From March 2026, students who have graduated from vocational schools and universities and are working hard to find a job in Japan will be able to do so.

For this, the Immigration Department of Japan will grant you a visa to find a job twice a year under the Specific Activity (とくていかつどう) visa category. Here are some things you should know:

Students who graduate from a vocational school(専門学校) will be sending job applications to Japanese companies and participating in job seminars from their second year. This is made known to students at all vocational schools from their second year.

For example, students who graduate from school in March this year will start their 就職活動(しゅうしょくかつどう) from September and October of last year.

Students who pass the standardized tests at institutions can graduate this year and convert their student visa to a work visa. It is best if you can apply for a work visa even before you graduate. Since school ends in March, you will be able to start your permanent job after receiving your visa from April.

However, for those students who fail the standardized tests, the Japanese Immigration Department will issue a 特别活動(とくていつかつどう) visa to engage in work activities after March this year, that is, after graduating from their vocational school or university. To obtain this, you must submit a 推薦書(すいせんしょ) from the school where you are completing your diploma

This is a document that confirms that you have all the qualifications to find a job.

Although schools have been providing documents for this purpose to students for many years, many schools have refused to provide documents for this purpose since last year.

The reason for this is that a large number of students who obtained visas to search for work have lost interest in finding work and are leaving to start their own businesses in Japan. Investment management

If you want to start your own business, it is best to apply for an investment management visa two to three months before you graduate from school, rather than applying for a job-seeking visa.

If you have the money, it is good to start your own business, but don’t start without knowing the basics. At least it is better to get a job at another company in Japan and gain experience before starting. But it is not easy.

If you have spent 4 years of school and haven’t been able to find a job, it is not worth the pain, right? Only those who have experience know that, right?

Okay, let’s forget about it and work hard to find a job in the countryside.
We are also proud when our brothers and sisters who are graduating from school this year are working at a reputable company in Japan.

Employment Support Services

Tips for Using Employment Support in Japan

✅ Start with Hello Work
It’s free and covers most job search needs, including hiring events, training, and unemployment benefits.
✅ Use Foreign-Focused Services
If Japanese fluency is a barrier, visit employment centers with foreign support and interpreters.
✅ Combine with Private Support
Private agencies and career services can offer more personalized guidance and job matching, especially for mid-career moves or specialized roles.
✅ Attend Job Fairs & Workshops
Hello Work and foreigner centers often host job fairs, seminars, and interview sessions that can connect you directly to employers.

The Hello Work Nagoya is a specialized branch of Japan’s public employment service designed to support foreign residents seeking work in Japan. These centers provide multilingual job counseling, visa-aware job matching, and guidance tailored to the legal and cultural needs of non-Japanese job seekers. Services include assistance with searching for foreigner-friendly job openings, verifying whether positions comply with a job seeker’s status of residence, help with Japanese resumes and interview preparation, and information on workplace rules and employment conditions in Japan. Located mainly in major cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka, the centers often offer support in languages like English, Chinese, Portuguese, and Spanish, making them an important first point of contact for foreigners who want to work legally and smoothly in Japan.

How to Access New Graduate Services

Register with your local Hello Work office with your residence card and student ID (if still enrolled).

Meet a career advisor — tell them you’re a new graduate or graduating soon.

Attend career seminars or interview workshops run by Hello Work or its partners.

Use Hello Work’s job database to browse graduate-friendly listings and apply through support staff.

Tips for New Graduate Job Seekers

✔ Start early — visit Hello Work while still in school, if possible, to get registered ahead of graduation.
✔ Use interpretation services if needed — they can help with counseling and understanding documents.
✔ Attend events and career fairs hosted by Hello Work to meet employers directly.
✔ Prepare Japanese-style resumes — Hello Work advisors can help with format and expectations.

Location & Contact

Address: Yamaichi Building 8th Floor, 2-14-25 Nishiki, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi 460-8640, Japan
Phone: 052-855-3770
Hours: Weekdays: 8:30 – 17:15 (job support services)
Interpretation available: approx 9:15–12:00 & 13:00–17:15 in English, Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish (availability may vary)
Closed: Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, New Year’s holiday.