Finding a job in Japan? Application for Change of Status of Residence for expected graduates

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Over the past few years, the number of international students studying Japan has been rapidly growing. While the number of students in professional training colleges has made a remarkable growth, undergraduate and post-graduate courses in universities have been gaining international entrants in a moderate manner. Such international students normally choose to return their country after graduating, or some decide to find a job in Japan and work for Japanese companies. If you are returning to your country, there is nothing you need to deal with your status of residence. However, if you are working for an employer after graduating school or continuing your job search, you must apply for changing your status of residence.

Procedures to apply for change of status of residence

If you have already had an official job offer from your future employer, you need to change your status of residence from “student” to “medical services”, “engineer”, “specialist in humanities/international services” or others. If you are continuing your job hunting, you will need to change it to “designated activity”. You will follow the same procedures no matter of the category of status of residence you are applying for.

Submit a completed application form and supporting documents at a local immigration office in your area
Receive an approval notice for change of status of residence once your application is granted
Bring your valid passport and the approval notice to a local immigration office to obtain stamp on your passport

Fee

4,000yen upon approval of permission (Payment must be made with revenue stamps)

General processing time is 2-weeks to 1-month. Required supporting documents vary depending on type of visa you are applying for.

Required documents

When you apply for change of status of residence, you need to prepare a number of supporting documents. If you are applying for working visa, most importantly you must have had an official job offer from your future employer and signed on the employment contract. In addition, the company you are working for must be in good financial condition. To prove all these conditions are met, your employer is required to provide several supporting documents upon your application.

Required documents to be prepared by yourself

Application form
Photo x 1 (Check Immigration Bureau of Japan website for specification)
Residence card or alien registration certificate to be presented
Permission to engage in an activity other than that permitted by the status of residence previously granted, to be presented (if any)
Passport or certificate of status of residence to be presented (Written reasons if it cannot be presented)
Photo ID of an agent (If an agent is applying)
Your CV
The reason statement (Optional)

※Formats of application form differs according to a status of residence you intend to apply for. Application forms can be downloaded from Immigration Bureau of Japan website.

Documents to be prepared by your employer

Certificate of registered matters issued within 3-months
Copy of employment contract
Copy of latest financial report
Copy of year-end tax adjustments and legal record total table
Company brochure (if any)
The reason statement of employment

Required documents: Student visa to designated activities visa

If you couldn’t find a job while you were enrolled at university or college, you can change your status of resident to “designated activities” and remain in Japan for further job search. International students who fall into the following two categories are eligible for this special treatment.

Graduates of undergraduate or post-graduate course of university (including junior university, regular courses only)
Graduates of college who have diploma

Required documents

Application form
Photo x 1 (Check Immigration Bureau if Japan website for specification)
Residence card or alien registration certificate to be presented
Proof of funds covering all the expense incurred during your stay in Japan
Proof of continuous engagement in job search
Reference letter from the educational institution you graduated regarding your job search
Certificate of graduation issued by the university you were enrolled right before the application (university graduates only)
Certificate of deploma issued by the college you were enrolled right before the application (college graduates only)
Certificate of graduation and report of results issued by the college you were enrolled right before the application (college graduates only)
Written detailed description of learning acquisition at the college you graduated (college graduates only)

※Make sure to attach all required documents as inadequate documentation may cause disapproval of application. Generally, re-application of declined case is hardly successful.
※Designated activities visa for job-search purpose is valid up to 6-months. You need to apply for extension of period of stay if you wish to stay in Japan on the same status of residence longer than that.

Congratulations and let new adventures begin

February and March is graduation season in Japan. It is very understandable if you want to utilize your knowledges and skills obtained from the study at university or college to find a job in Japan. Anyway, once you graduate from your university or college, you must graduate from student visa. Whether or not you have found a job in Japan before graduation, don’t forget to apply for change of status of residence to move on to a new stage.

Finding a job in Japan? Application for Change of Status of Residence for expected graduates

Procedures to apply for change of status of residence

Fee

Required documents

Required documents to be prepared by yourself

Documents to be prepared by your employer

Other documents

Required documents: Student visa to designated activities visa

Required documents

Congratulations and let new adventures begin

Writer

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