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）
Even with a job offer, a work visa is not certain unless the content of the work meets the requirements of the status of residence. How you choose your part-time work, obtaining qualifications that show your expertise, and choosing an employer that understands work visas are said to be the important steps to take while you are still enrolled.
A guide for readers who want to know what to prepare while still enrolled, with a view to changing from a student visa to a work visa.
Employers often lack accurate knowledge about hiring foreign nationals and about visas, and the work itself may not match.
Some employers do not understand the visa rules accurately, believing that a visa application is granted automatically once they hire a foreign national, or that any kind of work is fine as long as the person has a degree. The work in the job offer may also fail to match the activities allowed under the work visa the student is seeking, such as 在留資格「技術・人文知識・国際業務」 (Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services). Simple manual work and physical labour, for example, are basically outside the scope of a work visa. If the company's finances are unstable or it has little experience of employing foreign nationals, this can also count against you in screening. Even with a job offer, it is important to check for yourself whether the work meets the requirements of the visa, whether the employer has correct knowledge, and whether its business is stable.
A strategy for choosing part-time work, obtaining qualifications that show your expertise, and looking ahead to the 「特定活動」 visa.
Check its record of employing foreign nationals, its visa support, and the career path after you join.
Check on the company's recruitment website and at its briefings whether it has a record of employing foreign nationals, and whether it is used to work visa applications and has a system for supporting you. It is important to check not only that a work visa can be obtained but also whether there is work waiting in which you can use your skills after you join, and whether there is a path for advancing your career. Asking about the company's record of employing foreign nationals and its visa support when you get the chance to ask questions at interview is also said to be a useful way of gauging the employer's attitude.
Not necessarily. It is important to check whether the work meets the requirements of the visa, and whether the employer has correct knowledge.
It is said that if you can prove that your part-time experience relates to your future duties, it may be counted as practical experience.
It is said that it can be extended for up to 1 year at most, so a firm resolve to find a job within that period is necessary.
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This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.