About ¥820,000 national / ¥1.3m private
Average first-year admission plus tuition; private excludes medicine
Japanese-taught degrees usually need JLPT N2 or N1 and the EJU. English-taught options exist at major universities.
Study in Japan from Bangladesh
Fees, living costs, the Certificate of Eligibility and student visa, MEXT and JASSO scholarships and work rules, checked against the Embassy of Japan and Study in Japan.
Not sure where to start? Get a free study assessmentLast updated 29 September 2026Figures checked against official sources, listed at the end
About Japan: highlights
Japan combines low fees at national universities with one of the best-known government scholarships open to Bangladeshi students, MEXT. Many Bangladeshi students start at a Japanese language school, and your school in Japan handles the key visa step, the Certificate of Eligibility.
- Rough first-year budget: about ¥2.1 million at a national university, combining around ¥820,000 in first-year admission and tuition fees with living costs of about ¥105,000 a month.
- Money to show: about ¥2,000,000 covering tuition and living costs, usually with 6 months of your supporter’s bank statements and 3 years of tax records.
- Visa process: your school applies for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), which takes 1 to 3 months; the visa itself then takes about 5 to 10 business days.
- Where to apply: since 3 November 2024 applications go through VFS Global in Gulshan-2, Dhaka, not the embassy directly.
- Work while studying: up to 28 hours a week, but only after you get separate permission.
- After graduation: the Designated Activities (Job Hunting) status gives up to 1 year to find work.
Key facts about Japan
Studying in Japan
4 yearsTypical bachelor’s degree
2 yearsTypical master’s degree
28 hrs/weekWith separate work permission
Up to 1 yearJob-hunting status after graduating
Country stats
TokyoCapital
Japanese yen (¥)Currency
Japanese and EnglishTeaching languages
3 hoursJapan is ahead of Dhaka time
Weather and community
30°C+Tokyo summers, typhoons August to October
Near freezingTokyo winters, with occasional snow
About 45,000Bangladeshis living in Japan
Tokyo areaLargest community
Why study in Japan?
MEXT scholarship
- A full government scholarship open to Bangladeshi applicants.
- Recommended through the Embassy of Japan in Dhaka.
Low national fees
- National universities charge about ¥820,000 in the first year.
- Later years are cheaper without the admission fee.
A language pathway
- Japanese language schools prepare you for university entry.
- Japanese skills widen job options after graduating.
Cost of studying in Japan
Japanese fees are usually quoted as an admission fee plus annual tuition, so the first year costs more than later years. Private universities cost more than national ones.
First-year fees by study level
About ¥820,000 national / ¥1.1m private
Average first-year graduate admission plus tuition
Many applicants start as research students before entering a master’s programme. Contact a supervisor early.
Check the graduate-school fee
Published averages combine degrees
Confirm fees and funding with the graduate school, and consider the MEXT research student route.
Upfront and living costs
What Bangladeshi applicants plan for, from Study in Japan, JASSO and the Embassy of Japan.
| Cost | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Funds to show | ~¥2,000,000 | Tuition and living costs, about USD 13,500 |
| Living costs | ~¥105,000/month | National average; Tokyo usually costs more |
| Move-in costs | Several months’ rent | Key money (reikin) and deposit (shikikin) on top of the first month |
| Visa fee | ¥3,000 / ¥6,000 | Single or multiple entry, paid once the visa is approved |
| IELTS Academic | ৳31,100 | For English-taught programmes |
Part-time earnings cannot replace the funds you show for the visa.
Calculate your Japan study cost
Universities in Japan
Researched starting points, not a complete list or a ranking. Check that the programme is recruiting for your intended year.
University of Tokyo
Tokyo- English route
- Global Science Course transfer
- Who
- After 2+ years at a university outside Japan
- Note
- PEAK admissions ended with the fall 2026 intake
Study in Japan
Official government portal- Run by
- JASSO
- Use it for
- Finding schools and English programmes
- Also covers
- Fees, scholarships and visas
Japan scholarships for Bangladeshi students
Japan’s government funds both a full scholarship through the embassy and monthly support for self-funded students already in Japan.
MEXT Scholarship (Embassy recommendation)
Japanese Government, via the Embassy of Japan
- Covers
- Tuition, monthly allowance, airfare
- Round
- 2027 closed; recruits April to May
- Level
- Undergraduate and research students
- Age
- Under 35 for research students
Apply through the Ministry of Education, Bangladesh. The embassy holds a written exam and interview, with first screening between May and July.
View on official site ↗Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship
JASSO
- Covers
- ¥48,000 a month
- Length
- 12 or 6 months
- Level
- Undergraduate and graduate
- Language school
- ¥30,000 a month
For privately funded international students in Japan with strong records who face financial difficulty. Usually applied for through your school.
View on official site ↗Japanese student visa from Bangladesh
Your school in Japan applies for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) at the regional immigration bureau. Once you have it, you apply for the student visa through VFS Global in Gulshan-2, Dhaka.
1 to 3 monthsCertificate of Eligibility processing
5 to 10 daysVisa processing after you apply
¥3,000 / ¥6,000Single or multiple-entry visa fee
VFS Gulshan-2Where Dhaka applications go
~¥2,000,000Funds to show
28 hrs/weekWork, with separate permission
Documents required
Embassy checklist
- Visa application form and passport
- Photo2 × 1.4 inches
- Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
- Admission certificateAnd the tuition fee receipt
- SSC and HSC certificatesPlus mark sheets and registration card
- Supporter’s bank statementLast 6 months
- Supporter’s tax recordsTax certificates and receipts for 3 years
- Relationship proofFamily tree and IDs if the supporter is not a parent
- JLPT certificateIf you have one
- Airline booking slip
Step by step from Bangladesh
- Choose your school and apply
A university, graduate school or Japanese language school. Check that it is recruiting for your start date.
- Send your COE documents
Your school applies to the regional immigration bureau with your academic and sponsor documents; this takes 1 to 3 months.
- Receive your COE and pay tuition
The school sends you the COE once it is issued.
- Book at VFS Global, Gulshan-2
The embassy no longer accepts applications directly; use the VFS centre at Delta Life Tower.
- Submit your visa application
Bring the COE, admission certificate, fee receipt, academic records and your supporter’s financial documents.
- Collect your visa
Usually 5 to 10 business days; pay ¥3,000 (single) or ¥6,000 (multiple) once approved.
- Arrive and get your residence card
You can apply for permission to work part time at the airport or at a regional immigration office.
- Register your address
Register at your local ward or city office after moving in.
Work during and after your studies
28 hrs/weekWith permission, in term
More in holidaysHigher limits in long school holidays
¥960 to 1,200/hourTypical student pay
While you study
Work is not automatic with a student visa; you need separate permission first. From April 2026, language schools must check students’ workplaces and hours regularly to stop over-working.
After you graduate
Designated Activities (Job Hunting) gives up to 1 year, in 6-month steps, to look for work. You apply before your student status expires, and once you get a job offer you change to a work visa.
Japan intakes and deadlines
Main intake
April
The Japanese academic year starts in April. Many English-taught programmes also admit in September or October.
Language schools
January, April, July, October
Many language schools run several intakes a year. Allow time for the COE before your chosen start.
Your preparation timeline
- 18 to 12 months before: Research courses, eligibility, funding and scholarship deadlines.
- 12 to 9 months before: Prepare language tests, transcripts, references and your shortlist.
- 9 to 6 months before: Submit applications by each programme’s actual deadline.
- 6 to 3 months before: Meet offer conditions, arrange funding and prepare visa documents.
- 3 to 1 months before: Apply for the visa and plan accommodation and arrival.
Keep these dates separate
Japan’s academic year starts in April. Your school must apply for the Certificate of Eligibility 1 to 3 months before the visa stage, and MEXT embassy recruitment runs in April and May of the year before.
Language tests and exams
Choose the teaching language first, because it decides which exams you need. Japanese skills help with part-time jobs and careers even on English-taught degrees.
Japanese-taught degrees
Usually JLPT N2 or N1 and often the EJU, which tests Japanese and subjects such as science, mathematics and Japan and the World.
English-taught degrees
Commonly IELTS 6.0 to 6.5 or a TOEFL iBT equivalent, often with no Japanese needed for admission.
Tests used by Japanese institutions
JLPTEJUIELTS AcademicTOEFL iBT
Study in Japan: FAQs
How do I apply for the MEXT scholarship?
For the Embassy recommendation route, apply through the Ministry of Education, Bangladesh, when recruitment opens in April and May. The embassy runs a written exam and interview. The 2027 round has closed.
What is a Certificate of Eligibility?
A document your school in Japan gets from the regional immigration bureau before you apply for the visa. It usually takes 1 to 3 months.
Where do I apply for the visa in Dhaka?
At VFS Global, Delta Life Tower, Gulshan-2. Since 3 November 2024 the embassy does not accept visa applications directly.
How much money do I need to show?
About ¥2,000,000 for tuition and living costs, with your supporter’s bank statements for 6 months and tax records for 3 years.
Can I work while studying?
Yes, up to 28 hours a week once you get permission, which you can apply for at the airport or a regional immigration office.
Should I start at a language school?
Many Bangladeshi students spend 1 to 2 years at a language school to reach JLPT N2 and prepare for the EJU. English-taught degrees are an alternative.
Can I stay after graduating?
Yes, for up to 1 year on the job-hunting status, then on a work visa once you have an offer.
Can I apply to a Japanese university after HSC?
Yes, either through MEXT’s undergraduate route, a language school pathway, or an English-taught programme. Check each university’s requirements.
Guides to help you apply
Official sources
- Embassy of Japan: visa documents ↗Checked 2026-09-29 · next review 2026-10-29
- Embassy of Japan: MEXT details ↗Checked 2026-09-29 · next review 2026-10-29
- Study in Japan: MEXT scholarship ↗Checked 2026-09-29 · next review 2026-10-29
- JASSO: Honors Scholarship ↗Checked 2026-09-29 · next review 2026-10-29
- Study in Japan: academic fees ↗Checked 2026-09-26 · next review 2026-10-26
- Study in Japan: prospective students ↗Checked 2026-09-26 · next review 2026-10-26
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs: visa fees ↗Checked 2026-09-29 · next review 2026-10-29
- University of Tokyo: English routes ↗Checked 2026-09-26 · next review 2026-10-26
- IDP Bangladesh: IELTS fees ↗Checked 2026-09-29 · next review 2026-10-29
These are dated editorial checks, not a live data feed. Recheck the original page before applying or paying.
About this guide. Researched by the Student Visa From Bangladesh editorial team from the official sources above and last checked on 29 September 2026. We are not a university or a government agency, and admission and visa outcomes are never guaranteed. Read our editorial policy.