What Is the J-FIND Visa (Designated Activities No. 51)? Eligible Applicants, Requirements, and How to Utilize It in Japan

Eligible Applicants and Main Requirements for the J-FIND Visa (Designated Activities Visa)

The J-FIND Visa (Future Creation Individual) is not a status of residence that anyone can apply for. Applicants must meet specific educational, time-based, and financial requirements.
In simple terms, it is intended for individuals who have graduated from top-ranked universities worldwide, are within five years of graduation, and have sufficient funds to support their activities in Japan.

However, merely meeting the formal requirements is not always sufficient. In practice, the outcome of the examination can vary depending on how supporting documents are presented and whether the overall explanation is consistent and logical.
Below, we outline the main requirements of the J-FIND Visa and key practical points to keep in mind.

1.Age Requirement

In principle, the J-FIND Visa is available to applicants who are 18 years of age or older.
This system is not designed for minors and assumes that applicants are capable of independently conducting job-hunting activities or preparing for entrepreneurship.

2.Educational Background (Eligible Universities)

Eligible applicants are those who have graduated from or completed a degree at a university or graduate school that meets global university ranking criteria designated by the immigration authorities, and who have obtained a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, doctoral degree, or a professional degree.
While bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs may all qualify, documents that clearly show the university name, type of degree, and completion status are required.

Eligibility is determined not by the applicant’s own assessment, but based on the official list published by the immigration authorities.
It is essential to confirm whether your university is on the list before applying.

3.Time Since Graduation (Completion)

For the J-FIND Visa, applicants must be within five years from the date of graduation (or completion).
The “graduation date” is not based on self-declaration, but on the date stated on official graduation or degree certificates.

In practice, there are cases where determination becomes difficult due to issues such as: “The completion certificate and degree certificate show different dates,” or “The official graduation date is unclear.”
For this reason, it is important to determine in advance which documents you will submit and which date will be used as the reference date.

4.Financial Resources (Savings)

To demonstrate the ability to maintain a stable livelihood during the stay in Japan, applicants for the J-FIND Visa must show that they have a certain minimum amount of savings at the time of application.
This requirement is intended to confirm that the applicant can focus on job-hunting or startup preparation activities.

In practice, immigration authorities do not look only at the balance amount. They also examine whether: the account is in the applicant’s own name, the funds are not the result of short-term, unnatural deposits, and the basis for currency conversion and translations is appropriate if the funds are in foreign currency.

Therefore, instead of submitting only a balance certificate, it is often important to include transaction histories or supplementary explanations as needed, and to explain in a reasonable manner how living expenses will be covered during the stay.

3. What You Can and Cannot Do Under the J-FIND Visa (Designated Activities Visa)

The J-FIND Visa is not a status of residence that allows unrestricted employment. It is positioned strictly as a period for job-hunting or preparation for starting a business.
Therefore, it is important to clearly understand what is permitted and what is not.

Permitted Activities

• Job-hunting activities
  Company research, job applications, online or in-person interviews, participation in information sessions, and activities aimed at securing job offers are permitted.
  It is important not only to gather information, but to actually apply for positions and attend interviews.
• Preparation for starting a business
  Market research, consideration of business concepts, drafting business plans, reviewing potential office locations, and consulting with professionals are permitted as preparatory steps toward future entrepreneurship.
  However, the system does not assume that the business itself will be fully launched during the J-FIND period.
• Limited remunerative activities incidental to the main activities
  In some cases, limited remunerative activities related to job-hunting or startup preparation may be permitted for the purpose of supplementing living expenses.
  Care must be taken so that earning income does not become the primary purpose; the content, frequency, and amount of such activities are important considerations.

Prohibited Activities (Points of Caution)

• Staying primarily for the purpose of working only, which falls outside the intent of the J-FIND system
  If the applicant is effectively working full-time, it may be regarded as “employment using the J-FIND Visa.”
• Remaining in Japan for a long period without substantive activities
  If there are no records of job applications or interviews and the actual situation does not match the stated activity plan, this may be treated unfavorably in examinations for renewal or change of status.
• Business activities in name only under the guise of startup preparation
  If the business plan exists only on paper and no concrete preparation or progress can be confirmed, it may not be recognized as legitimate startup preparation.

A crucial practical point is that immigration authorities focus not on “what is written,” but on what activities are actually being carried out.
For example, in the case of job-hunting, keeping chronological records of application histories, interview schedules, and email exchanges with recruiters or agents can be highly significant when applying for renewal or changing to the next status of residence.

While the J-FIND Visa offers a high degree of flexibility, it is also a status of residence in which what you are not doing is also examined.
Acting with constant awareness of being able to explain and demonstrate your activities is the key to successfully transitioning to the next status of residence.

4. Period of Stay and Renewal Policy for the J-FIND Visa (Designated Activities Visa) (Up to 2 Years)

The period of stay under the J-FIND Visa (Future Creation Individual) is generally granted as six months or one year, depending on the application details and activity plan.
Thereafter, if the applicant’s activities are deemed appropriate, the status may be renewed, allowing a stay in Japan for up to a maximum of two years.

However, the J-FIND Visa is not a status of residence that is renewed automatically.
In renewal examinations, immigration authorities assess not only “what you have done so far,” but also how you will continue your activities and which status of residence you intend to transition to in the end, taking the overall circumstances into consideration.

A major practical point is what kind of activity plan you prepare at the time of the initial application.
If the initial plan is specific and realistically connected to employment or entrepreneurship, the explanations required at renewal tend to be relatively smooth.
On the other hand, if you remain in Japan with only an abstract plan, you may need to explain your activities from scratch at renewal, which can create a significant burden.

Also, during the J-FIND period of stay, it is important not to postpone activities simply because “there is still time,” but to demonstrate that you are taking continuous action at a steady pace.
Especially if it appears that activities were carried out only right before renewal, there is a risk that the authorities may conclude that the actual situation is not consistent with the stated plan.

The J-FIND Visa is not designed for the purpose of “staying in Japan for two years” itself, but as a preparatory period to facilitate a smooth transition to the next status of residence.
Therefore, it is important to maintain a situation where, at each renewal, you can explain: “Why do you still need the J-FIND Visa?” and “What is your next step?”

5. There Are Two Application Routes for the J-FIND Visa

The J-FIND Visa (Future Creation Individual) has two application routes, depending on the applicant’s current place of residence.
However, the application method, required documents, and the extent to which professionals can be involved differ significantly between the two routes.

1. Applying from Overseas (Application at a Japanese Embassy or Consulate-General Abroad)

If you reside outside Japan and wish to obtain the J-FIND Visa, the applicant must apply directly at the Japanese embassy or consulate-general abroad.
The J-FIND Visa is not a scheme in which an agent in Japan obtains a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) on your behalf; as a rule, only personal applications by the applicant are accepted.

Under this overseas application route, required documents and submission procedures vary significantly by country or region, so you must follow the instructions provided by the relevant embassy or consulate-general.
Due to this structure, our office does not provide support for the application procedure itself at Japanese embassies or consulates-general overseas.

If you apply from overseas, please be sure to check the official guidance of the Japanese embassy or consulate-general where you plan to apply.

2. Applying from Within Japan (Application for Permission to Change Status of Residence)

On the other hand, if you are already residing in Japan (e.g., under Student, Dependent, Research, or another category of Designated Activities), you may be able to switch to the J-FIND Visa by filing an Application for Permission to Change Status of Residence in Japan.

Under this domestic change route, an administrative scrivener can formally act as an application representative, which makes it possible to provide practical support including document preparation, submission, and communication with immigration.
ACROSEED Immigration Lawyer's Office primarily provides J-FIND Visa support for this domestic change application.

1. Confirm your current status of residence and period of stay (expiration date)
2. Review whether you meet the J-FIND requirements (education, graduation date, funds)
3. Organize your activity plan and explanatory materials, and submit the change of status application
4. After approval, switch to the new status of residence and period of stay

In domestic change applications, in addition to the J-FIND requirements, consistency with your past residence status and actual activities in Japan is also examined.
Therefore, pre-application assessment and document design can significantly affect the outcome.

6. Required Documents for the J-FIND Visa Application

Since required documents frequently change due to legal amendments and other updates, please check the latest information on the Immigration Services Agency website.

If you retain our services, we will prepare the documents that we believe will maximize the likelihood of approval, based on the required documents listed on the Immigration Services Agency website and tailored to your circumstances.

Application for Certificate of Eligibility for the J-FIND Visa

Application for Permission to Change Status of Residence to the J-FIND Visa

Required documents for the J-FIND Visa vary depending on the application route and individual circumstances, but the following three points are especially important in the examination:

1. Meeting the requirements for educational background and graduation timing
2. Specificity of job-hunting or startup preparation activities
3. Reasonableness of living funds during the stay in Japan

For the domestic Application for Permission to Change Status of Residence, which is the primary support scope of ACROSEED Immigration Lawyer's Office, the following documents are typically required.

• Application for Permission to Change Status of Residence (J-FIND)
• Passport and Residence Card
• Photograph (specified size)
• Graduation/Completion Certificate and documents proving the degree
• Documents showing that the university is eligible
• Activity Plan (content/method/schedule of job-hunting or startup preparation)
• Documents proving living funds (bank balance certificate, transaction statements, etc.)
• Documents showing activity achievements under your current status of residence (e.g., certificate of enrollment)

If you apply at a Japanese embassy or consulate-general overseas, required documents, forms, and whether translations are needed vary by country or region.
Therefore, please follow the official guidance of the embassy or consulate-general where you plan to apply regarding the specific documents to be submitted.

Our office does not provide individual confirmation, representation, or proxy filing for application procedures at Japanese embassies or consulates-general overseas.

7. Statuses of Residence You Can Change to from the J-FIND Visa (Designated Activities Visa)

The J-FIND Visa is not the “goal.” Your chance of success increases when you treat it as a run-up period for transitioning to the next status of residence.
The three most common exit options are as follows.

1. Work Visa (Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services)

Once you obtain a job offer (employment contract), you should organize the job description, consistency with your educational/professional background, and the employer’s ability to support the hiring process, and then consider changing to the Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services status.
If the explanation of the job duties is weak or the link to your major is unclear, the process may stall at this stage.

Guide to Changing Status of Residence to Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services

A guide for changing status of residence from a Student visa, etc. to Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services. We explain key points such as the relationship between education/major and job duties, and the substance of the receiving company.

2. Highly Skilled Professional (Points-based System)

If your total points based on education, work experience, annual income, research achievements, etc. meet the required threshold, you may be able to pursue the Highly Skilled Professional status.
While this status offers significant preferential treatment, the key lies in proving your points and designing the documentation.

Automatic Point Calculation, Requirements, and Benefits for Highly Skilled Professional (i)(b)

The latest guide for those aiming for Highly Skilled Professional (i)(b). You can quickly check your points using the automatic point calculation tool.

3. Business Manager Visa (Entrepreneurship)

If you are preparing to start a business, transitioning to the Business Manager Visa is the standard route.
The examination covers a wide range of factors, including the “business premises,” “invested capital,” “business plan,” and “operational structure (personnel and operations).”

A Complete Guide to the Requirements and Acquisition of the Business Manager Visa

Even when changing from the J-FIND Visa, it is necessary to design your company in line with the new system effective October 16, 2025.

8. Important Notes on J-FIND Visa Applications and Changes of Status

While the J-FIND Visa offers a high degree of flexibility, it is also a status of residence where how you prepared and how you acted directly determines the outcome of renewals and changes of status.
Here, we summarize common practical pitfalls and how to avoid them.

1. An “Abstract” Activity Schedule Can Be Disadvantageous

If your activity schedule remains at an abstract level, such as “I will conduct job-hunting” or “I will proceed with startup preparation,” immigration officers cannot form a concrete image of your actual actions.
As a result, you may be asked to submit additional documents, and the burden of explanation at application and renewal tends to increase.

In practice, it is important to make your plan concrete enough to show when, in which field, and by what means you will proceed.
For example, in job-hunting, specifying the target industry, application methods, and realistic schedule increases the credibility of your plan.

2. How You Present Savings (Financial Documents) Can Affect the Evaluation

For the J-FIND Visa, having sufficient funds to cover living expenses is a requirement, but in practice it is not assessed solely by “whether the amount is sufficient.”
In particular, the way you submit bank balance certificates can significantly change the impression received by the immigration officer.

Specifically, they check points such as: whether the account is in your name, whether there are unnatural deposits over a short period, and whether translations and the basis for currency conversion are clear in the case of foreign currency.
Rather than submitting only a single balance certificate, it is often important to attach a transaction background and supplementary explanations as necessary to demonstrate the reasonableness of the funds.

3. Not Designing the “Exit” (Next Status of Residence) in Advance

The J-FIND Visa is not an end in itself, but a preparatory period for moving to the next status of residence.
Nevertheless, if you spend time thinking, “I’ll get J-FIND first and decide later,” your options can quickly narrow when renewal or change-of-status timing arrives.

In practice, the evidence and activities you should prepare during the J-FIND period differ substantially depending on whether you aim for: a work visa, Highly Skilled Professional status, or a Business Manager Visa for entrepreneurship.
If you continue without deciding on an exit route, you are more likely to end up unable to explain “what you have been doing.”

The J-FIND Visa is not a “free grace period,” but a preparatory period to succeed in the next status of residence.
Acting with that premise in mind is the most important point for smoothly proceeding with renewal and change of status.

9. J-FIND Visa (Designated Activities) Q&A

The J-FIND Visa (Future Creation Individual) is a status of residence under Designated Activities, created for highly skilled individuals who have graduated from or completed top-ranked universities worldwide, for the purpose of conducting job-hunting or preparing to start a business in Japan.

A work visa (such as Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services), on the other hand, is based on an employment contract with a Japanese company and presupposes engagement in a specific set of job duties. In contrast, a key feature of the J-FIND Visa is that you can apply even when you have not yet secured employment or finalized your business plan.

For this reason, the J-FIND Visa is positioned as a “preparation period to work in Japan,” and it is designed on the premise that the applicant will eventually transition to a work visa or a Business Manager Visa.

Eligible applicants for the J-FIND Visa are those who have graduated from or completed a degree at a university or graduate school that meets the designated global university ranking criteria, and who have obtained a degree or a professional degree.
In principle, applicants must be within five years of graduation (completion).

In addition, it is an important examination point that the applicant has a certain minimum amount of savings sufficient to maintain their livelihood during their stay in Japan, and that they have established a realistic and concrete activity plan for job-hunting or startup preparation.

In practice, it is not enough to meet the formal requirements. Whether you clearly present a future pathway—“what activities you will conduct in Japan and which status of residence you plan to transition to”—is also taken seriously.

The J-FIND Visa is not a status of residence whose primary purpose is employment. However, in some cases, certain remunerative activities may be permitted as incidental to job-hunting or startup preparation.

That said, if earning income becomes the central activity, it may be viewed as “outside the intended purpose of J-FIND,” which could negatively affect examinations for renewal or change of status.

In practice, it is important to be able to explain what type of work you are doing, the frequency and income level, and how it relates to your job-hunting or startup preparation.

The period of stay under the J-FIND Visa is generally granted as six months or one year, depending on the application details and activity plan.
Thereafter, if the applicant’s activities are deemed appropriate, it may be renewed, allowing a stay of up to a maximum of two years.

In renewal examinations, authorities confirm not only the fact that you stayed in Japan, but also concrete evidence such as your job-hunting record (applications, interviews, whether you received an offer), and the progress of startup preparation (business plan development, consultations with professionals, preparations for contracts, etc.).

Therefore, from the initial application stage, it is highly important in practice to keep daily records and organize your activities with renewal in mind—i.e., “what you will need to explain at the time of renewal.”

Yes, it is possible. The J-FIND Visa is often used on the premise of a future change of status of residence.

If you receive a job offer from a Japanese company as a result of your job-hunting, the typical process is to apply for permission to change your status to a work visa (Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services, etc.).

If you proceed with startup preparation and your business plan and operational structure are in place, you would aim to change to a Business Manager Visa.

In practice, it is important to proceed while checking step-by-step “to what extent you already satisfy the requirements of the next status of residence” during the J-FIND period. By preparing with the exit route in mind from the beginning, you can improve the success rate of the change-of-status application.

10. Overview of J-FIND Visa Application Support

1. Service Overview

At ACROSEED Immigration Lawyer's Office, we organize the key points that are closely examined in J-FIND Visa (Future Creation Individual) screening—such as educational requirements, graduation timing, activity plans, and living funds—and design the most reasonable application story tailored to each individual’s circumstances.

If you are unsure whether your university is eligible, find it difficult to determine whether you are within the required number of years since graduation, or are uncertain which status of residence you should aim for after J-FIND, we provide consistent support from requirement confirmation to application and future planning.

Who This Service Is For

• Those who have graduated from an eligible university under global rankings and are considering job-hunting or startup preparation in Japan
• Those who are within five years of graduation (completion) and may be eligible for the J-FIND Visa
• Those who have no activity track record in Japan and are concerned about how to create an activity plan
• Those who are planning to change from the J-FIND Visa to a work visa, Highly Skilled Professional status, or a Business Manager Visa

2. What the Service Includes

1. Pre-review of J-FIND requirements (education, graduation timing, and financial requirements)
2. Design and drafting support for the activity plan for job-hunting or startup preparation
3. Preparation and filing support for the application for COE issuance or the application for permission to change status of residence
4. Progress follow-up during screening and assistance in responding to requests for additional documents
5. Advice on transitioning to the next status of residence after approval (work visa, Highly Skilled Professional, Business Manager)

3. Benefits of Retaining ACROSEED

▼See the 9 Reasons ACROSEED Is Chosen for More Details

4. Ratings on Google Reviews

ACROSEED Immigration Lawyer's Office has received high evaluations for service quality from many clients, regardless of nationality or application category.

5. Fees for J-FIND Visa Application Support (tax excluded)

- There are absolutely no additional fees based on your individual conditions.

- ACROSEED’s services are available nationwide. Customers outside the area can request our services at the same fee.

- Payment by Visa and MasterCard is also available.

11. Pages Frequently Read Together with Designated Activities Visa Applications”

For Students

[For Students] Guide to Changing from Student Visa to Work Visa (2025 Edition)
[For Students] Guide to Changing from Student Visa to Engineer / Humanities / International Services (2025 Edition)
[For Students] Guide to Changing from Student Visa to Highly Skilled Professional (2025 Edition)
[For Students] Guide to Changing from Student Visa to Designated Activities (No.46) (2025 Edition)

For HR Managers / Employers

[For HR Managers] Visa and Procedure Guide for Hiring International Graduates (April 2026 Entry)
[For HR Managers] Guide to Obtaining the Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services Visa
[For HR Managers] Applying for the “Highly Skilled Professional” Visa for Foreign Employees
[For HR Managers] Application for “Designated Activities (Notice No.46)” Visa

Pages Often Read Together When Applying for a Spouse Visa of a Japanese National

[FY2025 Edition] Spouse Visa of a Japanese National (Marriage Visa) Application Guide

An administrative scrivener explains the requirements for obtaining a spouse visa (marriage), working under a spouse visa, applying for permanent residency from a spouse visa, what happens in the event of divorce under a spouse visa, required documents, and more.

[FY2025 Edition] Spouse Visa of a Japanese National Renewal Procedures Guide

Renewal procedures for a Spouse Visa of a Japanese National (Marriage Visa). An administrative scrivener explains the required document checklist, how to avoid denial cases, and key points to prove eligibility for obtaining a 3-year or 5-year period of stay.

Applying for Permanent Residency from a Spouse Visa of a Japanese National

At ACROSEED, we have a proven track record not only with first-time spouse visa applications, but also with cases that were denied multiple times when filed by the applicant alone, as well as procedures for those with past legal violations or a history of overstaying—across a wide variety of situations.

For More Detailed Questions About the Spouse Visa System

Please explain the requirements for obtaining a Spouse Visa of a Japanese National in detail
Periods of stay for a Spouse Visa of a Japanese National: Differences between 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years
Required documents & Statement of Reasons for a Spouse Visa of a Japanese National: Key examination points and preparation tips (Latest Edition)
How to invite a foreign spouse living overseas to Japan with a COE
Can we apply for a Certificate of Eligibility while both spouses remain overseas?
Changing from a short-term visa to a Spouse Visa of a Japanese National: General rules and exceptions
How to change from a student/work visa to a spouse visa
My spouse visa application was denied (COE not issued). Can I re-apply?