Philippines to Japan student visa
Complete Japan student visa guide for Filipinos. Unlike the tourist visa, this is a long-term stay visa that requires your school in Japan to first obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) on your behalf before you can apply. Visa fee is about ¥15,000, and a TB Clearance Certificate is now mandatory. Japan does not publish official per-category approval rates, so this is a conservative estimate based on typical outcomes for well-documented applications, not an official figure. Updated August 2026.
- Visa
- Japan Student Visa
- Fee
- About ¥15,000 (single-entry), paid in PHP equivalent
- Processing time
- About 5 working days once your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is approved — the COE itself is arranged separately beforehand and can take 1–3 months
- Length of stay
- Set by your Certificate of Eligibility — commonly issued for 1 year initially and renewable
Required documents
- Certificate of Eligibility (COE) — Original or digital copy issued by Japan Immigration — your school in Japan applies for this on your behalf, and you cannot apply for the visa without it. Your school typically applies 1-3 months before your intended start date, so ask them about COE status as early as possible.
- Valid Passport — Signed, with at least one blank page for the visa
- Passport Bio Page Copy — Photocopy of your passport’s identification page
- Visa Application Form — Official Visa Center form with your facial photo (4.5×3.5cm) attached
- TB Clearance Certificate — From a JPETS-accredited Panel Clinic — mandatory for mid- to long-term stays since June 2025
- PSA Birth Certificate — Required for dependents or minors; issued within the past year
- PSA Marriage Certificate — Required only if applying as the spouse of a Japan-based resident; issued within the past year
How to apply
- Get accepted and apply for your COE — Your school in Japan files the Certificate of Eligibility application with Japan Immigration on your behalf — this is the longest step, often 1–3 months, so start well before your intended enrollment date.
- Book your TB screening early — Schedule your Pre-Entry Tuberculosis Screening (JPETS) at an accredited Panel Clinic — the TB Clearance Certificate is required when you apply for the COE or the visa, whichever comes first.
- Book a Visa Center appointment — Once your COE is issued, schedule at visa.vfsglobal.com/phl/en/jpn.
- Complete the visa application form — Fill out the official form in English, matching your passport and COE details exactly.
- Submit at the Visa Center — Bring your COE, passport, TB Clearance Certificate, and other documents — originals and photocopies, A4 size, unstapled. Pay the visa fee plus the Visa Center service charge.
- Collect your passport — Return to the Visa Center or use courier service when notified, and confirm your visa sticker details before you travel.
Common questions
- Can I apply for a Japan student visa without a Certificate of Eligibility?
- No. The COE is issued by Japan Immigration to your school, who applies on your behalf — it must exist before you can submit a visa application at the Visa Center.
- Is a TB test required for a Japan student visa from the Philippines?
- Yes, since June 23, 2025, a TB Clearance Certificate from a JPETS-accredited Panel Clinic is mandatory when applying for either the Certificate of Eligibility or the visa itself.
- How much does a Japan student visa cost?
- Following the July 2026 fee revision, single-entry visas cost approximately ¥15,000, paid in the peso equivalent, plus the Visa Center’s service charge. Unlike the tourist visa, student visas are not fee-exempt.
- How long does the whole student visa process take?
- Budget 1–3 months for your school to obtain your Certificate of Eligibility, plus about 5 more working days for the visa itself once the COE is in hand.