Eligibility Quiz
Requirements
You must meet all four of the following requirements simultaneously to qualify for the J-Find visa:
Educational Qualification
You must have graduated from or completed a graduate program at a university ranked in the top 100 in at least two of three major world university rankings:
- QS World University Rankings (Quacquarelli Symonds)
- THE World University Rankings (Times Higher Education)
- Shanghai Ranking (Academic Ranking of World Universities)
Your degree must be at the level of a bachelor's degree, master's degree, doctoral degree, or professional degree. The Ministry of Justice maintains an official list of approximately 94–100 eligible universities globally, updated annually as rankings change. You must verify your university against the current official list before applying—eligibility is assessed based on rankings at the time of your application, not at the time you graduated. However, if your university was ranked in the top 100 when you graduated, it generally remains eligible even if rankings shift later.
Time Since Graduation
Your application must be submitted within five years from the date your degree was conferred. The graduation date is determined by the official date on your degree certificate or graduation certificate, not by self-declaration. This five-year window applies equally to bachelor's, master's, and doctoral graduates.
Financial Resources
You must demonstrate a minimum of approximately ¥200,000 in personal savings at the time of application. This is a formal minimum requirement only. Immigration authorities examine not only the balance amount but also:
- Whether the account is in your own name
- Whether deposits appear naturally accumulated, not artificially concentrated over a short period
- The basis for currency conversion if funds are held in foreign currency
- Your transaction history and the reasonableness of how you will cover living expenses
In practice, ¥200,000 is insufficient for a full 2-year stay in Japan. Realistic monthly living expenses in Tokyo range from ¥150,000–¥200,000 (rent, food, utilities, transportation), and you must enroll in National Health Insurance, which costs approximately ¥20,000–¥30,000 per month. Most applicants supplement this minimum savings with part-time work during their stay.
Age Requirement
You must be 18 years of age or older at the time of application. There is no upper age limit.
Conditions & Warnings
The ¥200,000 minimum savings requirement is a formal threshold only; realistic monthly living costs in Tokyo are ¥150,000–¥200,000, so plan for 12–24 months of expenses.
Full-time employment is not permitted on J-Find; the visa is strictly for job-hunting and startup preparation. Part-time work is allowed only to supplement living expenses.
Time spent on J-Find does not count toward permanent residence eligibility. You must transition to another visa status (work visa, business manager visa, or highly skilled professional) to progress toward PR.
Immigration authorities examine actual activities, not just stated plans. Keep detailed records of job applications, interviews, and startup progress for renewal applications.
The 2-year maximum stay is cumulative across related designated activities programs (Continued Job Hunting, Start-up Activities after Graduation, etc.). You cannot extend indefinitely by switching between programs.
Eligibility is assessed based on university rankings at the time of application, not at graduation. Verify your university against the current Ministry of Justice list before applying.
Qualifications
Fees
Visa application fee only; Certificate of Eligibility is free. National Health Insurance (¥20,000–¥30,000/month) is mandatory but not a one-time application fee.