You graduated from a Japanese school and finally got a job offer, but Immigration sent you a devastating notice: “Application for Change of Status to Working Visa Denied.”
International students might panic, thinking “Will my offer be canceled? Do I have to go home?” Employers might also be holding their heads in despair. But it is too early to give up.
In this article, we thoroughly explain what happens to your current visa if your change of status is denied, and the strategy to successfully recover (reapply) within a limited timeframe.
1. You Might Not Have to Leave Immediately
When you receive the denial notice, your legal status depends on your current situation.
① If you haven’t graduated yet (Student visa is still valid)
Even if rejected, your current “Student Visa” remains valid. You do not need to return home immediately. You can stay enrolled, find out the reason for rejection, and prepare to reapply.
② If you have graduated and your Student visa has expired
If your visa expired during the screening process, your status will be changed to “Designated Activities (Preparation for Departure – 30 days)” upon rejection. You must not work (including part-time) during this period. If you aim to reapply, you must move on an extremely tight 30-day schedule.
2. Crucial Task: Get the Exact “Reason for Rejection”
The first step toward recovery is for the student to go to Immigration and directly ask the examiner, “Why was it denied?”
You generally only get one chance to hear this. Calmly ask, “Was it a mismatch with my major, or an issue with the company?” and take detailed notes. (*We highly recommend a representative from your hiring company accompany you.)
3. “Fatal Traps” Specific to International Students
If the reason lies with the company (e.g., unclear job duties), recovery is possible by rewriting the Statement of Reason (理由書) and adding documents.
However, if the student is at fault for the following reasons, recovery is extremely difficult (practically impossible):
- Overworking (Violation of Permitted Activities): Working more than the permitted 28 hours per week as a student is a severe legal violation, making a work visa impossible.
- Poor Attendance Rate: If Immigration judges that you “were not studying” due to bad attendance, recovery is hopeless.
4. Recovery Requires “Cooperation with the Company”
Recovering from a denied student visa change is not something a student can solve alone. To clear Immigration’s doubts, strong evidence prepared by the company—such as a detailed hiring reason statement, daily job schedules, and business plans—is essential.
Never reapply lightly on your own thinking “it might pass this time.” Analyzing the reason objectively and building a correct recovery route together with your employer is the only way to protect your job offer and your future in Japan.