Hello, this is Shimoyama of IMS. As a quick reminder, the following are the post-graduation residency options for university graduates.
- Those who have graduated from a university or a vocational school and are scheduled to start working in April:
⇒Obtain an appropriate work qualification such as an “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” visa by the date of joining the company. - Those who continue job hunting after graduation from school:
⇒International students who have graduated from a university, etc., can apply for a change of status of residence to “Designated Activities” under certain conditions if they wish to continue “job hunting” after graduation. - Those who wish to stay in Japan until they are employed after receiving an offer of employment during or after graduation from university, etc.:
⇒If you wish to stay in Japan until you are employed, you can apply for a change of status of residence to "Designated Activities" with conditions.
※Please refer to our previous blog entries for more information.
In addition to these, the following two statuses of residence can now be selected if certain conditions are met.
- Japan System for Future Creation Individual Visa (J-Find)
- Residential status for international students who will go on to graduate school after graduating from a university (newly established)
◆ Japan System for Future Creation Individual Visa (J-Find)
This system was introduced in April 2023. Graduates of prestigious overseas universities, etc. who are engaged in "employment activities" or "preparatory activities for starting a business" in Japan will be granted the status of residence "Designated Activities" (Future Creation Individual), which allows them to stay in Japan for up to two years.
Requirements
- Graduated from an eligible university
Graduated from a university (*1) ranked in the top 100 in two or more of the three World University Rankings (*2), or completed a graduate program at a university and received a degree or professional degree from that university.
(*1) Please click here to see the universities that will be eligible as of April 2023.
(*2) (1) QS World University Rankings published by Quarelli Simons, (2) THE World University Rankings published by Times Higher Education, and (3) Academic Ranking of World Universities published by ShanghaiRanking Consultancy. - Number of years since graduation, etc.
Those who have graduated from the above eligible universities or completed graduate school courses at an eligible university and have been awarded a degree or professional degree(*3) within 5 years.
(*3) Professional degrees as stipulated in Article 5-2 of the Academic Degree Regulations (Ministry of Education Ordinance No. 9 of 1953), including equivalent degrees conferred in foreign countries. - Living Expenses
The applicant must have at least 200,000 Japanese yen in savings at the time of application as livelihood support for the initial period of stay.
Documents to be submitted to the Immigration Bureau (*In the case of Change of Status of Residence)
- Application form for Change of Status of Residence
- Photo (x1)
- Passport and resident card (original copy to be presented)
- Document certifying that the applicant has a bachelor's degree or higher (A copy of diploma or certificate of graduation/completion from a university or graduate school)
- Resume/curriculum vitae (example)
- Schedule of stay/intended activities (example)
- Documents showing the current balance in the applicant's savings account at a bank, etc. (A copy of the bankbook, etc.)
◆ Residential status for international students who will go on to graduate school after graduating from a university (newly established)
Based on the second proposal of the Council for Creation of Future Education, "Initiative for Promotion of Study Abroad by Young People Creating the Future," compiled on April 27, 2023: foreign students who have graduated from universities are allowed to stay in Japan for a certain period of time until they enter graduate school, from the perspective of promoting their advancement to graduate school. The details of the treatment under the new status of residence to be established this time are as follows.
- Overview
This status is for international students who have graduated from a university and have decided to enter a graduate school, and whose enrollment is after the expiration of the period of stay under the current status of residence of "Student". If the graduate school to which the student is to be admitted has cancelled the student's enrollment, the student is required to contact the regional Immigration Bureau without delay. After the student submits a written pledge, the change of status of residence to "Designated Activities" will be permitted and the student will be allowed to stay in Japan until graduate school admission (limited to a period not exceeding one year after graduation from the university). - Eligibility
A foreign national (*1) who has graduated (or completed) university (including graduate school; the same shall apply hereinafter) under the School Education Act of Japan, residing with a status of residence of "Student". Simultaneously, the student wishes to stay in Japan for the purpose of waiting to enter the graduate school that they have decided to go to after graduation (limited to within one year after graduating from university).
(*1) This does not include Bekka Program students, auditing students, non-degree students, and research students.
Documents to be submitted to the Immigration Bureau
- Application form for Change of Status of Residence
- Photo (x1)
- Passport and resident card (original copy to be presented)
- Document certifying the ability to pay all expenses during the period of stay in Japan
※If a person other than the applicant is responsible for paying the expenses, a document that proves the person's ability to pay and a document that clarifies the circumstances that led to the person paying. - Diploma or certificate of graduation/completion from the university the applicant has attended until immediately before the application.
- Documents issued by the graduate school to which the applicant plans to enroll that confirms the intention to enroll and the date of enrollment (e.g. letter of admission, etc.)
- A written pledge issued by the graduate school to which the applicant plans to enroll, stating that the graduate school will regularly contact the applicant while waiting for admission to the school, etc.
※#7 is treated as applicable upon submission of the attached written pledge.
Although each is subject to certain conditions, there are currently a variety of post-graduation visa options available to international students.
IMS has years of professional experience with academic visas, so please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions.
