Changing From a Student Visa to a Work Visa in Japan After Graduation
Updated: 2026-09-16
Quick answer
Hi, I'm Miya, and I help newcomers settle into life in Japan. This guide is for international students who have a job offer, or expect one soon, and now need to move from a student status to one that lets them work full time. Finding the job is its own journey; here I'm focusing on the immigration steps that come after. It's an orientation rather than legal advice, and your own case may differ.
The short version: accepting an offer doesn't change your status by itself, so you'll usually apply for a change of status of residence. The job generally needs to connect with what you studied, and both you and your employer prepare documents. Keep an eye on timing around graduation and your current expiry date, and if your search is still going when you graduate, ask about the job-hunting option. The Immigration Services Agency and your school's career office are your best guides.
A job offer doesn't change your status on its own
A student status of residence is tied to studying. The part-time work many students do is generally allowed only under separate permission and within set limits, and that permission is linked to being a student. Full-time work at a company is a different activity, so before you start, you'll usually need a status that covers it.
For many graduates joining a company in an office or specialist role, that means applying for a change of status of residence at the regional immigration bureau, often to a work status such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services. The right category depends on the actual job, so it's worth confirming which status fits with your employer's HR or the Immigration Services Agency before you apply.
Matching the job to your field of study
For many work statuses, immigration generally looks at whether the duties of the job connect with what you studied — your major, your degree or the specialised course you completed. An engineering graduate moving into a technical role, or a languages graduate taking on translation work, are the kind of fit the system has in mind. How closely the two need to match can vary with the type of school you graduated from, so don't assume the rule is the same for everyone.
It helps to think about this before you sign, not after. Ask your employer what your actual day-to-day duties will be, and compare that with your transcript and course content. If the fit looks unclear, your school's career office often has experience with this question, and the Immigration Services Agency can explain how it's generally assessed.
Documents you and your employer typically prepare
On your side, the application usually involves the application form, a photo, your passport and residence card, and proof of graduation, such as a diploma or a certificate of graduation. Some applicants are also asked for transcripts or other records of what they studied. The exact list is set by the Immigration Services Agency and can change, so work from its current checklist rather than a friend's from a few years ago.
Your employer typically provides documents about the company and the job, such as a copy of the employment contract or a written offer showing your duties and working conditions, along with materials about the business itself. What they need to submit can depend on the size and category of the company. Many HR teams have done this before, so ask early who prepares what, and keep copies of everything you hand in.
Timing around graduation and your current expiry
Timing matters in two directions. Graduates with an offer can often file the change application before graduation and submit proof of graduation once it's issued, but when applications are accepted and what can be sent later may vary, so check the Immigration Services Agency's current guidance for your situation. Processing can take a while, especially in busy seasons, so starting early tends to make everything calmer.
The other date to watch is the expiry on your residence card. Generally you need to apply before your current period of stay ends; if you've applied in time, you can usually remain while the application is being decided, within certain limits. Also remember that you normally can't start full-time work until the new status is granted. If your start date is some time after graduation, ask the Immigration Services Agency how to handle the gap.
If your job search runs past graduation
Not everyone has an offer by graduation, and that's more common than it may feel. For graduates who want to keep looking for work in Japan, there is generally a Designated Activities option for continuing the job search after graduation. It's usually for a limited period, may be extendable, and typically requires a recommendation from your school, among other conditions.
Because your school's support is part of the process, the career office is a good first stop — ask well before your student status expires rather than at the last minute. Under this status, part-time work generally still needs separate permission. Once you do receive an offer, you would then apply for a change to the relevant work status, and the Immigration Services Agency can explain the current conditions.
Keep your Japanese number active through the change
Between graduation and your first day, a lot of important contact tends to come in: your new employer's HR checking paperwork, the immigration bureau if it has a question about your application, and banks updating your details as your situation changes. All of them will usually reach you on your Japanese phone number, so it's worth keeping that number active through the whole transition rather than letting it lapse. If you need a line with data of your own, setting one up is simple — you apply online with your residence card, verify with a quick eKYC, and eSIM-capable phones can often connect the same day, in about fifteen minutes.
Have a look at our setup guide for eligibility and the step-by-step, and confirm current terms on the page before you apply. Confirm your new status, keep your number steady, and you'll be ready to start your working life in Japan. I'll be right here to help.
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