Immigration needs to know you can afford to live in Japan. We explain the "2 Million Yen Rule" and what documents you need to prove your savings.

To get a student visa, you must prove you have the financial means to support yourself. This is the Japan student visa bank statement requirement.

The Magic Number: 2 Million Yen

• General Rule: You need to show approx. 2,000,000 JPY (approx. $13,500 USD) in a bank account.
• Why? This covers 1 year of tuition (approx. 800k) + 1 year of living expenses (approx. 1.2m).
• For 6-month courses: You usually need about 1,000,000 JPY.

Whose Account?

• Self-Sponsor: Your own bank account.
• Financial Sponsor: Your parents' or relatives' account. You will need a "Letter of Financial Support" signed by them.

The Documents

1. Bank Certificate: An official document from the bank showing the current balance.
2. Income Proof: If your sponsor is paying, they need to show their annual income (tax return or employment letter).
3. Relationship Proof: Birth certificate showing they are your parents.

👉 Expenses: Study in Tokyo Cost Per Month: A Student Budget Guide

Currency

The money does NOT need to be in Yen. It can be in USD, EUR, etc. Immigration will convert it at the current rate.

Tips

• Stability: The money should be in the account for a few months. A sudden large deposit right before application looks suspicious (borrowed money).
• Liquid Assets: It must be cash in a bank. Stocks, crypto, or real estate do NOT count.