How do I get a Japan student visa from Nepal?
जापानको विद्यार्थी भिसा कसरी लिने?
A Japan student visa from Nepal starts with a Certificate of Eligibility your school gets in Japan. NOC, embassy steps, timing and part-time work rules.
- Cost
- Ask the embassy
- Check the current visa fee with the Consular Section. Your main costs are school fees and living costs, paid from Nepal through the NOC.
- How long
- About a week at the embassy
- After the COE arrives, which can take months.
- Where
- Embassy of Japan, Consular Section
- Last checked
- 8 Oct 2026
- Awaiting official confirmation
What it is
Japan's student visa works differently from most countries. You don't start at the embassy. Your school in Japan applies for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) on your behalf, and only once you have it do you apply for the visa at the Embassy of Japan in Kathmandu.
Language schools are the most common route for Nepali students, followed by vocational schools and universities. Japan is also the only country where the Ministry of Education issues a NOC for a language course on its own, so you can pay fees legally from Nepal.
Who needs it
- Nepali students going to a Japanese language school, vocational school (senmon gakko) or university.
What you need
- Official
Original Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
Your school in Japan applies for it at the regional immigration bureau and sends it to you. Since 2023 it can be issued digitally.
- Official
Passport and visa application form, printed on one sheet both sides
- Official
Academic certificates and transcripts, originals with clear A4 copies
- Official
No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Education
Language school students get it with the COE, admission letter, invoice and +2 or equivalent transcript.
- Official
Documents sent from Japan must be less than three months old
How it works
- 1
Choose a school and apply through it
Your school in Japan acts as your proxy and applies to the immigration bureau for your Certificate of Eligibility. This is the step that takes longest, often months.
- 2
Get the NOC
Once you have the COE and admission letter, apply for the NOC on noc.moest.gov.np so you can pay fees from Nepal. Japan is the one country where a language course alone qualifies.
- 3
Apply at the Embassy of Japan in Kathmandu
Submit the original COE, passport, application form and supporting documents. Everything must be original. Faxed or emailed documents aren't accepted.
- 4
Wait for the decision
The embassy says a visa usually takes about a week but can take around two months if the case needs careful examination. Reasons for refusals aren't given.
- 5
Fly within the visa's validity
The visa is valid for three months, so don't apply more than three months before you plan to enter Japan.
Where to go
Embassy of Japan, Consular Section
Kathmandu. Visa hotline 1-800-001-0169 (English, 24 hours)
np.emb-japan.go.jpMinistry of Education, NOC portal
noc.moest.gov.np
Cost and time
- Official fee
- Ask the embassy
- Check the current visa fee with the Consular Section. Your main costs are school fees and living costs, paid from Nepal through the NOC.
- Processing time
- About a week at the embassy
- After the COE arrives, which can take months.
Common problems
Can I work while studying?
Students in Japan can work part time only with permission from the immigration authorities, usually applied for at the airport on arrival. The limit is 28 hours a week during term.
My visa was refused. Can I find out why?
No. The embassy doesn't disclose reasons for refusals in any form of enquiry.
I need my passport back while the visa is processing.
The embassy can return it temporarily if you apply in writing with the reason. Return it as soon as you can, because the result isn't released until it's back.
I finished language school in Japan and want to start a degree.
You need a new NOC from the Ministry of Education with your JLPT certificate, the new admission letter and your residence card. See the NOC page.
Real experiences
Been through this recently? Tell the next person which office you went to and what they asked for. Reports are published as community notes, apart from the official information.
Share your experienceSources
- Embassy of Japan in Nepal: visa informationnp.emb-japan.go.jp
- Ministry of Education: NOC portal and FAQ (Japanese language students)noc.moest.gov.np
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan: student visamofa.go.jp
Written from the sources above and last checked on 8 Oct 2026. Some details aren't confirmed against an official page yet, so check fees and documents with the office before you go.
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