You must first get a full-time job offer from a company in Japan. The job must:
- Match your field of study (usually),
- Be eligible under a valid work visa category (like "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services"),
- Offer proper salary and contract terms.
1. Prepare necessary documents
Both you and your employer will need to submit documents. Typically:
From You:
- Passport and residence card
- Current student visa (copy)
- Graduation certificate or proof of upcoming graduation (or university transcript)
- Resume/CV
- Photograph (passport-size, taken within 3 months)
From Employer:
- Employment contract or offer letter
- Company registration documents
- Financial statements of the company
- Statement of reasons for hiring you
2. Apply for a Change of Status of Residence
Submit your application at your local immigration office before your student visa expires.
- Application form (download)
5-18, Shoho-cho, Minato-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, 455-8601 - Fee: ¥4,000 (paid with a revenue stamp when you collect the new residence card)
- Processing time: ~1 to 3 months (varies)
3. Wait for Notification
If approved, you'll get a postcard from immigration. Bring it, along with your passport and residence card, to get your new work visa status stamped and receive your updated residence card.
Notes:
- You cannot start working until the change is approved.
- Changing jobs or visa types again later is possible but follows a similar process.
- The most common visa types after a student visa include:
- Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services