon.com/en/pick-up-and-stay-quarantine-package/
Staying in a private apartment for quarantine
If you are planning to live in a private apartment during your stay in Japan, you can use it to do the self-isolation period.
Staying in a share house for quarantine
If you are staying in any form of shared accommodation, please be aware that not all accommodation partners allow people to complete their quarantine period in their shared houses for the safety of their other occupants. Please double check with your chosen accommodation option.
Staying with a host family for quarantine
If you are applying for a homestay, there is no single answer as to whether you can start your stay with them after arrival. It depends on the host family and your chosen school. In the event that you are not allowed to move in with them upon arrival, we would recommend our package.
If you have any questions about accommodation, please contact us.
Arrival transport
You are free to use public transport after you arrive. If you need to self-isolate, you can use public transport to get to your accommodation if you do so within 24 hours of your negative PCR test which you do upon arrival in Japan.
Alternatively, you can book our pick up and stay package for peace of mind: https://gogonihon.com/en/pick-up-and-stay-quarantine-package/
We also offer a pick-up only option that’s available from Haneda, Narita and Kansai Airports.
You can book for multiple people at once and it’s a service for anyone, not just Go! Go! Nihon students. There is a charge for this service and you can see all the prices, as well as make your booking, here: https://gogonihon.com/en/pick-up-reservation/
Quarantine
If you have had at least three vaccine shots, you will not be required to show proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours before flying to Japan. You also do not need to quarantine.
If you do not have a valid vaccination certificate, you will need to take a PCR test 72 hours pre-departure. If you have symptoms on arrival, you may need to do a PCR test upon arrival and be required to quarantine.
For the most updated information on which countries are subjected to restrictions, please refer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Japan website or contact us. Please also contact us to organise your accommodation if needed for quarantine and post-quarantine.
A note about entry date and visa length
The duration of your visa is based on when you enter Japan and not when your language course starts. Therefore, we advise students to plan their arrival in Japan accordingly so they do not miss the end of their course, nor overstay their visa.
For example, if you have an 18-month visa and your course begins in January, aim to arrive in Japan just before your course begins, rather than months beforehand. Please contact us if you’re unsure about when you should time your arrival for.
Go! Go! Nihon is here to help
The above are the main updates to the entry requirements for Japan. For full details and information, please visit Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
If you’re unsure of anything, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with your coordinator so that you have everything you need to enter Japan smoothly.
