The purpose of this support program is to promote the acceptance of excellent foreign graduates from universities overseas and other institutions into Japanese companies.International students who wish to take advantage of this special exception must apply to the Immigration Bureau for permission to change their status of residence to “Designated Activities” with the Certificate of Confirmation from his/her Japanese language education institution. It confirms that the student meets the above requirements.

Once he/she is hired, he/she will need to make an application to the Immigration Bureau again to change his/her status of residence to one that suits the job.

*Job Hunting Guide for International Students 2023(all)

What is the “Job Hunting Support Project for International Students Graduating from Overseas Universities”?

Yes. The Japanese translation of the supporting documents must be attached to the original documents. The signature of the translator is required there on.

My supporting documents are written in my native language. Do I need to translate them into Japanese?

A Certificate of Eligibility （COE) is issued before a visa application by a regional immigration authority under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice as evidence that the foreign national meets the conditions for landing in Japan, including the requirements that the activity in which the foreign national wishes to engage in Japan at the time of the landing examination is not fraudulent and is an activity that comes under a status of residence (excluding Temporary Visitor Status) stipulated in the Immigration Control Act.

A foreign national in possession of a Certificate of Eligibility can get a visa issued more easily at an embassy or consulate within the standard processing period. Also, the landing permission will be given quickly if you show your Certificate of Eligibility to an immigration officer.

Certificate of Eligibility is valid for 3 months after it is issued, and it will become invalid if you can’t enter Japan in this period.

What is a Certificate of Eligibility（COE)?

Sightseeing is permitted under the “temporary visitor” visa. With the temporary visitor visa, working is basically not permitted.

I came to Japan for sightseeing. May I work while I stay in Japan?

You cannot stay with your “Spouse of Japanese National” visa if you got divorced.
So basically you have two choices.
1. To go back to your own country.
2. To change the types of visas even if the period of stay of your visa remains. In this case, you need to do so within 6 months from your divorce.
Meanwhile, you need to submit the notification of divorce to Immigration Bureau within two weeks. The delay of submission makes your next visa application difficult.

I got divorced with my Japanese husband/wife. What should I do with my visa?

If you married a foreign national, to bring your partner to Japan, he/she needs a status of residence (visa). If your partner has already decided on a job after coming to Japan, it is possible to obtain a work-related visa such as a “Technical/Humanistic/International Services” visa. But it is often the case to acquire the “Spouse of Japanese National” status of residence, so called “marriage visa”.

Can I get a visa if I marry a Japanese person?