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）
Working part-time after graduation while still holding the 「留学」 visa is in principle not allowed, even within 28 hours per week. This is because 資格外活動許可 assumes that you are enrolled at a school. Filing the application to change to 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」 even 1 day earlier is said to be the top priority.
An enquiry from a person due to graduate in March (3月) with a job starting in April (4月), where the employer's mishandling may mean that the visa change is not granted by the first day of work.
In principle no. 資格外活動許可 assumes that you are enrolled at a school.
The 資格外活動許可 attached to the 「留学」 visa (part-time work of up to 28 hours per week) assumes that you are enrolled at a school and studying. Once you have graduated from university, your activity at the school has ended, so you cannot use that 資格外活動許可 to work, even if there is still time left on your Residence Card. Working part-time after graduation while still on the 「留学」 visa is treated as illegal work, and this may do fatal damage to the screening of the 技人国 application you have filed, or are about to file.
Where you already have a job offer and your employment is settled, a change to 技人国 is said to come first.
If you already have a job offer and it is settled that you will start work in April (4月), it is said that you should file the application to change to 技人国 without hesitation, even 1 day earlier. Once the application has been accepted, a 特例期間 (grace period) applies, during which you may stay in Japan on your current visa until the decision is made, or until the end of the day that falls 2 months after the expiry of your period of stay, whichever comes first. A change to 在留資格「特定活動」 (Designated Activities) for continued job hunting is for people who wish to stay in order to keep looking for work after graduation. Where you have a job offer and your employment is settled, you no longer need to look for work, so that change cannot be applied for.
Do not casually start part-time work, ask for the 技人国 application to be filed quickly, and adjust your start date if necessary.
You should not have to carry the risk because of the company's mishandling. Working without permission after graduation also affects future applications, such as an application for permanent residence. It is recommended that you tell the company that, until the 技人国 permission is granted, you must refrain not only from working as a regular employee but also from part-time work.
No. 資格外活動許可 assumes that you are enrolled at a school, so after graduation you cannot use your current permission to work.
No. That change is for people who are continuing to look for work, so it does not apply where you have a job offer and your employment is settled.
Yes. If the application has been accepted, you may stay on your current visa under the 特例期間 until the decision is made, or until the day that falls 2 months after the expiry of your period of stay, whichever comes first.
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This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.