Designated Activities (Continued Job Seeking for Graduates of Japanese Universities) - Required Documents
This page provides guidance on required documents for the Designated Activities visa status application for international students who graduated from Japanese universities and wish to continue job-seeking activities after graduation.
Eligible applicants are those who fall under one of the following:
- Continued job-seeking university students — Foreign nationals residing with a “Student” status of residence who have graduated from a Japanese university (including junior colleges and graduate schools; excluding non-degree students, auditors, credit-seeking students, and research students) and wish to continue job-seeking activities that began before graduation (graduates of colleges of technology are also eligible)
- Continued job-seeking vocational school students — Foreign nationals residing with a “Student” status of residence who have obtained the Specialized Diploma title and graduated from a specialized course at a Japanese vocational school, and wish to continue job-seeking activities that began before graduation, where the content learned in the specialized course is recognized as related to activities under work-related statuses of residence such as “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services”
- Continued job-seeking Japanese language institution students (overseas university graduates only) — Foreign nationals who, after graduating from or completing a university or graduate school overseas, have graduated from a Japanese language education institution in Japan that meets certain requirements while residing with a “Student” status of residence, and wish to continue job-seeking activities that began before graduation
(Note) Even before graduation, a change of status application can be filed if the educational institution’s recommendation letter, expected graduation certificate, and other required documents are available. In this case, a copy of the graduation certificate or graduation certificate will be required at the time of permission for the change of status.
Required Documents by Application Type
Important Notes Before Applying
- For questions about application forms and required documents, please contact the Immigration Information Center. (TEL: 0570-013904)
- Applications with incomplete documents may result in significant delays in examination or denial of permission.
- All certificates issued in Japan must be submitted within 3 months of the date of issue.
- Documents written in foreign languages must be accompanied by a Japanese translation.
- In principle, submitted documents will not be returned. If you wish to have originals returned that are difficult to reacquire, please request this at the time of application.
- Additional documents not listed on this page may be requested during the examination process.
Application for Change of Status of Residence
This application is for those already residing in Japan with a different status of residence who wish to change their activities to those under this status. If you wish to engage in activities under a different status of residence, please apply promptly. Your status of residence may be revoked if you are not engaging in activities based on your original status of residence.
Common Documents
1. Application for Change of Status of Residence - 1 copy
2. Photograph - 1
Prepare a photograph meeting the specified requirements and attach it to the application form. Not required for those under 16 years old. Also not required when changing to a status of residence that does not qualify as a mid-to-long-term resident.
3. Passport and Residence Card
Present at the counter.
4. Documents proving the ability to cover all expenses during the stay (as appropriate)
If someone other than the applicant is bearing the expenses, submit documents proving their ability to cover expenses and documents clarifying the circumstances leading to the expense bearing.
For Continued Job-Seeking University Students
5. Copy of graduation certificate or graduation certificate from the most recently enrolled university - 1
6. Recommendation letter from the most recently enrolled university regarding continued job-seeking activities - 1
7. Documents proving that job-seeking activities are continuing (as appropriate)
- For graduate students who were unable to conduct sufficient job-seeking activities during enrollment due to the need to focus on research activities, please consult with the nearest Regional Immigration Services Bureau.
For Continued Job-Seeking Vocational School Students
8. Certificate proving possession of the Specialized Diploma title issued by the most recently enrolled vocational school - 1
9. Copy of graduation certificate or graduation certificate and academic transcript from the most recently enrolled vocational school - 1
10. Recommendation letter from the most recently enrolled vocational school regarding continued job-seeking activities - 1
11. Documents proving that job-seeking activities are continuing (as appropriate)
12. Documents clarifying the details of content learned in the specialized course - 1
For Continued Job-Seeking Japanese Language Institution Students (Overseas University Graduates Only)
13. Copy of graduation (or completion) certificate or graduation (or completion) certificate from the most recently enrolled Japanese language institution - 1
14. Attendance status certificate issued by the most recently enrolled Japanese language institution - 1
15. Documents proving graduation (or completion) from an overseas university or graduate school and obtainment of a bachelor’s degree or higher - 1
Submit a copy of the graduation (or completion) certificate from the overseas university or graduate school.
16. Recommendation letter from the most recently enrolled Japanese language institution regarding continued job-seeking activities - 1
17. Documents proving that job-seeking activities are continuing (as appropriate)
18. Confirmation letter agreeing to regular interviews with the most recently enrolled Japanese language institution and receiving information provision regarding job-seeking activities - 1
19. Documents confirming that the most recently enrolled Japanese language institution meets certain requirements - 1
Application for Extension of Period of Stay
This application is for those already residing in Japan with this status of residence who wish to continue their activities.
Common Documents
1. Application for Extension of Period of Stay - 1 copy
2. Photograph - 1
Prepare a photograph meeting the specified requirements and attach it to the application form. Not required for those under 16 years old. Also not required for non-mid-to-long-term residents or for extensions of 3 months or less.
3. Passport and Residence Card
Present at the counter.
4. Documents proving the ability to cover all expenses during the stay (as appropriate)
If someone other than the applicant is bearing the expenses, submit documents proving their ability to cover expenses and documents clarifying the circumstances leading to the expense bearing.
For Continued Job-Seeking University Students
5. Recommendation letter from the most recently enrolled university regarding continued job-seeking activities - 1
6. Documents proving that job-seeking activities are continuing (as appropriate)
For Continued Job-Seeking Vocational School Students
7. Recommendation letter from the most recently enrolled vocational school regarding continued job-seeking activities - 1
8. Documents proving that job-seeking activities are continuing (as appropriate)
For Continued Job-Seeking Japanese Language Institution Students (Overseas University Graduates Only)
9. Recommendation letter from the most recently enrolled Japanese language institution regarding continued job-seeking activities - 1
10. Documents proving that job-seeking activities are continuing (as appropriate)
11. Confirmation letter agreeing to regular interviews with the most recently enrolled Japanese language institution and receiving information provision regarding job-seeking activities - 1
12. Documents confirming that the most recently enrolled Japanese language institution meets certain requirements - 1
Reference Links
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