I’m finishing up my final semester of college right now. My plan is to get a job after classes end and just stay in Japan and change my student visa to a work visa cause I’m already here and already have part time jobs lined up, possibly full time jobs.
The only problem is that I see that the change to a work visa requires a diploma or proof of graduation. Because I’m studying abroad and my home university is in the US, I’m technically in between semesters right now. My grades will only be finalized and recognized by my home university a good few months after my classes are over.
My student visa will end on December 20th, but my graduation will be around the same time. Does anyone know if it possible to apply for my change to a work visa without the finalized diploma, even though I’ve completed my schooling?
3 comments
I don’t know for sure, but getting a signed letter (not email) from your university confirming you will in fact be graduating may possibly work?
But also, unless nothings changed, you can request a “job hunting visa” for 6 months, renewable one time for another six months. You’ll need to prove you’re looking for jobs though, so save all emails, rejection letters, etc.
And keep in mind that part time jobs won’t get you a work visa. It needs to be full time (seishain or contract).
You can use a letter from your home university, saying that you will be graduating on XY date, but you’ll need to give them your diploma once you receive it. (the ORIGINAL certificate). If you only receive one copy total and you can’t request more, bring the original + a copy when you apply, and LET THEM KNOW YOU WANT THE ORIGINAL BACK. That way, they’ll take the copy, confirm it, then return the original to you when the process is over.
Unfortunately, the “job hunting” visa (designated activities visa) requires a letter of recommendation from your host university in Japan, and many of them don’t give this letter out to exchange students, only to full undergraduate students who are going to graduate from that Japanese university (check on your school’s website for visa info, they should say whether or not they give it out.)
Source: I asked about this exact same situation at the Immigration Bureau last week
As an exchange student you are almost 100% out of luck for what you are trying to do. Even on the student visa, working after your semester ends at the Japanese university is illegal.