FAQs

Frequently asked questions

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FAQ - Go! Go! Nihon

What different visa options are available to live & study in Japan?

We mainly assist with these pathways to studying at a language school in Japan.
For long-term study (6 months or longer), the most common visa is the Student Visa, which you can use to study for up to two years. If your country has a Working Holiday Visa agreement with Japan, you may also use that visa to study for up to 18 months.
Read our ultimate guide to Japan Student Visas here: https://gogonihon.com/en/blog/japan-student-visas/
Learn more about the Japan Working Holiday visa here: https://gogonihon.com/en/blog/working-holiday-visa-japan/

For short-term study, the course is usually 3 months long and you can study on a Temporary Visitor Visa. To learn more about short-term visas to Japan, visit: https://gogonihon.com/en/blog/short-term-visas-to-japan/

Another short-term study option is to join one of our Study Trips on a Temporary Visitor Visa. Each trip is 2-4 weeks long and includes Japanese language classes, sightseeing, activities, and accommodation all in a package. Explore our Study Trips here: https://gogonihon.com/en/trips/

Are there any age restrictions when applying to a language school in Japan?

Generally, you need to be 18 years old when you arrive in Japan to start school. If you are not yet 18, we have a 2-week Youth Japan Study Trip for students aged 15 to 17: https://gogonihon.com/en/trips/
Note that if you graduated from your last school more than five years prior to applying for language school, the school may require more information and documentation. But don’t worry too much – we have successfully helped many students of all ages apply to Japanese language schools!

I haven’t studied Japanese before. Can I apply?

All the schools offer beginner to advanced level classes, however, not all schools accept complete beginners. Prior knowledge of Japanese may be required depending on the school you choose, your country of citizenship, your educational background, etc. In most cases, a JLPT N5 certificate or a document proving 150 hours of Japanese class suffices for the immigration bureau. Even if no proof of Japanese knowledge is required, we recommend learning at least the two kana alphabets (hiragana and katakana) before your arrival. It make a huge difference in helping you get settled into life and classes in Japan!
For those interested in starting their Japanese learning journey, we also offer several online course options that have benefits like flexible scheduling, self-paced studying and student communities. Our online courses are listed here: https://japaneseonline.gogonihon.com/

Are there specific education requirements to be able to study at a Japanese language school?

Most schools require students to have, or be scheduled to obtain, a high school diploma (or equivalent), which usually means completing 12 years of formal education.

What is the Go! Go! Nihon application process for long-term studies at a language school?

  • Around 6-12 months before you want to start studying – Research your options, including where in Japan you want to study, what term you want to start in, and what school you want to attend. Also, start studying Japanese! Japanese immigration requires students to have already studied 150 hours or more of a Japanese language school program, or have passed any JLPT level.
  • 7-5 months before you start studying – We help you apply for your student visa. This includes gathering documents, document checking, and submitting paperwork to your chosen school and immigration. You will also need to pay your application fee.
  • 3-1 months before your start studying – You will receive an invoice for your tuition fees, which you need to pay immediately to complete the application process.
  • 2 months prior to studying – We help you organize your accommodation through our providers.
  • 1 month prior to studying – The school will send you your Certificate of Eligibility (COE). You need to take this to your local Japanese embassy immediately to get it converted into a student visa.
  • 3-2 weeks before arriving in Japan – Make sure you have your student visa, your accommodation sorted and your flights are confirmed. If you want to book our pick-up service from select airports in Tokyo and Osaka, we will help you arrange this.
  • Fly to Japan!

For more information about the application process for 6 months or more of study, read our article: https://gogonihon.com/en/blog/study-in-japan-for-6-months/

Can I apply to multiple programs or schools in Japan at the same time?

No, you should not apply to multiple programs or schools in Japan simultaneously. Immigration will only process one visa application per individual. Submitting multiple applications can raise red flags, as it may appear that you are not genuinely committed to your studies and are only seeking a visa. This can jeopardize your chances of obtaining a visa. The outcome of your application does not depend on the school you choose, so there is no advantage to applying to multiple institutions. If you are currently considering other schools or programs, please inform us immediately.

How long can I study in Japan on a student visa?

The duration you can study on a student visa in Japan depends on the type of educational institution you are enrolled in and the length of your program. Generally, the student visa allows you to stay in Japan for the duration of your course of study, which can range from several months to several years.
    Language Schools
    * Duration: 6 months to 2 years
    * Details: Language schools usually offer programs ranging from a few months up to 2 years. In some cases, an extension on the visa granted is needed to cover the full course duration. 2 years is the maximum amount of time an individual can study at a language school on a student visa. The maximum amount of time you can study also depends on your chosen intake: https://gogonihon.com/en/blog/how-japanese-language-school-terms-work/
    Vocational Schools (Senmon Gakko)
    * Duration: 1 to 3 years
    * Details: These schools offer specialized training programs. The student visa typically covers the duration of the program, with 2 years being the most common program length.
    Universities
    * Duration: 2 to 5 years
    * Details: Bachelor’s degree programs are usually 4 years in length. Master’s programs usually last 2 years, and doctoral programs can last 3 to 5 years. The student visa granted covers the length of the program.

Does Go! Go! Nihon offer scholarships?

Unfortunately, we do not assist with financial aid or scholarships for our partnered language schools, so we are unable to provide any information about those types of programs. However, individual schools may offer information and/or assistance to students depending on the availability of scholarships and how well students perform.

What can I do after studying Japanese in Japan?

There are many pathways for students after studying in Japan. Typically, to work in Japan, you need an N2 level of Japanese and a bachelor’s degree. With these qualifications, you can move on to employment. If you have a bachelor’s degree from your home country but lack Japanese proficiency, attending a language school in Japan can help you achieve the necessary language skills to work.
Without a bachelor’s degree, you could still complete language school and then pursue further education in Japan, or get qualified to work as a Specified Skilled Worker in certain industries. For some, the goal is to experience Japan’s culture and learn the language before returning home to apply their new skills in their career. You can r ead more about moving from a student to work visa in our in our article https://gogonihon.com/en/blog/student-visa-to-a-work-visa-in-japan/.
Regardless of your path, whether it’s continuing your education, joining the workforce in Japan, or taking your skills elsewhere, the experience will be rewarding and life-changing.

Why should I use Go! Go! Nihon?

Our support is free! We don’t charge for our service, so you pay exactly the same fees as if you applied to your chosen school on your own. We assist you in selecting the right school from the many available options to best achieve your goals. We support seven different languages: English, French, Italian, Spanish, Swedish, German, and Portuguese, so we can help you in your own language. Our team is made up of former language students who have been through the process themselves and can guide you with first-hand experience.

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Go! Go! Nihon Live and Study in Japan!

Founded by students and created for students, we have over 12 years’ experience helping people to live & study in Japan. Go! Go! Nihon makes it easy to choose a Japanese language school, apply for your student visa, find accommodation, and settle into your new life in Japan. Our experienced team will guide you from application to arriving in Japan – all at no extra cost to you.

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