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Status of residence · 特定活動 · No. 46

Designated Activities No. 46 (特定活動46号) for graduates of Japanese universities

Graduated from a university in Japan and have Japanese at N1? No. 46 opens more jobs than the regular work visa: service, retail, hotels, manufacturing — if the job needs Japanese with people. ISA’s conditions, which work is allowed, how it compares with the Engineer/Specialist visa and the documents.

Forms and documents

Engineer/Specialist visa

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

JapaneseJLPT N1 or BJT 480+

Type of jobFull-time, direct hire

Period of stayUsually 1 year first, up to 5

Certificate of EligibilityFree

Who qualifies

A Japanese degree, Japanese at N1 and a job in Japanese

The conditions are set by Ministry of Justice public notice No. 46 (特定活動告示46号). You must meet all of them.

Education

A qualification from Japan

  • a degree from a Japanese university or graduate school;
  • a junior college (短大) or college of technology (高専) — if you then received a bachelor’s degree from NIAD-QE (大学改革支援・学位授与機構);
  • a vocational college (専門学校) — only a course certified under the 外国人留学生キャリア形成促進プログラム program, with the 高度専門士 title (since 2024);
  • a degree from a university abroad does not qualify.

Japanese

Level N1

  • JLPT N1 (or the old Level 1) or BJT 480+;
  • or Japanese was your major at a university, in Japan or abroad;
  • even then you need the qualification from Japan above.

The job

A full-time job offer

  • full-time direct employment under a contract with a company in Japan;
  • the job needs real communication in Japanese — not just understanding instructions;
  • the job uses what you studied: at least part of the duties are Engineer/Specialist-type work, or will become so;
  • pay at least equal to a Japanese employee in the same job.

Does not qualify

When No. 46 is refused

  • only a degree from abroad, or the ordinary 専門士 title;
  • agency work (派遣), part-time or side jobs;
  • jobs that need a Japanese license (doctor, attorney and so on) and adult-entertainment businesses (風俗);
  • only simple work with no communication: washing dishes, cleaning, line work.

No. 46 is not only for current students: according to ISA’s guideline, graduates who have gone home and people already working in Japan on another work status can apply too. Still looking for a job after graduation? See the job-hunting visa.

Which work is allowed

Examples from ISA’s guideline

The key phrase is «work that needs smooth communication in Japanese»: interpreting, explaining to customers, passing instructions to other staff. Simple tasks are allowed, but only as part of such a role.

Restaurant

Managing the floor and serving guests with interpreting — including Japanese guests. Not allowed: only washing dishes or cleaning.

Shop

Purchasing, product planning, sales with interpreting. Not allowed: only stocking shelves and cleaning.

Hotel

Foreign-language website and advertising, welcoming and guiding guests with interpreting. Not allowed: only cleaning rooms.

Factory

Passing instructions to foreign staff on the line and working on the line yourself; product development. Not allowed: only working to instructions.

Taxi

A driver who plans tours and interprets for tourists; ordinary driving is allowed as part of the job. A second-class license (第二種) is required.

Elderly care

Work at a care home in Japanese, including training foreign staff. Not allowed: only cleaning and laundry.

No. 46 or Engineer/Specialist

Which status to choose

No. 46 (特定活動46号) Engineer/Specialist
Degree Only from Japan: university, graduate school; junior college / college of technology with an NIAD-QE degree; 高度専門士 A university in Japan or abroad, a Japanese vocational college, or 10 years of experience (3 years for international services)
Japanese N1 or BJT 480+ Not formally required; from 2026, Category 3–4 employers need CEFR B2 for jobs that mainly use a language with people
Work Wider: service and manufacturing, with communication in Japanese Specialist work only, no simple work
Changing jobs Change of status needed Notification within 14 days
Agency work (派遣) Not allowed Allowed
Family Designated Activities for the family Dependent (家族滞在)

If the job is specialist work that fits the Engineer/Specialist visa, that status is usually the better choice: it is not tied to one company. No. 46 is for jobs where most of the work is service, sales or manufacturing, and your Japanese is your main strength.

Forms and documents

Official forms and the documents you need

The company prepares most of the documents about the job. The Certificate of Eligibility is free; a change of status and an extension carry a fee.

Choose the procedure and who is applying — the graduate or the family: ISA has different sets of forms for them. The buttons open the ISA files and the list shows all the documents.

Applicant:

graduate: Graduate of a Japanese university or graduate school (or a junior college (短大) / college of technology (高専) with a bachelor’s degree, or the 高度専門士 title) with JLPT N1 or BJT 480+ and a full-time job offer.

spouse and children: Spouse and children supported by a No. 46 holder. Their status is Designated Activities for the family (notice No. 47).

Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) — coming from abroad

For the graduate, the employer in Japan files (a staff member) or an administrative scrivener (行政書士) on its behalf. The status also suits graduates who went home after graduating. For the family, the person who supports them files. With the CoE you get the visa at a Japanese embassy, consulate or visa center.

Application formPDF · moj.go.jpApplication formExcel · moj.go.jp
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The buttons above change with the choice «graduate» / «spouse and children»: ISA has two different sets of forms for them.
  2. Photo, 4 × 3 cm 写真Attached to the application form.
  3. Return envelope with your address and stamps for registered mail 返信用封筒For paper applications.
  4. Working conditions — copy of the employer’s document 労働条件を明示する文書（写し）graduateThe document the employer must give you when hiring (a notice of working conditions, 労働条件通知書, or the employment contract).
  5. Employer’s letter on the reason for hiring 雇用理由書graduateFree format, from the company, with its name and the representative’s name. Not needed if the working conditions already show that the job involves communicating in Japanese.
  6. Diploma of a Japanese university or graduate school — copy, or a graduation certificate 卒業（修了）証書（写し）又は卒業（修了）証明書graduateIt must show that a degree was awarded. Junior college (短大) or college of technology (高専) graduates: also the bachelor’s degree from NIAD-QE (大学改革支援・学位授与機構); graduates of a vocational college (専門学校) course under the 外国人留学生キャリア形成促進プログラム program: a document on the 高度専門士 title.
  7. JLPT N1 or BJT 480+ certificate — copy 日本語能力試験Ｎ１又はＢＪＴ４８０点以上の成績証明書（写し）graduateIf Japanese was your major at a university abroad: that university’s diploma.
  8. About the company: brochure, copy of its website or registration certificate 事業内容を明らかにする資料graduateAny one document: a company profile with history, management and clients, a copy of the website’s main page, or the commercial registration certificate (登記事項証明書).
  9. Declaration about the company’s representative 所属機関の代表者に関する申告書graduateRequired from 15 April 2026. Not needed for the family.template · PDF
  10. Proof of relationship to the person who supports you 扶養者との身分関係を証する文書spouse and childrenMarriage or birth certificate, 戸籍謄本 or 婚姻届受理証明書. Foreign documents need a Japanese translation.
  11. Copy of the supporter’s residence card or passport, or 住民票 扶養者の在留カード若しくはパスポートの写し又は住民票spouse and childrenFrom the passport, only the pages with personal data, status and period of stay.
  12. Supporter’s employment certificate and resident tax certificates 扶養者の職業及び収入を証する文書spouse and children在職証明書 and 住民税の課税（又は非課税）証明書・納税証明書 from the city office where they lived on 1 January. If these are not available yet, the 源泉徴収票 and payslips. These certificates and the card copy are not needed if the family applies together with the graduate (as stated on the ISA page).

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 of work; for the family, the one for the supporter’s address
Fee
Free
Standard processing period
1–3 months
Online
Possible
Documents for my caseYour list for your category and family — with checkboxes and a PDF

Change of status — for example from Student or from another work status

You file yourself, or a company employee or an administrative scrivener (行政書士) files for you, as soon as you have the job offer. Until the change is approved you may work only within your current status. Moving to another employer also needs a change of status.

Application formPDF · moj.go.jpApplication formExcel · moj.go.jp
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The buttons above change with the choice «graduate» / «spouse and children»: ISA has two different sets of forms for them.
  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. Working conditions — copy of the employer’s document 労働条件を明示する文書（写し）graduateThe document the employer must give you when hiring (a notice of working conditions, 労働条件通知書, or the employment contract).
  5. Employer’s letter on the reason for hiring 雇用理由書graduateFree format, from the company, with its name and the representative’s name. Not needed if the working conditions already show that the job involves communicating in Japanese.
  6. Diploma of a Japanese university or graduate school — copy, or a graduation certificate 卒業（修了）証書（写し）又は卒業（修了）証明書graduateIt must show that a degree was awarded. Junior college (短大) or college of technology (高専) graduates: also the bachelor’s degree from NIAD-QE (大学改革支援・学位授与機構); graduates of a vocational college (専門学校) course under the 外国人留学生キャリア形成促進プログラム program: a document on the 高度専門士 title.
  7. JLPT N1 or BJT 480+ certificate — copy 日本語能力試験Ｎ１又はＢＪＴ４８０点以上の成績証明書（写し）graduateIf Japanese was your major at a university abroad: that university’s diploma.
  8. About the company: brochure, copy of its website or registration certificate 事業内容を明らかにする資料graduateAny one document: a company profile with history, management and clients, a copy of the website’s main page, or the commercial registration certificate (登記事項証明書).
  9. Declaration about the company’s representative 所属機関の代表者に関する申告書graduateRequired from 15 April 2026. Not needed for the family.template · PDF
  10. Proof of relationship to the person who supports you 扶養者との身分関係を証する文書spouse and childrenMarriage or birth certificate, 戸籍謄本 or 婚姻届受理証明書. Foreign documents need a Japanese translation.
  11. Copy of the supporter’s residence card or passport, or 住民票 扶養者の在留カード若しくはパスポートの写し又は住民票spouse and childrenFrom the passport, only the pages with personal data, status and period of stay.
  12. Supporter’s employment certificate and resident tax certificates 扶養者の職業及び収入を証する文書spouse and children在職証明書 and 住民税の課税（又は非課税）証明書・納税証明書 from the city office where they lived on 1 January. If these are not available yet, the 源泉徴収票 and payslips. These certificates and the card copy are not needed if the family applies together with the graduate (as stated on the ISA page).

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 — No. 46

You file yourself from 3 months before your period of stay ends and no later than its last day. The first period after your studies is usually 1 year; later 3 or 5 years are granted.

Application formPDF · moj.go.jpApplication formExcel · moj.go.jp
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The buttons above change with the choice «graduate» / «spouse and children»: ISA has two different sets of forms for them.
  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. Declaration about the company’s representative 所属機関の代表者に関する申告書graduateRequired from 15 April 2026.template · PDF
  5. Resident tax certificates for the year (tax assessed and paid) 住民税の課税（又は非課税）証明書及び納税証明書graduateFrom the city office where you lived on 1 January. One certificate is enough if it shows both income and payment.
  6. Proof of relationship to the person who supports you 扶養者との身分関係を証する文書spouse and childrenNot needed if the relationship has not changed and you submit a 住民票.
  7. Copy of the supporter’s residence card or passport, or 住民票 扶養者の在留カード若しくはパスポートの写し又は住民票spouse and childrenFrom the passport, only the pages with personal data, status and period of stay.
  8. Supporter’s employment certificate and resident tax certificates 扶養者の職業及び収入を証する文書spouse and children在職証明書 and 住民税の課税（又は非課税）証明書・納税証明書 from the city office where they lived on 1 January. If these are not available yet, the 源泉徴収票 and payslips. These certificates and the card copy are not needed if the family applies together with the graduate (as stated on the ISA page).

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

Life on the status

Family, changing jobs, period of stay

Family

Spouse and children — Designated Activities for the family

Your spouse and children whom you support get their own Designated Activities status (notice No. 47). They may work up to 28 hours a week with permission (資格外活動) — the same rule as on the Dependent visa. The family forms are in the block above — choose «spouse and children».

Changing jobs

Your employer is written into the status

The employer’s name is on the designation (指定書) in your passport. If you move to another company, apply for a change of status; a move within the same company needs no change. After moving house, register the new address at the city office within 14 days.

Period of stay

From 3 months to 5 years

The status is granted for 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 6 months or 3 months. On a change from Student and at the first extension, 1 year is usual. Apply for an extension from 3 months before your period ends.

What ISA checks

Why an application can be refused

  • the job is in fact simple work without communication in Japanese;
  • pay lower than a Japanese employee in the same job;
  • past violations — for example, regularly working more than 28 hours a week while studying;
  • missed notifications — of a new address or residence card details.

FAQ

No. 46 visa questions

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How is No. 46 different from the Engineer/Specialist visa?

On the Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services visa (技術・人文知識・国際業務) the job must be specialist work: engineer, marketer, translator. On No. 46 you may also work in service, retail or manufacturing — if the job needs fluent Japanese with people and uses what you studied in Japan. In return No. 46 requires Japanese at N1 and a Japanese degree.

JLPT N1 or BJT 480+. The old JLPT Level 1 (1級) also counts. No certificate is needed if Japanese was your major at university — but even then you need a qualification from Japan: a university degree, a junior college or college of technology with an NIAD-QE degree, or the 高度専門士 title.

No. You need a degree from a Japanese university or graduate school, a junior college or college of technology with a bachelor’s degree from NIAD-QE, or the 高度専門士 title from a vocational-college course approved by Japan’s Ministry of Education. With a foreign degree, look at the Engineer/Specialist visa or J-Find.

Only if the college course is certified under the 外国人留学生キャリア形成促進プログラム program and you received the 高度専門士 title. The ordinary 専門士 title does not qualify.

Yes, if the job involves communicating in Japanese: managing the floor and serving guests with interpreting, purchasing and sales, passing instructions to foreign staff on the line. Only washing dishes, cleaning or stocking shelves is not allowed.

No. The status allows only full-time direct employment with the company you have a contract with. Agency work (派遣) and part-time jobs are not allowed on it.

The company’s name is written into your status (the designation, 指定書, in your passport). If you move to another company you must apply for a change of status. A move within the same company needs no change.

5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 6 months or 3 months. On a change from Student and at the first extension, 1 year is usual.

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

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.

No. 46 starts with Japanese and a Japanese degree.

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