I've been exploring Japanese language schools and I got hit with this response "Unfortunately, since you have previously stayed in Japan as a student, we are unable to accept your application. This is because, under current regulations, it is not possible to issue a student visa for a second time."
I wasn't aware that this was a rule and I feel like I've heard about people going to language school / exchange program multiple times. I spent one semester studying in Japan in 2013 as a college student. I'm guessing this rule must be new? Is anyone else here aware of this?
If it's a "student visa" rule, sounds like this would apply to not only language school but also vocational and grad programs. Guess pursuing education is completely out for me.
by onigiri1994
5 comments
Language schools have a limit for visas, other forms of education like senmongakkou and universities do not.
As far as I know, the only status with a fixed maximum length of stay is the student visa for language schools, capped at a total of 2 years. So, this doesn’t perfectly match your situation based on the background you described. There seems to be something a little odd or inconsistent about what they told you.
Did they tell you anything else?
Commenting because I’m also curious to see what other people say.
I did an exchange year in Japan 2017-2018 and then not even two years later enrolled in language school for two years 2020-2022. I know you have a two year limit if you’re in language school, but for student visas in general this has not always been the case.
I’m in a similar situation (already studied in Japan, want to go back). Did this reply come from your school or from Immigration? I’m using Go Go Nihon and they told that while some schools don’t allow this, Immigration shouldn’t have an issue with it.
I know someone who did 1y6months at a language school here back in 2021, then went back to his country and recently decided he wanted to come back to do 3 or 6 months of Japanese Language School as he had not reached the 2 year limit, but they told him they could not give him a student visa again in his case.
He contacted a Senmon Gakkou and they said he could try to get a visa with them but he needed to pass the JLPT N2 first.
I’ve never heard of anyone being denied applying to higher education here if they had previously studied in Japan before, so I find what you’ve been told to be very strange.
I kind of understand if it is only for Japanese language schools, but it doesn’t make sense for it to be the case for universities or senmon gakkou as well. Unless it is another of those new rules m they are implementing this year?
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