Securing Your Job Offer: Changing Your Visa for Employment Upon High School Graduation
Introduction
If you are a foreign high school student currently residing in Japan and attending a Japanese high school with a ‘Dependent’ residence status, you may have recently received a job offer.
Congratulations on your job offer!
In this article, we will explain in detail the procedures for changing your residence status, which is required for employment after high school graduation.
Once you secure a job offer, it’s important to proceed with the residence status change early to ensure a smooth transition into your new role.
What Does Changing Your Residence Status for Employment After Graduation Involve?
For foreign high school students currently residing in Japan under the “Dependent” status, a change in residence status is required when you secure a job.
The “Dependent” status is primarily intended for those staying in Japan under the care of their parents or guardians, and generally does not allow for full-time employment.
To work full-time after graduation, you must change to an appropriate residence status.
Which Residence Status Should You Change To?
The main residence statuses to consider are “Long-Term Resident” and “Designated Activities.”
Depending on when you began your education within the Japanese school system, you may be eligible for either of these statuses.
Additionally, if you switch to “Designated Activities” upon graduating high school, you may be eligible to change to “Long-Term Resident” status after maintaining a favorable stay in Japan for more than five years.
Note that changing to a work-related status like “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” may not meet academic requirements, so “Long-Term Resident” or “Designated Activities” is the appropriate option.
Considerations by Scenario
Individuals vary in terms of when they started their education in Japan.
Here, we break down the process by different scenarios as explained by the Immigration Service Agency, based on publicly available materials.
Scenario 1
- Entered Japan before turning 17.
- Enrolled in or transferred to and graduated from elementary school.
- Enrolled in and graduated from junior high school.
- Enrolled in and graduated from high school.
- Secured a job offer.
If you fall into this category, individuals should prepare to change to “Long-Term Resident” status once your job offer is confirmed. Enrollment in elementary school, even as a transfer, meets the requirements.
Scenario 2
- Entered Japan before turning 17.
- Enrolled in or transferred and graduated from junior high school.
- Enrolled in and graduated from high school (excluding transfers).
- Secured a job offer.
In this scenario, individuals should prepare to change to “Designated Activities” status.
After maintaining this status for over five years, you may also be eligible to change to “Long Term Resident.”
Note that graduation from elementary school is not a requirement, and enrollment in junior high school, even as a transfer, satisfies the criteria.
Scenario 3
- Entered Japan before turning 17.
- Enrolled in and graduated from high school (excluding transfers).
- Secured a job offer.
In this case, individuals should also prepare to change to “Designated Activities.”
The difference from Scenario 2 is that they started their education in Japan from the time they entered high school.
This group includes individuals who did not graduate from Japanese junior high school but came to Japan upon entering high school and graduated from high school in Japan.
Scenario 4
- Entered Japan before turning 17.
- Enrolled in high school as a transfer student and graduated.
- Secured a job offer.
In this scenario, individuals should prepare to change to ‘Designated Activities’ status.
This is for those who transferred into and graduated from a Japanese high school.
A unique requirement for this group is obtaining JLPT N2 certification.
Requirements for Changing to “Designated Activities” in Scenarios 2, 3, and 4
One of the key requirements is that your parent or guardian residing in Japan must act as your guarantor, so be mindful of this as you prepare.
Benefits of ‘Long-Term Resident’ Status for Employment
There are two main types of residence statuses: those with employment restrictions and those without.
The ‘Long-Term Resident’ status allows individuals to work in almost any profession without restrictions, except for roles that violate public order and morality.
This flexibility includes positions in fields such as sales, marketing, IT, engineering, and accounting, as well as manual labor jobs like factory work, kitchen assistance, retail, and delivery services.
Additionally, ‘Long-Term Resident’ status permits various types of employment, including full-time, part-time, and contract work.
For employers, having employees with ‘Long-Term Resident’ status provides the advantage of greater job flexibility and access to a broader range of opportunities.
Important Points About ‘Long-Term Resident’ and ‘Designated Activities’ Statuses in Employment
Both ‘Long-Term Resident’ and ‘Designated Activities’ statuses have expiration dates.
Both the individual and their employer must remain vigilant about these deadlines.
Failing to renew the status on time could result in the individual overstaying their permitted stay and violating immigration laws, while the employer could face penalties for employing someone unlawfully.
To prevent these issues, it is essential to manage residence status expirations carefully.
Feel Free to Contact Us
At Stellar, we assist foreign individuals who have graduated from high school and received a job offer with their residence status change.
Whether you are the individual or the employer, contact us today to ensure a smooth transition into your new role!
Please Note
This article is based on information sent via the Immigration Service Agency’s email distribution service for foreign residents on July 24, 2024.
Please be aware that immigration-related information is subject to change, so always refer to the most current information.