The Job-Seeker Activities visa (告示外特定活動, 留学生の就職活動) is a dedicated residence status for foreign graduates of Japanese educational institutions who have completed their studies but have not yet secured employment. Historically, this category exists to keep talented foreign graduates in Japan long enough to complete their job search rather than forcing them to return home when their student visa expires. It covers graduates of 4-year universities, graduate schools (master's and doctoral), and 専門学校 (vocational schools) with the 専門士 or 高度専門士 designation.
The application must be filed within 3 months of graduation. In practice, most applicants file a Change of Residence Status from 留学 (student) to 特定活動 (Job-Seeker) shortly before their student visa expires. A crucial requirement is a 推薦状 (letter of recommendation) from the graduated school — universities and 専門学校 generally have established processes for issuing these. The initial stay is 6 months, extendable once for another 6 months, capping the total at 1 year. Beyond 1 year, there is no further extension and no switching to another Job-Seeker cycle — you must either convert to a work visa or leave Japan.
Paid work is restricted: the Job-Seeker visa is not a work status, but with 資格外活動許可 (permission for activities outside your status), part-time work up to 28 hours per week is permitted, matching the student visa rules. The usual endpoint of this path is a Change of Status to 技術・人文知識・国際業務 (技人国) for white-collar jobs, 高度専門職 (HSP) if your points qualify you, or 経営・管理 for self-employment. For more background, see our step-by-step Job-Seeker guide.
Who Is This For
- ✓Foreign graduates of Japanese 4-year universities (undergraduate)
- ✓Foreign graduates of Japanese graduate schools (master's or doctoral)
- ✓Foreign graduates of Japanese 専門学校 (vocational schools with 専門士 or 高度専門士 designation)
- ✓Recent graduates who were unable to secure a job offer before graduation and want more time to interview
- ✓Students changing from 留学 (student) status who need runway beyond the student visa expiry
Requirements
- •Graduation from a Japanese university, graduate school, or qualifying 専門学校
- •Application filed within 3 months of graduation (or during the final semester when the student visa is about to expire)
- •Letter of recommendation (推薦状) from the graduated school
- •Genuine ongoing job-hunting activity in Japan
- •Sufficient funds to support the stay (bank statements, parental support, or part-time income)
- •No history of immigration violations or overstay
Full breakdown of Immigration fees, scrivener rates, and all other costs for this visa type.
Required Documents
- Valid passport and current residence card (most applicants change status from 留学)
- Application for Change of Residence Status (or COE if applying from overseas)
- University/graduate school/専門学校 graduation certificate or diploma
- Letter of recommendation from the graduated school (校長または指導教員)
- Job-hunting activity log or schedule of interviews/applications
- Proof of financial means (bank statements, guarantor, part-time income records)
- Photograph (4cm x 3cm, taken within 3 months)
Application Process
- 1Graduate from a Japanese university, graduate school, or qualifying 専門学校
- 2Obtain a letter of recommendation from your school (most schools issue these routinely)
- 3Apply for Change of Residence Status at your local Regional Immigration Bureau (usually from 留学)
- 4If approved, receive a new residence card valid for 6 months
- 5Apply for 資格外活動許可 for part-time work up to 28 hours per week
- 6Continue job hunting; document interviews, applications, and recruiter communications
- 7Before the 6-month mark, apply for a 6-month extension if still actively job hunting
- 8When you receive a job offer, apply for Change of Status to 技術・人文知識・国際業務 or similar work visa
Apply for the Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
Once you've chosen your visa, your Japan-side sponsor (employer / school / family) files the COE with Immigration — then you exchange it for a visa at the embassy.