Japan Student Visa Guide 2026 — Work Rules, Renewal, After Graduation & Job-Hunting Extension | VisaSHOGUN

For a qualifying long-term program, the school generally confirms admission and supports the Certificate of Eligibility process. After the COE is issued, you normally apply for the entry visa through the Japanese embassy or consulate responsible for your area.

A short course may use Temporary Visitor status rather than Student status. Visa-exemption rules depend on nationality, and short-stay students cannot assume that Student-status part-time work rules apply.

Start with your study goal, preferred start date, course length, budget and language level. Compare schools only after confirming that the program and institution can support the residence-status route you need.

Your Japanese institution applies for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) on your behalf — most schools handle this for you. Once issued, take the COE to your local Japanese embassy or consulate to get your visa stamp, then enter Japan. Your residence card may be issued at the port of entry. Part-time work requires separate 資格外活動許可; eligible new entrants can ask about applying at designated ports, but permission is not automatic. Processing time varies by case and office; check the latest ISA guidance.

You need the 資格外活動許可. Check your residence card — it should be noted if granted at entry. Up to 28 hours per week during term time (40 hours during official vacation). Counts across all jobs combined. Certain establishments (pachinko, host/hostess clubs, and similar adult-entertainment-adjacent venues) are off-limits regardless of hours.

Apply 3 months before your card expiry. Key documents: enrollment certificate, transcript, financial documents (bank statement or scholarship certificate). Your school's student affairs office may coordinate most of this for you — check with them first. Attendance and study progress are important. If your record has gaps, prepare documents explaining legitimate absences and consult your school.

You must change from Student (留学) to a work status before beginning full-time professional work. This normally requires a Change of Status application. Processing times vary, so confirm current estimates before planning a work start date.

Critical timing: For an April start, begin gathering school and employer documents early. Applications are commonly accepted from December, but the timing and required documents should be confirmed with ISA and your school.

Graduates of a Japanese university, graduate school, junior college, technical college (高専), or vocational school (専修学校 専門課程) can apply for a Designated Activities (特定活動・継続就職活動) job-hunting extension. Conditions: a recommendation letter from your school and evidence of job-hunting activity already underway before graduation. First granted for 6 months, with one renewal possible — up to 1 year total. Part-time work (28hrs/7days) still permitted with a separate work permit. Apply before your current student status expires.

Withdrawing or transferring triggers a mandatory notification to ISA within 14 days. If transferring to another qualifying institution, file the notification and update enrollment. If dropping out without a new plan, you need to either change to another qualifying status or depart Japan. Do not continue living in Japan without taking action.

Same Student (留学) status and same 28-hour work rule as university students. The key difference: the job-hunting Designated Activities extension is typically only available to university/graduate school/vocational school graduates — not language school graduates. After your program, most students either enter a Japanese university/vocational school (renew student status at new institution) or return home. Plan your next step before your current program ends.