Last Updated: May 27, 2026
Category: Visa & Legal
Introduction
For anyone working in Japan on the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa (commonly called the gijinkoku visa), changing jobs is a natural step in building a career. But if you get the order of the procedures wrong, you can put the residence status you worked hard to obtain at risk. In 2026 in particular, the Immigration Services Agency tightened its enforcement noticeably, and several new rules took effect.
This guide walks through the whole journey, step by step: from the moment you start thinking about changing jobs, through starting at your next company, to renewing your visa without trouble. It covers the “Notification Regarding the Affiliated Organization” you must file within 14 days of leaving a job, the “Certificate of Authorized Employment” that makes your next renewal more secure, the “90-day rule” that applies to gaps after you resign, and the JLPT N2 requirement and new dispatch rules that began in 2026, all based on primary sources from the Immigration Services Agency.
TL;DR
- First, check whether the job at your new company falls within the gijinkoku scope (specialized work related to your education and career history)
- When you resign or change jobs, file a “Notification Regarding the Contracting Organization” with immigration within 14 days. There is no fee
- If the work changes substantially, you may need an “Application for Change of Status of Residence” before you start working
- Getting a “Certificate of Authorized Employment” makes your next renewal smoother. The fee is ¥2,000 in person, ¥1,600 online
- Being out of work for 90+ days “without a justifiable reason” after resigning can lead to your residence status being revoked. Enforcement got stricter in 2026
- If you join a Category 3 or 4 company in a customer-facing role, you may need to prove JLPT N2-level Japanese (from April 15, 2026)
- For dispatch (staffing) arrangements, both the dispatching company and the host company must now submit a formal pledge (from March 9, 2026)
Disclaimer: This article is based on announcements by Japan’s Immigration Services Agency and Fragomen, organized as of May 2026. For individual visa decisions, please consult an immigration lawyer (gyousei shoshi) or attorney.
The Big Picture: From Job Change to Renewal
Changing jobs on a gijinkoku visa doesn’t end with filing a notification. It’s important to act with your next renewal in mind. Let’s start with a timeline of the whole flow.
| Timing | What to do | Deadline / key point |
|---|---|---|
| When you start considering a change | Check whether the new job is within gijinkoku scope | Relevance to your education/career, salary level |
| Offer to before starting | If the work changes substantially, apply for change of status | Approval needed before you start working |
| After resigning / after joining | File the “Notification Regarding the Contracting Organization” | Within 14 days, free |
| After joining (optional) | Apply for a Certificate of Authorized Employment | For those who want to lock in the next renewal |
| From resignation to next job | Keep records of your job search | Be careful not to exceed 90 days |
| From 3 months before your visa expires | Apply for an extension of period of stay | Reviewed using your new employer’s information |
A gijinkoku visa is approved as a package of both “your education/expertise” and “the company’s job content.” When you change companies, that combination is examined all over again. That’s exactly why checking whether the new job fits your residence status is the very first step.
Step 1: Check Whether the New Job Falls Within “Gijinkoku Scope”
There are limits on the kinds of work you can do on a gijinkoku visa. If the new job falls outside that scope, you can’t do it on the same visa. There are three points to check.
Relevance between your education/career and the job content
Gijinkoku assumes you take a job related to the field you studied at university or to your prior work experience. For example, someone who studied information engineering becoming a systems engineer, or someone who studied languages working as an interpreter/translator. Unskilled work or manual on-site labor with no connection to your field falls outside gijinkoku scope.
Salary level
Whether the new salary is equal to or higher than what a Japanese national doing the same work would earn is also part of the review. A change that cuts your pay dramatically can count against you in the residence status review.
Stability of the new employer
The review also looks at whether the new company can sustain its business. If the company is financially unstable, or newly established with little track record, the residence status review tends to be more cautious. Companies are sorted into four “categories” based on size and the previous year’s tax payments (discussed below).
Examples of jobs recognized under gijinkoku
- Technology: systems engineer, programmer, mechanical/electrical design
- Humanities: accounting, planning, sales, marketing, consulting
- International services: interpretation/translation, language instruction, overseas trade work, design
Changes into roles where specialized knowledge is hard to recognize — “store manager,” “floor/wait service,” “factory line work” — can be judged outside gijinkoku scope. If you’re unsure, the safe move is to consult an immigration lawyer before you join.
Cases Where a Job Change Is More Likely to Be Denied
If you miss the points in Step 1, you may be able to change jobs but find your next renewal or change of status denied. The following are known examples of denials.
- Education/career not connected to the job content: For example, someone who graduated from an education-related faculty taking a job boxing lunch sets at a factory. There are cases where this was denied because it wasn’t recognized as work using specialized knowledge
- Pay below the level of a Japanese national: There’s a case where someone who graduated from an interpretation/translation program worked for ¥170,000/month while a Japanese new graduate doing the same job earned ¥200,000/month, and it was judged “not equal to or higher compensation”
- Work seen as unskilled labor: Factory line work, restaurant floor service, hotel room cleaning, and similar roles are hard to recognize as specialized and tend to be treated as out of scope
- Unstable company finances: When it’s unclear whether a company can sustain its business, the review becomes more cautious
Once your new job is set, check before you join that “your education/career” and “that company’s job content” connect properly. If you have any doubt, the safe path is to confirm in advance with a Certificate of Authorized Employment (Step 3), or to consult an immigration lawyer.
Quick Reference: Procedures by Job-Change Pattern
The procedures you need depend on “how much the work changes” and “how much time is left on your residence period.” Check which pattern applies to you.
| Pattern | Situation | Required procedure |
|---|---|---|
| A | Change within the same gijinkoku scope (e.g., engineer → engineer) | Only the “Notification Regarding the Contracting Organization” (within 14 days) |
| B | Work falls outside gijinkoku scope / a different status is needed | “Application for Change of Status of Residence” before you start working |
| C | You changed jobs with your residence period close to expiring | Notification, plus review of the new employer at renewal. If worried, get a Certificate of Authorized Employment |
Most job changes fall under Pattern A (notification only). But if “you’re still an engineer, but the work is completely different,” or “the company’s size or category changes significantly,” it’s reassuring to confirm with a Certificate of Authorized Employment (Step 3) just in case.
Step 2: File the “Notification” Within 14 Days of Resigning or Changing Jobs
People working on gijinkoku and other work-related statuses are required to submit a “Notification Regarding the Contracting Organization (Notification Regarding the Affiliated Organization)” to immigration when their employer changes. It applies in situations like these:
- You left a company (your contract with the contracting organization ended)
- You joined a new company (a contract with a new contracting organization began)
- The company’s name or address changed
- The company ceased to exist (bankruptcy, closure, etc.)
The deadline is within 14 days of each event. You can file online (the immigration electronic notification system), by mail, or in person, and there is no fee. Along with the “Notification Regarding the Contracting Organization” form, having a document that shows your new employer (such as a copy of your employment contract) makes it smoother. For points to check in your employment contract, see Employment Contracts and Labor Law Basics.
(Source: Immigration Services Agency — Notification Procedures by the Affiliated Organization)
The notification takes about 5 minutes online. You’ll need it for both resigning and joining, so build the habit of filing as soon as your last day and start day are set.
If you don’t file the notification, you can be treated unfavorably at your next visa renewal for “neglecting the notification obligation.” The notification itself is free and simple, so don’t forget it.
Documents worth obtaining when you resign
To prepare for the job-change procedures and your next renewal, it helps to obtain the following documents from your previous company when you leave.
- Certificate of resignation/employment: Proves the content and period of your previous work. Useful when you need to show your prior job in residence status procedures
- *Withholding tax certificate (gensen choshu hyo)*: Needed for year-end tax adjustment, tax filing, and procedures at your new company
- *Employment insurance separation certificate (rishokuhyo)*: Used if you do job-seeking through Hello Work
When the Work Changes Substantially: Application for Change of Status of Residence
If the new job falls outside gijinkoku scope (Pattern B in the quick reference), the “Notification Regarding the Contracting Organization” alone isn’t enough. You need to file an “Application for Change of Status of Residence” and receive approval before you start working. Examples include moving from engineer to running a company (Business Manager visa), or changing from gijinkoku to Specified Skilled Worker.
Key points
- Apply before you start working: Starting the new job before approval comes through risks being treated as illegal work
- Fee: When approved, ¥6,000 in person or ¥5,500 online (paid by revenue stamp)
- Allow plenty of time: Reviews take time, so apply early, working backward from your planned start date
(Source: Immigration Services Agency — Revision of Fees for Residence Procedures)
Fees for change of status and renewal were raised in April 2025, and further substantial increases are planned from FY2026 onward. Check the latest amounts in Visa Fees Are Going Up by as Much as 10x.
Step 3: Lock In “the Next Renewal” With a Certificate of Authorized Employment
A “Certificate of Authorized Employment” is a document that immigration issues after confirming in advance that you can do the work at your new employer under your current residence status. Getting it isn’t mandatory, but obtaining it when you change jobs makes your next visa renewal smoother.
Benefits of getting it
- You can confirm whether the new job fits gijinkoku scope without waiting for renewal
- Even if it’s judged “out of scope,” you find out early rather than at renewal
- It also gives your new employer reassurance about hiring you
Fee and processing time
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Fee (in person) | ¥2,000 (revenue stamp) |
| Fee (online) | ¥1,600 (revenue stamp) |
| Standard processing time | 1–3 months if you changed jobs |
| Who can apply | The person, a legal representative, or an agent (such as an immigration lawyer) |
Application flow and required documents
You can apply yourself or through an agent such as an immigration lawyer. If your employer changes due to a job change, in addition to the application form, residence card, and passport, you prepare documents showing the new employer and job content (employment contract, company overview, etc.). If your employer doesn’t change, you can apply with fewer documents.
(Source: Immigration Services Agency — Application for Certificate of Authorized Employment)
The fee was raised in the April 2025 revision (it was ¥1,200 before). Note that processing can be same-day when your employer doesn’t change, but takes 1–3 months when you’ve changed jobs. Apply early after joining.
What’s Reviewed at Renewal After a Job Change
Changing jobs doesn’t reset your residence period, but your next renewal is reviewed based on your new employer’s information. For gijinkoku renewals, the following points are looked at especially closely:
- Relevance of job content to education/career: Whether the new job still falls within gijinkoku scope
- Salary level: Whether you’re paid equal to or higher than a Japanese national
- Employer stability: Whether the company can sustain its business
- Tax and social insurance status: Whether you’re paying residence tax and properly enrolled in pension and health insurance
Residence tax and pension in particular tend to fall behind when income changes with a job switch. To avoid being disadvantaged at renewal, keep up your payments after changing jobs. You can learn how Japan’s tax system works in the Japan Tax Guide for Residents.
You can apply for renewal from 3 months before your residence period expires. The year you change jobs may require extra documents, so start preparing early. For the full procedure, see the Visa Renewal Process Guide.
The “90-Day Rule”: Watch Out for Gaps After Resigning
If someone on a gijinkoku visa is not working for more than 90 days “without a justifiable reason” after resigning, immigration has the power to revoke their residence status. In fact, the number of residence status cancellations is rising: in 2025 (Reiwa 7) there were 1,446 cancellations, up 22.1% from 1,184 the previous year and a record high. (This is the figure across all residence statuses; the largest share is Technical Intern Training.)
(Source: Immigration Services Agency — Revocation of Residence Status, On Residence Status Cancellations in 2025)
The 90-day rule itself is not new. But in 2026 enforcement has become noticeably stricter, and cases of actual revocation are increasing. Assuming “three months or so is fine” is dangerous.
What tends to count as a “justifiable reason”
- You have evidence of ongoing job-seeking (application records, interview records)
- You couldn’t work due to illness or injury
- You’re registered as a job seeker with Hello Work or a recruitment agency
What tends NOT to count
- “I wanted to take a break for a while”
- “I wasn’t doing anything”
- No record of job-seeking at all
Keep your application emails and interview records so you can show you’ve been job-seeking. Using a recruitment agency also serves as evidence of your activity.
[2026 Change] Category 3/4 Companies + Customer-Facing Roles Now Require JLPT N2
For applications filed on or after April 15, 2026 (Reiwa 8), if you take a role at a Category 3 or 4 company (often small and medium-sized businesses) that mainly uses language ability to deal directly with customers or clients (customer-facing work), you now need documents proving JLPT N2-equivalent (CEFR B2) Japanese ability. This applies not only to new entry from abroad, but also to change of status into customer-facing work and to renewals when you take on customer-facing work through a job change.
(Source: Immigration Services Agency — Status of Residence "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services", Fragomen — Japan: Introduction of Language Requirement)
What are the categories?
Immigration sorts companies into four categories. The volume of documents and the depth of the review change by category.
| Category | Examples | Document volume |
|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | Listed companies, public institutions | Low |
| Category 2 | Companies with prior-year withholding tax of ¥10 million or more | Fairly low |
| Category 3 | Companies with prior-year withholding tax under ¥10 million | High |
| Category 4 | Newly established companies, etc. | Highest |
Who is subject to the N2 requirement
- Working at a Category 3 or 4 company
- The work includes Japanese-language customer interaction (translation/interpretation, customer service, sales, etc.)
Category 1 and 2 companies, and technical roles that don’t use Japanese (such as internal-facing engineers), are not subject to this requirement.
This requirement isn’t asked at every renewal
The N2-equivalent documents become newly required when you are “about to take on” customer-facing work. That means new entry from abroad, change of status into customer-facing work, and renewals when you take on customer-facing work through a job change. On the other hand, someone who has been doing the same customer-facing work at the same company is, in principle, not asked to submit it at renewal. If you’re staying in the same role at your current company, you don’t need to keep re-taking N2 at every renewal.
Even without N2, you can meet the requirement if any of the following applies: graduation (completion) from a Japanese university, college of technology, or vocational school; completion of Japanese compulsory education plus high school graduation; 20+ years of residence as a mid-to-long-term resident; or a BJT (Business Japanese Proficiency Test) score of 400 or higher. If you graduated from a Japanese school and go straight into employment, that graduation alone satisfies the requirement. Check with your local immigration office for details.
[2026 Change] New Rules for Dispatch and EOR Workers
There are changes for people who hold a gijinkoku visa through a dispatch (haken) or EOR (Employer of Record — a company that enters into the employment contract on behalf of another business) arrangement.
For applications filed on or after March 9, 2026, both the dispatching company and the host company must submit a “pledge.” It attests that the submitted documents contain no falsehoods, that the parties understand the scope of activities permitted under gijinkoku, that the work assigned is specialized rather than unskilled labor, and that they will cooperate with immigration investigations.
In addition, if no dispatch placement is confirmed at the time of application, approval will not be granted. “The placement will be decided later” is no longer an acceptable application. If you’re considering a job change into dispatch work, check with your dispatching company about how it’s handling the new rules.
What You Can and Can’t Do While Job-Seeking
In the gap between resigning and landing your next job, some people worry about income. The thing to watch here is how side jobs are treated.
On a gijinkoku visa, side jobs outside the visa’s activity scope (convenience stores, restaurants, etc.) are, in principle, not allowed. If you really need to work, you can do so within limits by obtaining “Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted,” but there’s also a risk of being seen as neglecting your core activity (job-seeking aimed at specialized work in your field).
Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted generally allows up to 28 hours per week. Even if you intend it as temporary income during a job search, continuing to work in a way that strays from your original purpose of stay can count against you at renewal.
What to Do Now
If you’re planning to change jobs
- Securing your next job before you leave is safest. It brings your gap to zero
- Check whether the new job fits gijinkoku scope, together with the salary level
- After resigning, register with Hello Work or a recruitment agency and keep records of your job search
- Once you resign or join, file the notification with immigration within 14 days
- If you’re worried, get a Certificate of Authorized Employment to prepare for your next renewal
- If you can’t find your next job within 90 days, consult an immigration lawyer
If you’re staying at your current company
- Even at a Category 3 or 4 company, if you’re continuing the same customer-facing work, N2 documents are in principle not required at renewal. But if you’re reassigned to customer-facing work internally, or later change jobs to a Category 3/4 company, it applies. If you’re concerned, start preparing for JLPT N2 early to be safe
- For dispatch arrangements, check with your dispatching company about how it’s handling the new rules
Don’t forget to renew your visa before it expires. An expired visa means you’re staying in Japan illegally. You can apply for renewal from 3 months before the expiration date.
FAQ
Q. Can I do part-time work while job-seeking?
A. On a gijinkoku visa, you can’t do side jobs outside the visa’s activity scope (convenience stores, restaurants, etc.). With “Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted,” up to 28 hours per week is possible, but there’s a risk of being seen as neglecting your actual job search.
Q. Will I definitely be revoked if I go over 90 days?
A. It’s not automatic. Immigration investigates and, if it judges there’s “no justifiable reason,” the revocation procedure begins. That said, since enforcement is stricter in 2026, the safe approach is to act so you don’t exceed 90 days.
Q. Do I always need a change of status when I change jobs?
A. No. If you change within the same gijinkoku scope (e.g., engineer to engineer), the “Notification Regarding the Contracting Organization” is enough. Only when the work falls outside scope do you need a change-of-status application before you start working.
Q. Do I have to get a Certificate of Authorized Employment?
A. It’s not mandatory. But because it lets you confirm before renewal whether the new job fits gijinkoku scope, getting it makes your next renewal smoother. The fee is ¥2,000 in person, ¥1,600 online.
Q. Without N2, can’t I work at a Category 3/4 company?
A. It’s not needed for every position. It applies to customer-facing work (translation/interpretation, sales, etc.). Internal-facing engineer roles and the like may be exempt. You can also meet the requirement by graduating from a Japanese university or vocational school.
Q. Does my visa’s residence period reset when I change jobs?
A. No. Your current residence period continues as is after a job change. However, your next renewal is reviewed using your new employer’s information.
Q. What happens if I forget to file the notification?
A. Neglecting the notification can count against you at your next renewal. Even if you miss the deadline (within 14 days), file it as soon as you realize.
Q. What should I watch out for if I work registered with a dispatch company?
A. From March 9, 2026, both the dispatching company and the host company must submit a pledge. Also, approval won’t be granted if the dispatch placement isn’t decided at the time of application. If you plan to work via dispatch, check that your dispatching company is handling the new rules.
Q. What happens if my change of status is denied?
A. If it’s denied, you can’t take that job. Confirm the reason, then either reconsider the job content or employer and reapply, or consult an immigration lawyer. If you applied before starting work, you avoid illegal work.
Q. How much are the change-of-status and renewal fees?
A. With the April 2025 revision, change of status became ¥6,000 in person, ¥5,500 online. Further substantial increases are planned from FY2026 onward. Check the latest information in the article on fees.
Summary: Changing Jobs While Protecting Your Residence Status
- ✅ First, check whether the new job fits gijinkoku scope (relevance to education/career, salary level)
- ✅ A change within the same scope is notification-only. Outside scope, apply for change of status before you start working
- ✅ When you resign or change jobs, file the notification with immigration within 14 days (free)
- ✅ Getting a Certificate of Authorized Employment lets you lock in your next renewal
- ✅ Find your next job within 90 days of leaving. Always keep records of your job search
- ✅ Customer-facing roles at Category 3/4 companies now require N2-equivalent. Prepare early
- ✅ For dispatch arrangements, check with your dispatching company about the new rules
- ✅ If you’re worried, consult an immigration lawyer or attorney early
Changing jobs on a gijinkoku visa isn’t something to fear more than necessary, as long as you get the order of the procedures right. Three things are key: confirming before you join that the new job connects to your education and career, filing the notification within 14 days of resigning or joining, and keeping any gap after resigning under 90 days. These alone avoid most of the risk of losing your residence status. If the work changes substantially, handle the change of status before you start working; if you’re unsure, confirm in advance with a Certificate of Authorized Employment. Then you can move toward your next renewal with peace of mind.
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