“J-Find (Japan System for Future Creation Individual Visa)” has been implemented since April 2023, which is to support more highly-educated foreign nationals to have an opportunity to work or start a business in Japan.

DESIGNATED ACTIVITIES for J-FIND (hereinafter referred to as “J-Find“) is a special VISA STATUS for those who have graduated from distinguished universities and wish to look for a job or to prepare for starting a business in Japan. This visa status allows you to stay in Japan for a maximum of 2 years for job hunting and preparation for business setup.

IF YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH VISA PROCEDURES IN JAPAN, JUMP TO INTRODUCTORY PAGES BELOW FIRST:

Contents
  1. BASIC REQUIREMENTS
  2. HOW to PROCESS
  3. PERIOD of STAY
  4. BASIC REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
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BASIC REQUIREMENTS

To apply for J-Find visa status, you must satisfy ALL of the requirements listed below;

Basic Criteria

Regardless of which visa status you apply for, you need to satisfy basic criteria first;
>> WHAT IS VISA STATUS?

Type of Activity

Activities which you are allowed to do while you are staying in Japan under J-Find visa status are as follows;

  • Job hunting
  • Preparation for starting business
  • Part-time job to cover your activities listed above

Educational Requirement

You have graduated from one of the distinguished university listed on List of Universities below and have obtained the degree (bachelor, master, doctor or equivalent to).

List of Universities eligible for J-Find (as of April 2023)

Universities listed on the above PDF are decided based on the three world university rankings such as; (1) QS World University Rankings published by Quacquarelli Simmons, (2) THE World University Rankings published by Times, (3) Academic Ranking of World Universities published by Shanghai Ranking Consultancy. It has to be found in the top 100 in 2 or more of these world university rankings.

Period after Graduation

On the date of application for J-Find, 5 years or less has passed after you graduated from one of the universities listed on the List of Universities above with the degree.

Amount of Savings

You have enough savings in cash (equivalent to JPY 200K or more) for living expenses for the time being at the time of application.

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HOW to PROCESS

In case you are currently residing outside Japan yet or you are staying in Japan as a TEMPORARY VISITOR:
>> COE APPLICATION

In case you have been living in Japan under specific status and holding RESIDENCE CARD already:
>> CHANGE of VISA STATUS

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PERIOD of STAY

Each visa status has the expiration date – you can stay in Japan under the visa status during the specific period stated on Residence Card issued by Immigration Office.

Period of Stay for J-Find visa is 6 months or 1 year. Specific period of stay shall be decided by Immigration Office depends on the applicant’s circumstance. You can extend the period by applying for EXTENSION OF PERIOD OF STAY (VISA RENEWAL) for a maximum of 2 years in total (*).

(*) NOTE: This “2 years in total” must include the period staying in Japan under similar visa status such as Designated Activities for Job hunting/start-up etc.

In case you wish to extend the period of stay granted, you may apply for EXTENSION of PERIOD of STAY before the expiry date.
>> EXTENSION OF PERIOD OF STAY (VISA RENEWAL)

In case you would like to travel outside Japan temporarily under the visa status.
>> RE-ENTRY PERMIT

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BASIC REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

The immigration office considers your eligibility for the visa status by your situation/career and by documents you provide. You must prepare documents which certify that the contents of the application are true and correct. The Immigration Office will request additional documents at any time if they have any questions or would like to confirm the information you provided case by case.

Specific documents are varied depending on the situation of each applicant and the host organization/company, however, the basic documents for this visa status are as follows;

In case of COE APPLICATION and CHANGE of VISA STATUS

  1. Application form
  2. Photo
  3. [In case of CHANGE of VISA STATUS] Residence Card and Passport.
  4.  Certificate of Degree
  5. CV in the Immigration Office format >> PDF (provided by Immigration Office)
  6. Description of Intended Activities in the Immigration Office format >> PDF (provided by Immigration Office)
  7. Bank Statement to prove your savings for living expenses

In case of EXTENSION of PERIOD of STAY

  1. Application form
  2. Photo
  3. Residence Card and Passport
  4. Documents to prove your activities for job hunting or preparation of starting business (e.g. Report of Activities explaining where/who/when/what you have done during the period of stay.)
  5. Description of Intended Activities in the Immigration Office format >> PDF (provided by Immigration Office)

NOTE / REMARK

  • All the documents written in foreign languages need to attach the Japanese translation.
  • Additional documents may be requested by the Immigration Office during the screening.
  • Any certificate issued by the Japanese authorities (Tax/Income Certificate, Certificate of Residence, Certificate of Company Register etc.) has to be the one issued within 3 months before the date of application.
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