Introduction
The status of residence “Designated Activities (for continued job hunting)” allows international students who have graduated from a university or vocational school in Japan to remain in Japan and continue their job search after their “Student” status expires.
However, if a graduate once obtained a job offer and it was later cancelled, many worry whether they can still change to or renew “Designated Activities (continued job hunting)” and stay in Japan legally.
This article explains, from a practical administrative viewpoint, in what situations an application may be approved or denied after a job offer cancellation, based on official information from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.
Basic framework of Designated Activities (continued job hunting)
According to the Immigration Services Agency, graduates of universities or professional training colleges who wish to keep job hunting in Japan after their “Student” status expires may change to the “Designated Activities (continued job hunting)” status.
The initial period of stay is generally six months, and if certain conditions are met, one extension may be granted, allowing up to one year of job hunting in Japan after graduation.
Official guidance on the “Designated Activities” category distinguishes several sub‑types, such as continued job hunting and waiting for employment after receiving a job offer, each with different documentary requirements and examination points.
Therefore, whether you currently have a job offer or not determines which “Designated Activities” sub‑type is appropriate and how your application will be reviewed.
Difference between “awaiting employment” and “continued job hunting”
For graduates with no job offer at graduation, the proper category is “Designated Activities (continued job hunting)”, whereas those who already have a job offer and only need to stay in Japan until their employment start date may use “Designated Activities (awaiting employment)”.
In the former case, a recommendation letter from the school and evidence of continuous job‑hunting activities are important documents, while in the latter, documents proving the job offer, such as an offer letter or employment contract, play a central role.
If your job offer is cancelled, continuing to stay under the “awaiting employment” category is no longer appropriate, and you may need to switch to “continued job hunting” or consider another status of residence.
Because the proper category depends directly on whether you actually have a job offer, you should promptly reconsider your status plan once a cancellation occurs.
Cases where approval after cancellation is still realistic
Typical patterns where an application for “Designated Activities (continued job hunting)” may still be approved even after a job offer cancellation include the following.
- The cancellation was due to employer‑side reasons, such as business downsizing, and there was no serious misconduct or fraud by the foreign graduate.
- The graduate immediately resumed job hunting and can submit records of applications and interviews demonstrating continuous efforts.
- The former school issues a recommendation for continued job hunting, confirming that the graduate had engaged in job search activities since before graduation.
Official guidance indicates that a clean immigration record, ongoing job‑hunting activities and support from the educational institution are important factors for granting this status.
A job offer cancellation itself is not automatically a ground for denial; if you can show sincere and continuous job‑hunting activities afterwards, approval of “continued job hunting” remains possible.
High‑risk situations where denial is likely
On the other hand, the risk of denial is higher in the following situations after a job offer cancellation.
- The offer was cancelled because of serious falsification of academic or professional records, or other misconduct directly affecting the immigration examination.
- After the cancellation, the graduate rarely applied for jobs and has almost no documentation of actual job‑hunting activities.
- There is a problematic immigration history, such as unauthorized work, repeated violation of part‑time work limits or long‑term absence from studies.
The Immigration Services Agency emphasizes that a proper immigration history and continuous job‑hunting activities are key elements when evaluating applications for job‑hunting related “Designated Activities”.
Therefore, applicants need to explain the full picture of their situation, including the circumstances of cancellation, past part‑time work, and the actual efforts made to find a new job.
Actions you should avoid after a job offer cancellation
Certain mistakes after a job offer cancellation may significantly damage your credibility in later immigration examinations.
- Continuing to apply for “Designated Activities (awaiting employment)” or a work‑type status without disclosing the fact that the offer has already been cancelled.
- Submitting documents that still assume employment at the former company even after receiving a written cancellation, thereby creating contradictions in your application.
- Ignoring the need to withdraw or amend your application when your residence period is about to expire, and consequently approaching overstay.
Professional sources warn that continuing an application on the assumption of an already‑cancelled job offer may be regarded as a “false application” and that applicants should promptly change to an appropriate status instead.
In particular, any discrepancy between the “prospective employer” information on the application and your actual job‑offer situation can severely undermine the credibility of your case.
Practical options to consider after cancellation
If your job offer is cancelled, you should promptly review your options regarding your status of residence.
- Apply or renew under “Designated Activities (continued job hunting)”
- Obtain a recommendation letter from your school.
- Prepare lists of companies applied to, application forms and interview records.
- Collect documents that show how the desired job relates to your major field of study.
- If you secure a new offer, consider “Designated Activities (awaiting employment)” or a suitable work‑type status
- Get a new offer letter or employment contract.
- Check that the job duties match the requirements of the status category you are applying for.
- If no realistic status option is available, consider timely departure or switching to another possible status such as “Dependent”, depending on your circumstances.
Official materials show that some types of “Designated Activities (continued job hunting)” require documentation of job‑hunting since before graduation and a recommendation from the educational institution.
Although you cannot always prevent a job offer cancellation, your subsequent actions—especially how you document your job‑hunting efforts—greatly influence the result, so early consultation with a qualified professional is strongly advised.
Conclusion
The “Designated Activities (continued job hunting)” status is vital for graduates who wish to build a career in Japan, but a job offer cancellation means you must reassess whether you belong under “awaiting employment” or “continued job hunting”.
Even after a cancellation, if you promptly resume job hunting, secure school support and compile solid evidence of your efforts, approval as “continued job hunting” is still possible, while weak job‑hunting records or problematic immigration history significantly increase the risk of denial.
When a job offer is cancelled, you should avoid hiding the fact in your application, quickly adjust your status strategy to match your real situation and, where necessary, seek advice from an immigration professional such as a registered administrative scrivener.
