Designated Activities (No. 46 / No. 49) Graduates of Japanese Universities - Required Documents
Designated Activities No. 46 is a status of residence that allows foreign nationals who have graduated from a Japanese university or graduate school and possess a high level of Japanese language ability to engage in a wide range of work requiring smooth communication in Japanese. No. 49 is a status of residence for the dependent spouse of a No. 46 holder.
| Applicable Activities | Activities involving work requiring smooth communication in Japanese, by graduates of Japanese universities or graduate schools with high Japanese language ability (No. 46), and activities of their spouses (No. 49) |
|---|---|
| Period of Stay | 1 year, 6 months (renewable) |
Required Documents by Application Type
- Application for Certificate of Eligibility (New)
- Application for Change of Status of Residence
- Application for Extension of Period of Stay
Important Notes Before Applying
- This status of residence is intended for graduates of 4-year universities in Japan who have obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher, or graduates of graduate schools. Graduates of junior colleges and vocational schools are not eligible.
- JLPT N1 certification or BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test score of 480 or higher is required. However, this requirement is waived for those who graduated with a major in Japanese language from a university or graduate school.
- The employment must be full-time with remuneration equal to or higher than that of Japanese nationals. Dispatch or contract-based employment is not permitted.
- 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 Certificate of Eligibility (New)
For No. 46 (Principal) applicants:
1. Application for Certificate of Eligibility - 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.
3. Return envelope - 1
Write the recipient’s address on a standard envelope and attach stamps for simplified registered mail.
4. Graduation certificate and degree certificate
Documents proving graduation from a 4-year university in Japan and obtainment of a bachelor’s degree or higher, or completion of a graduate school and obtainment of a degree.
5. Documents proving Japanese language ability
Submit one of the following:
- Copy of JLPT N1 certificate
- Copy of BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test score certificate of 480 or higher
- Documents proving graduation with a major in Japanese language from a university or graduate school
6. Copy of employment contract (including notification of working conditions)
Must include the following:
- Employment period
- Job description
- Remuneration amount (equal to or higher than that of Japanese nationals)
- Working hours (full-time)
- Workplace
7. Statement of reasons for employment
Prepared by the employing organization, must include the following:
- Background and reasons for hiring
- Specific job description (clearly stating that the work requires smooth communication in Japanese)
- Salary and conditions
8. Documents regarding the employing organization
Submit the following:
- Certificate of registered matters of the company (issued within 3 months)
- Copy of financial statements (profit and loss statement for the most recent fiscal year, etc.)
- Company brochure/pamphlet (showing business content)
9. Resume
With academic and employment history clearly stated.
10. Documents clarifying the business content
Documents showing the employing organization’s business content, number of employees, sales, etc.
For No. 49 (Spouse) applicants:
When the spouse of a No. 46 holder applies for a Certificate of Eligibility, the following documents are required in addition to the above:
1. Application for Certificate of Eligibility - 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.
3. Return envelope - 1
Write the recipient’s address on a standard envelope and attach stamps for simplified registered mail.
4. Documents proving marital relationship
Official documents proving the marital relationship with the No. 46 holder, such as a marriage certificate.
5. Copy of the No. 46 holder’s residence card or passport
Documents to confirm the identity of the No. 46 holder.
6. Residence tax taxation (or non-taxation) certificate and tax payment certificate of the No. 46 holder
Documents to prove the ability to support dependents.
Application for Change of Status of Residence
For No. 46 (Principal) applicants:
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 and degree certificate
Documents proving graduation from a 4-year university in Japan and obtainment of a bachelor’s degree or higher, or completion of a graduate school and obtainment of a degree.
5. Documents proving Japanese language ability
Submit one of the following:
- Copy of JLPT N1 certificate
- Copy of BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test score certificate of 480 or higher
- Documents proving graduation with a major in Japanese language from a university or graduate school
6. Copy of employment contract (including notification of working conditions)
Must include the following:
- Employment period
- Job description
- Remuneration amount (equal to or higher than that of Japanese nationals)
- Working hours (full-time)
- Workplace
7. Statement of reasons for employment
Prepared by the employing organization, must include the following:
- Background and reasons for hiring
- Specific job description (clearly stating that the work requires smooth communication in Japanese)
- Salary and conditions
8. Documents regarding the employing organization
Submit the following:
- Certificate of registered matters of the company (issued within 3 months)
- Copy of financial statements (profit and loss statement for the most recent fiscal year, etc.)
- Company brochure/pamphlet (showing business content)
9. Resume
With academic and employment history clearly stated.
10. Documents clarifying the business content
Documents showing the employing organization’s business content, number of employees, sales, etc.
For No. 49 (Spouse) applicants:
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. Documents proving marital relationship
Official documents proving the marital relationship with the No. 46 holder, such as a marriage certificate.
5. Copy of the No. 46 holder’s residence card
Documents to confirm the identity of the No. 46 holder.
6. Residence tax taxation (or non-taxation) certificate and tax payment certificate of the No. 46 holder
Documents to prove the ability to support dependents.
Application for Extension of Period of Stay
For No. 46 (Principal) applicants:
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. Copy of employment contract (including notification of working conditions)
Documents proving the current employment relationship. If the employment contract has been renewed, submit the renewed contract.
5. Residence tax taxation (or non-taxation) certificate and tax payment certificate - 1 each
Must show total annual income and tax payment status. Can be obtained from the municipal government office.
6. Documents clarifying the business content of the employing organization
Company brochure/pamphlet or other materials showing the business content. May be omitted if there are no changes from the previous application.
For No. 49 (Spouse) applicants:
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. Documents proving marital relationship
Documents proving that the marital relationship with the No. 46 holder continues, such as a marriage certificate.
5. Copy of the No. 46 holder’s residence card
Documents to confirm the residence status of the No. 46 holder.
6. Residence tax taxation (or non-taxation) certificate and tax payment certificate of the No. 46 holder
Documents to prove that the ability to support dependents continues.
Examples of Eligible Work
The following are examples of work that can be performed under Designated Activities No. 46. Smooth communication in Japanese must be essential to the work.
- Customer service at restaurants (work combining interpretation/translation, including serving foreign customers)
- Factory line work (work combining guidance for foreign employees)
- Sales at retail stores (work combining interpretation/translation, including serving foreign customers)
- Customer service at hotels and inns (including serving foreign guests)
- Taxi driver (including serving foreign tourists)
- Care work at nursing facilities (work combining guidance for foreign staff)
Note: Work consisting solely of simple labor is not eligible. The work must include tasks requiring communication in Japanese.
Reference Links
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