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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/
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.
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.
1. 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/
2. 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.
3. 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.
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.
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.
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.
Go! Go! Nihon works closely with our partners to help them attract international students and make it easier for people to apply to their institutions. Whatever you pay will be the same whether you apply through us, or directly through the school.
This depends on your medication. In general, over-the-counter and prescription drugs are acceptable. Depending on how much you want to bring in, you may need a Medicine Import Certificate. A separate Narcotics Certificate is needed if you need to bring in stronger drugs. For more information, please read our article carefully: https://gogonihon.com/en/blog/bring-medication-japan/
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. If you’re not a beginner, you will have the chance to take a placement test before starting classes in Japan and you might get placed into a higher level and therefore save some time and money.
Very few employers in Japan hire those who do not know at least conversational Japanese and ideally, you need to be at least JLPT N2 level for full-time roles. Check out our article for more information: https://gogonihon.com/en/blog/working-in-japan-without-a-university-degree/
Very effective! Learning a language in a country where it is spoken is one of the best and fastest ways of mastering it. This makes a lot of sense when you think about the fact that you are surrounded by people who speak Japanese, you can make Japanese friends and you have so many opportunities to actually use and practise Japanese. There is also so much about the Japanese language that you can only learn once you live in Japan, such as certain words and ways of saying things that sound more natural.
To learn more about the benefits of immersion for language learning, read our article: https://gogonihon.com/en/blog/learn-japanese-through-immersion/
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.
Unfortunately, due to the rules of our partner schools and Japanese immigration, we are unable to assist with dependent visas for family members. Each member of your family would need to have their own visa.
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/
After you send us an inquiry, one of our Student Coordinators who speaks your language will contact you to guide you through the application process on our secure Application Portal.
Through our online platform, you will be able to share information, ask our team questions, and upload documents for your application. You will also receive communication from us, such as updates about your application, schools, accommodation, and other relevant information.
It is a safe and easy way to communicate with us throughout the application process.
Study Trips by Go! Go! Nihon are your chance to live and study in a country for a short time, while experiencing the culture through a range of unique and fun activities. The trips last between two to four weeks and encompass your language lessons, cultural activities, and accommodation.
Our Japanese Study Trips are the perfect way to experience Japan, the language, and the culture in a short amount of time – a great option for those who can’t commit to learning at a language school long-term, or those who are looking for a more immersive experience.
Whether you’re interested in pop culture, traditional Japanese culture, Japan during the spring, or something else entirely, you’ll find a trip for you in our offerings. Simply choose the trip that you like and you can tailor the activities on that trip based on your interests.
There are no upper age limits to apply to a language school in Japan, but you generally need to be 18 years or over in order to apply for a student visa. If you are not yet 18 we offer short-term courses through our Study Trips programs: studytrip.com
Note that if you completed high 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 successfully help many students of all ages apply to Japanese language schools!
Our online courses bring the very best language school curriculums in Japan straight to your desktop or mobile device so that you can learn, or improve, your Japanese no matter where you are in the world.
Once you sign up to a course, you will be able to access all the course content and learning materials. Lessons include video explainers, conversation examples, grammar slides, repetition videos, audio files, and more. You can also create your own videos to share with course leaders so they can check your understanding and progress.
You will be able to access our students-only online community where you can engage with other students, ask questions, compare notes, and communicate with course leaders.
Go! Go! Nihon’s online Japanese language courses have been created in partnership with leading language schools and qualified Japanese language teachers.
Together, we have created each course to be both educational and fun through video lessons, video conversations, audio recordings, worksheets, infographics, and more.
Just because you’re studying online, doesn’t mean you have to do it alone. All online course students will have access to an online student community where you can connect with other students, compare notes, and ask questions.
Finally, our online courses are an extremely cost-effective way to learn and improve your Japanese language skills. For example, our 12-week beginner course with Akamonkai costs 8,269 yen a week (99,225 yen in total). For comparison, studying at language schools in Japan starts at about 15,000 yen a week.
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.