Working and Job Hunting
under Designated Activities
“Designated Activities” is a status of residence whose permitted activities differ from person to person. Whether you may work, how many hours you may work, and what kind of work you may do depend on the activities specifically designated to you. First, check your residence card and your Letter of Designation.
Types of Designated Activities
Continuing job hunting after graduation
Eligible graduates of universities, vocational schools, and similar institutions may be permitted to remain in Japan to continue job hunting. Requirements apply, including conditions relating to the educational institution and its recommendation.
Waiting to start work after receiving a job offer
After securing employment, a person may in some cases be permitted to remain in Japan under Designated Activities until the scheduled employment start date.
Designated Activities No. 46
Eligible graduates of Japanese universities and certain other higher-education institutions who meet Japanese-language and other requirements may engage in a broader range of work that makes use of their academic knowledge and high Japanese-language proficiency.
Preparation for Specified Skilled Worker status
In some cases, a person preparing to change to Specified Skilled Worker status may be granted Designated Activities for a limited preparation period.
Continuing job hunting after graduation
✅ Period of stay
When the applicable requirements are met, a six-month period may be granted and may generally be renewed once, allowing continued job hunting for up to one year in total.
✅ Part-time work
If you separately obtain Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted, you may generally be allowed to work part-time for up to 28 hours per week, subject to the conditions of the permission.
Graduation does not automatically change your status of residence to Designated Activities. You must apply for and receive permission to change your status of residence.
Working under Designated Activities No. 46
This category can permit a broader range of duties than the status of residence “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services.” Depending on the job, duties such as customer service or store operations may qualify when they make use of knowledge acquired through study and a high level of Japanese-language proficiency.
- Educational-background requirements apply.
- Japanese-language proficiency requirements apply, such as JLPT N1 or a BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test score of 480 or higher, depending on the applicable criteria.
- The actual duties of the job are also examined during immigration review.
Before looking for a job
Confirm your status of residence, period of stay, and any work restrictions.
Confirm exactly which activities are permitted under your Designated Activities status.
Before applying, make sure the job duties fall within the activities permitted under your status.
Send us your preferred work location, desired occupation, Japanese level, and period of stay through LINE.
When professional advice is needed
Hapi Job provides job introductions and job-search support. For applications concerning status of residence or individual legal determinations, please check the official information from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan or consult a qualified professional such as an administrative scrivener (gyoseishoshi).
We can help you find jobs that match your status of residence
For foreign residents currently living in Japan, Hapi Job provides job introductions and job-search consultations free of charge.
Licensed Employment Placement Business: 13-Yu-317275
VORT Aoyama 4F, 2-7-14 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
03-4400-3762