❓️ Can I Apply for a Student Visa While Temporarily Staying in Another Country?
In most cases, you cannot apply for a student visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate in a country where you are only staying short-term (such as for tourism). You should apply in the country where you live as a resident. However, it’s best to check directly with the embassy.
🎯 Who is this for?
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Students planning to apply for a student visa
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Students traveling to another country before coming to Japan
❓ Question
I live in the U.S., but I’m planning to travel to South Korea for tourism before studying in Japan. Can I apply for a student visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate in South Korea?
✅ Answer
In general, no. You should apply for your student visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate that covers your country of residence. If you are staying in another country short-term (such as for tourism), visa applications are usually not accepted there.
However, some embassies or consulates may allow exceptions, so we recommend calling them in advance to ask if they can process your application.
📝 Additional Information
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A “country of residence” usually means where you live as a resident (not as a tourist).
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Embassies may have strict rules and will not process student visas for non-residents.
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Always prepare your visa application before leaving your home country, if possible.
How to Proceed
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Check the list of Japanese embassies and consulates.
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Contact the relevant office directly to confirm whether they accept applications from short-term visitors.
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If they don’t, return to your country of residence to apply.
Important Notes
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Do not assume all embassies have the same rules.
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Applying last-minute or during travel may delay your visa and affect your plans to study in Japan.