If you are scheduled to return to your country
The "Student" status of residence is valid only during your enrollment. It will be subject to revocation after graduation, so please be sure to leave the country immediately. You are allowed to stay in Japan for about 1 month to prepare for return (if your period of stay will expire within one month of graduation, though, you must leave Japan by the date of expiration). Be sure to return your residence card at the airport.
- If you must extend your stay for an inevitable reason for over one month, please inquire directly at the Immigration Services Bureau.
If you continue seeking job opportunities in Japan
Students (with the exception of auditors, elective course students, or research students) who wish to continue seeking job opportunities in Japan after graduation have to change their status of residence of "Student" to "Designated Activities".
Please refer to the Career Center web page for more details.
If you are scheduled to be employed in Japan
Your "Student" status of residence is valid only during your enrollment. It will be subject to revocation after graduation, so be sure to complete the procedures to change your status of residence. Please contact your prospective employer for the specifics of the procedure.
If there is a period of time between graduation and employment, consult with either your prospective employer or the Immigration Services Bureau and either leave the country or change your status of residence.
If you are planning to continue your studies
If you are going on to higher education within Waseda University
Apply for "Extension of Period of Stay" if necessary. See here for the details of the procedure. If there is an interval between graduation and enrollment, you must return to your country and apply for a "Certificate of Eligibility (COE)". For the procedures of applying for a COE, check the information from the office of the department you are scheduled to enroll in.
If you are scheduled to enroll in another university
Submit a "Notification of the accepting organization (leave)" to the Immigration Services Bureau within 14 days after your graduation from Waseda University. You may submit the notification in person at the Immigration Services Bureau, through mail, or via internet. For further details, see the following website:
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/nyuukokukanri10_00014.html
(*Access the link above then change the language from "日本語" button at the bottom left of the screen to "English.")
- Please ask your prospective university about the "Application for Extension of Period of Stay".