Please refer to the following items to complete the procedures before returning home.

（1） Procedures for leaving student dormitories and private apartments

Notify the apartment landlord, real estate agency, etc. of your expected move-out date and follow the procedures. Clean the room and dispose of all unnecessary items. Care should be taken in disposing of large trash and some appliances (refrigerators, TVs, etc.). Check with the municipality in which you live for disposal instructions.
For water, gas, and electricity, you must also inform the respective companies of your move-out date and cancel the contracts. Please be sure to settle your water/utility bills and telephone bills (especially international telephone bills) so that there are no outstanding payments.

（2）Procedures to be taken at municipal offices

① Submit Notification of Change of Address

If you forget to notify them, you may be billed for National Health Insurance premiums, etc. even after you return to your home country.

② Return your "My Number" Card

Those who plan to return to their home country without returning to Japan should return their My Number card to the municipal office.

③ Procedures related to National Health Insurance and National Pension

Please return your National Health Insurance card and settle your insurance premiums before leaving Japan. You can claim a lump-sum withdrawal payment for the National Pension plan.
* Please note that if you receive the lump-sum withdrawal payment, the period that was the basis for the calculation is no longer covered by the pension.

（3）Other

Cancel your bank account and cell phone. Bank accounts should not be closed before utility, cell phones, etc. bills are paid.

* About short-term stays after graduation
If your period of stay expires immediately after graduation and you need to stay for a short period of time to prepare to return home, please consult with the nearest regional immigration bureau.

Regional Immigration Services Bureaus

See the following page for information about job hunting.

Employment in Japan

Reference: Immigration Services Agency, "For International Students Who Wish to Find Employment in Japan (Guide to Procedures Concerning Status of Residence for International Students Seeking Employment)(JP)"

If a university graduate cannot find a job by the time of graduation and wishes to continue job hunting in Japan after graduation, they must change their status of residence to Designated Activities. The period of stay is six months, and in principle, one renewal of the period of stay is permitted. Furthermore, you need a letter of recommendation from your school in order to continue job hunting after graduation. Consult your school if you wish to continue job hunting in Japan.
Please contact the regional immigration bureau for information on changing your status of residence to Designated Activities.

Reference: Immigration Services Agency, "Designated Activities 9"

Please see the following page for information about changing your status of residence for employment.

Procedure for Changing Your Status of Residence

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its overseas diplomatic missions, provides financial support to alumni associations organized by former international students who have returned to their home countries to hold various events such as social gatherings, and to prepare alumni newsletters and lists. To find out if there is an alumni association in your country and its contact information, please refer to the List of Alumni Associations.
If you do not have an alumni association and wish to work on your own, please consult with the nearest Japanese embassy or other diplomatic mission abroad in your country.

List of Japan Alumni Associations

The NIC-Japan website provides authoritative and accurate information on the Japanese higher education system and qualifications. Please use it as a reference.

National Information Center for Academic Recognition Japan (NIC-Japan)