J-Find Visa in Japan—the perfect opportunity for recent graduates to explore career and entrepreneurial opportunities in Japan. Learn about this visa, which provides a pathway for job hunting or starting a business, while offering the flexibility to stay for up to two years.
The J-Find Visa allows recent graduates from top-ranked universities to job hunt or start a business in Japan. It offers a stay of up to two years, giving you time to explore career and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Introduced in April 2023, this visa is officially called the “Japan System for Future Creation Individual Visa.” To qualify, you must meet three main eligibility requirements:
You must have graduated from a university or graduate school ranked in the top 100 on at least two of the following global rankings:
You have to apply within five years of earning your degree:
At the time of application, you have to show proof of at least 200,000 yen in savings.
This visa allows you to:
While you are allowed to work part-time during your stay, don’t forget that your main focus must be job hunting or business activities. Using this visa primarily for remote work or digital nomad purposes could lead to issues with immigration. (Digital nomad visa would be better suited for this purpose)
If you receive a full-time job offer, you will need to switch to a suitable work visa (e.g., Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services Visa).
Yes! Your spouse and children can apply for the “Designated Activities (Spouse of J-Find and more)” visa. However, if they want to work, they must apply for separate work permission to engage in other activities to be able to work up to 28 hours per week.
Some Japanese embassies/consulates allow you to apply from your home country, but please confirm with them directly.
Alternatively, you can apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) while you are in Japan on a tourist visa. However, note that you cannot switch directly to a J-Find Visa and the general process looks like this:
In some cases, if you are granted a COE while staying in Japan, you may be able to negotiate with immigration for a change of status. However, this is not generally allowed, so we recommend that you do not rely on this possibility.
Portrait photo (4cm x 3cm) meeting the specified requirements
University diploma (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree)
The required documents may vary depending on the case, so consult with us to get a customized list for your case.
Immigration will check if your activities match your original plan. Keep detailed records of your progress to avoid renewal issues.
It depends, but the COE review period usually takes 2-4 months these days. If you submit it at a consulate, some may process it in about 1 month. Consulates and embassies are typically open to sharing the expected timeline with you, so we recommend contacting them directly.
If you are a recent graduate from a top university and want to explore career or business opportunities in Japan, the J-Find Visa is a great option. It gives you time to build connections, job hunt, and start your professional journey in Japan.
We recommend having a clear goal for both a successful visa application and your stay in Japan—do you want to primarily search for jobs, or are you leaning more toward entrepreneurial activities? This will help you create a convincing and cohesive schedule for your first year in Japan.
Also, take this opportunity to plan how you can make that happen—consider people you can meet and connect with, businesses to learn more about, events to attend, etc. You’ll thank yourself later when you have a concrete plan that you can start executing as soon as you set foot in Japan.
At Small Seasons & Co., we offer comprehensive support, from the initial consultation to the actual application process. What sets us apart is our understanding of the unique needs of job seekers and entrepreneurs. We encourage individuals to come to Japan, pursue career opportunities, or start their own businesses, contributing to Japan’s dynamic job market and entrepreneurial landscape.
Instead of simply providing “yes” or “no” answers, we focus on finding the best strategies to help you achieve your goals. Whether you’re looking to find a job, explore entrepreneurial activities, or build connections in Japan, we work closely with you to tailor a plan that aligns with your aspirations and ensures your success during your stay.
Initial Consultation:
Engage in an initial paid consultation to discuss your needs.
Estimation Confirmation:
Review and confirm the estimate issued by Small Seasons & Co.
Contract Signing and Advance Payment (60% of the full amount):
Sign the contract and make the required advance payment.
Strategy Session:
Participate in in-depth discussions regarding timelines and required materials.
Document Collection and Signing:
Obtain necessary items and complete the required document signings.
Certificate of Eligibility (COE) Application Submission:
Small Seasons & Co. will manage the submission of your COE application.
Feedback on COE Results:
Receive feedback on the COE application results; if approved, the original copy will be delivered to your address.
Final Invoice (40% of the full amount) Issuance:
Receive the final invoice for the services provided.
Japanese Visa Issuance:
Take the COE to a Japanese embassy/consulate in your home country to obtain your visa.
Entry into Japan:
Enter Japan within 90 days of the COE issuance.
