"J-Find," also known as the "Future Creation Individual Visa," is a special residence status (Designated Activities Visa) for young talent who have graduated from world-class universities and are expected to become future drivers of innovation in Japan.

 The key feature of this visa is that it allows holders to engage in job hunting or entrepreneurial preparation activities in Japan for up to two years. Additionally, it permits employment to supplement funds for these activities, making it a highly flexible system.

 Here, we provide a detailed explanation of the requirements, scope of activities, and various application procedures for the Future Creation Individual Visa "J-Find".

Table of Contents

Eligibility of "J-Find" (Designated Activities 51).

Scope of Activities in Japan.

Family Accompaniment (Designated Activities 52).

Types of Application for J-Find Status.

Q. If I planned to start a business under J-Find but instead secured employment elsewhere, do I need to apply for another status of residence (e.g., " Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services ")?.

Difference from Working Holiday Visa. 

Application for Changing Status from J-Find to "Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services" and Its Risk.

Summary.

 Eligibility of "J-Find" (Designated Activities 51)

 To obtain a J-Find visa, all of the following requirements must be met.

1. Academic Qualifications

 Applicants must have graduated from or completed a graduate program at a university ranked within the top 100 in at least two of the following three global university rankings:

•  QS World University Rankings
•  THE World University Rankings
•  Academic Ranking of World Universities

2. Period Since Graduation

 Graduation or completion of the above university or graduate program must have occurred within the last 5 years. This requirement targets relatively recent graduates.

3. Proof of Living Expenses

 At the time of application, you must provide proof of savings of at least ¥200,000 to cover immediate living expenses in Japan.

4. Age

 Applicants must be over 18 years old at the time of application.

 Scope of Activities in Japan

 The activities permitted under the J-Find visa are as follows:

 Primary Activities

•  Job Hunting: Activities aimed at securing employment with companies or organizations within Japan.
•  Business Startup Preparation: Preparatory activities for establishing a company in Japan (securing office space, market research, incorporation procedures, etc.).

 Regarding Employment

 A major advantage of the J-Find visa is that it permits employment to supplement the funds necessary for the above activities.

•  Full-time employment possible: There are no time restrictions like part-time jobs, allowing full-time work.
•  Relaxed job restrictions: Unlike typical work visas, you are not restricted to jobs related to your academic background or work history, allowing employment in a wide range of occupations. (However, certain jobs, such as those in adult entertainment business, are excluded.)

 This allows you to stabilize your living foundation while carefully searching for employment or business opportunities that align with your career plan.

 Family Accompaniment (Designated Activities 52)

 Spouses and children of individuals holding J-Find (Designated Activities 51) status can stay in Japan together under the "Designated Activities 52" status.

•  Scope of Activities: Family activities are generally limited to "daily activities." This does not include employment.
•  For Employment: By applying for and obtaining permission for activities outside the scope of the status of residence, part-time work of up to 28 hours per week is permitted.

 Legal Basis for J-Find: "Notification on Designated Activities"

Translation: Tanishima Legal Corporation

 Types of Application for J-Find Status

 The main J-Find visa applications are the following three. Please complete the necessary procedures according to your circumstances.

1. Application for Certificate of Eligibility

 This application is for individuals residing overseas who plan to enter Japan on a J-Find visa. Apply at a Regional Immigration Bureau. After the certificate is issued, obtain a visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate abroad before traveling to Japan.

2. Application for Change of Status of Residence

 This application is for individuals already residing in Japan under another status of residence, such as "Student," who wish to switch to a J-Find visa. It is intended for individuals like international students who wish to continue job hunting in Japan after graduation.

3. Application for Extension of Period of Stay

 This application is necessary for individuals staying on a J-Find visa to continue activities beyond their initial period of stay.

•  Period of Stay: The J-Find period of stay is granted for either "1 year" or "6 months." By applying for renewal, the stay can be extended for up to a maximum of 2 years.
•  Renewal Requirements: When applying for renewal, you must provide concrete documentation demonstrating that you have sincerely continued job hunting or business start-up preparation activities. Note that if it is determined you have not engaged in any activities, renewal may not be granted.

 Q. If I planned to start a business under J-Find but instead secured employment elsewhere, do I need to apply for another status of residence (e.g., " Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services ")?

1. A. To answer directly, you must apply for another status of residence. If you secure employment while using J-Find, you cease job hunting or business preparation activities. Therefore, that employment could be considered unauthorized activity.

 The J-Find (Future Creation Talent) visa is fundamentally a status of residence for conducting "job hunting" or "startup preparation activities."

 Therefore, if you successfully find employment and sign an employment contract with a company during your J-Find stay period, this constitutes "successful job hunting." This is one of the success paths envisioned by the J-Find program.

 Difference from Working Holiday Visa

 Even if you are unable to start a business, the law does not prohibit applying for a change of status. This is fundamentally different from the situation where a Working Holiday visa holder from certain countries cannot apply to change their status from "Designated Activities" to " Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services." This is because bilateral agreements between countries explicitly prohibit such changes for certain countries. In other words, the "Working Holiday agreements between nations" are a legal requirement.

Application for Changing Status from J-Find to "Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services" and Its Risk

Procedures

 Job Offer/Employment Contract: While staying under J-Find, obtain a job offer from a company where you can utilize your academic background and expertise, and sign an employment contract.

 Application for Change of Status of Residence: The employing company acts as your sponsor and applies to the Regional Immigration Bureau for permission to change your status to a work-eligible category, such as "Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services," based on the job duties.

 Screening: The applicant's academic background, work history, and the specific job duties at the new employer are screened to determine if they meet the criteria for the desired status change (e.g., for " Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services," the relevance between expertise and job duties is assessed).

 Approval: If no issues are found during the review, the change to the new status of residence will be approved.

 However, if facts exist indicating that the applicant's current status of residence is not in good standing due to planned activities, permission may be denied. Examples include cases where the activity has not been performed or where the activity constituted unauthorized employment.

 In such cases, you would need to consider applying for a Certificate of Eligibility.

Summary

 The Future Creation Individual Visa "J-Find" is a system offering an excellent opportunity for outstanding global talent to launch their careers in Japan. With broad employment eligibility, it allows you to pursue your full potential while reducing financial concerns.

 However, the application requires specialized documentation, such as proof of academic qualifications and a detailed activity plan. To confirm whether your background meets the J-Find requirements and to smoothly navigate the complex application process, we strongly recommend consulting our office's specialists. We provide optimal support tailored to your individual circumstances.

 -Source

 Ministry of Justice
 https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/designatedactivities51.html

 Ministry of Justice
 https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001394998.pdf