Designated Activities Visa (Designated Activities No. 46)
Updated: July 2025, 10
A specific activity visa is a status of residence that allows an individual foreign national to engage in only activities specifically designated by the Minister of Justice.
International students often apply for this when they continue job hunting after graduation.
In addition, this specific activity visa may also be applicable if you are bringing family members from overseas, conducting certain research or information processing activities, or working as an intern or housekeeper.
Additionally, by calculating points, if you are recognized as a Highly Skilled Professional, you can benefit from expanded scope of activities, relaxed requirements for permanent residency, and preferential treatment such as living with parents or domestic helpers.
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Leave the application for Specific Activity No. 46 to us!
We have offices in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka, and our experienced and proven "specialized activity visa application staff" will be happy to assist you with any enquiries you may have.
Even if it is difficult for you to obtain, renew, or change a specified activity visa on your own, we will work with you to find a solution and provide support.
If you applied for a "Designated Activities" visa on your own and were not approved, you can leave the reapplication process to us.
We also have staff who can speak Chinese, English, and Vietnamese, so even those who have difficulty communicating in Japanese can feel at ease.
By preparing according to each individual’s circumstances, we help avoid future troubles and provide advice on creating a more favorable environment for staying in Japan.
The first consultation is free.
The most common cases we receive consultations about are those involving specific activity visas.
- I want to invite my elderly parents to Japan.
- I have a student visa but I have graduated and have not yet found a job.
- I want to accept interns from overseas.
- I want to bring a domestic servant (maid) from my home country.
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Voices from customers who requested specific activity visa applications
I came to Japan on a student visa, but even though I was about to graduate, I still couldn't find a job, and if things continued like this, I wouldn't be able to get a visa, so I did some research.
I learned about the specified activity visa and your company.
I didn't really know how to apply on my own, and my student visa was about to expire, so I turned to your company, which was known for its speedy response.
I was able to successfully obtain a visa and am very satisfied. thank you very much.
Like everyone who has lived in Japan for many years, my wife and I have a growing desire to support our elderly mother.
I heard from a friend that it is quite difficult to obtain a visa to support a parent in Japan, so I decided to leave it to a professional.
When I searched online, I found the company website of Support Administrative Scrivener Corporation.
Mr. Liu was kind and strongly sympathized with my desire to be filial to my parents.
For permission,
Mr. Liu worked hard, as if he was running alongside my entire family.
This time, my visa was successfully approved within a month, and my parents are very happy.
Finally, I was able to live with my family in Japan.
Benefits of Choosing Support Gyoseishoshi Law Firm
Specialized staff will assist you
It is difficult for busy business owners to properly interpret and apply unfamiliar laws.
As legal experts, we will reduce your burden.
Fast and reliable response
Our motto is speed.
We have established dedicated teams for each project.
By systematizing it, we can respond quickly.
We handle your applications swiftly and reliably.
Consultation is free
Consultation before making a request is free of charge.
Application flow
When changing to a specific activity visa
(Example: Changing from a student visa to continue job hunting)
 | Contact Us  Consultations regarding specific activity visa applications are free of charge.Consultations are available in Chinese and English, and consultations outside regular hours or on weekends can be arranged by appointment. Please contact us by phone or via the inquiry form. |
 | Consultation and Application After confirming the current situation, we will explain the specific activity application policy. Please discuss the payment timing and success fees with the person in charge. Once you are satisfied with the estimated amount and service content, please make your request. |
 | Document Preparation  We will collect and prepare the necessary documents for the specified activity visa application.We also translate documents in Chinese, Korean, and English. Our company does this. *Separately, the cost of acquiring certificates, etc. (actual cost) Translation fee (1,000 yen/sheet) will be borne by the applicant. |
 | Application to the Immigration Bureau Our administrative scrivener will apply for a designated activity visa to the Immigration Bureau on your behalf. You do not need to visit Immigration Bureau yourself. |
 | Notification of Approval  As a result of the examination, if there are no problems, the Immigration Bureau will send you a notification to proceed with the issuance of a new residence card.In addition, even in the unlikely event that permission is denied, we will respond to the request of the requester. We will reapply. |
 | Issuance of New Residence Card We will guide the applicant on the documents required for the procedure for issuing a new residence card. Once we have all the documents (passport, residence card, fees paid to the Immigration Bureau, etc.), our administrative scrivener will carry out the procedures for issuing a new residence card at the Immigration Bureau on behalf of the client. Documents can be delivered by mail, so there is no need to visit our office. After payment of the fee, we will return the passport and residence card to the client. |
When inviting someone from overseas on a specific activity visa
(Example: Living in Japan with elderly parents)
| Contact Us  Consultations regarding specific activity visa applications are free of charge.Consultations are available in Chinese and English, and consultations outside regular hours or on weekends can be arranged by appointment. Please contact us by phone or via the inquiry form. |
| Consultation and Application After confirming the current situation, we will explain the specific activity application policy. Please discuss the payment timing and success fees with the person in charge. Once you are satisfied with the estimated amount and service content, please make your request. |
| Document Preparation  We will collect and prepare the necessary documents for the specified activity visa application.We also translate documents in Chinese, Korean, and English. *Note: Additional costs for obtaining certificates (actual costs) and translation fees (1,000 yen per page) are to be borne by clients. |
| Application to the Immigration Bureau Our administrative scrivener will apply for a designated activity visa to the Immigration Bureau on your behalf. You do not need to visit Immigration Bureau yourself. |
| Receive certificate of eligibility(COE)  If there are no problems as a result of the examination,We will receive the "Certificate of Eligibility for Residence Eligibility" necessary for obtaining a visa. After payment of the fee, we will give this certificate to the client. If the application is denied, we will reapply according to the applicant's request. |
| Sending Certificate to the Applicant's Country and Visa Application The client sends the certification certificate to their home country and applies for a visa for the applicant at the local Japanese consulate. Once you receive your visa, you will be able to enter Japan. Please note that the certification certificate is valid for 3 months from the date of issue. |
Overview of specific activity visa
What is Specific Activity No. 46?
Designated Activities No. 46 is a status of residence that allows foreign nationals who have graduated from a university in Japan and have Japanese language proficiency at the N1 level or above to engage in a wide range of work, utilizing the knowledge and experience they gained at a Japanese university.
This system, which was established in May 2019, aims to promote the employment of talented international students by overcoming the unique employment culture in Japan and the difficulties they face in obtaining residence status.
The "Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services" residence status does not allow for service or manufacturing work to be the main activity, but the "Designated Activities No. 46" status allows for these types of work if certain conditions are met.
One of the features of this status of residence is that simple and repetitive work (e.g. factory line work or service work involving customer service) that is restricted under the "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" status is permitted if certain conditions are met.
The Immigration Control Act defines it as "activities in which one enters into a contract as a full-time employee with a public or private institution in Japan designated by the Minister of Justice and works as a full-time employee at that institution."
This means that part-time or temporary employment is no longer permitted and full-time employment is mandatory.
Furthermore, in order to use this qualification, you must be engaged in work that requires smooth communication in Japanese. Adult entertainment businesses and other work that requires a legal qualification are not eligible.
Eligibility requirements
Those who have graduated from a Japanese university or completed a graduate school course and received a degree and have high Japanese language ability.
Educational Requirements
Limited to graduation from a four-year university in Japan and completion of graduate school.
Graduation from junior colleges and vocational schools, graduation from foreign universities, and completion of graduate schools are not eligible.
Japanese language ability equivalent to N1 or above
<Japanese language ability>
Those who have a score of 480 or higher on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test N1 or the BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test
The job requires smooth communication in Japanese.
This means that work involves so-called "translation/interpretation" elements, requires the necessary Japanese language skills when working with third parties, and requires two-way communication with others.
Therefore, it is not enough to do passive work that involves simply understanding work instructions from the employer and performing the work yourself.
*Washing dishes, cleaning only, etc.
"It is recognized that the wide range of knowledge and applied skills acquired at a university or graduate school in Japan will be utilized."
The work you intend to engage in includes work of a certain level or higher based on academic background, etc., which is eligible for the "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" status of residence.
(or expected to be engaged in the relevant work in the future)
Examples of activities that qualify for a specific activity visa
- Specific research activities
- Specific information processing activities
- Family stay activities such as specific research or specific information processing
- Activities specifically designated by the Minister of Justice for individual foreigners
① Domestic helpers for diplomats
② Domestic helpers for the person who has "business manager" visa
③Asia East Relations Association staff and their families
④ Staff of the General Mission of Palestine in Japan and their families
⑤ Working Holiday in Japan
⑥Amateur athletes
⑦Foreign lawyers' International Arbitration Representatives
⑧Internship
⑨British volunteer
⑩Summer job
⑪International cultural exchange
Differences from other residence statuses
Specific Activity No. 46 targets "Japanese university graduates" and specializes in work that utilizes their expertise and Japanese language skills.
Compared to other visas, it is characterised by the ease of bringing family members along and flexibility in terms of the period of stay.
Differences between target business and requirements
Designated Activity Category No. 46
- Mainly for interpretation and translation work
- The prerequisite is to graduate from a Japanese university (including junior college).
- Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N1 score of 480 or higher required
Highly professional
- Applies to those engaged in highly specialized work
- Evaluation is based on a points system, and high academic and work experience are required.
Technology · Humanities · International work
- Targeted at engineers, marketing, legal services, etc.
- University graduation (or equivalent) required
Specific Skills No. 1 and No. 2
- The program mainly targets 12 fields where labor shortages are serious (e.g., food and beverage manufacturing, automobile maintenance)
- No. 2 specializes in tasks that require skilled work
- No educational background required, but you must pass a skills test and a Japanese language test
Japanese language proficiency level
Designated Activity Category No. 46
- Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N1 score of 480 or more is required
Highly-skilled professionals, engineers, humanities specialists, and international businesses
- Business level Japanese (N3 to N1)
Specific Skill 1
- Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N4 or above required
Specific Skill 2
- Japanese language ability of N3 to N4 level is required
Period of stay and possibility of bringing family members
Designated Activity Category No. 46
- No limit on period of stay (renewable)
- Family members allowed
Highly-skilled professionals, engineers, humanities specialists, and international businesses
- Both visas have a renewable period of stay and allow family members to accompany them.
Specific Skill 1
- The maximum period of stay is 5 years
- Family members not allowed
Specific Skill 2
- No limit on period of stay (renewable)
- Family members allowed
Salary level
- In principle, all visa statuses will pay salaries equal to or higher than those of Japanese nationals.
When changing jobs, you need to change your status of residence
If a foreigner who has obtained Designated Activities Status 46 changes jobs, they must apply for permission to change their residence status every time they change employers.
When applying for Specified Activity No. 46, the employment company will be listed as the activity on the "Designation Form" and this information will also be stated in your passport.
Therefore, if your employer changes due to a job change, you will need to apply for a new change of residence status.
Also, when hiring a new foreign national with this residence status, it is important to note that they cannot start working until their application is approved.
Please note that the application process for permission to change residence status must be carried out in accordance with the guidelines set out by the Ministry of Justice and with the necessary documents prepared.
Period of stay
The period of stay for a Designated Activities No. 46 visa can be 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 6 months, or 3 months. This period is determined by the Immigration Bureau of Japan after taking into consideration factors such as the size and stability of the employer and the conduct of the foreign national.
However, when changing from Student to Designated Activities No. 46 status or when renewing your period of stay for the first time, you will generally be granted a period of stay of only one year.
On the other hand, with a "Technical/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" status of residence, if you meet certain conditions such as the size of the host organization, the type of work, and your own educational background, you may be granted a three or five year period of stay from the initial date when changing your status from student status.
It is important to note that for Designated Activities No. 46, in the case of new graduates finding employment, a one-year period of stay is generally granted twice in a row.
In principle, we respond to inquiries on the same day or the next business day.
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