This article is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails. Read the Japanese original（日本語版を読む）
Who this article is forAn enquiry from a person in charge at a company about an international student (a university graduate) who is due to join the company as a new graduate in April 2027.
If you apply early without attaching a certificate of expected graduation, there is a risk that the application will be denied once on the ground that you do not meet the criteria. The safer course is to follow the guidance from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan and apply within the application period it advises, from 1 December to the end of January each year, attaching a certificate of expected graduation, and then supplement the application with the graduation certificate after you graduate, so as to obtain permission.
An enquiry from a person in charge at a company about an international student (a university graduate) who is due to join the company as a new graduate in April 2027.
The application may be accepted, but there is a risk that it will be denied once on the ground that you do not meet the criteria.
The application itself may be accepted, but if you apply without attaching a certificate of expected graduation, there is a risk that it will be denied once on the ground that you do not meet the criteria.
For a Category 2 company (a company with a certain track record), submission of a certificate of expected graduation is not, in practice, mandatory for an application from a university graduate. For that reason, on the face of the documentary requirements, it may look as though you can apply right away. However, if you apply at a time that is far too early relative to the joining date, the examination will take place while you have not yet graduated and your expected graduation is not yet confirmed, and there is a possibility that you will be judged as not meeting the criteria and denied once.
The period from 1 December to the end of January each year is advised so that applications can be examined while checking the certificate of expected graduation.
The Immigration Services Agency of Japan encourages applicants to apply within the period from 1 December to the end of January each year, so that applications are not concentrated around the graduation season, and so that applications can be examined while checking the certificate of expected graduation.
If you apply within this period, you can follow the general course of being examined with a certificate of expected graduation attached, and then obtaining permission once you supplement the application with the graduation certificate after you actually graduate. Conversely, if you apply at a time significantly earlier than this period, the examination will inevitably proceed without a certificate of expected graduation, giving rise to the risk of denial described above.
You can reapply, but if you want to avoid leaving a record of denial, it is safer to apply within the advised period.
Even if the application is denied once, it remains possible to reapply afterwards, attaching a certificate of expected graduation, at the time advised by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan. That said, if you want to avoid a record of denial itself, or want to avoid an impact on your schedule for preparing to join the company, it is safer to apply within the advised period from the outset.
It is safer to apply within the period from 1 December to the end of January advised by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, attaching a certificate of expected graduation.
It is safer to apply within the period from 1 December to the end of January advised by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, attaching a certificate of expected graduation. Either way, the process will ultimately end with permission being granted once the graduation certificate is supplemented, so the benefit of proceeding reliably along the advised period is thought to outweigh the benefit of rushing to apply early.
In some cases submission is not mandatory on the documentary requirements, but applying far too early relative to the joining date carries the risk of denial once on the ground that you do not meet the criteria.
In general, the period from 1 December to the end of January of the graduation year is advised (this can vary by year and by individual circumstances, so please check the latest guidance).
Reapplication itself is possible, but if you want to avoid leaving a record of denial, or want to prioritise your schedule for preparing to join the company, it is safer to apply within the advised period.
The general course is to apply within the advised period with a certificate of expected graduation attached, and then to supplement the application with the graduation certificate after graduation, leading to permission.
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Get a free consultationThis article provides general information. Immigration rules change, and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Please check the Immigration Services Agency website or consult a qualified specialist.
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Because it is a translation, the meaning may differ from the original in places. Where something affects a decision you are making, please check the Japanese version or ask us. The supervision by a 行政書士 is of the Japanese version.