How difficult is the visa process for Japan compared to other countries?

Japan’s student visa process is slightly more complex than countries like Germany, Italy, and France due to an extra step: the Certificate of Eligibility (CoE).

- Japan: Requires a CoE issued by Japanese immigration, usually arranged by your university. This step can take 1 - 3 months before you apply for your visa.
- Germany, Italy, France: Do not require a CoE. You apply directly for a student visa with the embassy or consulate, making the process more straightforward and often faster.

Despite this, Japan has a high approval rate (about 95% for Indian students), so the process is generally efficient once requirements are met.