Introduction

More and more foreign nationals who have graduated from upper secondary schools in Japan change their status of residence to “Designated Activities” in order to work and live independently.​
At the same time, many of them are unsure whether they can extend their period of stay if they have not yet secured employment or have left their job.

This article explains how extension of stay is generally examined when a person, after graduating from a Japanese upper secondary school, stays in Japan under “Designated Activities” and does not fully meet employment conditions, based on information published by Japanese authorities.​

“Designated Activities” for Graduates of Japanese Upper Secondary Schools

“Designated Activities” is a status of residence granted to foreign nationals who engage in activities specifically designated by the Minister of Justice.​
Among its categories, there is one used for foreign youths who have graduated from upper secondary schools in Japan and intend to work and become self‑supporting.​

Typically, foreign students who have stayed in Japan under the “Dependent” status while attending a Japanese high school are guided, after graduation, to change their status to “Long‑Term Resident” or to a certain category of “Designated Activities” in order to work in Japan.​

General conditions for using such a category include (details are stipulated in relevant notifications and guidelines):​

• Having graduated, or being expected to graduate, from an upper secondary school in Japan.
• Meeting certain family‑related conditions, such as having come to Japan before a certain age and living with a parent or guardian.

The key policy objective is to enable them to work and live stably in Japan, so employment and its continuation are central to this status.​

Period of Stay and Basic Approach to Extension

The period of stay under “Designated Activities” is set individually (for example, 3 months, 6 months or 1 year).​
To remain in Japan beyond this period, the foreign national must apply for “Extension of Period of Stay,” and it must be recognized as necessary and appropriate that the same activities be continued.​

In examining an extension application, the authorities usually look at:​

• Past compliance with laws and regulations (including any unauthorized activities)
• Financial basis for living (salary, support from family, savings, etc.)
• Whether the planned future activities still fall within the scope of the designated activities

Among these, the existence or realistic prospect of employment is particularly important.​

Can You Extend Your Stay without Meeting Employment Requirements?

When You Have Never Found a Job

If a person changes to “Designated Activities” after graduation but does not obtain a job during the initial period of stay, the extension tends to be examined strictly.​
Because the purpose of this category is to work and become self‑supporting, if the person is not engaging in meaningful job‑hunting or if there is little evidence of such efforts, it becomes difficult to regard the designated activities as being continued, and extension may not be granted.​

However, if the person can show:​

• A substantial number of job applications
• Continuous use of support services such as school career offices or public employment services
• Ongoing selection processes (interviews, document screening, etc.)

and a realistic prospect of being hired in the near future, there may still be room for granting a short extension, depending on the circumstances.​

When You Once Worked but Left the Job

If the person has already worked as an employee and then left the job, the next question is what concrete plan exists for the future.
For example, if the employment ended due to the employer’s circumstances, such as closure of a factory, and the person promptly started active job‑hunting, the possibility of a short extension tends to be relatively higher.​

On the other hand, if the person has not engaged in serious job‑hunting for a long time after leaving the job, or if the person is only working part‑time without trying to secure proper full‑time employment, the situation may be judged as deviating from the original purpose of the relevant “Designated Activities” category, and extension is likely to be difficult.​

Example Scenario

Example: Mr. C graduated from a Japanese upper secondary school and changed his status from “Dependent” to “Designated Activities.” After graduation, he was hired by a food processing company as a full‑time employee. Six months later, however, the factory was closed and he lost his job. During the subsequent three months before the expiry of his stay, he applied to several companies and used support services at his former school and public employment service centers, but he did not obtain a firm job offer.

In such a case, when applying for an extension, he would need to show in detail:​

• The reason for leaving the job (whether it was due to company circumstances or his own choice)
• Concrete job‑hunting activities (list of applications, interview records, use of support organizations)
• Future plans, including continued job‑hunting and realistic prospects of employment

Even so, the final decision on approval or denial is made at the discretion of the immigration authorities, and different outcomes may result even in seemingly similar situations.​

Possibility of Changing to Another Status of Residence

If it is judged difficult to continue staying in Japan under the relevant “Designated Activities” category, departure from Japan is not always the only option.​
Depending on family residence history, academic background, and other individual factors, the person may, in some cases, be allowed to change to another status such as “Long‑Term Resident.”​

Which status might be appropriate is determined by factors such as:​

• The person’s residence history in Japan
• Family composition and the residence status of family members
• Age, academic background, and Japanese‑language ability

Therefore, it is important to consider, at an early stage, whether to seek an extension under “Designated Activities” or to apply for change to another status.​

Timing of Consultation and What to Prepare

If the expiry date is close while employment remains unstable, available options may become limited.​
It is advisable to act early by keeping the following points in mind:​

• Check the expiry date on the residence card and start serious planning for job‑hunting and residence status several months in advance.
• Keep detailed records of job‑hunting activities, including applications, results, and use of support services.
• Use available support, such as consultation desks at schools, local governments, international associations, and professional advisors, as early as possible.

Such preparation makes it easier to explain one’s situation clearly when applying for extension or change of status.​

Conclusion

• The relevant category of “Designated Activities” for graduates of Japanese upper secondary schools is designed to enable them to work and live independently in Japan.​
• Repeated long‑term extensions without realistic prospects of employment do not fit the purpose of this status and are likely to be difficult to obtain.​
• If there are genuine job‑hunting efforts and a reasonable chance of employment in the near future, a short extension may still be granted, depending on individual circumstances.​
• When extension appears difficult, it is crucial to seek advice well before the expiry date and consider all options, including possible change to another appropriate status of residence.