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）
Screening takes about 1 month to 3 months, so if you are starting work in April, filing early — in January or February — is the safest schedule. The key to permission is that what you studied at school relates to the work you will do after you join, and preparing the documents that the company provides is just as essential.
A guide to the steps and the points to watch when a student who is graduating from a school in Japan changes to a work-related status of residence.
If you are starting work in April, filing early — in January or February — is the safest.
If you graduate from a university or vocational school and take a job in Japan, you need to change your status of residence from 「留学」 to a work status such as 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」.
Each year the Immigration Services Agency of Japan starts accepting applications from around December, in line with people joining companies in April after graduation. Screening takes about 1 month to 3 months, so if you already have a job offer, filing early — in January or February — is the safest schedule.
If you wait until after the graduation ceremony, there is a risk that you will not be in time for your start date. The stretch from the end of the year into the new year is where the preparation counts.
The main rule is that what you studied at school relates to the work you will do after you join. Where simple manual tasks make up the bulk of the work, permission cannot be expected.
The main rule for obtaining a work visa is that what you studied at school relates to the work you will do after you join.
It is important to show logically how the employment contract, notice of working conditions and description of duties you receive from the company connect with your own education.
The amount varies with the size of the company (its category), but documents showing that the company is stable and will continue are needed.
A work visa application needs the company's cooperation, not just the applicant's. The amount of documents varies with the size of the company (its category), but documents showing that the company is stable and will continue — financial statements, a business plan, the employment contract — are needed.
Some companies hesitate to hand these to the applicant (the person who has the job offer), treating them as confidential. In such cases, using a certified administrative procedures legal specialist (gyoseishoshi) authorised to submit applications, who is a specialist bound by a duty of confidentiality, is likely to benefit both the company and the applicant.
If the company you are joining is hiring a foreign national for the first time, it may not know which documents are needed either. Use the Immigration Services Agency of Japan website and advice from a gyoseishoshi, and share a list of the required documents early.
Receiving pay equal to or above that of a Japanese national is said to be one of the conditions for permission.
One of the conditions for a work visa is laid down as receiving pay equal to or above that of a Japanese national. Where pay is set lower than that of other Japanese employees because the person is a foreign national, the application is liable to be denied.
In principle the comparison is with Japanese employees doing the same or similar work, looking at years of experience and level of responsibility (the responsibilities, duties and role that go with the post or title). Please check that the basic pay and the allowances set out in the employment contract are at a proper level.
Once you graduate, the study that is the purpose of 「留学」 has ended, so as a rule you cannot carry out activities, including part-time work.
You also need to be careful about how you spend the period between graduating and your start date. Once you graduate, the purpose of the 「留学」 activity — study — has ended, so as a rule you cannot carry out activities, including part-time work.
If there is a gap between graduation and your start date, what to do about your status of residence during that time may have to be decided case by case. Please take great care not to simply carry on working.
If you meet certain conditions, you can consider changing to 「特定活動」 for job hunting.
Job hunting during your studies may not go well, and you may reach graduation without having found a job. In that case we suggest changing to the 6-month 在留資格「特定活動」 (Designated Activities) for job hunting.
This is the status of residence for people who have graduated from a university, junior college or vocational school in Japan (not including students on a separate course, auditing students, credited auditors or research students), who meet certain conditions and are job hunting in Japan. After 6 months it can be extended for a further 6 months, so a stay of 1 year in total is allowed.
To avoid a situation where a single missing document costs you your job offer, prepare early and file accurately. If you are unsure how your major connects with the work at the company you are joining, please consult a specialist.
Each year the Immigration Services Agency of Japan starts accepting applications from around December, in line with people joining companies in April after graduation. Screening takes about 1 month to 3 months, so filing early — in January or February — is safest.
The main rule is that what you studied at school relates to the work you will do after you join. Where simple manual tasks on site make up the bulk of the work, whatever the faculty, permission cannot be expected.
Once you graduate, the study that is the purpose of 「留学」 has ended, so as a rule you cannot carry out activities, including part-time work. Please take care not to simply carry on working.
If you have graduated from a university, junior college or vocational school in Japan and meet certain conditions, you can change to the 6-month 「特定活動」 for job hunting. It can be extended for a further 6 months, so a stay of 1 year in total is allowed.
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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. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.