Q&A When changing jobs with a Highly Skilled Professional visa, is it necessary to change my status of residence?

🏛️
Administrative Scrivener SupervisionCreated based on official information from the Immigration Services Agency and practical experience. Last updated: April 2026
❓ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If I change jobs with a Highly Skilled Professional Visa,
do I need to change my status of residence?
✅ CONCLUSION
If the content of your new job falls within the scope of your Highly Skilled Professional Visa (specialized work), you do not need to change your status of residence. However, you must notify the authorities within 14 days, and the next renewal will be reviewed based on your new company.

Criteria for determining if a change of status application is necessary

Content of new job Change of status application
Engineer → Engineer (same industry) Not required
Marketer → Sales (within specialized work) Not required
Office work → Simple labor (warehouse, factory, etc.) Required
Company employee → Managing own company Required (to Business Manager Visa)
💡 It is safe to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility for EmploymentThis document allows you to confirm with the Immigration Bureau in advance whether the work at your new job falls within the scope of the Highly Skilled Professional Visa. Obtaining it will make your next renewal smoother.

List of procedures after changing jobs

Required: Notification of resignation and employment (within 14 days each)

Recommended: Obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility for Employment

At next renewal: Review based on documents from the new company (the initial review will be stricter than usual)

Let's check the procedures after your job change together.
Start free consultation →
Back to blog

Contact Form

We reply within 1–2 business days

Get in touch — we're here to help

Visa questions for individuals and companies. We respond in English, Japanese, and Vietnamese.

Individual visa support Corporate & HR support English · Japanese · Vietnamese

We'll get back to you within 1–2 business days.
For urgent matters, LINE is usually faster.

💬 Prefer to message us on LINE?

We're happy to chat on LINE too. We respond in English, Japanese, and Vietnamese — whichever is easiest for you.

Chat with us on LINE
🕐 Response times & contact
📧
Email reply
Within 1–2 business days
Weekends & holidays: next business day
💬
LINE reply
Same day or next business day
For urgent matters, LINE is faster
🌏
Languages
English · Japanese · Vietnamese
Common questions
Is the initial consultation free?
Yes — your first enquiry and consultation are completely free of charge.
Can you help with any type of visa?
We handle all major visa categories — work visas, spouse visas, permanent residence, and more.
Do you respond in English?
Absolutely. We respond fully in English (and Vietnamese). You don't need to write in Japanese.