Of all Japan's statuses of residence, Designated Activities is the most flexible — and the hardest to summarise. It is not a single visa but a container for many different activities that the Minister of Justice designates individually, from working holidays to the job-hunting of new graduates to caring for a patient receiving medical treatment in Japan.
This guide explains what Designated Activities really is, the difference between the categories that are formally listed and those granted case by case, whether you can work on it, and the major types you are most likely to encounter — including the well-known No.46 for graduates of Japanese universities and other qualifying Japanese higher-education graduates, and the J-Find route.
What “Designated Activities” Means
Most statuses of residence describe a fixed activity — “Student”, “Engineer”, “Spouse”. Designated Activities is different: it covers activities that the Minister of Justice specifically designates for a particular individual, where those activities do not fit any other status. It exists precisely so that the system can accommodate situations the fixed categories do not anticipate.
Because the activity is designated individually, every Designated Activities holder carries a designation document attached to their passport, stating exactly what they are permitted to do. Two people both holding “Designated Activities” can have completely different rights — one may work freely, another not at all — depending on what their designation document says. Always read the designation document; it, not the status name, defines what is allowed.
Listed Categories and Individually Granted Ones
Designated Activities comes in two broad forms:
- Notified categories — activities written into an official notification by the Minister of Justice. There are more than 50 of these numbered categories, each with its own requirements. Working holiday, the No.46 graduate-employment category, and J-Find are examples.
- Individually granted activities — not on the list, but granted case by case for humanitarian or practical reasons. Examples include a recent graduate continuing to job-hunt, or a divorced or widowed spouse who has lived in Japan a long time being allowed to remain while they arrange their affairs.
This two-track design is what makes the status so flexible — and why no short article can list every possibility.
The Major Categories
Some of the most commonly encountered Designated Activities categories include:
| Category | For whom | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Working holiday | Young people from partner countries on a working-holiday scheme | Permitted (incidental to the holiday) |
| Job-hunting after graduation | New graduates continuing to look for work | Part-time, with permission |
| No.46 (Japanese university etc. graduates) | Graduates of Japanese universities or other qualifying Japanese higher-education programs with high Japanese ability | Broad full-time work |
| No.47 | Spouse and children of a No.46 holder | Limited (with permission) |
| Parent / domestic worker of a Highly Skilled Professional | Family support for HSP households | As designated |
| J-Find (Future Creation Individual) | Graduates of eligible highly ranked overseas universities, to job-hunt or prepare a start-up | Paid activities within the designated J-Find scope |
| Medical stay and accompanying carer | Patients receiving treatment in Japan and their carer | Not permitted |
This is a selection, not the full list. The exact set of categories and their numbers are revised from time to time, so always check the current designation for a specific case.
Can You Work on Designated Activities?
There is no single answer — it depends entirely on the designation. Some categories permit broad full-time work (such as No.46); some permit only part-time work after obtaining permission to engage in activity other than that permitted (such as job-hunting graduates); J-Find permits paid activities within its designated scope; and some permit no work at all (such as an accompanying carer for a medical patient).
Never assume you can work because you hold “Designated Activities”. Check the designation document attached to your passport. If it does not authorise the work you intend, you must apply for the appropriate permission first — working outside what is designated is an immigration violation.
How It Is Granted and Renewed
Each Designated Activities category has its own requirements, documents, and period of stay. Notified categories can be obtained either through a Certificate of Eligibility from abroad or a change of status from within Japan; individually granted activities cannot use a Certificate of Eligibility and are obtained only by changing status from within Japan. You renew the status like any other before it expires, provided you still meet the conditions of your designation.
Because the requirements differ so much between categories, the practical first step is always to identify which Designated Activities category fits your situation, and then follow that category's specific rules.
Period of Stay
The period of stay varies by category. It is set individually by the Minister of Justice and can range from short periods up to 5 years for some categories, with shorter typical periods (6 months or 1 year, renewable) for transitional categories such as job-hunting. The designation document and the grant will state your period.
Recent Additions
Designated Activities is where the immigration system tends to pilot new ideas before they become full statuses. Two recent developments are worth knowing:
- J-Find (Future Creation Individual): a route for graduates of eligible highly ranked overseas universities to come to Japan to job-hunt or prepare to start a business for up to two years. The designated activity may include paid activities necessary to fund those activities. It is longer and more generous than the ordinary post-graduation job-hunting activity, and does not require that you studied in Japan.
- No.46 expansion: a revision effective February 29, 2024 broadened the No.46 graduate-employment category to include certain persons treated as equivalent to Japanese university graduates, including holders of the Advanced Diploma from recognised specialised training college professional courses in defined cases.
For the two post-graduation routes most students ask about — the No.46 graduate-employment category and the job-hunting activity — see our dedicated guide to Designated Activities No.46 and job-hunting after graduation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Summary
- Designated Activities is a flexible status for activities the Minister of Justice designates individually, outside the fixed categories
- Every holder carries a designation document on their passport stating exactly what they may do — the status name alone does not define the rights
- It comes in two forms: more than 40 notified categories and individually granted activities
- Work depends on the designation: some allow full-time work (No.46), some part-time only with permission (continuing job-hunting), J-Find allows paid activities within its designated scope, and some allow none (medical carer)
- Major categories include working holiday, post-graduation job-hunting, No.46 (Japanese university etc. graduates), HSP family support, J-Find (Future Creation Individual), and medical stay
- Period of stay varies by category, from short renewable periods up to 5 years
- Recent additions include J-Find for eligible highly ranked overseas university graduates and the February 29, 2024 broadening of No.46 to include holders of the Advanced Diploma from recognised specialised training colleges
- Related reading: Designated Activities No.46 & Job Hunting and Switching from Student to Work Visa
Designated Activities is best understood not as one visa but as the immigration system's flexible joint — the place where special situations and new ideas are accommodated. If you hold it or are applying for it, the golden rule is to work from your specific designation: identify the exact category, read the designation document, and follow that category's rules rather than any general assumption about “the Designated Activities visa”.
For Foreign Workers Looking to Build Their Career in Japan
TreeGlobalPartners' service is completely free for foreign workers — no fees of any kind, no hidden charges. We support your appropriate job change or new employment in Japan with verified employers. Visa applications, status changes, and registered support procedures are handled through our group's affiliated Tree Administrative Scrivener Corporation, giving you a true one-stop service across the group.
Consult TreeGlobalPartners →Official sources: Immigration Services Agency — Designated Activities; Immigration Services Agency — Residence procedures. Always confirm the latest details on the official pages of the Immigration Services Agency.
Disclaimer: This article is accurate as of June 2026 and is based on Japanese immigration law — the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the Minister of Justice's notification on Designated Activities — and the published information of the Immigration Services Agency. The categories and their requirements are revised from time to time, and each individual designation differs. This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. For your own case, please consult an administrative scrivener or immigration lawyer specialised in immigration matters.