What if you change jobs when renewing your Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa? Required procedures and key points to note
When applying for an extension of the period of stay under the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” status of residence, you may find that your employer has changed since your previous application.
📌 Obtained the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status while working for Company A
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📌 Left Company A and changed jobs to Company B
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📌 Your period of stay is approaching its expiration date while you are working for Company B
This is a common situation.
In this case, if the duties you perform at your new employer still fall within the scope of activities permitted under the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” status of residence, you will generally apply for an Extension of Period of Stay.
① Is It Okay to Apply for an Extension Even If You Have Changed Jobs?
Even after changing jobs, if you continue to engage in work that falls under the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status, such as:
✅ IT engineer
✅ Sales / International sales
✅ Accounting / Human resources
✅ Import/export and trade operations
✅ Marketing
✅ Interpretation / Translation
you will generally apply for an Extension of Period of Stay under the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status.
② Be Careful with Your First Extension Application After Changing Jobs
When you continue working for the same company, the number of documents required for an extension application may be relatively limited.
However, for your first extension application after changing jobs, the Immigration Services Agency will review whether the duties at your new company meet the requirements for the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status.
The following points are particularly important:
📌 Your educational and employment background
📌 Your major or field of study at university, vocational school, etc.
📌 The actual duties you will perform at your new company
📌 Your employment contract and salary
📌 The business activities and financial condition of your new employer
In other words, the examination is not simply about “extending your period of stay.” Immigration will also assess whether your employment at the new company is appropriate under the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status.
Therefore, it is important to prepare sufficient documents and explanations to demonstrate that your new job meets the requirements of this status of residence.
③ Don’t Forget to Submit a Notification Regarding Your Affiliated Organization
If a foreign national holding the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status leaves a company or changes jobs, they are also required to submit a Notification Regarding the Affiliated Organization.
As a general rule, the termination of a contract with the previous organization and the conclusion of a new contract must be reported to the Immigration Services Agency within 14 days from the date of the relevant event.
For example:
Leaving Company A
→ Submit a notification of the termination of the contract with Company A
Joining Company B
→ Submit a notification of the new contract with Company B
📌 Submitting an application for an extension of your period of stay does not eliminate the requirement to report your change of employment.
The Immigration Services Agency also clearly states that even if you receive an extension of your period of stay at the same time as changing jobs, you are still required to submit the notification regarding the change of employment.
④ If Your Period of Stay Does Not Expire Soon, Consider Applying for a Certificate of Authorized Employment
If you have changed jobs but your current period of stay does not expire for another one or two years, you do not need to apply for an extension immediately.
In such a case, you may consider applying for a Certificate of Authorized Employment.
By obtaining this certificate, you can receive confirmation from the Immigration Services Agency that the work you perform at your new company is permitted under your current Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status of residence.
The certificate can also be useful when you apply for your next extension, as it shows that Immigration has already reviewed the duties you perform at your new company.
For Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services Visa Extensions After Changing Jobs, Contact Administrative Scrivener Taro Fujita Office
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