The Japan J-Find Visa

The J-Find Visa: An Overview

Japan introduced the J-Find visa as one of two new visas in 2023 (the other being the J-Skip visa). These visas aim to attract more skilled workers to Japan as part of the Japanese government’s broader strategy to boost the economy and address labour shortages.

J-Find (known as the “Specified visa: Designated activities (Future creation individual)” or “Japan System for Future Creation Individual Visa”) is designed for recent graduates from top global universities, allowing them to potentially spend up to 2 years in Japan job hunting or in activities related to the preparation of starting a business.

In this guide, we will explore the visa, including eligibility requirements, benefits, the application process, and key points to consider when applying for J-Find.

Who Is This Visa For And What Does It Allow?

The J-Find visa targets recent graduates from prestigious foreign universities. Universities must rank in the top 100 of two of the following ranking lists:

These rankings change annually, so the top 100 can vary from year to year. Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) maintains an online list of the qualifying universities.

The visa allows the holder to search for a job, prepare to set up a business, and work part-time to supplement their funds while undertaking these activities. You will need to change to a working visa upon finding a job or change to a Business Manager Visa upon starting a company.

It’s important to note that this visa does not permit unrestricted employment. Paid work is allowed to support your stay while you job hunt or prepare to start a business.

Eligibility

To be eligible for J-Find, you must be 18 years of age or older and satisfy the following conditions:

Have been awarded a qualification by an eligible university (as defined by the Immigration Services Agency) at the level of Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD.
Have been awarded the qualification in the past 5 years.
Be able to provide evidence of enough personal savings (often cited as approximately 200,000 JPY but may vary by embassy) to support yourself in Japan.

Period of Stay

This visa is issued for 6 months, 1 year, or a term individually decided by the Minister of Justice. You can apply for an extension (before expiry) up to a maximum stay of 2 years.

Application Process

The application process for the J-Find visa (and many other Japan visas) can be confusing. Much of the confusion comes from whether or not you should obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE, 在留資格認定証明書) as part of the process.

A Certificate of Eligibility is a document issued by the Immigration Services Agency (ISA), which falls under Japan’s Ministry of Justice. It demonstrates that the applicant meets the eligibility requirements for a specific status of residence. Basically, you can consider it a pre-approval.

The J-Find visa itself is issued by a different ministry – the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). The visa must be applied for at a Japanese embassy or consulate outside Japan.

On paper, it’s possible to apply for the J-Find visa without first obtaining a CoE. However, some Japanese embassies prefer or effectively require a CoE before issuing a visa, so it’s best to check with your embassy. Additionally, the process is likely to proceed more quickly, and fewer documents are likely to be required at the embassy if you’ve obtained a CoE first.

With this in mind, here is the process:

1) Determine your eligibility

As described above.

2) Decide whether or not to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility

If not applying for a CoE, skip ahead to the next step.

If applying for a CoE:

Applications must be submitted to an Immigration Services Agency bureau in Japan.
Applications can be submitted by you personally, or by an approved proxy such as a registered immigration lawyer/administrative scrivener (行政書士, gyōseishoshi) in Japan.
Refer to the Immigration Services Agency J-Find page for application forms, necessary documents, and so on.

3) Gather the necessary documentation for the visa application

Rather than list them all here, please refer to the MOFA J-Find page for the current required documentation for J-Find visa applications, along with applications for Spouse/Child of J-Find visa holders.

Note: the necessary documents are different if you have already obtained a CoE.

4) Submit application

Submit your application at a Japanese embassy or consulate in the country where you are legally resident.

If using a Certificate of Eligibility, please note that CoEs are typically valid for a limited period of time – check its expiration date and whether or not you must enter Japan during the period of validity.

5) Enter Japan & complete registration

Register with the municipal office in the area you reside (e.g. your local ward office / 区役所), completing resident registration procedures, including enrolling in National Health Insurance if applicable.

Congratulations!

What are the benefits?

You’re not supposed to job hunt in Japan on a tourist visa, but the J-Find visa gives you the freedom to job hunt for potentially up to 2 years or start your own business. You can also keep your options open, exploring both full-time work and entrepreneurship.
You have permission to work part-time to support yourself.
You’ll receive a Residence Card (在留カード), necessary for activities such as setting up a bank account, joining Japanese National Health Insurance, and renting long-term accommodation.
You can bring your spouse or children (who will happily be known forthwith as the “Spouse or child of future creation individual”).
You have some flexibility in extending your stay.

The obvious disadvantage of this visa is that if your university isn’t on the list or if you graduated from an approved university more than 5 years ago, you can’t get the visa. (I would be out of luck!)

Final thoughts

So there you have it. I’ve already met several people in Tokyo who came on a J-Find visa, have settled into life here and are active in the Japanese tech community. If you meet the requirements, this visa is definitely worth exploring.

Visa Information Disclaimer

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. While I make every effort to keep the content accurate and up to date, visa rules can change quickly. Always confirm the latest requirements with the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, your local Japanese embassy or consulate, or a qualified immigration lawyer before making any travel or visa decisions.

The Japan J-Find Visa – A Guide