【Answering Your Basic Questions】What Should Foreigners with a Engineer visa Know When Changing Jobs?
The Engineer visa is the most common residency status for foreigners working in Japan. What procedures are necessary if a foreigner changes jobs within Japan? What are the key points to note when changing jobs? We explain in detail.
What is the Engineer visa?
The “Engineer visa” is the abbreviated term for the residence status “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/Int’l Services.” It is a residence status primarily allowing foreign nationals with academic backgrounds such as university graduation or vocational school completion to work in Japanese companies in positions utilizing specialized knowledge and language skills.
Specifically, this includes roles such as IT engineers, mechanical designers, accounting staff, translators/interpreters, and overseas sales personnel, focusing mainly on so-called white-collar work. Note that it does not cover simple labor or factory work; positions requiring knowledge and experience are the condition.
A major characteristic of the “Engineer visa” is its dependence on the employing company. To put it simply, the visa itself is tied to the specific job type and duties; it does not merely grant the “right to work in Japan.”
Therefore, if the employer changes or the job duties change, the conditions for the residence status may no longer be met. Consequently, many foreign nationals have questions like, “Is changing jobs possible?” and “What procedures are required if I change jobs?”
Is Changing Jobs Possible?
Can foreign nationals holding a Engineer visa change jobs? To answer directly, changing jobs is possible. However, changing jobs freely is not permitted. The key point for changing jobs is whether the new employer meets the conditions of your current residence status.
For example, if a foreigner hired as an IT engineer takes a job at a new company performing the same system development work, there is generally no issue. However, if that foreigner takes a job as a customer-facing restaurant staff member or performs unskilled labor that does not meet the qualification requirements, it falls outside the scope of their residence status. Working in such a position without any procedures could constitute illegal employment.
Depending on the new employer, you may need to apply for a “Change of Status of Residence Permit” or a “Certificate of Eligibility for Employment” at the Immigration Services Agency (ISA). This is especially important if the job duties change significantly or if the company size or business activities differ.
What are the key points to note when changing jobs?
The most critical consideration for foreigners contemplating a job change in Japan is maintaining the validity of their residence status. Resigning from your current company before securing a new position can leave you unemployed. This prolonged unemployment may disadvantage you when applying to renew your residence status with your next employer. Particularly if you remain unemployed for over three months, the Immigration Bureau may suspect unauthorized activities, potentially making continued residence in Japan difficult.
When starting work at a new employer, the contents of the “Employment Contract” are crucial. Immigration authorities review whether the job duties align with the conditions of your Technical/Skilled Labor Visa. If the job description is vague or only written in Japanese, it could cause problems later. Effective measures include preparing a translated version (foreign language version) if necessary or having an expert review the “Employment Contract.”
Additionally, whether the new employer is experienced in hiring foreign nationals is a crucial point. Companies accustomed to handling notifications and procedures with immigration authorities can provide peace of mind. Conversely, companies unfamiliar with hiring foreigners may experience delays or errors, potentially impacting your residence status renewal.
Summary
Even foreign nationals holding a Engineer visa can change jobs within Japan. However, the duties at the new job must align with the conditions of their current visa. If they do not align, procedures such as visa changes must be undertaken.
