Changing jobs in Japan as a foreigner feels scary. Will you lose your visa? Do you need to tell immigration? Can your new employer sponsor you?
The short answer: yes, you can change jobs — but there are rules you need to follow. Miss them and you’ve got a real problem.
So Can You Actually Change Jobs?
Yes. Most work visas in Japan — like the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (Gijinkoku) — are not tied to a specific employer.
But here’s the catch: your new job has to match your visa category. That’s the piece a lot of people miss.
Check Your Visa Category First
Look at the back of your residence card (在留カード). It shows your current visa status.
| Visa Type | Can Change Jobs? |
|---|---|
| Engineer / Specialist (技人国) | Yes, if new job matches |
| Skilled Labor (技能) | Yes, same field only |
| Tokutei Gino (特定技能) | Yes, within same industry |
| Technical Intern Training (技能実習) | No — you cannot freely change |
If you’re on the Technical Intern visa, your situation is different. You generally cannot switch employers freely under that status.
Report the Change to Immigration Within 14 Days
This is the step people forget — and it’s legally required.
Within 14 days of changing jobs, you need to notify immigration.
How to report:
- Go to immi-moj.go.jp (online) or visit your local immigration office
- Submit a “Notification of Change of Contract Organization” (契約機関に関する届出)
- You’ll need: your residence card, new company name and address, your job title
It’s free and takes about 10 minutes online. There’s really no excuse to skip it.
Make Sure Your New Job Actually Matches Your Visa
This is the most important thing — and immigration will absolutely check it at your next renewal.
Examples:
- Visa: Engineer → New job: Software developer ✅
- Visa: Engineer → New job: Restaurant staff ❌
If your new job does not match your current visa category, you need to apply for a change of status before you start working. Not after. Before.
What About the Gap Between Jobs?
Good news: you don’t have to leave Japan while you’re job hunting. You can stay until your visa expiry date.
If you need more time than that, you can apply for a designated activities visa (特定活動) which gives you up to 6 months of additional job-hunting time. Ask an immigration lawyer if you think you’ll need it.
Best Job Sites for Foreigners in Japan
- doda — large database, English support available
- Daijob — specifically for bilingual and foreign professionals
- GaijinPot Jobs — popular among expats
- LinkedIn Japan — good for professional roles
Summary
- Check your visa type allows job changes
- Report to immigration within 14 days — don’t forget this
- Make sure your new job matches your visa category
- You have until your visa expiry to find a new job
Changing jobs in Japan is very possible. The key is reporting on time and staying in the right job category. Nail those two things and you’re fine.