Work status & changing jobs
A crucial thing to understand about working in Japan: the right to work is attached to your status of residence, not to you as a person. Each status permits a specific scope of paid work, and stepping outside it — or changing jobs without the right paperwork — has real legal consequences. This is based on the Immigration Services Agency (ISA) guidebook and the Immigration Control Act.
Your work is scoped to your status
“Foreign nationals are permitted to engage in activities in Japan within the scope of activities permitted by their status of residence.” (Immigration Services Agency)
Common work statuses include Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (typical for office/IT/business roles), Business Manager, Instructor, Skilled Labor, Specified Skilled Worker and others — each with its own permitted scope. A job outside that scope isn’t automatically allowed just because you hold “a work visa.”
Changing employer: notify within 14 days
“Matters to be notified: Change of the name of the organization of affiliation / Change of the location… / Extinguishment of the organization… / Termination of the contract… / Conclusion of a contract with a new organization of affiliation” (ISA)
“You are required to notify within 14 days.” (ISA)
This notification (to the Regional Immigration Services Office) is separate from any change of status — it simply keeps immigration informed that your affiliation changed.
New field? Certificate of Authorized Employment or change of status
If you’re unsure whether a new role fits your status, the law provides a certificate you can request:
“…the Minister of Justice may issue a document which certifies the eligibility of the applicant for activities… involving income or activities for which he/she receives remuneration.” (Immigration Control Act, Art. 19-2)
And employers can’t reject you merely for not having it, where your authorization is otherwise evident. But if the job is genuinely outside your status’s scope, notification isn’t enough:
“If you wish to stay in Japan and change your present purpose of residence, you need to apply for change of status of residence at a Regional Immigration Services Office.” (ISA)
The risks of getting it wrong
“…even a stay for just one day beyond your authorized period will constitute overstaying and subject you to deportation.” (ISA)
“If you are deported, in principle, you will not be allowed to enter Japan for 5 or 10 years.” (ISA)
Working outside your status is also criminal. The Immigration Control Act sets penalties for unauthorized paid activity of up to 1 year (or, where it’s clearly the sole purpose, up to 3 years) imprisonment and fines up to ¥2–3 million. In short: match the job to the status first.
Frequently asked questions
Does my work visa let me take any job I want?
No. Your status of residence (for example, “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services”) defines a specific scope of permitted paid activities. A new job must fall within that scope, or you need extra permission or a change of status.
Do I have to tell immigration when I change jobs?
Yes, if you hold a work-related status. You must notify the Regional Immigration Services Office within 14 days of leaving, joining, or otherwise changing your affiliated organization (in person, by mail, or via the online notification system).
What if my new job is in a completely different field?
Either obtain a Certificate of Authorized Employment to confirm the new job fits your current status, or apply to change your status of residence before starting. Working outside your authorized scope is both a deportation ground and a criminal offense.
What happens if I work outside my status, or overstay?
You risk deportation with a 5–10 year re-entry ban, and under the Immigration Control Act, unauthorized paid activity can carry criminal penalties of up to 1–3 years’ imprisonment and fines up to ¥2–3 million, depending on the circumstances.
This is general information drawn from the ISA guidebook and the official English translation of the Immigration Control Act (2026-07-13) — not individual immigration advice. Status names, procedures and penalties can change and depend on your case; confirm your own situation with the Immigration Services Agency (isa.go.jp) or a qualified professional before acting.
Sources
- Immigration Services Agency — Living and Work Guidebook for Foreigners (retrieved 2026-07-13)
- Immigration Services Agency — Guidebook (Employment / status list) (retrieved 2026-07-13)
- Japanese Law Translation (MOJ) — Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (retrieved 2026-07-13)