Updated 2026.2.24
Document 1. International Center_Application Guideline for Designated Activity (FAQ) has been updated.
Updated 2026.2.12
The link to the guidance video hosted by the Ritsumeikan University Career Center has been updated.
Updated 2026.2.2
Document 1. International Center_Application Guideline for Designated Activity has been updated.
Updated 2026.1.13
Information on recommendation letter applications for March 2026 graduates has been updated.
“Designated Activities” status of residence
- “Student” statuses of residence lose their validity upon graduation or completion of studies even though your Resident Card remains valid after graduation/completion. In order for international students who were studying at Ritsumeikan University to continue to stay in Japan, it is necessary to change their status of residence.
- As indicated on the Immigration Services Agency’s website below, for those students who have been searching for a job but their employer is not decided by graduation, and wish to continue job hunting after graduation, it is possible to change to a “Designated Activities” status of residence (valid for 6 months) as long as certain requirements are met.
- Immigration Services Agency Website
- If you have already received a job offer and would like to extend your period of stay until the start of your employment, please refer to the page below.
I have received a job offer, but there is a period of time before I start working. What should I do about my status of residence? - A list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) can be found at the end of the document below. Please review them before submitting your application.
【Document】 International Center_Application Guideline for Designated Activity (FAQ)
Letter of recommendation
- In order to apply to change to a “Designated Activities” status of residence at the Immigration Bureau, a letter of recommendation from Ritsumeikan University is required. Please visit the bureau in around one month after graduation/completion.
- Ritsumeikan University holds application periods twice per year for the issuance of these letters of recommendation. International students from whom the International Center receives an application will undergo a evaluation of their studies, lifestyle condition, job hunting activities up to the time of application, motivation for the field/industry of interest, and ability to pay expenses, etc. A letter of recommendation will be issued to those students for whom it is deemed appropriate. For the screening, applicants will complete an online form, after which the International Center will conduct a document review.
- This status is only for degree-seeking students who will graduate from Ritsumeikan University. Non-Degree students, auditing students, exchange students, and research students cannot apply for this status.
How to apply for issuance of letter of recommendation
Please be sure to review the following documents before applying.
- 【Document】 International Center_Application Guideline for Designated Activity (FAQ)
- 【Video】 Career Center_JOB-HUNTING GUIDANCE for the students who will continue JOB-HUNTING in Japan (*available only to students of Ritsumeikan University)
The application form and documents required to be attached to the application are as follows. For application details, please check document ① in the above table.
For those who are graduating/completing in March 2026, an online application is from Wednesday, March 4 to Thursday, April 30, 2026. Be sure to confirm that you have passed the graduation pass/fail evaluation before applying.
| No. | Required Documents/Procedure | Where/What to Submit |
| １ |
💻Application Form 3/4 (Wed.) - 4/30 (Thu.) (Application Closed) *Be sure to confirm that you have passed the graduation pass/fail evaluation before applying. |
|
| 2 |
|
Attachment to the form above (pdf/jpg/png) |
| 3 |
📄A document proving your ability to support yourself financially Please submit one of the following: 1, 2, OR 3. (To prove your ability to support yourself for half a year, you must submit minimum, 600,000 JPY worth of proof)
*For 3, you must also submit a Statement of Financial Support. |
Attachment to the form above (pdf/jpg/png) |
4 |
📄A document proving your ongoing job-hunting activities
|
Attachment to the form above (pdf/jpg/png) |
Inquiries
International Center