【Applicants Must Read!】Key Points to Note When Applying for Non-Notified Designated Activities
“Non-Notified Designated Activities” is one type of “status of residence” individually permitted by the Immigration Services Agency. This explains what points to be aware of when engaging in activities not covered by standard statuses of residence.
What is the “Designated Activities” Status of Residence?
“Designated Activities” refers to the status of residence granted to foreign nationals engaged in specific activities designated by the Immigration Services Agency through notification, or activities individually designated by the Minister of Justice. Examples include “Working Holiday,” “Internship,” and “Preparation for Employment by Prospective Employees,” which fall under notification-based designated activities (i.e., notification-based designated activities).
A key feature of this status is the extreme diversity of permissible activities. This means it offers a flexible framework capable of accommodating individual circumstances that cannot be addressed by other statuses like “Engineer/Specialist/International Services” or “Student.”
Therefore, it can be considered a “special case” among residence statuses. However, not all activities are automatically recognized as “Specified Activities”; the necessity and reasonableness of each activity is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
What is Non-Notified Specified Activities?
“Non-Notified Specified Activities” refers to activities not specifically defined in the ‘Notification’ that are individually permitted as “Specified Activities” by the Immigration Services Agency. In other words, it is an “exceptional residence status” granted based on the individual judgment of the Minister of Justice.
For example, it applies to cases where existing statuses are insufficient, such as when international students residing in Japan prepare to start a business after graduation or engage in special research or cultural activities. When applying, you must submit detailed documentation explaining the purpose, duration, content, and necessity of the activity.
Non-specified activities are essentially a “custom-made” residence status. Therefore, the content of the application documents and the persuasiveness of the explanations significantly influence the outcome. Therefore, it is crucial to proceed with careful and thorough preparation, ideally consulting with a licensed administrative scrivener or other specialist.
Key Points for Application
When applying for Non-Notified Specified Activities, it is vital to clearly demonstrate that the activity “cannot be covered by any other residence status.” If the activity could be covered by existing statuses like “Engineer, Specialist in Humanities, or International Services,” it may not be approved as a Specified Activity.
Furthermore, approval is unlikely if the activity details are not sufficiently concrete. Simply stating vague objectives like “I want to work in Japan” or “I want to start a business” is insufficient. Objective supporting documents, such as activity plans and financial plans, are required.
Furthermore, the criteria for granting permission are subject to the discretion of the Immigration Services Agency. Consequently, even similar cases may yield different outcomes. To secure permission, an application strategy informed by past review cases and the latest operational practices is essential.
Seeking support from professionals, such as administrative scriveners, helps prevent deficiencies in documentation and insufficient explanations.
Summary
The Non-Designated Activities visa is a flexible status subject to careful examination. Clarifying the nature of the activities and preparing sufficient supporting documentation to explain them are the most critical factors for obtaining approval.
