Procedures for Graduation and Completion
Graduation-Completion Guidance (for prospective graduates in March 2026)
We will provide a "guidance video" on changing or extending your residence status in connection with graduation or program completion.
This video is intended for international students with a “Student” visa who are scheduled to graduate or complete their studies in March 2026, and it will be available from December 2025.
Please make sure to watch it, as it contains important information about your residence status before and after graduation.
Details are HERE (←Scheduled for upload around November)
Carrier path after graduation
Please check carefully the explanation for your career path. For more details, including the documents required for the procedure, please check the Graduation and Completion Guidance Video.
★【For All International Students】Notification regarding the organization of affiliation ★
Students who graduate from Meiji University with a “Student” visa are required to submit a “Notification of Affiliated Organization.”
Please submit the notification to the Immigration Services Agency within 14 days after graduation. For the details about how to fill in the notification, please refer to HERE.
① If you leave Japan
If your period of stay will expire before a graduation ceremony, please apply for extension of the period of stay.
Except for students who will go to a graduate school in Japan (below ②), you will not be able to stay in Japan after the graduation ceremony with "Student" visa, so please leave Japan immediately regardless of your period of stay.
Except for students who will go to a graduate school in Japan (below ②), you will not be able to stay in Japan after the graduation ceremony with "Student" visa, so please leave Japan immediately regardless of your period of stay.
② If you go to a graduate school in Japan
●Students who will go to a graduate school of Meiji University
Please apply for extension of period of stay. As some additional documents are required, please check the guidance video for details.
●Students who will go to a school other than Meiji University
Please follow the instructions of your new school and apply for an extension of your period of stay.
③ If you start working for a company in Japan
If your employment in Japan has been confirmed, you need to apply for a change of status of residence according to the type of work you will be engaged in.
Please consult with your employer regarding the status to be changed and the necessary documents to prepare.
④ If you continue job-hunting activities in Japan
If you want to continue job-hunting activities that has been ongoing since before graduation, you need to change your status of residence to "Designated Activities".
A Letter of Recommendation issued by Meiji university is required for the application. If you wish to obtain a Letter of Recommendation, please submit the required documents to the International Student Office within a specific application period. For the details, please check the guidance video.
(After Graduation) Required documents to submit after changing to “Designated Activities” visa
You MUST submit these documents below to International Student Office by a specific deadline by e-mail.
- ① Monthly Report of Job Hunting Activities (This is for students who have already graduated. Current students need to get a different format from the guidance video.)
- ② Documents showing your job hunting activities (e.g. photos of emails from companies, etc.)
- ③ Copy of a bankbook for the last one month
- ④ Copy of Residence Card (Both sides) ※Please submit it when you obtain a new card.
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* Final Report
- When you finish job-hunting activities, please submit this.
*For students wishing to invite their families to Japan to participate in the graduation ceremony
If family members are from countries/regions with temporary visitor visa exemption, they do not need to apply for a visa to come to Japan.
On the other hand, if family members are from countries/regions other than those under temporary visitor visa exemption measures, they must apply for and obtain a temporary visitor visa following the prescribed procedures. For details, please refer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
On the other hand, if family members are from countries/regions other than those under temporary visitor visa exemption measures, they must apply for and obtain a temporary visitor visa following the prescribed procedures. For details, please refer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
Reference Links
Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau has established a dedicated consultation desk to support international students seeking employment in Japan. If you have any questions regarding the change of your residence status upon employment, please make use of this service.
*Please note that consultations regarding job-hunting activities are not available.
*Please note that consultations regarding job-hunting activities are not available.
For foreign nationals who wish to find employment in Japan, the Center provides information on companies, job counseling, and referrals.
Consultation regarding status of residence is also available. Interpretation in English and Chinese provided (prior reservation required).
Tokyo Employment Service Center for Foreigners in Foreign Residents Support Center (FRESC)
Consultation regarding status of residence is also available. Interpretation in English and Chinese provided (prior reservation required).
Tokyo Employment Service Center for Foreigners in Foreign Residents Support Center (FRESC)
13th Floor Yotsuya Tower, CO・MO・RE Yotsuya, 1-6-1 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0004
