Key Points to Keep in Mind When Foreign Nationals Change Jobs
AKIRA YAMAMOTO.AKIRAIt is not uncommon for individuals holding a work visa (status of residence) such as "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" to change jobs. However, there are crucial points you must keep in mind during this transition.
The most critical period to watch out for is any gap (unemployed period) between the day you leave your previous company and the day you start working at your new one.
As a general rule, when you are employed by a company, you are enrolled in the Employees' Pension (Kosei Nenkin) and Health Insurance (Shakai Hoken). However, if there is a blank period where you are not working due to a job change, you must enroll in the National Pension (Kokumin Nenkin) and National Health Insurance (Kokumin Kenko Hoken) for that specific duration.
Please note that you must handle this procedure yourself by visiting your local municipal office (city/ward hall). Neglecting this step can lead to periods of unpaid premiums.
Currently, when applying for an Extension of Period of Stay for a work visa, you are required to submit proof of payment if you have any periods of enrollment in the National Pension. Therefore, it is essential to complete these procedures without fail.
An Extension of Period of Stay is an unavoidable process if you wish to continue working in Japan in the future. Even if you think, "I am working diligently at my current company, so I'll be fine," the immigration screening strictly reviews your entire past residency record. Particularly for those who have changed jobs, issues stemming from your previous workplace can sometimes lead to a denial of your application.
Below, we explain the key points to ensure you do not receive a negative evaluation during your renewal application.
During the renewal screening, immigration authorities check whether you have adhered to the restrictions on activities outside the scope of your qualification (such as side jobs), fulfilled your tax and social insurance obligations, and maintained good conduct. If your record in these areas is deemed poor, your application may be denied.
When applying for your first renewal after changing jobs, the screening will also cover your working conditions at your previous company. A point that requires particular caution here is the legal compliance of your former employer.
For instance, if the foreign CEO of your previous company was overstaying their visa, or if the company was facilitating illegal employment, it could create a chain reaction that negatively impacts the residency applications of employees who worked there for a long time.
Since "I didn't know" is sometimes not accepted as an excuse, discerning whether your employer operates a sound and compliant business is extremely important for protecting your own status of residence.
The period between leaving a company and securing your next job is viewed by Immigration as a "period in which you are not engaged in your primary authorized activity (employment)." How you spend this time heavily influences the evaluation of your next renewal.
Submitting a "Notification Regarding the Accepting Organization" to Immigration within 14 days of your resignation, registering for job-seeking activities at Hello Work, or consulting with the Labour Standards Inspection Office will create an objective track record showing that you were engaged in a "job hunt for legitimate reasons." This works in your favor during the screening process.
Need assistance?
If you feel anxious about whether your career history allows for a renewal, or if you are worried about the status of your previous company, we highly recommend consulting with an expert before it is too late.
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