have to fly back to apply for long term visa?!

"Applying for a Different Visa While in Japan (Generally): Generally, if you entered Japan under the visa waiver program, you cannot switch to a long-term visa (e.g., student visa, work visa) while already inside Japan. You usually must return to your home country (Germany in your case) and apply for the long-term visa there. There are a few very specific exceptions to this rule, but they are uncommon."

THis is what chat AI gave me. Is this true? Likle if I go there as a tourist and find a school that I want to enrole in, that they require me to fly back to Germany, just to apply for the student visa?!?!?!

This sounds very unnecessary to me and crazy. I hope this isnt true, bc this is insane!

[ Edit: Edited on 9 Mar 2025, 05:41 GMT by plautus ]

>Is this true? Likle if I go there as a tourist and find a school that I want to enrole in, that they require me to fly back to Germany, just to apply for the student visa?!?!?!

The official site makes it clear that you can only apply for a visa from your country of residence:

>You can apply for the visa at the Japanese Embassy / Consulate General in your own country (region) or country (region) of residence (if there is more than one, apply to the Japanese Embassy / Consulate General nearest from where you live). In other words, you cannot apply for a visa at your travel destination; however, if there are unavoidable circumstances, consult with the Japanese Embassy / Consulate General where you would like to apply for the visa before making the application. (my bold)

https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/faq.html#q1-1

Entering under a 90-day visa waiver doesn't make you a resident of Japan and certainly won't be considered as 'unavoidable circumstances'.

>This sounds very unnecessary to me and crazy. I hope this isnt true, bc this is insane!

It's not 'insane'. Countries have the absolute right to make any rules they like about entry. What you, I or anyone else might think about those rules is entirely irrelevant.

And it's not at all unusual for countries to require applicants to apply for a visa from their own country of residence. For example, if a UK resident wants to study in Germany he/she must apply from the UK.

[ Edit: Edited on 9 Mar 2025, 07:29 GMT by leics2 ]

Plautus, to quote you from previous posts:

i want visa, but not work nor study

the problem with studying is I will be surrounded with stupid teenagers. Had that... was horrible

Being that you clearly do not want to study - nor would schools be interested someone with an attitude problem, who doesn't speak the language, and who is just using them for a hidden agenda - I don't know why you're even asking the question?

As already kindly pointed out, this is a travel forum. It is not a specialist visa advisory service. You've received plenty of (unappreciated) help to date; time to do the necessary work yourself or restrict yourself to a short-term tourist visa.

I have no choice but to study.
U can't just extend ur visa so easily,. it is difficult, u need emergency reasons.
And if I do visa hopping they are very likely to refuse my entry, at least that's what google AI told me.

Studying seems to be the only choice.

Sure you have a choice. Be in a different country.

nah i dont want to be in any other country.

[ Edit: Edited on 9 Mar 2025, 22:33 GMT by plautus ]

>Studying seems to be the only choice.

It's not as simple as that.

It's not just a matter of you deciding to 'study' in Japan (or any other country). In order for an institution to offer you a place (the only way to get a study visa) they have to be convinced that you a) want to study whatever subject you've applied for and b) you are academically capable of doing do.

And...perhaps most importantly of all...they want to know that you have the funds to a) pay their fees and b) support yourself during your course. If Japan...or many/any other country... offer any scholarships to foreign students they will, of course, be for the most acadenically excellent. The majority of scholarships are, obviously, for citizens of the relevant country.

If you haven't got the desire, the ability and the funds I'm afraid you'll have to think again.

Do you actually speak any Japanese or any other foreign language? If you're not fluent in another language how will you cope with courses not delivered in German or English?

[ Edit: Edited on 9 Mar 2025, 22:35 GMT by leics2 ]

oh, I meant taking a Japanese course, is what I meant with 'studying'. Not really studyig as in taking a major.

There are many schools that offer Japanese classes. I can fund myself, still have 20k euros of savings. It should suffice. Otherwise I also might get 1000$/month by the government, but the application for that hasnt been finished yet.

I see.

Taking a language course isn't the same as e.g. taking a year in Japan as part of a university degree. Even so, before you can apply for a student visa you'll need to be offered a place by the relevant school and they'll get a Certificate of Eligibility for you.

https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/long/visa6.html

By the way, Japanese culture and society places great emphasis on politeness in both speech and behaviour. You'll need to curb the tendency to swearing and rudeness that you've demonstrated in previous (reported and deleted) replies.

[ Edit: Edited on 9 Mar 2025, 23:05 GMT by leics2 ]