Designated Activities (Job Hunting for Graduates) - Required Documents
The Designated Activities (Job Hunting) visa status allows international students who have graduated from a Japanese university (including junior colleges), graduate school, or vocational school (those who obtained the title of “Specialized Diploma”) to continue their job-seeking activities in Japan after graduation. By obtaining a recommendation from the educational institution they graduated from, they change their status of residence from “Student” to “Designated Activities.”
| Applicable Activities | Activities of job hunting by international students who have graduated from Japanese universities, etc. |
|---|---|
| Period of Stay | 6 months (renewable once, up to 1 year after graduation) |
Required Documents by Application Type
Important Notes Before Applying
- This status of residence is for job hunting after graduation, so applications for Certificate of Eligibility (new entry) are not applicable. A change of status from “Student” to “Designated Activities” is required.
- A recommendation letter from the educational institution is mandatory. The requirement is that the applicant continues job-seeking activities while receiving employment support from the educational institution they graduated from.
- The period of stay is 6 months, renewable once (up to 1 year after graduation).
- During job-seeking activities, it is possible to work part-time for up to 28 hours per week with permission for activities outside the status of residence.
- 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.
Application for Change of Status of Residence
This application is for changing from “Student” to “Designated Activities (Job Hunting)” after graduation.
1. Application for Change of Status of Residence - 1 copy
2. Photograph - 1
4cm (H) x 3cm (W), taken within 6 months before the application, front-facing, without hat, plain background, clear image. Not required for those under 16 years old.
3. Passport and Residence Card
Present at the counter.
4. Graduation certificate issued by the educational institution
Documents proving graduation (completion) from a university (including junior colleges), graduate school, or vocational school. For vocational school graduates, documents proving the obtainment of the Specialized Diploma title are also required.
5. Recommendation letter issued by the educational institution
Prepared and issued by the educational institution, with content recommending that the applicant needs to continue staying for job-seeking activities.
6. Job hunting activity plan (documents clarifying the content of activities)
Documents specifically describing the future job hunting plan. It is advisable to include the following:
- Desired industry and occupation
- Progress of job hunting activities so far (company names applied to, interview dates, etc.)
- Future job hunting plans
7. Documents proving the ability to cover expenses
Documents proving how living expenses will be covered during the stay in Japan.
- Bank balance certificate in the applicant’s name, etc.
- If the expense bearer is someone other than the applicant, documents proving the expense bearer’s assets and documents explaining the circumstances of expense bearing
8. Academic transcript during enrollment
Submit the academic transcript from the educational institution graduated from.
Application for Extension of Period of Stay
This application is for those already residing in Japan with the Designated Activities (Job Hunting) status of residence who wish to extend their period of stay to continue job-seeking activities. Extension is possible only once.
1. Application for Extension of Period of Stay - 1 copy
2. Photograph - 1
4cm (H) x 3cm (W), taken within 6 months before the application, front-facing, without hat, plain background, clear image. Not required for those under 16 years old or for extensions of 3 months or less.
3. Passport and Residence Card
Present at the counter.
4. Recommendation letter issued by the educational institution
Prepared and issued by the educational institution, with content recommending that the applicant needs to continue staying for job-seeking activities. Must confirm that the applicant maintains contact with the educational institution.
5. Report on job hunting activities (activity report for the previous 6 months)
Documents specifically describing the job hunting activities conducted during the previous period of stay. Must include the following:
- Names of companies/organizations applied to
- Dates and results of interviews/examinations
- Future job hunting plans
6. Documents proving the ability to cover expenses
Documents proving how living expenses will be covered during the stay in Japan.
- Bank balance certificate in the applicant’s name, etc.
- If the expense bearer is someone other than the applicant, documents proving the expense bearer’s assets and documents explaining the circumstances of expense bearing
Eligible Educational Institutions
The following Japanese educational institutions’ graduates are eligible:
- Universities (undergraduate, including junior colleges)
- Graduate schools (master’s and doctoral programs)
- Vocational schools (limited to those who have completed the specialized course and obtained the Specialized Diploma title)
Reference Links
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