I’m strongly considering returning to school, *but in Japan.* At Age 31. I understand that age makes things complicated though not impossible. I also understand that may make finding a job afterwards a herculean task. The “backup plan” is to simply take the degree/diploma/experience and go home having had a good time.
I’m in information gathering mode, so much is vague. I’ve done research and contacted the Consulate (Which redirected me to the MOFA website.) The Visa application is well documented, but the requirements for obtaining a CoE are not. If I missed a page that answers everything, you have my encouragement to clown on me.
The goal currently looks like: Apply for a General Visa (Student, Language School) for 1 year/1 year 3 months. Complete that. Apply for a University/senmon gakkou + the associated visa. Focusing on the first, because if the latter turned out impossible, I’d be sad but fine.
Then my question is twofold: **”Has anyone here successfully done similar, recently?”** and **”Are these requirements I’ve scraped from various websites and schools sufficient?”**
I’m aware I could just start the process and see what is asked for, but I am an over planner by nature.
—
* **The bog standard application paperwork**
* **Financials**
Self sponsor recommends ï¿¥3,000,000/yr. I have *well* beyond this in easily accessible accounts (~double) and a bit more in accounts that aren’t *easily* accessible, but doable in an emergency. I have documents to prove all this. Should be good, right?
* **A letter detailing “Why Japan?”**
* **A full health screening (???)**
Seen this listed in exactly one place, possibly just for 30+s. I believe I’m in good health, but this would definitely be a gigantic ballache to obtain. Not impossible, but the hardest thing here by far.
* **A history of Travel to Japan**
I can provide detailed dates and receipts and such, even old boarding passes. But I was required to turn in the passport that had all the Landing Permission stamps (slight damage, nothing shady), so I do not have those. Will this be a problem?
* **Education History**
I have my High School Diploma and Transcript. **I attended University in Canada but did not finish.** I was not required by the school to withdraw, I simply didn’t finish. 3rd year grades were atrocious. Life happens. Will the university bit be a problem?
* **Previous Japanese Study History**
I ahave done short term study (3 month terms) in Japan previously, which is why I want to do it again but longer.
I actually have my N1. I’m rusty, though, and my speaking is bad, hence wanting a year. This’ll vary by school I’m sure, but it won’t *disqualify* me, right?
* **Employment History**
—
And that’s that. Am I missing anything? Does this look doable? Thanks everyone, I know this is a ton of text to get through (I’ve tried to trim it down.)
3 comments
This is a copy of your post for archive/search purposes.
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**Student Visa (Initially Language School) as a 30+**
I’m strongly considering returning to school, *but in Japan.* At Age 31. I understand that age makes things complicated though not impossible. I also understand that may make finding a job afterwards a herculean task. The “backup plan” is to simply take the degree/diploma/experience and go home having had a good time.
I’m in information gathering mode, so much is vague. I’ve done research and contacted the Consulate (Which redirected me to the MOFA website.) The Visa application is well documented, but the requirements for obtaining a CoE are not. If I missed a page that answers everything, you have my encouragement to clown on me.
The goal currently looks like: Apply for a General Visa (Student, Language School) for 1 year/1 year 3 months. Complete that. Apply for a University/senmon gakkou + the associated visa. Focusing on the first, because if the latter turned out impossible, I’d be sad but fine.
Then my question is twofold: **”Has anyone here successfully done similar, recently?”** and **”Are these requirements I’ve scraped from various websites and schools sufficient?”**
I’m aware I could just start the process and see what is asked for, but I am an over planner by nature.
—
* **The bog standard application paperwork**
* **Financials**
Self sponsor recommends ï¿¥3,000,000/yr. I have *well* beyond this in easily accessible accounts (~double) and a bit more in accounts that aren’t *easily* accessible, but doable in an emergency. I have documents to prove all this. Should be good, right?
* **A letter detailing “Why Japan?”**
* **A full health screening (???)**
Seen this listed in exactly one place, possibly just for 30+s. I believe I’m in good health, but this would definitely be a gigantic ballache to obtain. Not impossible, but the hardest thing here by far.
* **A history of Travel to Japan**
I can provide detailed dates and receipts and such, even old boarding passes. But I was required to turn in the passport that had all the Landing Permission stamps (slight damage, nothing shady), so I do not have those. Will this be a problem?
* **Education History**
I have my High School Diploma and Transcript. **I attended University in Canada but did not finish.** I was not required by the school to withdraw, I simply didn’t finish. 3rd year grades were atrocious. Life happens. Will the university bit be a problem?
* **Previous Japanese Study History**
I actually have my N1. I’m rusty, though, and my speaking is bad, hence wanting a year. This’ll vary by school I’m sure, but it won’t *disqualify* me, right?
* **Employment History**
—
And that’s that. Am I missing anything? Does this look doable? Thanks everyone, I know this is a ton of text to get through (I’ve tried to trim it down.)
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Reach out to the schools you are interested in. Mine was very helpful preparing all my paperwork and letting me know the requirements. From a brief glance, none of your concerns should disqualify you from language school. They might be a bit concerned with having N1 already, since a lot of them kind of teach with the goal of passing the JLPTs, but I doubt it.
For the health check, I just got a doctor’s note saying I had no major health concerns.
You are going at it kind of backwards. You don’t apply for the visa then apply for the school, you get accepted to the school and then they submit the docs for the CoE.
If you have N1 why waste your time and money going to language school? Even if you are rusty, apply to universities directly. Japan is very ageist when it comes to applying to jobs after university. As it is, you’ll be 35 when you graduate. If you plan on staying long term, you’ll be a new graduate at the age of midcareer worker. The sooner you graduate, the better.