Hello, I am Yoshi from NILS Japanese language school. Today, we would like to talk about a visa application procedure. We are currently have many students learning Japanese language in our intensive programs, and we will have many new students in this coming October.

First, those who want to take our intensive program for more than a year have to be approved for the Certificate of Eligibility by the Immigration Bureau of Japan. People sometimes confused that they can apply for a student visa at the Japan Embassy or Consulate-Generals, but you must be approved for the COE first.
Well, how to get approved for the COE?
If you want to take intensive programs at any Japanese language school like NILS, you first send all the required documents to the school. Then, the school applies for your COE at the Immigration Bureau. You cannot apply for the COE direclty at the Immigration office.
It will take you about 2-3 months until you are informed if you are approved for the COE. (It is quite a long time, but all we can do is to wait for a call from the office). We will send you the original COE, so you go to the Japan Embassy or Consulate-General in your area to apply for a student visa. You will receive the visa within a week!
Complicated process, but you can see the details here.

Intensive 1 year program

September 5th News, from NILS Japanese language school.