Hi all currently attending language school in Tokyo. I absolutely love it here and have no intention to leave.
I arrived in Japan mid June. My student visa expires September 2025, but my school will then renew it. I’ve done a lot of research and it seems the maximum duration is supposed to be two years. But my school told me it’s 1 year and 9 months and my duration will be until March 2026 (1 year and 9 months).
So my questions are as following:
When I renew my student visa in September, will it only renew for 6 months(Until March 2026)? Or will they renew it until June of 2026 (2 years from when I arrived)?
And what Visa options are there for me? I would prefer to stay the full two years at my school, since there’s 8 levels. And even if I passed every class, I’d only end at level 7. I’ve read about the new Designated Activities work visa. I’m 90% sure there’s no way to extend/renew a student visa for language school a third time. I’m fine working, but I really wanted to finish the final level of my language school 🥲!
But please don’t suggest spousal visa, I want to marry for love not a visa lol.
And I’m aware I’m worrying about this very early on, but I like to be super prepared and be organized.
by PinkPrincessPol
4 comments
Usually, a student visa can be renewed up to the duration of the period of study of the program you are enrolled in.
If your study program ends or you are expected to graduate in 1 year 9 months, then that will probably be the duration of stay you will get.
If you want to stay longer and there is another program you can enroll in, then it should be possible to renew another student SOR.
They will renew it until April of 2026. I’m here in the exact same way but in a different city
Also when it comes to spousal visa, you don’t have to personally treat it as a marriage, just a legal necessity. Still wouldn’t do it unless you’re actually in a real relationship though.
1. Go to senmongaku or daigaku (money)
2. Start part time in any fastfood chain, then ask them to hire you full time and get you a visa
The maximum duration of 2 years is per visa/renewal. They can renew you, 6 months, a year or whatever up to 2 years each time. But no matter how much time is left when you graduate the visa will end 90 days from the date the school reports to immigration that you graduated. (Same if you quit)
Since some people get confused by this, the 2 year limit is not for being a student in general. You can absolutely continue studying at that school or another. I was a student for 5 years between college and language schools.