Changing Jobs under the Engineer/Humanities/International Services Status in Japan
更新日：2 日前
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Target readers
This guide is for holders of the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status and their employers.
Conclusion
Before changing jobs, confirm that the new main duties require professional technical or humanities knowledge, or skills based on a foreign culture; that the duties relate to the applicant’s education or experience; and that remuneration is at least equivalent to that of a Japanese worker performing comparable work. File the required affiliation notification after leaving or joining an organization and retain documents for the next extension.
1. Permitted work under this status
Immigration examines actual continuing duties, not only the employer or job title. Software development, engineering, interpretation, translation, international trade and professional planning are common examples. Work consisting mainly of routine manual tasks may fall outside the status. Incidental tasks do not automatically cause a problem, but the professional core of the position should be clear.
2. Education and experience
Compare the new duties with the applicant’s university or vocational studies and professional experience. Prepare diplomas, transcripts, employment certificates and a detailed job description. Generic wording such as “general duties” makes the professional relationship difficult to assess.
3. Salary and employment terms
Remuneration must be at least equivalent to that paid to a Japanese national for comparable work. Check base salary, fixed overtime, allowances, bonuses, probationary terms and contract duration. Correct inconsistencies between the offer, advertisement and final agreement before work begins.
4. The 14-day notification
Leaving and joining a contracting organization must generally be reported within 14 days of each event. The notification does not confirm that the new duties comply with the status. Retain the online receipt or a copy of the filing.
5. Certificate of Authorized Employment
This certificate may be considered when the applicant wants immigration confirmation concerning the permitted paid activities after a job change. It is not universally mandatory and does not guarantee the next extension.
6. Preparing for the next extension
Keep the employment agreement, detailed duties, employer materials, payslips, tax documents and notification evidence. If there was an unemployed period, retain job-search records and be ready to explain the circumstances.
Related recruitment service
Factory Job Folder may list positions for foreign applicants, but each vacancy has its own status, experience, location and language conditions.
Suitable and unsuitable cases
Job platforms suit applicants whose eligible occupation is already clear. Obtain advice first where the new duties may not fit this status.
Consult our office
Contact our office about duty eligibility, notifications, certificates and extension applications. The contact form is in Japanese. Please include the procedure you need help with and your planned timing.
FAQ
Q. Should an internal transfer be checked?
A. Yes, where the main duties change materially.
Q. Does the notification approve the duties?
A. No.
Q. Is a lower probationary salary always acceptable?
A. It requires an individual review, including equality with comparable Japanese workers.
Q. Is the certificate mandatory?
A. Not in every case.
Written and Reviewed by
Mitsunobu Administrative Scrivener Office
Mitsunobu Matsuda, Administrative Scrivener / Licensed Real Estate Transaction Agent
Disclaimer
This article provides general information. It does not guarantee job placement, eligibility for a particular status of residence, or approval of an immigration application. The requirements and outcome depend on the individual circumstances and the relevant authorities.