When a foreigner holding a Highly Skilled Professional Visa wishes to change jobs or when a company wants to hire a foreigner with this visa, can they do so directly? The answer is no.

This article in Japanese　「高度専門職1号」外国人の転職

Application for ‘Change of Status’ Required

Under the Immigration Act, the Highly Skilled Professional Visa No.1 is based on “contracts with public and private institutions in Japan designated by the Minister of Justice,” so a “designation document” stating the affiliated institution’s (company’s) name and address is affixed to the passport. Since the visa is issued based on employment at the designated institution (company), changing jobs requires applying in advance “for permission to change status of residence”.

Visas like the “Engineer/Humanities/International Services”, neither the passport nor the residence card lists the affiliated institution or company’s address. Therefore, in cases where there is no change in job category or duties after changing jobs, it may be possible to work legally without applying for a visa change by only submitting a notification to the Immigration Bureau.

However, in the case of the Highly Skilled Professional Visa No.1, since employment at the designated company is assumed, another review based on the new company is necessary before changing jobs. You cannot also start a new job by obtaining the “Certificate of Authorized Employment”.

It is also possible to apply for a change to another residence status, if necessary, and if the conditions are met, it is also possible to apply for a Highly Skilled Professional Visa again at the new company.

When applying for permanent residency, please note that if you change jobs during the process, you’ll need to submit information about the new company and a new points calculation table etc.

Points Calculation for a new job

To obtain a Highly Skilled Professional Visa, a point calculation is made based on factors such as ‘educational background,’ ‘work experience,’ ‘annual income,’ and ‘research achievements.’ This calculation determines compliance with the landing conditions under Article 7, Paragraph 1, Item 2 of the Immigration Act.

Therefore, depending on the conditions of the new job, it’s possible that the points may not be sufficient, and you may not qualify for the Highly Skilled Professional visa.

Summary

The explanation provided so far applies to foreigners holding the Highly Skilled Professional Visa No.1. Even if there is still time until your residency expiration date, a change in residence status (visa) is required before changing jobs.

On the other hand, the Highly Skilled Professional Visa No.2 does not limit the institutions or companies for activity, so while a notification of change is necessary for changing jobs, there is no need to obtain permission for a change in residence status.

Profile

Ami Ito　　Immigration lawyer in Tokyo, Japan

– Spent high school years in the U.K. and graduated from a local school.
– Studied mainly intercultural communication at Sophia University’s Faculty of Foreign Languages, English Department.
– Worked in the overseas department of SEIKO for 11 years after graduation.
– Over 10 years of experience teaching English to high school students, with a TOEIC score of 970 and a Class A level in the United Nations Associations Test of English.
– Serves as a board member in charge of international affairs at the Chiba Administrative Scrivener Association.
– Officially registered on the Financial Services Agency’s “List of Professionals (Administrative Scriveners) in Chiba Prefecture capable of providing services in foreign languages.”