Status of Residence after Graduation

1. Work
2. Designated Activities
3. Renewal
4. Notification of the Accepting Organization

1. Work

After accepting a job offer, your residence status will need to be changed to a work-related status, typically “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services.” Please follow your company’s instructions.

2. Designated Activities

If you were unable to secure a job offer before graduation and wish to continue job hunting while staying in Japan, you need to change your status from “Student” to “Designated Activities” for job hunting.

For students wishing to continue job hunting in Japan

Follow the instructions below to apply for a recommendation letter, which is required as part of the application for a status change.
We generally support status changes for students who meet all the requirements.
However, we will not consider your request in the following cases:

  • Applications submitted after the deadline
  • Reports showing only a short period of job hunting or job applications
  • Requests for reissuing or resending a recommendation letter due to loss or missing the visa expiration date

For those who plan to work as a part-time worker after graduation

After graduation, if you wish to continue job hunting in Japan and work part-time during your job search, you must obtain a work permit under the “Designated Activities” residence status. Working part-time under a Student residence status after graduation is illegal, even if you previously had a work permit.
After graduation, you are no longer considered a student, and the Student residence status cannot be used for part-time work.

Eligibility & Requirements

  • Students in their final academic year
  • Be permitted to engage in job hunting and work in Japan after graduation
  • Have actively engaged in job hunting and applied to at least six companies or organizations in Japan
  • Maintain communication with the IUJ Career Support Office

Submissions & Deadline

Submissions:
Please upload the following documents and files via the online application form:

  1. Complete the form to report six job applications
  2. Attach proof of six job applications (emails or screenshots of application submissions)

Application Deadline:
June Graduates: May 25th to 31st, 17:00
August Graduates: July 25th to 31st, 17:00

After moving to a new residence:
Send photos of both sides of your Residence Card with the updated address to IUJ Career Support

Submissions at Immigration Office

Please confirm all required documents in addition to the recommendation letter from IUJ.

The Immigration Services Agency of Japan

Process for Changing Your Status of Residence 

  1. Job Hunting
    - Continue job hunting
    - Keep regular contact with Career Support
  2. Application for Recommendation Letter
    - Via online application
    - Submit a report on job applications to companies/ organizations in Japan
    - Provide proof of at least six applications (emails or screenshots)
  3. MOVE-OUT Procedure
    - Apply from 14 days before moving (follow OSS instructions)
    - The form and required items list are available at the OSS counter.
    - Submit the required form and documents to the Urasa City Office
  4. Graduation and MOVE-OUT
    - Receive your graduation certificate after the ceremony
  5. MOVE-IN Procedure
    - Register your new address at the city office
    - Update your address on your residence card and send photos (front and back) to Career Support
  6. Recommendation Letter
    - Receiving the recommendation letter by post
    - Prepare all required documents
  7. Immigration Application
    - Apply at the nearest Immigration Office within 14 days of moving 
  8. New Residence Card
    - Receive a notification card
    - Visit the same Immigration Office to collect your new residence card

3. Renewal

Eligibility & Requirements

  • An IUJ graduate with approximately one month remaining on their current residence status who wishes to continue job hunting for an additional six months
  • Has been actively job hunting and has applied to at least five companies or organizations in Japan
  • Maintains regular communication with the IUJ Career Support Team

Submissions

Upload the following documents and files via Online Application form for class of 2025

  1. Proofs of six job applications (emails or screenshots of application submissions)
  2. Photos of both sides of the Residence card with the current address

Submissions at Immigration Office

Please confirm all required documents in addition to the recommendation letter from IUJ.

The Immigration Services Agency of Japan

Process for Renewing Your Status of Residence 

  1. Application for Recommendation Letter
    - Via online application
    - Submit a report on job applications to companies/ organizations in Japan
    - Provide proof of at least six applications (emails or screenshots)
    - Send photos (front and back) of your residence card
  2. Recommendation Letter
    - Receive the recommendation letter by post
    - Prepare all required documents
  3. Immigration Application
    - Apply at the nearest Immigration Office before your period of stay expires
  4. New Residence Card
    - Receive a notification card
    - Visit the same Immigration Office to collect your new residence card

4. Notification of the Accepting Organization

After graduation, if you plan to enroll in another school in Japan or apply for a different residence status, such as for job hunting or work, you must submit the “Notification of the Accepting Organization” to the Immigration Bureau within 14 days of graduation. This notification informs them that you have graduated from IUJ.
Please refer to the website below and ensure that you submit the notification on time.

How to apply online

This Notification can be submitted online through the “Immigration Bureau e-Notification System”:

Immigration Bureau e-Notification System

For the “2A Left the organization”, please enter the information below.

  • Date of left of organization: Date of the graduation ceremony
  • Name of the organization: International University of Japan
  • Address: 777 Kokusai-cho, Minami Uonuma-shi, Niigata 949-7277
  • Tel: 025-779-1111

Additionally, if you intend to stay in Japan for an extended period, please note that the same procedure is required when changing jobs, transferring to another office within the same company, or if there are any changes to the company’s name or address.

For detailed information on specific cases, please refer to the Immigration Services Agency’s website mentioned above.