Student Visa to Work Visa in Japan: Changing Status After Graduation

Quick answer (30 seconds): Finishing your studies in Japan and want to stay and work? You change your status of residence from "Student" to a work visa — most often "Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services" (gijinkoku). Two important things: your degree/major should relate to the job, and you should apply before you start work (ideally while still a student, for an April start). If you graduate before landing a job, you can switch to a "Designated Activities" visa to keep job-hunting for about 6–12 months. Rules are tightening in 2026 — confirm the current criteria with the Immigration Services Agency (ISA).

Disclaimer: General information, not legal advice. Immigration criteria are changing in 2026 and each case differs — confirm current requirements with the Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁) or a licensed immigration specialist (行政書士).

The main path: Student → "Engineer/Humanities/International Services"

The most common work status for new graduates is "Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services" (技術・人文知識・国際業務, often "gijinkoku"). It covers a wide range of office/professional/engineering roles. To switch into it from a student visa:

• You need a job offer from an employer, and
• the work must relate to what you studied (your major/degree must connect to the role), and
• the employer and role must meet immigration's requirements.

You apply for a "Change of Status of Residence" at immigration — you do not leave Japan to do this.

Timeline: apply before you start (April-start logic)

Japan's hiring year centers on an April start. If you have a job lined up, apply to change your status in the months before April (the window typically opens the prior winter). Processing can take weeks to a couple of months, so start early — you want the new status approved before your first working day.

In November 2025, ISA announced new application criteria for international students starting work in April 2026. Check the current rules for your start date.

No job yet at graduation? Use "Designated Activities" (job-hunting)

If you graduate without a job offer, you don't have to leave immediately. You can apply to switch to a "Designated Activities" visa for continued job-hunting, which gives you roughly 6–12 months to keep searching. Typical job hunts run 3–6 months (faster for IT graduates, longer for humanities graduates with limited Japanese).

Working while you're still a student

During your studies you can work part-time up to 28 hours/week under "permission to engage in activity other than that permitted" (shikaku-gai katsudo). This does not become a work visa automatically — you still must change your status to work full-time after graduation.

2026 changes to know (verify with ISA)

Immigration criteria are shifting from paperwork toward proof of real skills/competency. One specific change being reported: from around 2026, certain employers may require JLPT N2 for some customer-facing roles under gijinkoku. This is conditional — not a blanket requirement for everyone — so check whether it applies to your employer category and role with ISA or your employer. (Japanese ability always helps regardless.)

FAQ

1. How do I go from a student visa to a work visa? Get a job offer related to your studies, then apply for a "Change of Status of Residence" to a work visa (usually gijinkoku) — without leaving Japan.

2. Does my degree have to match the job? Generally yes — the role must relate to your major/field. This is a core requirement immigration checks.

3. What if I haven't found a job by graduation? Apply for a "Designated Activities" (job-hunting) visa to stay and search for about 6–12 months.

4. Can I work full-time on my student visa while job-hunting? No — student work is capped at 28 hours/week. You need the work visa (or the right designated-activities permission) to work full-time.

5. Do I need JLPT N2? Not as a blanket rule. From 2026, some customer-facing roles at certain employers may require N2 — confirm for your situation. Stronger Japanese always helps your application and job search.

Sources

• Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁) — change of status / work statuses (authority): https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/
• Study in Japan (MEXT/JASSO) — status of residence for working after graduation: https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/work-in-japan/employment/status.html
• Visa Japan (immigration specialists) — student to Designated Activities (job-hunting) & work visa (secondary): https://english.visajapan.jp/

Related guides

• Best job sites in Japan for foreigners — find the job offer you need
• JLPT study plan & resources — build the Japanese that helps
• Recruitment agents for IT engineers & pros — landing the role
• Side-job & visa rules — staying compliant on your status

Last updated: 2026-06-19