Quick answer: If you are an international student in Japan graduating in March and starting a job on April 1, you must change your status of residence from “Student” to a work status, usually “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services.” Immigration asks April starters to apply between December 1 and the end of January, so January 31 is the practical deadline. Results usually come in February or March, and since October 1, 2026 the fee depends on the period of stay you are granted: ¥33,000 for one year at the counter.
Every year, thousands of international students get a job offer in Japan and then lose sleep over the visa. The good news is that the process is predictable if you start early. This guide explains the timeline month by month, what immigration looks at, the new 2026 fees, and what to do if you graduate without a job.
Why the end of January matters
Changing from Student to a work status is a Change of Status of Residence (在留資格変更許可申請) at your regional immigration bureau. Because so many students start work on April 1, immigration bureaus get flooded in February and March. To spread the load, the Immigration Services Agency asks students who want to start work in April to submit their applications between December 1 and the end of January.
Applying later is not forbidden, but late or incomplete applications may not be decided in time, and you cannot start full-time work until your new status is granted. Immigration publishes a notice each autumn confirming the window, so check this year’s notice on the ISA website or ask your school’s international office.
Month-by-month timeline for an April start
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Spring to autumn of your final year | Job hunting; aim for a formal job offer (内定, naitei) for a role that fits a work status and relates to your studies. |
| October–November | Collect documents from your employer and school; confirm the job title, duties and salary in writing. |
| December 1 – end of January | Submit your Change of Status application, with a certificate of expected graduation. |
| February – March | Immigration reviews your case. It may ask for extra documents, so answer quickly. You usually receive a postcard when it is decided. |
| After graduation (late March) | Bring your graduation certificate, passport, residence card and the fee, and collect your new residence card. |
| April 1 | Start work with your new status. |
Graduating in September and starting in April instead? You cannot stay on Student status after graduation, so you first change to “Designated Activities” (awaiting employment) and then apply for the work status from December.
Which work status will you need?
- Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (技術・人文知識・国際業務): the most common status for office, IT, engineering, marketing, translation and similar jobs.
- Designated Activities No. 46: for graduates of a Japanese university (bachelor’s or higher) with high-level Japanese (JLPT N1 or BJT 480+). It allows a wider range of jobs that use Japanese communication, including some service and front-line roles.
- Specified Skilled Worker: for hands-on work in designated industries. See our SSW visa guide.
What immigration checks
- The link between your studies and your job. University graduates are given some flexibility, but vocational school (senmon gakkō) graduates must show a closer match between their course and their duties.
- The job itself. Duties must be professional work covered by the status, not mainly simple labor.
- Fair pay. Your salary must be at least what a Japanese employee would get for the same work.
- The employer. Its size and track record decide which documents it must submit. Large, listed companies submit fewer.
- Your record as a student. Attendance, graduation, and keeping to the 28-hour part-time work limit. Going over that limit is a common reason for problems.
Since December 1, 2025, some applicants, such as graduates of Japanese universities, can leave out certain documents. Your school or employer can tell you which apply to you.
Documents you will usually need
- Application for Change of Status of Residence (from the ISA website)
- Passport and residence card
- One photo (4 cm × 3 cm)
- Certificate of expected graduation (then the graduation certificate when you collect the result)
- Your employment contract or job offer letter showing duties, salary and start date
- Employer documents, which depend on the company’s category (for example, its withholding tax statement)
How much does it cost? (fees from October 1, 2026)
The fee used to be a flat ¥6,000. For applications accepted on or after October 1, 2026, it depends on the period of stay you are granted, and you pay it with a revenue stamp when you collect your new card.
| Period of stay granted | At the counter | Online |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 3 months | ¥10,000 | ¥10,000 |
| Over 3 months, up to 6 months | ¥18,000 | ¥15,000 |
| Over 6 months, under 1 year | ¥25,000 | ¥21,000 |
| 1 year | ¥33,000 | ¥27,000 |
| Over 1 year, under 3 years | ¥48,000 | ¥42,000 |
| 3 years to under 5 years | ¥64,000 | ¥56,000 |
| 5 years or more | ¥75,000 | ¥65,000 |
First-time work status holders are often granted one year, so many new graduates should budget around ¥33,000, or ¥27,000 if they apply online.
What if your current visa expires while you wait?
If you applied before your Student status expired, you can stay legally while immigration decides, until the decision or two months after your old expiry date, whichever comes first. Keep the receipt stamp on your residence card. Remember, though, that your permission to work part-time as a student ends when you graduate.
Graduating without a job: the job-hunting visa
If you started job hunting before graduation and want to keep looking in Japan, you can change to Designated Activities (continuing job hunting). It gives you six months, which you can extend once, for up to one year in total.
- You need a letter of recommendation from your university or vocational school
- You must show that you were already job hunting while still a student
- You can apply for permission to work part-time up to 28 hours a week during this period
- Graduates of a Japanese language school only (without a degree) are generally not eligible
- If you leave Japan after graduation, you usually cannot apply for it later
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until February or March to apply
- A job description that does not match your studies or the work status
- Working more than 28 hours a week as a student; immigration checks your tax records
- Starting full-time work before your new status is granted
- Missing immigration’s requests for extra documents during the review
Need income while you study? Our guide on finding a part-time job in Japan explains the 28-hour rule. Planning long-term? See permanent residency requirements.
Frequently asked questions
When can I apply to change from a student visa to a work visa in Japan?
For an April start, from December 1 of the previous year. Immigration asks you to apply by the end of January.
Can I start working before my new visa is approved?
No. You can start full-time work only after your new residence card has been issued.
How long does the review take?
Usually one to two months, but decisions for April starters are often finalized after graduation in March.
What happens if my application is refused?
Ask immigration for the reason. Depending on the problem, you may be able to fix it and reapply, or switch to the job-hunting status if you are still eligible. A licensed immigration specialist (gyōseishoshi) can help.
Do I need to apply in person?
You can apply at the counter of your regional immigration bureau, and many applications can also be filed online with a My Number Card, which is cheaper under the new fees.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Immigration procedures and fees change; always check the Immigration Services Agency of Japan and your school’s international office before you apply.