Complete Guide to Visa Procedures After Changing Jobs: Notifications, Renewals, and Certificate of Eligibility for Employment
"I changed jobs with my Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa, and I heard I need to notify immigration." "I'm worried about renewing my visa after changing jobs." — For those with such concerns, we provide a comprehensive explanation of all necessary procedures after a job change.
Visa procedures after a job change are easier to organize when considered in three steps: ① Notification within 14 days (mandatory), ② Obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility for Employment (optional, highly recommended), and ③ Subsequent period of stay renewal.
For renewals of periods of stay that involve a job change, the screening process is now equivalent to that of an initial application. Cases of rejection due to insufficient corporate documentation are increasing, especially for job changes to small and medium-sized enterprises. Early preparation after a job change is crucial.
- Overview of Visa Procedures After Job Change
- 【Mandatory】Notification of Affiliation Change within 14 Days
- Risks of Forgetting to Notify
- 【Recommended】Obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility for Employment
- Period of Stay Renewal After Job Change
- When Job Duties Change Significantly
- Notes for Periods of Unemployment
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Leave it to VisaSHOGUN
1. Overview of Visa Procedures After Job Change
2. 【Mandatory】Notification of Affiliation Change within 14 Days
Foreign nationals holding an Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa who change jobs must notify the Immigration Services Agency within 14 days of both their resignation date and their start date (Immigration Control Act Article 19-16).
When Notification is Required
- When you resign from your previous company (contract termination)
- When you join a new company (new contract signing)
Notification Methods (3 Methods)
You can notify anytime, 24 hours a day, through the Immigration Services Agency's e-Notification system. This is the most convenient method as there's no need to visit a counter.
Fill out the notification form and mail it to the regional immigration bureau. The postmark must be within 14 days.
Bring the form to your nearest regional immigration bureau or branch office. Allow ample time if visiting the Tokyo Immigration Bureau due to congestion.
Available for download from the Immigration Services Agency website. No photo or fee is required.
💻 Immigration Services Agency | e-Notification System
📄 Immigration Services Agency | Notification of Affiliation
3. Risks of Forgetting to Notify
- Checklist of what to do within 14 days of changing jobs
- Guide on how to fill out the Notification of Affiliation Change (Online & Mail compatible)
- Flowchart for determining when to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility for Employment
- List of required documents for the first renewal after a job change (with/without Certificate of Eligibility for Employment)
4. 【Recommended】Obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility for Employment
The Certificate of Eligibility for Employment is a document issued by the immigration authorities that certifies whether your duties at your new workplace are appropriate for your current status of residence (Immigration Control Act Article 19-2). Obtaining it is optional, but strongly recommended after a job change.
Benefits of Obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility for Employment
- Allows you to confirm the suitability of your job duties at your new workplace in advance (avoiding the risk of rejection later).
- Significantly reduces the documents required for your next period of stay renewal.
- You can clearly demonstrate your eligibility for employment to your employer, making hiring smoother.
- If your duties are found to be unsuitable, you have time to take countermeasures if there is sufficient time remaining on your period of stay.
The screening process for a Certificate of Eligibility for Employment takes approximately 1.5 to 2 months. If your period of stay has less than 3 months remaining, please prioritize applying for a period of stay renewal over obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility for Employment.
Required Documents for Certificate of Eligibility for Employment Application (with job change)
| Document | Remarks |
|---|---|
| Application for Certificate of Eligibility for Employment | Download from the Immigration Services Agency website |
| Passport and Residence Card | To be presented at the counter |
| Employment contract or notice of employment conditions from the new workplace | Must include details of duties and remuneration |
| Certificate of Registered Matters for the new company | Issued within 3 months |
| Financial statements of the new company (for the most recent fiscal year) | Income statement and balance sheet |
| Job description (description of duties) | An important document detailing your professional specialization |
| Documents proving academic background and work experience | Graduation certificate, resume, etc. |
The fee for issuing a Certificate of Eligibility for Employment is ¥1,200 (revenue stamp).
📌 Immigration Services Agency | Application for Certificate of Eligibility for Employment
5. Period of Stay Renewal After Job Change
The first renewal after a job change is subject to stricter screening than renewals at the same company. Your job duties and employment conditions at the new workplace will be re-examined, requiring document preparation equivalent to an initial application.
If you have a Certificate of Eligibility for Employment
If you have already obtained a Certificate of Eligibility for Employment, the number of documents required for renewal will be significantly reduced, and the screening process will proceed more smoothly.
If you do not have a Certificate of Eligibility for Employment
In addition to the usual documents required for an Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa renewal, the following documents related to your new employer are necessary:
- Employment contract or notice of employment conditions from the new workplace
- Certificate of Registered Matters for the new company
- Financial statements of the new company
- Documents explaining job duties (job description, letter of reason)
In recent years, there has been an increase in cases of rejection for renewals after job changes to small and medium-sized enterprises. The risk of rejection is higher if the company's documents (financial statements, business description, etc.) are insufficient, or if there are unpaid social insurance premiums or pensions. It is crucial to cooperate with your new company to gather all necessary documents.
6. When Job Duties Change Significantly
If your job duties at the new workplace fall outside the scope of your current status of residence, a mere notification of affiliation change is insufficient, and an application for change of status of residence will be required.
| Before job change | After job change | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (IT professional) | Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (Translator) | Notification only (within the same status of residence) |
| Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services | Instructor visa (elementary school teacher) | Application for change of status of residence required |
| Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services | Business Manager visa (company establishment) | Application for change of status of residence required |
| Student visa | Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (employment) | Application for change of status of residence required |
An application for change of status of residence must be filed before changing jobs, and you are generally not allowed to work at the new workplace until approval is granted. Timing of job changes requires careful consideration. If you find it difficult to judge, it is recommended to consult an administrative scrivener.
7. Notes for Periods of Unemployment
- Notify "contract termination" within 14 days of resignation (mandatory).
- A period of unemployment of 3 months or more may lead to revocation of your status of residence.
- If your period of unemployment extends, consult with immigration or an administrative scrivener as soon as possible.
If you do not engage in activities based on your status of residence for 3 months or more without a legitimate reason, your status of residence may be revoked (Immigration Control Act Article 22-4). If your job search is prolonged, be sure to consult with immigration about your situation.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
- Checklist of what to do within 14 days of changing jobs
- Flowchart for determining the necessity of a Certificate of Eligibility for Employment (by remaining period of stay)
- List of required documents for the first renewal after a job change
Official Reference Links
📌 Immigration Services Agency | Notification of Affiliation
📄 Immigration Services Agency | Application for Certificate of Eligibility for Employment
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