Japan job seeker visa (J-Find)

Whether your university qualifies depends solely on the ISA list based on the three rankings; check the current PDF before applying. Graduates of Japanese universities and vocational colleges use a different route: Designated Activities for job hunting after graduation, generally six months extendable once, with a recommendation letter from the school.

All three conditions apply: you graduated from, or completed a graduate programme at, a university ranked within the top 100 in at least two of the QS, Times Higher Education and Shanghai rankings (the ISA publishes the list of eligible universities, updated January 2026); no more than five years have passed since your degree was awarded; and you hold at least JPY 200,000 in savings when applying. Bachelor's degrees and higher both count.

From abroad you apply for a Certificate of Eligibility with your degree certificate, CV, a schedule of planned activities and a bank statement, then for a visa at the Japanese mission. Since January 2026 J-Find applications can also be filed through the ISA online system. Once you find a job or set up a company, you change to the matching status, such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities or Business Manager.

Mid- to long-term residents receive a residence card at Narita, Haneda, Chubu, Kansai and other major airports (elsewhere it is mailed after address registration). Within 14 days of finding a home you must register your address at the city, ward or town office, which also enrols you in National Health Insurance and the National Pension unless your employer covers you under its schemes.

Changes of employer or school, marriage status and address must be notified to the immigration bureau within 14 days. Leaving Japan for up to one year (or until your status expires, if sooner) is possible without a re-entry permit by ticking the special re-entry box at departure.