Have you just graduated from university and want to live and work in Japan? Then find out more about the J-FIND visa here.
December 27, 2024
By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP
In September 2024, almost 2.9 million overseas residents had visited Japan for the year. It’s an extremely popular tourist destination, so you might want to go for yourself.
But a short visit simply isn’t enough, especially if you’re in love with the culture. So what if there was a way to extend your stay and be a resident for a few years? And what if you could work while doing so too?
This is what you can do with the J-FIND visa. Read on to see what it is, what you need to be eligible, and how to apply for the visa.
What’s the J-FIND Visa?
The J-FIND visa is also known as the Japan Future Creation Individual Visa. It’s an initiative that started in May 2023 with the goal of attracting highly skilled professionals to the nation, and it’s considered groundbreaking since prior to the creation of the J-FIND visa, foreign nationals didn’t have this opportunity.
This visa is specifically aimed at recent graduates of top universities who would like to stay in Japan for up to two years. More specifically, you’d get an initial visa of six months, a year, or another period of up to one year given by the Minister of Justice; once your time’s up, you can apply for an extension to stay up to two years.
This gives you ample time to search for jobs or prepare for entrepreneurial ventures. Plus, you’re allowed to work part-time while job-searching, which gives you more financial stability. However, you should be aware that under this visa, you can’t work in bars, nightclubs, or other adult entertainment establishments.
Those who want to experience this Asian country while getting their career going after graduating will find this Japan visa a fantastic one, considering that you aren’t allowed to go job-searching on a tourist visa. What’s also great about this visa is that you can bring your spouse and children.
The J-SKIP Visa
The J-SKIP is also a new visa as of spring 2023. It’s also known as the Highly Skilled Professional visa in Japan and it’s a great alternative to the J-FIND visa if you graduated over five years ago and/or didn’t go to a top 100 university.
Basically, you need a master’s degree or higher or over 10 years of work experience. If you’re in the latter category, then you must have an annual income of more than 20 million yen. Those who are business owners will need over five years of work experience and an annual income of over 40 million yen.
The J-FIND Visa Requirements
You need to be considered a future creation individual to be eligible for the J-FIND visa.
What this means is that you must be someone over 18 years old and a graduate of a prestigious university that’s in the top 100 for global rankings, and this ranking must be given by at least two of the following: QS, Times Higher Education, and Shanghai Rankings. Your degree must be the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or PhD/doctorate, and you must’ve graduated within the last five years.
On top of this, you have to demonstrate that you can financially support yourself while in Japan. When applying, you must have the equivalent of at least 200,000 yen in your savings.
How to Apply for a J-FIND Visa
Have you realized that you’re eligible for a J-FIND visa? Then the next step is to apply for it.
Below, we’ll outline the things you need to do to obtain this visa.
Gather the Required Documents
You’ll need a valid passport that won’t expire for at least six months, as well as a recent passport-sized photo that was taken within the last six months.
To prove your eligibility, you’ll have to provide evidence that you’ve graduated from a top university, such as a copy of your diploma. You also have to submit a resume, a document that describes your intended activities, and a pledge that you’ll join the National Health Insurance. To show that you’re financially sound, you need to provide evidence of sufficient personal savings (such as through bank statements).
If you get a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE), you can skip all of the above (except the passport and passport photo part). This is similar to pre-screening, and it can save you a lot of time and trouble.
Those who are already in Japan need to actually apply for a CoE before applying for the J-FIND visa. This means that you’ll have to enter the country on a short-stay visa first. If you’re outside of Japan, you may or may not need the CoE before applying for the J-FIND visa, but it depends on which country you’re in.
Submit Your Application
To submit your J-FIND visa application, you’ll have to go to the Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country. The staff will get you through the process, and you’ll pay any applicable visa fees while there. You may have to provide biometric information if required.
If you applied for a CoE, then you’ll have to make another appointment with the embassy or consulate after receiving it (this can take anywhere between two weeks to three months). Only then can you apply for the actual J-FIND visa.
After submitting your application, you’ll wait for it to process. The times can vary, so make sure you apply well in advance of your planned travel.
Travel to Japan
When you receive your visa approval, you can travel to Japan. After you’ve arrived, you’ll have to register your residence at the local city hall within 14 days. Then, apply for a residence card.
Give the J-FIND Visa a Try
If you’ve graduated from a top university within the last five years and would like to start a life in Japan, then the J-FIND visa can be a great option. Even though it’s a relatively new visa, it clears lots of obstacles that foreign nationals faced before.
With the J-FIND visa, you can search for job opportunities or prepare a start-up, all while working part-time so you have sufficient funds. Plus, you can bring your spouse and children, which ensures that your family stays together.
Contact us today if you want to learn more about protecting your assets while living in Japan. Global Wealth Protection is here to help minimize your tax obligations.
