How to Get the J-Find Visa as a US Citizen
(I've made all the mistakes so you don't have to)
In the spring of 2023, the Japanese government announced the “Future Creation Individual” or “J-Find” Visa, offering recent graduates an exciting new opportunity to live and work in Japan for up to two years while job hunting or starting a business. Unlike other visas requiring school or employer sponsorship, this visa allows you to sponsor yourself.
My Visa Experience
This guide is based on my experiences as a US citizen applying for the J-Find Visa while on a “Temporary Visitor” or “Tourist” Visa (90 days). This means I entered the country as a tourist and had no prior visas, residency, or employment sponsorship in Japan.
Who is eligible for the J-Find Visa?
To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:
Graduated from a degree program in the last five years from a school that lands in the top 100 on 2 out of 3 of these lists: QS World University Rankings, World University Rankings, ShanghaiRanking's Academic Ranking of World Universities
Have at least 200,000 Yen (about $1,250 USD) in savings in a bank account.
What does the Visa allow?
The visa allows you to work part-time to support yourself while job-hunting or engaging in entrepreneurial activities. You can also bring dependents with you on this visa!
Image from Freepik
Getting the J-Find Visa:
Option 1: Applying in the US
This is the quickest and most convenient option, with a processing time of 6-8 weeks. As of spring 2024, this option was only available to those living in the jurisdiction of the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles. Other consulates in the US may not process the initial forms needed for the application, so call your consulate to see if this situation has changed.
Option 2: Temporary Visitor Visa (Tourist) —> J-Find
Getting the J-Find Visa while on a tourist visa can be complicated and lengthy. I only recommend this option if you have a compelling reason or are under the jurisdiction of a consulate that cannot process a COE. The processing time for this option is 3-4 months.
Option 3: Living in Japan as a student and then converting to a J-Find visa
I have no experience with this, but I assume it’s a visa conversion process similar to steps 4-6 in the “Applying in Japan as a Temporary Visitor” section. If anyone has completed this process, please feel free to drop a link to a guide in the comments.
Required Materials:
Print all the documents in A4 format if you’re applying in Japan.
ID Photos: You can find an ID photo booth in almost any mall or train station in Japan, costing about 600–1000 yen to print 4 photos. If you’re in the US, you can usually get these taken at a Walgreens or passport center.
COE Application Form: The Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is the most substantial part of the application process. This document allows you access to the next round of applications.
Description of Intended Activities: This document details your intention to get the J-Find Visa and find employment in Japan, specifying your intended length of stay as two years.
Health Insurance Pledge: A promise to the government that you will apply for the national health insurance program after acquiring your visa.
*I submitted this but it is no longer listed on the official visa website
Valid Passport: Ensure your passport has more than six months of validity.
Curriculum Vitae: Don’t worry about using this document to make yourself seem incredibly accomplished or capable, just honestly fill this out.
Diploma: This must be your original diploma, not a photocopy or transcripts. Most universities will print you an official copy for free, but it may take 4–5 weeks to obtain, so plan accordingly.
Bank Statement: This should be your most recent bank statement clearly displaying the balance.
[Japan only] Envelope Stamp: Purchase a postage stamp for your application envelope at the convenience store attached to the bureau. The bureau will provide you with the envelope and have you write your Japanese address on it.
Applying in the US:
Apply for your COE: Submit the Proof of Savings, Diploma, Passport, COE Application, Intended Activities, Visa fee, and Health Insurance Pledge. This can be done via mail or in person at the consulate. Note: you will NOT have your Passport during the processing time so do not plan any international travel.
Apply for your Visa: with the COE, application fee, and passport in hand, go back to the consulate and submit for your Visa. Check ahead of time to see if you need an appointment or when drop-in hours are. It will likely take about five business days for the Visa to be processed.
Image from Freepik
Applying in Japan While on a Temporary Visitor Visa:
This option makes sense if you want to spend a few months traveling or making connections while you wait for your Visa. If you do not have a job that allows you to work remotely during this time, I recommend having at least 3 months of living expenses saved before making the move.
Get a Japanese address. Look into short-term housing options like LeoPalace or Oakhouse if you are moving to Japan on a tourist visa and then attempting to switch to the J-Find. If you have a friend or family member with a permanent address in Japan, you can use this on the application. Even a long-term Airbnb will work if you will have access to the address for the duration of the application process and can receive mail there.
[OPTIONAL] Get a Japanese phone number. While not absolutely essential at this stage, having a Japanese phone number unlocks many options during your stay. The post office only recognizes Japanese phone numbers, so it will be easier to communicate with them if any document deliveries go wrong. Mobal and Sakura are great affordable starting points.
Apply for your COE. There are several bureaus throughout Tokyo, but the Shinagawa Immigration Bureau is generally considered to have the most English language support. Read my guide to surviving the immigration bureau for tips to make this experience less painful. Go to the COE counter on the first floor and submit the proof of savings, diploma, COE application, intended activities form, stamped envelope, and health insurance pledge.
If all your forms are correct, they will take your application and give you a half sheet of paper with your application receipt number on it. Save this. In 2–3 months (but more likely 45 days), the COE will arrive at the address you placed on the envelope.
Depending on your housing situation, they may not be willing to deliver the document unless they can hand it to you directly. If you receive a “Unable to Deliver” notice in the mail (like I did), scan the QR code and use the post office’s English site to schedule your mail for redelivery. If, for some reason, you miss the redelivery period (also like I did) the document will be returned to the bureau, and you can pick it up there at the “W1” counter.
Apply for a Visa Change. Now that you have been awarded your COE, submit a “Visa Status Change” form with your COE to the W1 counter. They will review your materials and provide any additional documents you need to fill out. For example, I had to attach a sheet explaining why I had left the country while my COE was processing. After filling out those forms, go to the Temporary Visa counter and turn in your documents. They will review and approve them, give you a new submission receipt, and inform you that you can expect a postcard in the mail in 2-4 weeks.
OR Return to the US to Apply: If you have a friend in Japan who can receive the COE and mail it to you or if you prefer to return to the US to process the visa, you can do that. Bring the COE, fee, and your passport to your local Japanese consulate, and they will process the visa for you in about five business days. The visa will be stapled into your passport, allowing you to enter Japan as a resident (and you can skip steps 5 and 6 below).
Check your local consulate’s website to see if an appointment is required.
Wait. Depending on the season, the bureau can take a long time to process documents, so don’t panic if yours seems delayed. Mine took six weeks instead of the predicted 2-4.
Trade your postcard for your visa. The postcard will arrive in the mail. If additional documentation is needed, it will be indicated. There will also be a request for a 4,000 yen “revenue stamp,” which you can purchase at the convenience store within the bureau. Once you bring these materials to the bureau, hand in your passport, wait about two hours, and you will leave with the visa attached to your passport and your residence card.
And then BOOM! You’ll be ready to start your life in Japan! Don’t forget to go to your local city hall and announce that you have moved to the area. They’ll help you get set up with health insurance and all the local resources.
It may seem like an intimidating process, but you’re more than capable of completing it. If you’re a recent grad and feeling uncertain or have questions, please feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn.
Image by pch.vector on Freepik
A few notes…
Not a US citizen? Check out this article by Oguzhan Karagözoglu to see his experiences with this process.
Does your school qualify on one list but not the other two? In 2022, my university did not qualify, but in the 2023 rankings, it did. Keep an eye on the rankings when they come out in the fall (end of September/beginning of October) to see if your school’s position changes.
Visa “run”: US citizens are allowed to stay for 90 days at a time in Japan and can do this twice a year for a total of 180 days. Depending on your application timeline, you may need to restart your 90 days. The cheapest and easiest way to do this is to go to South Korea for at least 2 days. I would recommend doing this while waiting for your COE, as I do not know the ramifications of doing it while waiting for your Visa change form.
The newness of this Visa means that it is still somewhat unfamiliar to potential employers and city staff. This won’t prohibit you from doing anything, but it is going to require some additional explaining at times. Always have your passport with the physical Visa with you when you’re speaking with future employers or landlords.
The visa process is always evolving. Parts of this guide may become outdated as procedures are updated and bureau staff become more acquainted with the visa type. If you’ve gotten the J-Find Visa and are from a different country or had a different experience, please add your learnings to the comments!