A. We have one main course, called Advanced Japanese Language Course. A student can start their studies in April and study for 2 years, or in October and study for 1,5 year.

A. 2-year Advanced Japanese Language Course starts in April;

1,5-year Advanced Japanese Language Course starts in October.

A. Please see the full list of documents here.

A. We accept payment in cash, as well as SWIFT bank transfers and online payments with FlyWire.

A. You can find the full application process here.

A. Applicants must provide proof of at least 150 hours of Japanese language study and/or hold a Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) certificate at level N5 or N4. A stable financial situation is also required. These are key factors considered during the Japanese Student Visa application process.

A. To obtain a Japanese student visa, applicants must provide proof of at least 150 hours of Japanese language study or a JLPT N5 Certificate or its equivalent. 

If you are already in Japan and do not need to obtain a student visa, when applying for the 2-year Advanced Japanese Language Course, no prior knowledge of Japanese is required — you can start from zero. However, the 1.5-year Advanced Japanese Language Course requires Japanese proficiency equivalent to the JLPT N4 level.

A. No, you do not need to complete 150 hours beforehand if you are starting from zero. Our 2-year Advanced Japanese Language course is designed for beginners, so you can start learning Japanese from day one at our school.

But to apply for a Student Visa, you will still need to meet the visa requirements (such as prior study hours or JLPT N5), but for Japanese residents or students coming on a tourist visa for 3 months, you can start from zero without any prior experience. 

A. Yes, there is a Japanese Interview-examination for every applicant. 

A. Yes! You can still join us, but it depends on your visa type:

• If you want a Student Visa, you need at least 150 hours of Japanese study or a JLPT N5 certificate (or equivalent).

• If you come from a country that allows a 3-month tourist visa, you can study for up to 3 months. This is a great chance to learn basic Japanese, experience life in Japan, and make friends!

Please note: All classes at our school are conducted exclusively in Japanese, so you will have the opportunity to improve your Japanese skills from day one.

A. All process can take around 3-6 month, so we recommend you to apply as soon as possible.

After you apply to CLAY, we submit your application to the Japanese Immigration Bureau to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). This step usually takes 2 to 3 months.

Once you receive the COE, you must apply for a student visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country. This process takes about 1 to 4 weeks.

A. Yes, all students are required to have health insurance while studying in Japan. International students must enroll in the National Health Insurance (NHI) system, which significantly reduces medical costs. After arriving in Japan, you need to register for NHI at your local city office. The monthly insurance fee varies depending on your city, but it is generally affordable.

If you need help with the registration process, CLAY staff can guide you.

A. There is a maximum capacity of 20 students in each class, but we have from 10 to 16 students in each class.

A. Yes. Before your arrival in Japan, we will help you with the necessary documentation that is needed to apply for visa. After your arrival in Japan, CLAY does all the document preparation and submits it to the Japanese Immigration office for you.

A. Yes, the school provides students with a dormitory. If the student decides to reside in the school Dormitory, they need to stay there for the whole study period. We　

A. Yes, we help students to prepare for the Japanese University or Vocational school entrance examination and Interview, as well as documentation support.

A. The basic textbooks fee, JLPT fee, and 2 trips (to Mount Fuji and to Tokyo) are included in the course price. The study materials like notebooks and pencils students provide for themselves. There are also Japanese Culture Experience activities that are provided for additional payment.

A. The first year of tuition needs to be paid before you come to Japan. The next payments can be made every month.

A. Yes, international students with a Student Visa can work part-time in Japan for up to 28 hours per week. CLAY will assist you with finding your first part-time job.

A. Yes, all CLAY graduates receive a Graduation Certificate!

A. No, Japan does not issue Dependent Visas for family members of students enrolled in language schools.

A. There are several reasons:

• Living in Japan: Being in Japan immerses you in the language daily, which significantly speeds up learning.

• Support with paperwork: CLAY helps with applications, documents, interviews, and recommendation letters.

• Cultural adaptation: Universities expect students to understand not only the language but also Japanese social norms and behaviors.

• JLPT is not enough: Some universities require the EJU (Examination for Japanese University Admission), internal exams, or interviews in Japanese, which CLAY specifically prepares you for.

• Visa: To legally live and study in Japan, you need a student visa, which is easiest to obtain through a language school.