2023-06-24

Foreigners need a work visa to work in Japan, but it is not uncommon for them to change the nature of their work when they change jobs. There are cases when it is necessary to change the work visa when changing jobs. In this topic you will learn how foreigners change jobs and what procedures are required for each job change.

Job change for foreigners

When a foreigner stays in Japan for an extended period of 90 days or more, he or she must apply for a visa. If you want to work, you need a work visa regardless of how long you stay in Japan.

In some cases, you may even need to change your work visa if you change jobs. Even if you change jobs and your occupation does not change, you may be required to file a notification.

Required procedures for each job change

When a foreign national changes jobs, the procedure varies depending on the content of the job.

・Procedures when the content of the job changes

For example, if a foreign national who has worked as a researcher becomes a researcher in an accounting firm, he cannot work as an accounting employee with the residence status of “researcher".

Therefore, it is necessary to apply for a permit to change the residence status from “Researcher" to “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services".

Normally, the visa holder himself applies for the permit to change the residence status at the regional immigration office, branch office or subsidiary of the immigration office.

The usual processing time for work visa changes is about 2 weeks to 1 month.

“Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Industry"

• Application for change of residence status
• Photo of the applicant (4 x 3 cm)
• Letter of employment/invitation/job description
• Resume of the applicant
• High school graduation certificate (certificate of completion)
• Documents that demonstrate the applicant’s employment history
• Documents showing the employer’s profile (company registration certificate and information/brochures, etc.)
• Employment contract with the company, etc.
• Statutory income report and withholding tax on annual salary, such as withholding tax documents for employee salary income for the previous year

The fee for the “Application for Change of Residence Status" is 4,000 yen.

• Change of job within the scope of the current work visa

If you are working on the same work visa, such as an internal employee, office worker, or interpreter, you do not need to apply for a permit to change your residency status.

The fee for the “Application for Change of Residence Status" is 4,000 yen.

• Change of job within the scope of the current work visa

If you change your job within the scope of your work visa, such as an internal employee, office worker, or interpreter, you do not need to apply for a permit to change your residency status.

However, within 14 days of changing jobs, you must present your residence card along with your work visa to the regional immigration office, branch or subsidiary of the immigration office to file a “Notice of Commencement of Employment".

On the other hand, if you are not sure whether this falls within the scope of the work visa, you can apply for a “Certificate of Work Qualification" at the local immigration office.

The regional immigration office will verify if you meet the work requirements for the new job.

Summary

When a foreign national changes jobs, the procedure depends on whether the job change falls within the scope of the work visa or whether the content of the job changes.
If the change falls within the scope of the same work visa, there is no need to apply for a change of residence status permit. If the content of the job changes, the person must in principle apply for a permit to change the residence status himself/herself at the regional immigration office, a branch office, or a subsidiary.