Study Abroad in 2025: What Germany, Ireland, and Japan Really Offer International Students

TL;DR

• Germany’s Changes: Germany is easing visa processes, extending work rights, and introducing preparatory study visas, but financial requirements have increased.
• Ireland’s Stability: Ireland’s provisions, like the Third Level Graduate Scheme, remain unchanged, except for revised financial requirements.
• Japan’s Focus: Japan is expanding English-taught programs and doubling the job search period post-graduation, but higher fees pose challenges.
• Work and Residency: Germany leads with relaxed residency rules, while Japan offers vocational graduates residency options.
• Language Needs: Learning Japanese is vital for long-term success in Japan, unlike Germany and Ireland, where English suffices.

Earlier this month several publications carried articles claiming that Germany, Ireland and Japan are streamlining their visa processes and improving post-study work options to attract more foreign students. 

Is it true? Is it true in all three countries? Is it the whole picture? 

YUNO LEARNING took a close look at rules, processes and opportunities in these three countries. Here’s what we found. 

GERMANY 

For Germany, the answer is that in some areas, requirements have become more stringent. In some areas, there has been no change. In some areas, clear benefits have been introduced. Here is the actual position, item by item: 

Ease of application 

One day soon, applying for a visa to study in Germany may be as simple as filling out a form online and firing it off directly to the German Embassy in India … or even to Germany’s Federal Foreign Office. The German government has announced that it intends to digitalise its entire visa process worldwide by 2025, but some countries are getting the benefit earlier than others. The process of applying for a student visa has been fully digitalized for some countries, however, the portal is NOT yet ready for processing applications from Indians who want study visas. 

Indian students must still go the old-fashioned way: The application must be submitted in person through VFS Global Visa Application Center. (VFS is the authorised processing company for the German Embassy in India.) There is no other way for the visa application to be accepted and processed. 

Find out the nearest VFS Visa Application Centre and follow the following steps post that.

Step 1: At the VFS Centre, the responsible staff will take biometric information, including ten fingerprints and photograph. 

Step 2: Once this information is entered into VFS Global Visa Application Center’s system called Visa Information System or VIS, it will be stored there and the applicant will be able to use the same ones for any visa application within the Schengen Zone for the next five years. 

Step 3: An applicant must apply for a German visa at VFS Global Visa Application Center that corresponds to his/her area of residence. 

Step 4: After applying through VFS, the applicant gets an appointment for an interview at the German Embassy in New Delhi or one of four consulates (Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Chennai). 

The documents that need to be submitted with the application are as following:

1. Financial Requirements: 

The financial proof required to be approved for a visa to study in Germany has NOT been reduced. Rather, in July this year it was increased from €11,208 (US$12,130) to to €11,904 (US$12,885) for the new academic year as per the latest changes in the Federal Education and Training Assistance Act. This is a 6 percent increase. Students can meet this requirement in several ways. 

They can submit certified documents showing family income and assets, provide a bank guarantee (Bankbürgschaft), or use a blocked account. A blocked account is a special bank account for international students offered by German banks like Deutsche Bank and Fintiba. Students can’t access this account until they arrive in Germany and then can only withdraw a set amount each month. 

The new requirement puts Germany near the top of the range among major study destinations and can be compared to Australia (AUD$29,710, which equates to US$19,540), Canada (CDN$20,635, US$14,930), Ireland (€10,000, US$10,680), and France (€7,380, US$7,980). However, the German increase is modest compared to the substantial hikes announced by Australia and Canada. In December 2023, Canada effectively doubled its proof of funds requirement, and Australia announced a 20%+ increase in May 2024, the second such increase within a year. 

2. Proof of Accommodation: 

As per the latest German Visa Application requirements, from September 1, 2024, to get approval for a visa to study in Germany the applicant must submit documented evidence of housing arrangements. This is a new regulation and it increases the complications faced by a would-be international student. 

3. Work During Studies: 

Under this heading we see genuine, immediate benefit. The new Skilled Immigration Act which came into effect on March 1, 2024, was passed in order to attract and retain talent, facilitate employment and settlement for foreign professionals. 

A few changes which have been introduced are as follows:

Previously, skilled workers received an 18-month residence permit for adaptation measures. This has now been extended to 24 months, with a possibility of an additional 12-month extension, allowing for a total of 3 years. This change provides greater stability for both employees and employers. 

Skilled workers undergoing qualification (in other words, international students) can now work for up to 20 hours per week, doubling the previous limit of 10 hours. The law is also intended to help students finance their stay in Germany. 

1. Visa for Study Applications: 

Another new law provision giving genuine and immediate benefit to students is the Visum zur Studienbewerbung (Visa for Study Applications). This visa came into effect on March 1, 2024. It allows Non-EU citizens to come to Germany for up to nine months to prepare a university application, complete language courses, gather documents and get to know the country. During this time, they can work up to 20 hours. 

2. Working Rights and Validity 

As per the revised Skilled Immigration Act, Effective March 1, 2024, “the German government has expanded the working rights and validity periods of student permits and eased certain permanent residency and family reunification rules”. 

Specifically: 

• Working Hours: Students can now work up to 140 full days or 280 half days per calendar year. This is an increase from the previous limit of 120 full days or 240 half days. 
• Validity Periods: The student residence permit is typically issued for the duration of the study program but will not exceed two years at a time. It can be renewed if the program takes longer, provided that the studies are progressing normally. 

3. Enhanced Rules for Family Reunification

As for permanent residency and family reunification rules, Here are the key updates reported by the German government’ in reference to the revised Skilled Immigration Act (effective from March 1, 2024): 

The waiting period for Permanent Residency has been reduced. Skilled workers can now obtain permanent residency after 21 months if they hold a residence permit. This is a reduction from the previous requirement of 33 months 

• EU Blue Card Holders: Blue Card holders can now apply for permanent residency after 27 months (or 21 months if they have B1 German proficiency). 
• Graduates: Graduates from German universities can apply for permanent residency after two years of employment. 

As per the German Immigration Reform 2023-24, Eligibility for family reunification has been expanded. The new rules allow parents and parents-in-law to join their family members in Germany, provided the sponsor holds a residence permit issued after March 1, 2024. The sponsor must still provide proof of sufficient living space, healthcare insurance, and means of subsistence, but the process has been streamlined to make it easier for families to reunite. 

IRELAND 

About Ireland’s measures, the only relatively recent change pertains to the requirement for financial support and it is more than a year old. Provisions such as online application, time allowed to work in Ireland after graduation and English language learning have not changed in years. 

What’s New in Ireland for International Students?

1. Financial Requirements: 

The price of everything has risen. One cannot expect that any country will reduce the quantum of financial backing required to qualify for a student visa. As reported by DCAS in its article, ‘New Financial Proof Requirement for Studying in Ireland’, On 1 July 2023, Ireland revised financial requirements for international students. A student must now show that he or she has access to €10,000 per year for their studies, or €700 per month for shorter stays (up to 6 months), or a total of €4,200 for courses less than 6 month 

2. Online Application: 

The provision for online applications via the AVATS (Online Visa/Preclearance Application Facility) system that allows students to submit their applications and supporting documents does indeed simplify the procedure and make it faster and more accessible and efficient, but AVATS is hardly new. It was introduced on 21 November 2020. 

3. Graduate Work Opportunities

Nothing new here. Since 2017 international students have been able to apply for work permits after graduation (Masters or PhD) in Ireland since the introduction of the Third Level Graduate Scheme. This scheme allows non-EU/EEA students to stay and seek employment for up to 12 or 24 months, depending on their level of qualification. This period has NOT been enhanced. 

4. English-Language Programmes: 

Nothing new here. Such programmes have been on the list since January 20, 2016. They are on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) because the Education Ministry has always insisted that only high-quality education providers be allowed to recruit non-EEA students. The English-Language Programmes serve this purpose 

JAPAN

Declining Domestic Students and Government Targets

Universities in Japan have difficulties in enrolling sufficient domestic students because of Japan’s declining birthrate and aging population. 

Japan’s universities will not survive for long unless they can make up for the decrease in the number of domestic applicants by enrolling more international students. 

For financial reasons, many universities in Japan are highly motivated to accept more international students. Over the past couple of years, the government of Japan has also spoken of ambitious targets for welcoming international students. 

However, so far, the government has taken few steps that would help to realise the targets. 

Of recent steps taken by the Japanese government, three are NOT particularly useful for foreign students wanting to study in Japan. 

1. Enhanced Oversight of International Students

In April 2024, Japan News reported in its article titled, Japan Tightens Student Residency Rules to Combat Illegal Work, Missing Foreign Students, “Japan’s Justice Ministry promulgated an ordinance requiring institutions of higher education to adopt appropriate enrollment regulations and international student management systems, such as tracking classroom attendance and part-time job records”.

The stated aim of the measure is to guard against the illegal employment of foreign students, identify visa overstayers and ensure that institutions maintain high standards for support of international students. 

The last similar measure came in 2019 when the Japanese government strengthened standards of Japanese language schools so that they could not be used as a “backdoor” for job-seeking foreigners to remain in Japan after the expiration of their student visas. 

2. Fee Hikes and Visa Implications

As reported by University World News in its article titled, Uproar over ‘discriminatory’ hike in foreign student fees dated September 3rd 2024, “This year the Japanese government triggered a controversy by allowing universities to raise international student fees by up to 20 percent from the next academic year. The increase is intended to provide more funding for universities to improve their facilities and Japanese language support. The government’s rationale is that it’s more expensive to host international students than domestic students”. 

3. Financial support 

No benefit to foreign students here. In 2023, The Japanese government raised the financial requirement for granting a student visa at 2,000,000 to 2,500,000 yen per year. 

4. Job-seeking time 

Here is one step taken by the Japanese administration that is beneficial. Before 2023, international students in Japan were allowed to stay and search for a job for up to six months after graduation. The time allowed was doubled to one year in 2023. This is known as the Designated Activities visa. 

If the person finds a job during this period, they can then switch to a work visa. 

While studying, an international student in Japan is allowed to work for 28 hours per week, although they can work up to 8 hours per day during long vacation periods. This rule has not been changed since 2014. 

5. For students of vocational schools 

Japan Times reported in February this year, in the article titled, Japan eases residency rules for foreign graduates of vocational schools, “The Immigration Services Agency (ISA) on Thursday relaxed the conditions for the granting of residential status to foreign students who have graduated from vocational schools in Japan, in an attempt to retain highly skilled professionals amid a chronic labor shortage”.

Previously only university graduates were eligible for this. Immigration Services Agency said that the aim is to keep talented foreigners in the country. 

6. Studying in English: Rising Opportunities in Japanese Universities 

On March 17, 2023, Prime Minister Kishida held the fifth meeting of the Council for the Creation of Future Education at the Prime Minister’s Office. Following the discussion, former Prime Minister Kishida said, “I ask the members to propose a more in-depth recommendation, including the expansion of medium- to long-term overseas dispatch of Japanese students, the promotion of English and international understanding education, the improvement of environments to promote the acceptance of promising foreign students, the review of residence statuses, the facilitation of employment in companies, the promotion of retention, the improvement of environments for universities engaged in internationalization, and the creation of attractive educational settings for overseas talents”. This highlights the overarching rise of opportunities which will open up for the international students in the coming years.

Among the universities that provide comprehensive programs in English are:

1. University of Tokyo 

2. Keio University 

3. Sophia University 

4. Hokkaido University 

5. Osaka University 

6. Waseda University 

7. Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) 

These programs range from undergraduate to graduate degrees, allowing international students to study in their preferred language without needing to be proficient in Japanese. 

7. Certificate of Eligibility (COE) 

Since 2023, universities in Japan have been handling the COE application on behalf of students. This is indeed beneficial to would-be international students as it reduces the administrative burden on students and ensures that applications are processed efficiently. The processing time for a Certificate of Eligibility application is typically 6-8 weeks, but can take up to 12 weeks or longer. This is the primary reason university application deadlines in Japan are so early. Getting the COE is the first step in the process of getting a student visa. 

8. Working and living in Japan 

Here is a reality that no government promotion campaign is going to change in the foreseeable future: an Indian cannot expect to make a life for himself in Japan if he never acquires working proficiency in Japanese. As per a blog posted on ‘The History of English’ titled, How Many People in Japan Speak English?, “Relatively few (approximately 20-30 percent) of the Japanese people speak English at any level”. While English is taught in schools in Japan, most people have only basic skills and less than 2 percent, are considered fluent in English. 

Want to work and live in Japan? Learn Japanese. 

Germany, Ireland, and Japan: Are They Worth It?

Looking at the ground realities in Germany, Ireland and Japan, we see that Germany has, in fact, changed some provisions in ways that benefit would-be international students and workers. Ireland and Japan … not so much. Claims of grand welcome campaigns on the part of Germany, Ireland and Japan may be wishful thinking on the part of educational consultants who are looking for a way around the pessimism that now surrounds prospects for studying in Canada and Australia.