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I want to continue job hunting in Japan after graduation. Is it possible to stay in Japan with a “Student” status of residence? (Updated 2024.08.30)

“Designated Activities” status of residence

  • Because “Student” statuses of residence lose their validity upon graduation or completion of studies, 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

 

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.
  • 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 (to be released at the end of July) before applying.

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.

No. Required Documents Where to Submit
１

Application Form

9/1 (Sun.) - 10/31 (Thu.)

  • You must register as a user to be able to apply.
    • How to register -> reference
  • Applicants should use the same form regardless of whether they are applying to change from "Student" to "Designated Activities" status or renew their "Designated Activities" status.
 Link
２

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)

  1. Copy of your personal Certificate of Bank Balance
    • Must have been issued within one week of submitting your　application.
    • In the case of a bankbook, submit the page with your name and the page with the latest balance.
    • Screenshots of online pages are also acceptable.
  2. Certificate of Remittance
  3. Certificate of Bank Balance of a financial supporter other than yourself
    • In Japanese or English ONLY
    • Any currency is acceptable
    • Must have been issued within one month of submitting your application.

*If submitting 3, you must also submit a Statement of Financial Support.

Attach the file to the form above (pdf/jpg/png)

 

Inquiries

International Center

ru-coe@st.ritsumei.ac.jp

 

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