287 days

Applying for a tourist visa might seem tedious, but compared to a student visa, it’s a breeze. My student visa journey was a true test of patience and perseverance, stretching across a whopping 287 days from start to finish!

“Hello Simeon-san,
Thank you for deciding to study with us!“

Ana from GenkiJACS 24/06/2024

My journey to study in Japan began during a holiday in May 2024, when I decided to turn my fascination with the country into a life-changing adventure. After some careful research, I chose GenkiJACS in Fukuoka as my school. It offered the perfect fit for my skill level and provided support for integrating with locals.

Although several emails had already been exchanged before June 24th, 2024, I consider this the official starting point of my journey—the day my application was confirmed. From there and many, many emails later (my apologies to Ana for this), the real challenge loomed ahead: applying for my student visa.

SpeedVisa, Online Tests & Interview

Embarking on the immigration journey was an experience in thoroughness. Questions like ‘Where did you go to school, from elementary through university?’ or ‘Have you ever changed schools, and if so, why?’ along with ‘Where have you worked?’ aimed to paint a complete picture of my background.

Combined with submitting a letter of motivation and proof of financial solvency, the process required both dedication and careful preparation. While it could feel overwhelming at times, the thought of each step bringing me closer to my dream kept me motivated and made it all worthwhile.

Also required: an online test (due to my level of Japanese, the only prerequisite was Hiragana) followed by an online interview on 03/10/2024.

And thus the waiting game began…

This process was undeniably a stressful experience, especially with the Japanese government’s new requirements. Throughout, my anxiety sometimes got the better of me, and I found myself turning to Ana from GenkiJACS (sorry again, Ana!), as well as my family, friends, and colleagues for support during my moments of panic. I’m truly grateful to all of you for putting up with me and helping me push through!

“We have received your COEs from the immigration bureau!“

Ana from GenkiJACS

And then on 26/02/2025, The liberating words: “We have received your COEs”.
The biggest hurdle of the journey has been tackled. I had been deemed eligable for a Visa for Japan. What could possibly go wrong now?!

“Your name is not on the list!“

Security-guy at the embassy

Having the COE is important, but it doesn’t guarantee a visa—this requires a visit to the Embassy of Japan in Brussels. Initially, I had booked my appointment for 11/03/2025, but once my COE was confirmed, I decided to play it safe and reschedule for 04/03, to allow extra time if needed. Here’s a helpful tip: whenever you change an appointment, double or even triple-check that everything is in order, even if you have visual proof of confirmation. I learned it the hard way.

On 04/03, I made my way to the center of Brussels (an hour’s journey by public transport from work), only to be told, ‘Your name is not on the list.’ Despite showing the picture of the confirmed change, I was not allowed into the building. Needless to say: Siméon was not pleased at all…

“I’m sorry, this is not the correct document“

The nice lady at the counter

A week later, it was time for round II of my embassy visit. This time, my name was on the list, and I was allowed in— hurray for that small victory! However, then I was informed that my visa application document was outdated, as the embassy had released a newer version. For a moment, I feared I’d be sent away to make another appointment, but thankfully, I only needed to copy the updated document
(apologies to the embassy staff for my less-than-perfect handwriting!).

After submitting the corrected paperwork, I was assured that unless any issues arose, my visa would be ready by the following Monday afternoon. Just one more week of stress—or so I hoped.

By Monday, anyone who knows me wouldn’t be surprised to hear I was at the embassy door at 13:20, just before they opened. By 13:44, the wait was finally over. I held my visa, valid for 1 year and 3 months, in my hands. At long last, everything was in order, and I was officially ready for takeoff!