Hello. I’m Yukiko Horiuchi, a certified administrative scrivener at the Horiuchi Administrative Scrivener Office.
Many international students who are about to graduate from a Japanese university or vocational school but haven’t yet secured a job find themselves worrying, “Do I have to return home immediately after graduation?” We also frequently receive questions from company representatives considering hiring international students about their post-graduation schedules. In such cases, the key is to ensure that they can remain in Japan and continue their job search.Specific Activities for Job HuntingIt is.
In this article, let’s take a look at who is eligible to switch to this status of residence, how long they can stay in Japan, and what steps to take after receiving a job offer.
Three key points of this article
- If you graduate from a Japanese university or vocational school (Specialist Degree) and receive a recommendation from your school, you can use this to help with your job search.Designated Activities (6-month period of stay)You can change it to .
- One updateBecause of this, you can generally spend about one year looking for a job after graduation. If you qualify for a local government’s employment support program, this period may be extended by another year.
- If you obtain a permit for activities outside the scope of your status of residence,No more than 28 hours per weekYou can work part-time, and after receiving a job offer, you’ll switch to a work visa before starting work.
1. What are “Specific Activities” for Job Hunting?
"Designated Activities" is a status of residence under which the Minister of Justice specifies the nature of the activities on a case-by-case basis. One such activity is a stay that allows international students who have graduated from universities or other institutions to continue their job search in Japan. Since the "Student" status of residence loses its basis upon graduation, students who have not yet secured employment can continue to stay in Japan by changing to this "Designated Activities" status.
2. Who can apply?
| classification | Target |
|---|---|
| First Year After Graduation | Graduates of Japanese universities (including graduate schools and junior colleges), as well as those who have graduated from specialized courses at vocational schools and earned the title of “Specialist” (Senmon-shi), etc. |
| Two years after graduation | Individuals who were job hunting during their first year of college and received a certificate confirming their eligibility for a local government employment support program that meets certain requirements |
| Graduates of Japanese Language Education Institutions (Special Provision) | Individuals who have graduated from a foreign university (with a bachelor’s degree or higher) and were enrolled at a Japanese language education institution that meets certain requirements |
In general, applicants must have been actively seeking employment while still enrolled in school and continue to do so after graduation; they must have a letter of recommendation from their school; their immigration status must be in order; and they must be able to cover their living expenses during their stay. For graduates of vocational schools, the relevance of their major to their desired occupation will also be verified.
3. How long can I stay?
The period of stay is six months and can be renewed once, allowing you to look for a job for approximately one year after graduation. In the second year, you may be granted an additional six months plus one renewal (approximately one year), provided you are eligible for a local government employment support program.Not everyone can stay for up to two years.Please pay attention to this point.
4. Can I work a part-time job?
If you obtain a permit for activities outside the scope of your status of residence, you may work part-time for up to 28 hours per week. A permit for activities outside the scope of your status of residence obtained while studying abroad is not carried over if your status of residence changes; therefore, you must reapply when changing to the “Designated Activities” status. For internships conducted as part of job hunting, you may be able to obtain a permit allowing you to work more than 28 hours per week.
5. When and how do I apply?
Before your “Study Abroad” period of stay expires, submit an application for permission to change your status of residence to the Regional Immigration Bureau with jurisdiction over your place of residence. As graduation approaches, it’s a good idea to check with your school’s career services office early on to confirm the procedures for obtaining a letter of recommendation.
Documents to Prepare (Broad Categories)
- Application form, photo, passport, and residence card
- Certificate of Graduation and School Recommendation Letter
- Documents showing your job search activities since you were a student (such as records of applications)
- Documents demonstrating the ability to cover living expenses during the stay
The required documents vary depending on your circumstances. Our firm provides a list of documents tailored to your specific situation, along with the necessary forms.
6. What should you do when you receive a job offer?
Once you receive a job offer, you’ll apply to change your status of residence to one that allows you to work—such as “Engineering, Humanities, or International Business”—and begin working once your application is approved.You cannot begin working as a full-time employee before receiving authorization.
If there is a gap between receiving a job offer and your start date, you may be granted permission to engage in “specific activities for the purpose of staying in Japan until employment begins,” subject to certain requirements. If your start date is quite far in the future, please consult with us as soon as possible.
7. What should I be aware of?
important point
- If you delay filing your application after graduation, there is a risk that your period of stay will expire. Be sure to file your application before your period of stay expires.
- When you renew your registration, you’ll be asked to confirm once again whether you’re actively looking for a job. Be sure to organize your application records and interview schedules in advance.
- If it appears that you’ve been doing nothing but part-time jobs during your job search, it can make it difficult to get hired.
Related Articles
- Change from college student visa to working visa
- What is an application for change of status of residence?
summary
If you utilize the “Specific Activities” status for job hunting, you can generally continue your job search in Japan for about one year after graduation. Since a letter of recommendation from your school and a record of your job search efforts are important, it’s a good idea to start preparing before you graduate.
当事務所のサポート内容は、就労ビザの申請サポートでご確認いただけます。
We hope this information will be of some help to those seeking employment in Japan, as well as to companies looking to hire international students. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
[Reference Materials]
- Japan Immigration Services Agency: “For Those Who Wish to Stay in Japan to Seek Employment After Graduating from a University or Other Institution”
- Japan Immigration Services Agency: “Application for Permission to Change Status of Residence”
- Japan Immigration Services Agency: “Regarding Permits for Activities Outside the Scope of Status of Residence”
ABOUT US
Horiuchi Gyoseishoshi Office
Administrative Scrivener Yukiko Horiuchi
- Member of Shinjuku Branch, Tokyo Gyoseishoshi Association
- Tokyo Immigration and Residency Management Bureau, Application Agency Gyoseishoshi Scrivener
- Member of Foreign Employment Support Organization (FESO)
Access
- 1 minute walk from Higashi-Shinjuku Station on the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line
- 1 minute walk from Higashi-Shinjuku Station on the Toei Oedo Line
- 12-minute walk from Seibu Shinjuku Station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line
- 8-minute walk from Shin-Okubo Station on the JR Yamanote Line
- 15-minute walk from Shinjuku Station on the JR Yamanote Line
- 12-minute walk from Okubo Station on the JR Chuo and Sobu Lines
If you have any questions regarding residency status (visas), permanent residency, naturalization, or starting a business, please feel free to contact us.
