What Is "Designated Activities" (for Graduates of Japanese Universities Continuing Job-Hunting)?

This is a status of residence for international students who have graduated from a Japanese university or vocational school and wish to continue job-hunting in Japan after graduation. The Immigration Services Agency of Japan designates the following three categories of eligible persons for this "Continuing Job-Hunting" purpose:

• ① University Graduates Continuing Job-Hunting: Persons who hold the "Student" status of residence, graduated from a Japanese university (including junior college and graduate school) or a college of technology, and wish to remain in Japan for the purpose of continuing job-hunting activities that began before graduation (excluding students enrolled in a separate department, auditing students, subject-registered students, and research students).
• ② Vocational School Graduates Continuing Job-Hunting: Persons who hold the "Student" status of residence, obtained the title of "Senmonshi" (specialist) upon graduating from a professional course at a vocational school (senshugakko), and wish to remain in Japan for the purpose of continuing job-hunting activities that began before graduation, provided that the content of their professional coursework is recognized as being related to activities eligible for work-type statuses of residence such as "Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services."
• ③ Japanese Language School Graduates Continuing Job-Hunting (Overseas University Graduates Only): Persons who graduated from an overseas university or graduate school and subsequently graduated from a designated Japanese language school in Japan under the "Student" status of residence, and wish to remain in Japan for the purpose of continuing job-hunting activities that began before graduation from that institution.

※ Even before graduation, if you have a letter of recommendation or a certificate of expected graduation from your educational institution, you may submit an Application for Change of Status of Residence. A graduation certificate (or a copy of the diploma) will be required at the time of approval.

Reference: Graduates of Japanese Universities Continuing Job-Hunting (Immigration Services Agency of Japan)

Period of Stay

The period of stay is, in principle, 6 months. If you have not yet found employment, you may apply for an Extension of Period of Stay for a further 6-month extension (the maximum period of stay for job-hunting purposes is approximately 1 year after graduation).

Eligibility Requirements (Overview)

• You must fall under one of the categories ① to ③ listed above.
• You must have been continuously engaged in job-hunting activities since before graduation (i.e., the activities must be a continuation from before graduation).
• You must have the financial means to cover all expenses during your stay.
• Graduate students who were unable to engage sufficiently in job-hunting while enrolled are advised to consult in advance with the nearest regional immigration authority.

Detailed guidelines can be found at the Guidelines on "Designated Activities" (Graduates of Japanese Universities) for Supporting Employment of International Students (Immigration Services Agency of Japan).

Required Documents

Required documents vary depending on the type of application. Certificates issued in Japan must have been issued within 3 months of the date of application. Documents in a foreign language must be accompanied by a Japanese translation.

[Common] Documents Required for Both Change of Status and Extension of Period of Stay Applications

• Application for Change of Status of Residence or Application for Extension of Period of Stay (1 copy each)
• One photograph (meeting specified requirements; not required for those under 16 years of age)
• Passport and Residence Card (to be presented)
• Documents proving the applicant's ability to cover all expenses during their stay (e.g., bank balance certificate; if expenses are covered by another person, documents proving that person's financial ability and the circumstances leading to their support)

① University Graduates Continuing Job-Hunting

Additional documents required for the Change of Status application:

• Diploma (copy) or graduation certificate from the most recently attended university (1 copy)
• Letter of recommendation from the most recently attended university regarding the continuation of job-hunting activities (1 copy) ※ Designated form available
• Materials demonstrating that the applicant is engaged in continuing job-hunting activities (as appropriate)

Additional documents required for the Extension of Period of Stay application:

• Letter of recommendation from the most recently attended university regarding the continuation of job-hunting activities (1 copy)
• Materials demonstrating that the applicant is engaged in continuing job-hunting activities (as appropriate)

② Vocational School Graduates Continuing Job-Hunting

Additional documents required for the Change of Status application:

• Certificate issued by the most recently attended vocational school confirming the holder of the "Senmonshi" title (1 copy)
• Diploma (copy) or graduation certificate and academic transcript from the most recently attended vocational school (1 copy)
• Letter of recommendation from the most recently attended vocational school regarding the continuation of job-hunting activities (1 copy) ※ Designated form available
• Materials demonstrating that the applicant is engaged in continuing job-hunting activities (as appropriate)
• Materials detailing the content of the professional coursework completed (1 copy)

Additional documents required for the Extension of Period of Stay application:

• Letter of recommendation from the most recently attended vocational school regarding the continuation of job-hunting activities (1 copy)
• Materials demonstrating that the applicant is engaged in continuing job-hunting activities (as appropriate)

③ Japanese Language School Graduates Continuing Job-Hunting (Overseas University Graduates Only)

Additional documents required for the Change of Status application:

• Graduation (or completion) diploma (copy) or graduation (completion) certificate from the most recently attended Japanese language school (1 copy)
• Certificate of attendance record issued by the most recently attended Japanese language school (1 copy)
• Documents proving graduation from an overseas university or graduate school and attainment of a bachelor's degree or higher (1 copy)
• Letter of recommendation from the most recently attended Japanese language school regarding the continuation of job-hunting activities (1 copy) ※ Designated form available
• Materials demonstrating that the applicant is engaged in continuing job-hunting activities (as appropriate)
• Letter of confirmation stating that the applicant will meet regularly with the Japanese language school and receive job-hunting information from them (1 copy) ※ Designated form available
• Materials confirming that the Japanese language school meets the specified requirements (1 copy) ※ Designated form available

Additional documents required for the Extension of Period of Stay application:

• Letter of recommendation from the most recently attended Japanese language school regarding the continuation of job-hunting activities (1 copy)
• Materials demonstrating that the applicant is engaged in continuing job-hunting activities (as appropriate)
• Letter of confirmation and supporting materials (designated forms available)

※ Recommended forms, letters of confirmation, application forms, and other documents can be downloaded from the Immigration Services Agency page "Graduates of Japanese Universities Continuing Job-Hunting".

※ If documents are submitted by someone other than the applicant, the submitter may be required to present proof of their identity.

Summary: If You Were Unable to Find Employment Before Graduation

The Designated Activities status for the purpose of job-hunting is available to those who fall under categories ① to ③ above. The period of stay is in principle 6 months, with a possible extension of up to a further 6 months upon renewal.

For Students Who Have Found a Job or Plan to Start a Business

Students Who Have Secured Employment

You must apply to change your status of residence to one that is appropriate for your duties, such as Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services, Researcher, or Medical Services. If you wish to start work in April, it is recommended that you submit your application between December of the previous year and the end of January (Immigration Services Agency Notice). You may begin the application process with a certificate of expected graduation; a graduation certificate will be required at the time of approval.

Staying in Japan Between Job Offer and Employment Start Date (Designated Activities for Persons with a Job Offer)

If you have received a job offer while still enrolled or during your continuing job-hunting period, you may be permitted to change your status of residence to "Designated Activities" for the purpose of staying in Japan until your employment begins. Certain requirements must be met (such as being hired within 1 year of the job offer and within 1 year and 6 months of graduation). For details, please refer to the Information for Students Who Have Received a Job Offer While Enrolled at or After Graduating from a University or Vocational School and Wish to Stay in Japan Until Their Employment Begins (Immigration Services Agency).

Graduates Who Wish to Start a Business in Japan

If you wish to establish and manage your own company after graduation, you should aim for the Business Manager status of residence. There is also a system that grants eligible graduates of Japanese universities and similar institutions a "Designated Activities" status for entrepreneurial activities for a maximum of 2 years (Measures for Entrepreneurial Activities by Graduates of Japanese Universities and Similar Institutions).

Reference Links (Immigration Services Agency of Japan)

• Employment of International Students
• Graduates of Japanese Universities Continuing Job-Hunting (Application / Required Documents)
• Main Flow for Employment of International Students (PDF)
• Procedure for Changing from Student Visa to Work Status of Residence (PDF)