Job-Hunting Visa After Graduation in Japan: Up to 1 Year (2026)
If you graduate from a Japanese university or a qualifying vocational school without a job offer, you can usually change from Student status to "Designated Activities" for job hunting, with a 6-month period of stay and one extension. This lets you stay in Japan and keep looking for work for about one year after graduation.
Many international students and graduate students in engineering finish their degree before their job search is done. That is normal in Japan, where hiring has its own calendar. The job-hunting status exists for exactly this situation, but it has conditions, and you must apply on time.
This guide covers who qualifies, the documents, the fees after 1 October 2026, part-time work, what to do when you get an offer, and the second-year option through local government programs. All rules are as of October 2026.
Key takeaways
University, graduate school, junior college and college of technology (kōsen) graduates can apply, with a recommendation from their school.
Vocational school graduates qualify only with the "senmonshi" title (or a postgraduate course), and their studies must relate to a work status.
The status is granted for 6 months and can be extended once, for about one year in total.
With permission, you can work part-time up to 28 hours a week while job hunting.
After you get an offer, you can change to a work status, or to a "waiting for employment" status if your start date is later.
Who can get the job-hunting status after graduation?
You can apply if you studied in Japan on Student status and want to continue job hunting that you started before graduation. ISA lists four groups.
Group | Main conditions (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
University graduates | Graduated from a Japanese university, graduate school, junior college or college of technology on Student status. Not for non-degree students such as research students (kenkyūsei), auditors or credit-only students |
Vocational school postgraduate course (senkōka) graduates | The course is at a vocational school under the School Education Act, and the studies relate to a work status such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services |
Vocational school specialized course graduates | Earned the "senmonshi" title, and the studies relate to a work status |
Japanese language school graduates | Must already hold a degree from a foreign university, and the language school must meet ISA's requirements |
In all cases, your residence record must be in good order, and you need a recommendation from the school you graduated from. Read ISA's own explanation on the ISA job-hunting after graduation page.
Important for researchers
Research students (kenkyūsei) are excluded from the university group. If you studied in Japan as a research student before a degree program, what counts is the degree program you graduated from.
How long can I stay to look for a job?
About one year. ISA says the job-hunting status is granted with a 6-month period of stay, and one extension is allowed. This means you can stay in Japan for job hunting for about one year after graduation.
Second year through local government programs
ISA also describes a second year. If, during your first year, you join a local government job support program that meets ISA's requirements, and the local government issues a certificate that you are in the program, you can change again to Designated Activities (6 months) with one extension. This is available only for programs that meet ISA's conditions, and it includes job hunting such as internships.
Stage | Period | What you need |
|---|---|---|
Change from Student to Designated Activities (job hunting) | 6 months | School recommendation, proof of graduation, proof of ongoing job hunting, proof of funds |
First extension | 6 months more | School recommendation, proof of ongoing job hunting, proof of funds |
Second year (only through a qualifying local government program) | 6 months + one extension | Certificate from the local government program |
When and how do I apply?
Apply promptly, and preferably before you graduate. ISA says you can apply for the change of status even before graduation if you have your school's recommendation letter, a certificate of expected graduation and the other documents. If you apply before graduation, you must submit your diploma or graduation certificate later.
Documents for the change of status (university graduates)
Application form for change of status, with a photo
Passport and residence card (to show)
A document that shows you can pay your living costs (if someone else supports you, that person's documents and an explanation)
A copy of your diploma or a graduation certificate
A recommendation letter from your university for continued job hunting
Documents that prove you are continuing your job search (for example, records of applications and interviews)
Vocational school graduates also submit the senmonshi certificate (not needed for postgraduate course graduates), a transcript and documents that describe what they studied. Japanese language school graduates submit additional documents, including their foreign degree. See the full list on the ISA page for graduates continuing job hunting.
Notification when you leave school
Under the Immigration Control Act, Student status holders must notify ISA within 14 days when they leave their school (the "activity organization"). Graduation counts. This is your own duty, so file it yourself (online, at a counter, or by post).
Do not wait
Your Student status is for studying. ISA notes that if you do not carry out the activity of your status, your status may be revoked. Under the law, staying for 3 months or more without doing the activity of your status, without a justifiable reason, is a ground for revocation. Apply for the job-hunting status soon after graduation, or before.
How much does it cost after October 2026?
From 1 October 2026, the fee for a change of status or an extension depends on the period of stay granted. The job-hunting status is granted for 6 months, so the "over 3 months but not more than 6 months" line applies.
Application | At the counter | Online |
|---|---|---|
Change of status (6 months granted) | ¥18,000 | ¥15,000 |
Extension (6 months granted) | ¥18,000 | ¥15,000 |
Old fee (applications received by 30 September 2026) | ¥6,000 | ¥5,500 |
So one year of job hunting (one change plus one extension) now costs ¥36,000 at the counter or ¥30,000 online, plus a payment transaction fee online. Applications received by 30 September 2026 pay the old fee. Plan this into your budget.
Can I work part-time while job hunting?
Yes, with permission. ISA says that if you get permission to engage in activity outside your status, you can work part-time up to 28 hours a week while on the job-hunting status. An internship that is part of your job search may be allowed beyond 28 hours with a separate permission. For the second year in a local government program, ISA says permission is not needed for an internship that is part of that program.
Points to remember
The higher limit during long school holidays applies to students. After graduation, the 28-hour weekly limit applies.
Your new status needs its own permission. Ask for it when you apply for the change of status, and check your residence card before you work.
Adult entertainment businesses are not allowed.
What happens when I get a job offer?
When you get an offer, you apply for a change of status to the work status that fits the job, usually Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services for engineers. If the job starts soon, you apply for the work status directly.
If your start date is months away
ISA has another Designated Activities status for people who received a job offer and are waiting for the start date. Conditions include:
You are on Student status or on the job-hunting status.
You graduated from, or completed a course at, a Japanese educational institution.
The job is expected to fit a work status such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities.
You will be hired within 1 year of the offer and within 1 year and 6 months of graduation.
The company pledges to keep in regular contact with you and to report to ISA without delay if it withdraws the offer.
With permission, you can also work part-time up to 28 hours a week on this status. See the ISA page for job offer holders waiting for employment.
Processing times
ISA publishes monthly statistics. For approvals in July 2026, change of status applications in the Designated Activities category took 60.1 days on average, and those in the Engineer/Specialist category took 72.9 days, from application to the notice of permission. ISA notes that work-related applications tend to take longer before the April hiring season.
Tips for engineering graduates job hunting in Japan
Start before graduation. ISA requires that your job search continues from your time as a student. Keep records of applications, interviews and events.
Keep your documents organized. You need proof of job hunting for both the change and the extension.
Know your Japanese level honestly. Many engineering jobs in Japan expect Japanese. Some roles accept English, especially in technical fields. See our guide on Japanese levels.
Check the employer's visa support. Ask early who prepares the change of status documents.
Graduates with JLPT N1 (or BJT 480 or more) from a Japanese university may also qualify for a separate Designated Activities status for Japanese university graduates. It is a different route with its own conditions.
How AGG can help
AGG (Awaji Global Gateway, a division of Fukuyoshi Inc.) lists English-OK engineering jobs in Japan, including semiconductor, BIM/CAD, AI and IT roles. If you receive an offer through us, we support the change of status paperwork for the new job.
Many AGG jobs are dispatch (haken) roles. You are employed by Fukuyoshi Inc. and work at a client site, with social insurance. Dispatch contracts are often renewed every few months, and renewal depends on the client project. We explain this honestly before you accept, so you can compare offers fairly.
Frequently asked questions
Q. Can I stay in Japan after graduation to look for a job?
Yes, in many cases. If you graduated from a Japanese university, graduate school, junior college or college of technology on Student status, and you were job hunting before graduation, you can apply to change to Designated Activities for job hunting. It is granted for 6 months and can be extended once, so about one year in total. You need a recommendation letter from your school and proof that you are continuing your job search.
Q. Can vocational school graduates get the job-hunting visa in Japan?
Yes, with conditions. Graduates of a specialized course must have earned the "senmonshi" title. Graduates of a postgraduate course (senkōka) also qualify. In both cases, what you studied must relate to a work status, such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services. You need a recommendation letter from your vocational school, your transcript and documents that describe your studies.
Q. How much does the job-hunting visa cost in Japan in 2026?
From 1 October 2026, a change of status or extension granting 6 months costs ¥18,000 at the counter or ¥15,000 online, plus a payment transaction fee online. A full year of job hunting, with one change and one extension, costs ¥36,000 at the counter or ¥30,000 online. Applications received by 30 September 2026 pay the old fee of ¥6,000 (¥5,500 online).
Q. Can I work part-time on the job-hunting visa?
Yes, with permission to engage in activity outside your status. ISA says you can work up to 28 hours a week. Internships that are part of your job search may be allowed beyond 28 hours with permission. The longer holiday limit for students does not apply after graduation. Ask for the permission when you apply for the change of status, and check your residence card before you start work.
Q. Can I apply for the job-hunting visa before I graduate?
Yes. ISA says you can apply for the change of status before graduation if you have a recommendation letter from your school, a certificate of expected graduation and the other required documents. You must submit your diploma or graduation certificate later. Applying early helps you avoid a gap, because your Student status is for studying, not for job hunting after graduation.
Q. What if my job offer starts more than six months after graduation?
You can apply for a separate Designated Activities status for job offer holders waiting for employment. Conditions include that you will be hired within 1 year of the offer and within 1 year and 6 months of graduation, that the job fits a work status, and that the company pledges to stay in contact and to report to ISA if it withdraws the offer. Part-time work up to 28 hours a week is possible with permission.
Q. Is there a second year of job hunting in Japan?
Only through a qualifying local government program. ISA says that if you join a local government job support program that meets ISA's requirements during your first year, and the local government certifies you, you can change to Designated Activities again for 6 months with one extension. Not every local government runs such a program, so check with the local government where you live.
Summary
Japanese university and qualifying vocational school graduates can change to Designated Activities for job hunting.
It is 6 months plus one extension, about one year in total; a second year is possible only through a qualifying local government program.
Since 1 October 2026, each 6-month permit costs ¥18,000 at the counter or ¥15,000 online.
Part-time work up to 28 hours a week is possible with permission.
When you get an offer, change to a work status, or to the waiting-for-employment status if the start date is later.
If you are an engineering graduate in Japan, see our Open engineering jobs and apply (CV optional). AGG charges no agency fees to job seekers. Related guides: Engineering jobs in Japan for English speakers, Japanese level for engineering jobs, and Engineer/Specialist in Humanities visa guide.
Reviewed by
Naoya Mitani — Head of Business Operations, Awaji Global Gateway (Fukuyoshi Inc.). Supports foreign engineers moving into jobs in Japan, including visa changes and onboarding.
