package course introduction

Study
Courses
Package/longterm
18-month course

18-Month Student Visa Course with GenkiJACS Fukuoka or GenkiJACS Produced Course in I.C.Nagoya

If you are looking to concentrate on studying in Japan for 18 months without applying for a visa extension, this course is for you. Since 2020 GenkiJACS' Fukuoka School has been accredited by the Japanese government to offer student visas for 18 months. The courses start in January, April, July and October, so if you want a chance to stay in Japan for a longer period, bring your Japanese to an even higher level and see what can be achieved in 1.5 years, then this is the right choice.

From 2021, the very same course can now be taken at our sister School I.C.Nagoya in, you guessed it, Nagoya!

If you are a holder of a Working Holiday Visa or hold another type of visa which allows you to stay in Japan for a year or longer, this course may be for you. The Japanese student visa application is a complex process, but it doesn't have to be. We will guide you through the whole process and provide full support in English. Every visa application that had no issues was approved by the government.

Much like our 1-year Student Visa course, there are strict government rules students must follow to keep their student visas. Attendance will be taken and regular tests conducted, so we recommend only those who are very serious about studying Japanese should apply.

View yearly course schedule and application deadlines

Looking for a shorter-term course instead? Try these options!

Mandatory test during your study with us!

View information about the JLPT Test

Package Details

20 lessons/week
  Held on weekdays (Monday-Friday)
  Starts in January, April, July and October
  You can win a scholarship with us too! Check for more information here: Win a scholarship

For Fukuoka

Add modules/add-ons

For Nagoya

package price

This price includes all school costs, textbook costs, visa mailing charges, health check, and all other fees required to study with us, except accommodation. You will not be required to pay any other fees to study with us.

Get a free quote for Fukuoka

Get a free quote for Nagoya

18 months is too long? Take me to the 1-year course page

Discount Details

The core Japanese course is booked and paid in advance for the duration of the course. You'll have 20 class hours per week-two classes focus on grammar, and two classes focus on applying your skills to real-world situations. Classes have a maximum of 8* students, and focus on communication skills for daily life, rather than academic Japanese. We offer 60 weeks of classes with a 30% discount!

*may be 9 students during peak season for a max of 1 week

Class weeks per year
Classes per year
Cost per week
Total discount

18 months

Class weeks per year 60 weeks
Classes per year ~1200
Cost per week 25,900 yen
Total discount ~29%

1-year

Class weeks per year 40 weeks
Classes per year ~800
Cost per week 27,600 yen
Total discount ~23%

Who is eligible?

You must be at a beginning of Beginner 2 level or below when starting with us. If your Japanese level is too high already, you won’t be able to take our 18-month course, but a 20-week course or 1-year course might be possible instead.

You or a family member must be able to show funds to pay for tuition and living expenses (minimum roughly 2,830,000 but we recommend 3,000,000)

You must apply before the deadline.

View application deadlines

Required documents

The specific documents you need to provide depend on your situation, but in general you will need:

Proof of identification

Proof of employment (if working).

Proof of bank balance and income (either yours or your financial sponsor’s)

Proof of graduation from school (junior high or higher)

When we receive your confirmed application, we will send you the student visa application form, and a list of required documents, along with detailed instructions.

Mandatory test during your study

JLPT Test

During your year of study with us, you will need to take the famous JLPT test. It is an external test, and the Japanese government requires our students to take it. No choice, but to take it!

Communication

We focus on teaching communicative Japanese and the JLPT tests one's ability with grammar and vocabulary. This creates an amazing balance that should help you to improve your Japanese in a very balanced way.

It is Free

We all like free things. We will cover the test fee for you.

Offered regulary

The test takes place twice a year! So, if you love taking tests, technically you could take the test a couple of times. We can't claim to understand this hobby, but we love the enthusiasm.

Test results and career path among 2023* Student Visa course graduates

All test results listed include the JLPT Test or its equivalent

*The years are counted from April to March (just like schools in Japan)

Japanese Language Test Taken - 24 Students

N4 lvl (or equivalent) - 10 Students Passed

N3 lvl (or equivalent) - 10 Students passed

N2 lvl (or equivalent) - 2 students passed

Further Education - 3 students

Employment in Japan - 8 students

Study speed and progression

Progression speed

						JLPT	CEFR
					Advanced (20 weeks)	N1	C1
				Pre-Advanced (10 weeks)		N2-N1	B2
			Intermediate II (20 weeks)			N2	B2
		Intermediate I (20 weeks)				N3	B1
	Beginner II (19 weeks)					N4	A2
Beginner I (16 weeks)						N5	A1

Weekly lesson structure

For beginner levels

scroll → to see the entire table

		Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri
Grammar/conversation 100min	1	L1① Homework	L1③ Homework	L1⑤ Homework	L2① Homework	L2③ Homework
Grammar/conversation 100min	2	L1① Homework	L1③ Homework	L1⑤ Homework	L2① Homework	L2③ Homework
Grammar/conversation 100min	3	L1② Homework	L1④ Homework	L1⑥ Homework	L2② Homework	L2④ Homework
Grammar/conversation 100min	4	L1② Homework	L1④ Homework	L1⑥ Homework	L2② Homework	L2④ Homework

For intermediate and above levels

Multi Purpose: JLPT Kanji vocabulary, grammar, reading and seminar
4 skills: Proficiency (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking)

scroll → to see the entire table

		Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri
Multi Purpose 100min	1	JLPT Grammar	Kanji	JLPT Grammar	Seminar	JLPT Grammar
Multi Purpose 100min	2	JLPT Vocabulary	JLPT Reading	JLPT Vocabulary	Seminar	JLPT Vocabulary
4 Skills 100min	3	L1 ①	L2 ②	L3 ③	L4 ④	L5 ⑤
4 Skills 100min	4	L1 ①	L2 ②	L3 ③	L4 ④	L5 ⑤

Post-graduation requirements

Getting a working visa

If your plan is to obtain a work visa after your study with us, most of the time, companies will ask that you have the JLPT N2 (or above). This can vary depending on the industry you target, but the N2 level is very often the norm and what companies require. In some industries, you will also be required to have some experience back home

On top of this, in order to be eligible for a work visa, you will need to have at least a B.A degree from a university in either Japan or your home country.

If you do not have a B.A degree, it will be required that you have at least 10 years of experience in your field, and dpending on which field, the immigration will review applications on a case by case basis.

scroll → to see more

Entering a university

If your goal is to enter a university after graduating with GenkiJACS you will need the following:

JLPT N2 or N3 depending on the university
Obtain the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU), which is a special entrance exam similar to SATs. You can find more information on the JASSO website

Japanese B.A degrees are, for the vast majority, a 4-year program. Obtaning a B.A degree from a Japanese university will make you eligible to apply for a working visa if you do not already have a B.A from your home country.

scroll → to see more

Joining a vocational college

Vocational colleges are usually 2-year programs and easier to acces than universities in Japan. However, easier does not necessarily mean easy, and you would still need to have the following to join one:

JLPT N2 or N3
At least a 6-month study at a Japanese language school (like GenkiJACS)
Obtain the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU), which is a special entrance exam similar to SATs. You can find more information on the JASSO website (depend on each vocational colleges)

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Course FAQs

Can I study in Tokyo/Kyoto?

No, this course is only available in Fukuoka. Unfortunately, we are only able to provide student visa support at our Fukuoka campus. But if you are hoping to study in Tokyo or Kyoto, do check our 20-week course or 10-week course.

Do I have to take the J.Test?

We know why you opened that! We're like you, we are not big fans of tests. But this test is a mandatory requirement, and orders come from the Japanese government. Call us silly, but when requirements come from the Japanese government, we tend to follow their instructions :).
In short YES, you will need to take this test at least once during your study with us.

Can I work part-time?

Yes, you are allowed to work for up to 28 hours per week during term time, and up to 40 hours per week during your holiday. However, remember that your primary goal is to study, so please do not allow work to interfere with your school hours.

Of course, working in Japan could be fun and if you would like to try, due to our scheduling we ask our students to find a part-time job that will allow you to work on weekends and after 18:00 on weekdays.

Can I study longer than 18 months?

Your level of Japanese you achieve in 18 months will dictate whether you can extend your course or not. If you are too high of a level, we might recommend an alternative school or can discuss further options with you.

I want to work in Japan, can I find a job after?

A good number of our students have found employment after studying with us. It does depend on your level of Japanese at the start of your course. Most jobs in Japan ask for a university degree and at least a JLPT 2 level of Japanese.

Can you help me find a job?

As much as we would love to, we are a Japanese language school, and not a job placement agency :) We can of course help with advice, writing your CV, and preparing for your job interview.

I want go to a college/university in Japan, can I do that?

What a great goal! Yes, you can if you would like to. It does require a certain level of Japanese as you can imagine, but even if you have never formally learned Japanese, we would be super happy to be your first step towards achieving your goal.

Check out our list of vocational colleges and their requirements here to get a head start.

Begin the journey of a lifetime. Speak Japanese, live Japan.

About Us

Accredited and award-winning Japanese school in Tokyo, Kyoto, Okinawa, Fukuoka, and Nagoya. Learn real-world, communicative Japanese in small, intimate classes. Kickstart the journey of a lifetime in Japan, or bring your existing skills to new levels.

Useful Pages

Head Office

Hakataekihigashi 1-16-23, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka-shi 812-0013, Japan
Phone: +81 (0)92 472 0123
Email: [email protected]

Tokyo School

Hanazono Bldg 1BF, Shinjuku 5-17-6, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022, Japan
Phone: +81 (0)3 6457 3554
Email: [email protected]

Okinawa School

Oroku 824-17, Naha 901-0152, Japan
Phone: +81 (0)98-987-7818
Email: [email protected]

Kyoto School

Hayashi Bldg 2F, Shimizuchō (Kawaramachidōri), 454-1, Shimogyō-ku, Kyoto-shi 600-8025, Japan
Phone: +81 (0)75-353-0003
Email: [email protected]

I.C. Nagoya

Meieki-Nagata Bldg 4F, Meieki 3-26-19, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya 450-0002, Japan
Phone: +81 (0)52-433-3152
Email: [email protected]