Main intakes
| Intake | Who it suits |
|---|---|
| April | The main intake for universities, vocational schools and language schools. The widest choice. |
| July | Offered by some language schools. |
| October | Universities with English-taught or special programmes and many language schools. |
| January | Offered by some language schools. |
When to start for April
- July to September (the year before): choose a school, start Japanese classes, collect documents.
- October to November: application to the school and the sponsor financial documents.
- November to January: the school submits the CoE application.
- February to March: CoE result, fee payment, visa at the embassy.
- March: arrival and orientation.
Why the schedule is strict
Schools can submit CoE applications only in set windows before each intake, and immigration needs time to review each one. If you miss the window you usually wait for the next intake, which can cost six months. Begin your Japanese study and document collection early, and ask the school for its exact application dates before you pay any fee.
Universities with English-taught programmes follow their own application calendars, often a year ahead, and some give an early decision for scholarship applicants.
Check before you rely on it. Application windows are set by each school and the Immigration Services Agency. Rules, fees and dates are changed by governments often. We last reviewed this page in October 2026. Confirm the current position on the Study in Japan school search or ask our counsellors, who check it again before your file is submitted.
Talk to WIEC about Japan
Our Lalitpur counsellors can review your marks, English score and finances and tell you honestly which courses and universities fit. Book a free appointment, start your file online at Apply Online, or practise for the English test with IELTSWIZZ.
Last updated 29 Oct 2026