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J-Find visa (Future Creation Individual, 未来創造人材): up to 2 years in Japan for top-university graduates

Graduated from one of the world’s top universities? J-Find lets you come to Japan without a job offer and spend up to 2 years looking for work or preparing your own business. Your nationality does not matter — your university does. ISA’s conditions, where to check the rankings, what you may do and the documents.

Forms and documents

Job-hunting visa

Checked against the Immigration Services Agency of Japan on 7 October 2026 · All Designated Activities

UniversityTop 100 in 2 of 3 rankings

Since your degreeUp to 5 years

Savings¥200,000+ in your account

StayUp to 2 years

Who qualifies

Three ISA conditions — all required

J-Find (未来創造人材, «Future Creation Individual») started in April 2023. The status is Designated Activities under Ministry of Justice public notice No. 51.

1. A ranked university

Your university is in the top 100 of at least two of three world rankings: QS, THE and Shanghai (ARWU). A bachelor’s, master’s or higher degree counts — including a graduate degree from such a university.

2. No more than 5 years

No more than 5 years have passed since the day your degree was awarded.

3. ¥200,000 in your account

When you apply, an account in your name holds at least ¥200,000 or the equivalent. This is money for your first weeks.

Check your university

ISA’s list and the three rankings

ISA publishes a list of qualifying universities (January 2026 edition), but asks you to check the latest editions of the rankings before applying: QS, THE and Shanghai (ARWU). The list includes the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University and leading universities in the US, Europe and Asia.

Also good to know

Other conditions

  • age 18 or over (as set in notice No. 51);
  • any nationality;
  • ISA sets no Japanese-language requirement;
  • no job offer from a Japanese company needed.

What you can do

Look for work, prepare a business, earn some money

What is allowed is set in notice No. 51 and in the designation (指定書) attached to your passport.

Allowed

The purpose of the status

  • look for a job in Japan;
  • prepare to start a business: look for an office and take other steps before launch;
  • work to the extent needed to cover your costs — no separate part-time permission (資格外活動) is needed for this.

Not allowed

Limits

  • work in bars, clubs or other adult-entertainment businesses (風俗);
  • work beyond what you need for your costs: notice No. 51 allows work only within that limit — regular employment needs a change of status;
  • stay longer than 2 years in total, together with similar statuses.

Comparison

J-Find or the job-hunting visa

J-Find Job hunting after studying in Japan
Who Graduates of top-100 universities — from any country Graduates of Japanese universities and vocational colleges (専門学校)
Length Up to 2 years (1 year or 6 months + extensions) Up to 1 year; one more year with a local-government program
From abroad Yes — through a CoE; some embassies accept a visa application without one No — only a change of status in Japan
Business You may prepare your own business Job hunting only
Side work Within what you need for your costs, no separate permission Up to 28 h a week with permission
Money ¥200,000+ in your own account Proof that you can pay your living costs

Time on these statuses adds up: no more than 2 years in total, including job hunting after graduation and start-up programs.

Forms and documents

Official forms and the documents you need

From abroad: a Certificate of Eligibility (some embassies accept a visa application without one); in Japan: a change of status. The CoE is free; a change of status and an extension carry a fee.

Choose the procedure and who is applying. The graduate and the family use the same form but different documents. ISA’s CV and stay-plan forms are next to the documents.

Applicant:

graduate: Graduate of a university in the top 100 of two of three world rankings, degree no more than 5 years old, ¥200,000 or more in your account, aged 18 or over.

spouse and children: Spouse and children supported by a J-Find holder. Their status is Designated Activities for the family (notice No. 52).

Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) — coming from abroad

The CoE is filed in Japan: by you if you are already in the country, by a representative allowed by ISA’s rules, or by an administrative scrivener (行政書士) on your behalf. With the CoE you get the visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate. If you have no one in Japan: some Japanese embassies accept a visa application without a CoE — ask the Japanese embassy in your country.

Application formPDF · moj.go.jpApplication formExcel · moj.go.jp

Files open from the website of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA). Forms are in Japanese and English; links checked 6 Oct 2026.

Documents

  1. Application for a Certificate of Eligibility 在留資格認定証明書交付申請書
  2. Photo, 4 × 3 cm 写真Attached to the application form.
  3. Return envelope with your address and ¥404 in stamps 返信用封筒For simplified registered mail (簡易書留), for paper applications.
  4. University or graduate school diploma — copy, or a graduation certificate 大学又は大学院の卒業（又は修了）証書（写し）若しくは卒業（又は修了）証明書graduateBachelor’s degree or higher. The university must be in the top 100 of at least two of three rankings (QS, THE, Shanghai ARWU), and no more than 5 years may have passed since the degree was awarded. Foreign documents need a Japanese translation.
  5. CV 経歴書graduateISA form · PDF
  6. Stay plan 滞在予定表graduateWhat you plan to do in Japan: job hunting, business preparation, where you will live.ISA form · PDF
  7. Statement of the current balance of your own account — at least ¥200,000 申請人名義の預貯金口座の現在残高が分かる資料graduateAn account in your name, the amount converted to yen at the time of application. For example, a copy of your bank book or a bank statement.
  8. Proof of relationship: marriage or birth certificate 申請人と扶養者との身分関係を証する文書spouse and childrenForeign documents need a Japanese translation.
  9. Copy of the J-Find holder’s residence card or passport 扶養者の在留カード又は旅券の写しspouse and children

Immigration may ask for other documents too. Full list: the ISA checklist above and the status page.

Where to apply
The regional immigration services bureau for the place where you will live in Japan
Fee
Free
Standard processing period
1–3 months
Online
Possible since January 2026; if you file yourself, attach the paper pages of the form «for the organization»
Documents for my caseYour list for your category and family — with checkboxes and a PDF

Change of status — you already live in Japan on another status

You file yourself, or an administrative scrivener (行政書士) files for you, before your current status expires. The same conditions apply: a university on the list, no more than 5 years since the degree, ¥200,000 or more in your account.

Application formPDF · moj.go.jpApplication formExcel · moj.go.jp

Files open from the website of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA). Forms are in Japanese and English; links checked 6 Oct 2026.

Documents

  1. Application for change of status of residence 在留資格変更許可申請書
  2. Photo, 4 × 3 cm 写真From 14 June 2026 a photo is needed for everyone aged 1 and over.
  3. Passport and residence card — to show パスポート及び在留カード（提示）
  4. University or graduate school diploma — copy, or a graduation certificate 大学又は大学院の卒業（又は修了）証書（写し）若しくは卒業（又は修了）証明書graduateBachelor’s degree or higher. The university must be in the top 100 of at least two of three rankings (QS, THE, Shanghai ARWU), and no more than 5 years may have passed since the degree was awarded. Foreign documents need a Japanese translation.
  5. CV 経歴書graduateISA form · PDF
  6. Stay plan 滞在予定表graduateWhat you plan to do in Japan: job hunting, business preparation, where you will live.ISA form · PDF
  7. Statement of the current balance of your own account — at least ¥200,000 申請人名義の預貯金口座の現在残高が分かる資料graduateAn account in your name, the amount converted to yen at the time of application. For example, a copy of your bank book or a bank statement.
  8. Proof of relationship: marriage or birth certificate 申請人と扶養者との身分関係を証する文書spouse and childrenForeign documents need a Japanese translation.
  9. Copy of the J-Find holder’s residence card or passport 扶養者の在留カード又は旅券の写しspouse and children

Immigration may ask for other documents too. Full list: the ISA checklist above and the status page.

Where to apply
The regional immigration services bureau for your address
Fee
Paid only after approval. Applications received by 30 September 2026: ¥6,000 (online ¥5,500), even if the decision comes later. Received from 1 October 2026: the fee depends on the period granted — from ¥10,000 (up to 3 months) to ¥75,000 (5 years or more); online is cheaper except for periods up to 3 months. It can be higher if a specified residence card (特定在留カード) is issued with the permission. Full fee table
Standard processing period
1–2 months
Online
Possible
Documents for my caseYour list for your category and family — with checkboxes and a PDF

Extension of period of stay — J-Find

The status is granted for 1 year or 6 months and can be extended, but not beyond 2 years in total. File from 3 months before your period of stay ends and no later than its last day.

Application formPDF · moj.go.jpApplication formExcel · moj.go.jp

Files open from the website of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA). Forms are in Japanese and English; links checked 6 Oct 2026.

Documents

  1. Application for extension of period of stay 在留期間更新許可申請書
  2. Photo, 4 × 3 cm 写真Not needed for an extension of up to 3 months or for children under 1.
  3. Passport and residence card — to show パスポート及び在留カード（提示）
  4. Proof that you are job hunting or preparing a business 就職活動又は起業準備活動を行っていることを明らかにする資料graduateFor example, job applications and interview invitations, documents on setting up a company.
  5. Stay plan 滞在予定表graduateISA form · PDF

Immigration may ask for other documents too. Full list: the ISA checklist above and the status page.

Where to apply
The regional immigration services bureau for your address
Fee
Paid only after approval. Applications received by 30 September 2026: ¥6,000 (online ¥5,500), even if the decision comes later. Received from 1 October 2026: the fee depends on the period granted — from ¥10,000 (up to 3 months) to ¥75,000 (5 years or more); online is cheaper except for periods up to 3 months. It can be higher if a specified residence card (特定在留カード) is issued with the permission. Full fee table
Standard processing period
2 weeks – 1 month
Online
Possible
Documents for my caseYour list for your category and family — with checkboxes and a PDF

Family and next steps

Bring your family — then move to a work visa

Family

Spouse and children — Designated Activities for the family

Your spouse and children whom you support get Designated Activities (notice No. 52) and can come with you or later. They may work up to 28 hours a week with permission (資格外活動). The family documents are in the block above — choose «spouse and children».

Found a job

Change your status before J-Find ends

With a job offer, apply for a change of status: usually to the Engineer/Specialist visa or the Highly Skilled Professional visa. Starting a company — Business Manager (経営・管理). Apply before your J-Find period ends.

Residence card. J-Find holders receive a residence card. Register your address at the city office within 14 days of finding a home, and within 14 days after any move. Apply for an extension from 3 months before your period ends.

FAQ

J-Find visa questions

Can’t find your question? Write to us — a real person replies.

Ask us a question

Who can get a J-Find visa?

A graduate of a university in the top 100 of at least two of three world rankings: QS, THE and Shanghai (ARWU). A bachelor’s degree or higher received no more than 5 years ago, at least ¥200,000 in your own account when you apply, age 18 or over. Nationality does not matter.

ISA publishes a list of universities (latest edition: January 2026) but asks you to check the latest editions of all three rankings before applying. The list includes, for example, the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University and leading universities in the US, Europe and Asia.

Yes. ISA’s condition is to graduate from a listed university or its graduate school and receive a degree. What counts is the degree from the university that is in the rankings.

No. ISA’s conditions for J-Find include no Japanese requirement. But Japanese helps a lot when you look for work in Japan.

You may work to the extent needed to cover the costs of job hunting or preparing a business — this is written in public notice No. 51 itself. Work in bars and other adult-entertainment businesses (風俗) is forbidden. For regular employment you need a change of status.

1 year or 6 months, with extensions, up to 2 years in total. The 2 years include time on similar statuses: job hunting after graduating in Japan (特定活動) and start-up programs.

Yes. Your spouse and children whom you support get Designated Activities for the family — together with you or later. They may work up to 28 hours a week with permission (資格外活動).

Apply for a change of status: for employment usually the Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services visa or the Highly Skilled Professional visa; for your own business, Business Manager (経営・管理). Apply before your J-Find period ends.

The Certificate of Eligibility is free. A change of status or extension filed by 30 September 2026 cost ¥6,000 (online ¥5,500); from 1 October 2026 the fee is ¥10,000 to ¥75,000 depending on the period granted, and it can be higher if a specified residence card (特定在留カード) is issued. You pay after approval.

Sources

Where this information comes from

Facts and document lists were checked against the website of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) on 7 October 2026. Form links come from a register of ISA files that our server refreshes every week: when ISA publishes a new version of a form, the button opens the new file.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Immigration decides each application and may ask for more documents. Where a rule is known only from practice, we say so.

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