Changing jobs as a Specified Skilled Worker

You can change employers. But your designation (指定書) names your employer and your field, so you need a new permission before you start the new job.

Step 1: Get permission before you start

• When you change your employer or your field, you must get a Permission to Change Status of Residence (在留資格変更許可).
• While your application is being reviewed, you cannot work at the new employer.

Step 2: Notify Immigration within 14 days

You must notify the Immigration Services Agency within 14 days when:

• your contract with your employer ends, and
• you sign a contract with a new employer.

This is called the notification about your contracting organization (所属（契約）機関に関する届出). You can do it in three ways:

• Online, 24 hours a day, with the Immigration e-notification system (電子届出システム). No documents are needed.
• At a regional immigration office, showing your residence card.
• By mail, with a copy of your residence card. Use a mail service you can track.

Details and forms: Immigration Services Agency: notification about your contracting organization (Japanese).

If your employer ends your contract

If your employer ends your contract for its own reasons, your employer or support organization must help you find a new job (転職支援). This is one of the 10 kinds of support.

What your employer cannot do

• Keep your passport or residence card against your will.
• Take a deposit from you or your family, or make you sign a contract with a penalty for leaving (保証金・違約金).
• Make you pay for the support, directly or indirectly.