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Studying in France vs Japan

How the two compare on the things that matter most to international students — cost, student visas, work rights and the path to staying on after you graduate.

France
France
Japan
Japan
Tuition (per year)
Public: low differential rate (~€2,770–3,770/yr); private higher
¥535,000–1,500,000 / year (national vs private)
Living costs
~€10,500 / year (€878/mo from Aug 2026)
¥1.5–2 million / year (~US$10,000–13,000)
Student visa
VLS-TS student visa
Student visa (with Certificate of Eligibility)
Work while studying
Up to 964 hours per year (~20 hrs/week)
Up to 28 hours/week during term (with permission); 8 hrs/day in holidays
Post-study work
APS permit — up to 12 months for master’s graduates to find work or start a business
Designated Activities (job-hunting) visa — up to 1 year
Proof of funds
Show ~€615/mo (rising to €878/mo from Aug 2026)
Show ~¥2,000,000–2,500,000 for one year
Path to residency
Multi-year residence permit, then long-term residence
Work visa → PR over time; Highly Skilled Professional points system can shorten it
Health cover
French student health insurance (low cost)
National Health Insurance mandatory (~¥20,000/yr)
Main intakes
September (main) and January
April (main) and September/October

France — often chosen for

  • ✓Low public-university tuition
  • ✓Business & engineering grandes écoles
  • ✓APS stay-back for master’s+
Study in France →

Japan — often chosen for

  • ✓Low national-university tuition
  • ✓Strong tech & engineering
  • ✓Job-hunting visa up to 1 year
Study in Japan →

Figures are typical estimates; visa fees and minimum-funds thresholds change regularly. Always confirm current requirements with the official immigration authority before deciding. Use the study cost calculator to estimate your own budget.

France vs Japan — common questions

Is it cheaper to study in France or Japan?+

Tuition in France is typically Public: low differential rate (~€2,770–3,770/yr); private higher and living costs ~€10,500 / year (€878/mo from Aug 2026), while Japan is around ¥535,000–1,500,000 / year (national vs private) for tuition and ¥1.5–2 million / year (~US$10,000–13,000) for living. The cheaper option depends on your course, city and lifestyle — use the study cost calculator to compare your own situation, and remember each country sets a minimum you must prove for the visa.

Which is better for working after graduation, France or Japan?+

France offers APS permit — up to 12 months for master’s graduates to find work or start a business. Japan offers Designated Activities (job-hunting) visa — up to 1 year. If staying on to work is a priority, weigh the length of the post-study visa against how it leads into longer-term residency in each country.

Which has an easier path to permanent residency, France or Japan?+

France: Multi-year residence permit, then long-term residence. Japan: Work visa → PR over time; Highly Skilled Professional points system can shorten it. Immigration rules change often, so confirm current pathways with a licensed migration adviser before choosing a country for PR reasons.

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