Sorry if the title is confusing, it’s difficult to distill down to a sentence without context!
My plan is to study at a JLS for a period of time, so I can focus intensely on just the language & get a solid foundation in Japanese before going to a Japanese University. I was initially going to do 2 years of language school, but I think I can *potentially* cut down that time by immersing and continuing to learn alongside my degree. After I graduate I can always re-assess my level and do another short stint at language school if needed.
I’m currently applying for language school beginning in April 2023. My University starts in September 2023. Many (not all) of the application deadlines for University fall before I would even arrive for language school in April.
Does anybody know: If I get a visa for JLS, can the University still apply for another student visa? Is this going to cause an issue? Can I just go in person and file the documents?
I’m not sure if it’s better to go to JLS for a year so the deadlines aren’t as tight. I will need Japanese language classes regardless..
Thank you so much for any thoughts, advice or input you can give 🙏
2 comments
Are you planning on doing a Japanese-taught university program or an English-taught program?
Because if you’re doing a Japanese-taught program 6 months isn’t going to be enough.
>I was initially going to do 2 years of language school, but I think I can potentially cut down that time by immersing and continuing to learn alongside my degree.
Don’t count on immersion as a continuing learning tool.
While immersion can be somewhat useful for getting the basics down, it stops being useful rather quickly. You don’t actually need all the much Japanese to survive day-to-day, and once you get that level of survival Japanese immersion/living in Japan ceases being a tool.
>Does anybody know: If I get a visa for JLS, can the University still apply for another student visa?
No, you cannot apply for a visa if you are currently holding a status of residence. You are also not allowed to have concurrent applications running.
The correct approach would be to request a change of status from immigration (if your primary purpose for remaining in Japan is changing) or in your case just informing immigration that you are changing schools.
>I’m not sure if it’s better to go to JLS for a year so the deadlines aren’t as tight.
I think you’d get more out of it by attending for a year and a bit than just attending for a bit. Maybe aim for the April 2023 start at your University (the academic year in Japan generally begins in April, not September).