My daughter is going to be attending for 2 years at Yoyogi Animation academy starting April next year (she was accepted and waiting on information to get visa etc). She did pass the N2 Japanese language proficiency certification thru self study.
She is supposed to get information on board and lodging (approx 50k yen per month). Fortunately USD is strong at the moment and also helped to make the tuition lower in USD.
We are applying for her 10 year adult passport as she still has 2 years on her 5 year child/minor passport.
It seems for visa, the Japanese consulate in Los Angeles only requires mail with a self addressed return envelope for issuing visas. Specifically to be able to work there while attending.
She does want to remain there past 2 years by attending a Japanese ministry of education post secondary course. It was mentioned there are 2 year programs available. Unfortunately Yoyogi's does not qualify. Else, she would have to return and finish university/college (she is applying for leave to keep that option open).
What documents would be good to bring with her. Figure her birth certificate at least. What will be needed to open a bank account to wire money to her? We are getting her a dual sim android phone (I understand only Japanese sold phones can use IC without rooting so noting to buy a physical SUICA card).
Any advice is appreciated.
EDIT: The school is starting a partnership in April 2025 with Niigata Sangyo University (which is an accredited by Japanese Ministry of education) to offer a correspondence option university diploma (via their Faculty of Economics) for either Business Administration or Economics. Basically attending online simultaneously with the 2 year Yoani program and then finish the 3rd and 4th year university program. It as a correspondence course unfortunately does not allow a student visa but can still possibly be an option instead of finishing a 4 year degree program to come back and finish the 2 years remaining of the correspondence in the U.S. then re apply.
by bantam95