Procedures Required When Changing Jobs on a Gijinkoku Visa [Licensed Immigration Specialist]

When a foreign national holding a Gijinkoku (Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services) visa changes jobs, immigration procedures are required even if there is remaining time left on the current period of stay. Failing to complete these procedures can lead to rejection of your visa renewal or cancellation of your status of residence. This article organizes the required procedures by situation and explains what to do.

Three Patterns of Procedures When Changing Jobs

The required procedures when changing jobs on a Gijinkoku visa depend on the nature of the duties at the new employer.

Procedure ①: Notification of Affiliated Organization (Required for All)

The Obligation and Deadline

A foreign national residing in Japan on a Gijinkoku visa who changes jobs is required by Immigration Control Act Article 19-16 to submit the following two notifications to the Immigration Services Agency, each within 14 days:

• Within 14 days of the resignation date: notification of the termination of the contract with the previous employer
• Within 14 days of the start date: notification of the new contract with the new employer

How to File

The notification can be submitted online (through the Immigration Services Agency's online notification system) or in person at the counter, or by postal mail. Required information includes your residence card number, name, previous employer name, and new employer name.

Procedure ②: Certificate of Authorized Employment (Optional but Strongly Recommended)

What Is a Certificate of Authorized Employment?

A Certificate of Authorized Employment (shuro shikaku shomeisho) is a document issued by immigration confirming that the duties at your new job fall within the permitted scope of your current status of residence. While obtaining it is optional, it is strongly recommended in practice because it significantly reduces the risk of a rejected renewal after the job change.

Benefits of Obtaining It

• At the time of your renewal application after changing jobs, the review of aspects related to your new employer is simplified or abbreviated
• You can verify job duty compatibility in advance, reducing the risk of a rejected renewal
• It also serves as proof of legal employment for the employer

When It Is Especially Strongly Recommended

• When the job duties at the new employer differ from those at the previous employer
• When the new employer is a newly established or small-scale company (Category 4)
• When the connection between your academic background and your new job duties is not immediately obvious

Procedure ③: Application to Change Status of Residence (When Switching Industries)

If you are moving to an industry or role outside the permitted scope of the Gijinkoku status, you must file an Application to Change Status of Residence. This application must be filed before you change jobs, and you cannot begin working at the new company until approval has been granted.

Examples of situations that require changing from Gijinkoku to a different visa include transitioning to work as a foreign cuisine chef (Skilled Labor visa) or starting a company to become an executive (Business Manager visa).

Watch Out for Employment Gaps After Leaving a Job: The 3-Month Rule

If a Gijinkoku visa holder resigns and remains out of work for more than 3 months without a legitimate reason, the status of residence may become subject to cancellation (Immigration Control Act Article 22-4).

What to Watch Out for at Renewal After Changing Jobs

Renewal applications involving a job change are reviewed more strictly than renewals at the same company. Consider the first renewal after a job change to be subject to a review equivalent to applying for a work visa for the first time.

The following points are specifically reviewed:

• Whether the duties at the new employer fall within the Gijinkoku scope
• The relevance of the applicant's academic background and career history to the new duties
• The stability and credibility of the new employer (company size, years in operation, financial condition, etc.)
• Whether the Notification of Affiliated Organization was properly filed at the time of the job change

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary: Checklist for Changing Jobs

• File the Notification of Affiliated Organization (resignation notice) within 14 days of your resignation date
• File the Notification of Affiliated Organization (new employer notice) within 14 days of your start date
• Confirm whether the new job duties fall within the Gijinkoku scope
• If duties are changing, consider obtaining a Certificate of Authorized Employment
• If switching to an industry outside the Gijinkoku scope, file an Application to Change Status of Residence in advance
• Plan your job search to avoid an employment gap of more than 3 months after leaving a job

If you have any concerns about these procedures, or if you are uncertain whether your new job duties are compatible with your status of residence, we recommend consulting a licensed immigration specialist.

This article is based on official information from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan and practical experience. Procedure requirements vary depending on individual circumstances. Always verify the latest information on the Immigration Services Agency's official website.