Updated 2026.7.6 Career guidance information for September 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.
Career Guidance for International Students Continuing Job Hunting in Japan after Graduation
For details and registration, please visit the Career Center website below. Please note that the guidance session will be held in Japanese only. An English explanatory video will be posted on the Career Center website after the session.
Carrer Center Website: https://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/students/career/event/article/?id=2079
How to apply for issuance of letter of recommendation
Details will be announced in mid-July.
Inquiries
International Center