Work and career after studying in Asia: visas for graduates

In-demand fields
Singapore is particularly active in hiring in finance, technology, engineering, and logistics — sectors where regional headquarters of international companies are located.

Finding an employer
You need to look for a job before applying for a work visa — in Singapore, it is the employer who submits the application for a permit on behalf of the candidate, not the other way around.

Transitioning from student status to working status
The main route is the Employment Pass, which requires a fixed monthly salary of S$5,600 (S$6,200 for the financial sector) and passing the COMPASS system — a scoring system based on several criteria, including salary, qualifications, and contribution to the local labour market. Separately, there is the Training Employment Pass — a short‑term permit for practical training lasting up to three months, with no right to extension, which does not guarantee a subsequent transition to the Employment Pass.

The role of experience and internships
An internship during studies at a Singaporean company significantly simplifies the subsequent job search — local experience and recommendations from a local employer often become a decisive factor in hiring.

In-demand specializations
In Korea, IT, engineering, the semiconductor industry, and some fields related to the K‑culture industry — from content production to marketing — are in particularly high demand.

The significance of the Korean language
Although some international companies operate in English, knowledge of the Korean language significantly expands the list of available job opportunities, especially in local corporations.

Possible visa routes
The main tool for graduates without a ready job offer is the D-10 visa (job‑seeking visa), which allows you to stay in the country legally and look for work. The visa is issued based on a points system (usually from 60 points out of more than 100 possible) and is initially issued for 6 months, with the possibility of extension. Upon employment, the D-10 is converted into an E‑7 work visa. The exact points, requirements, and extension periods must be checked on the official HiKorea portal before applying, as the rules change periodically.

Finding a job as a foreign graduate
Career centers at Korean universities often help students with resume writing and job search, and some corporations run separate hiring programs for foreign graduates of local universities.

In-demand specialists
Japan is particularly active in hiring engineers, IT specialists, and international relations specialists — the latter category especially values students with bilingual skills.

Requirements for knowledge of Japanese
For most positions in Japanese companies, at least conversational Japanese is required, and for full integration into the corporate culture, a level close to business‑level proficiency is needed. International companies and some technology startups are more flexible on this matter.

Change of stay status
The student visa automatically becomes invalid after graduation — it is not possible to remain in Japan with “Student” status in order to look for a job. If a job is not found by the time of graduation, you can apply to change your status to “Designated Activities” (for job search) — this status is issued for 6 months and can be extended once, for a total of approximately one year. To obtain this status, you need a recommendation from the university and proof of active job search; the application must be submitted before the student visa expires. After employment, a specialized work visa corresponding to the position is issued.

University career centers
Japanese universities actively support students through career centers and recruitment events (job fairs), which often become the main channel for employment for international graduates.

Promising industries
In China, foreign specialists have particularly good opportunities in technology, engineering, international trade, and teaching — although the latter field is heavily regulated by specific requirements.

Language and qualification requirements
Working knowledge of Chinese provides a significant advantage in almost all industries, except for positions in fully international teams or foreign offices.

Employer and work permit
As in Singapore, in China, it is the employer who initiates the process: he receives a work permit from the local Office of Human Resources and Social Security, after which the candidate can apply for a Z work visa at the embassy or consulate. China uses a three-level point classification system for foreign professionals (categories A, B, C): most ordinary graduates without work experience find it difficult to score the necessary points for the standard B category, which usually requires a bachelor’s degree and at least two years of experience, although separate regional programs make it easier for graduate students from well-known universities. After entering the country with a Z visa, you must obtain a residence permit within 30 days.

International companies
International companies and joint ventures in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen remain the most realistic employer for foreign graduates without work experience, as local companies are more often focused on candidates with experience in the Chinese system.