Philippines to Japan student visa
What Filipinos need for a Japan student visa. It’s a long-term visa, so your school in Japan first gets a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for you, and only then can you apply. The visa fee is about ¥15,000, and a TB Clearance Certificate is now required.
- 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 comes first and can take 1–3 months
- Length of stay
- Set by your Certificate of Eligibility, often 1 year at first and renewable
Required documents
- Certificate of Eligibility (COE) — Original or digital copy issued by Japan Immigration. Your school in Japan applies for it on your behalf, and you can’t apply for the visa without it. Schools usually apply 1–3 months before your start date, so ask about your COE early.
- 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. Required 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 for you. It’s the longest step, often 1–3 months, so start well before your enrollment date.
- Book your TB screening early — Schedule your Pre-Entry Tuberculosis Screening (JPETS) at an accredited Panel Clinic. You need the TB Clearance Certificate when you apply for the COE or the visa, whichever comes first.
- Book a JVAC 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 JVAC — Bring your COE, passport, TB Clearance Certificate, and other documents, as originals plus A4 photocopies, unstapled. Pay the visa fee plus the JVAC service charge.
- Collect your passport — Go back to JVAC, or use the courier service, when you’re notified. Check the details on your visa sticker before you travel.
Common questions
- Can I apply for a Japan student visa without a Certificate of Eligibility?
- No. Japan Immigration issues the COE to your school, which applies on your behalf, and you need it before you can apply for the visa at JVAC.
- 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.