{"id":6118,"date":"2026-07-29T19:43:44","date_gmt":"2026-07-29T10:43:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ssw.mirocstaff.co.jp\/?post_type=columns&#038;p=6118"},"modified":"2026-07-29T19:43:44","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T10:43:44","slug":"worker-ssw-changing-jobs-guide","status":"publish","type":"columns","link":"https:\/\/ssw.mirocstaff.co.jp\/en\/columns\/worker-ssw-changing-jobs-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Specific skills job change guide in Japan: Rules and precautions when changing companies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Everyone who is currently working as a specific skilled worker. Have you ever thought, &#8220;I&#8217;m worried about interpersonal relationships at my current workplace&#8221; or &#8220;I&#8217;d like to work at a company that pays better&#8221;? In principle, it was not possible to change companies with the previous technical intern visa, but with the Specified Skilled Worker Visa (SSW), the law allows you to &#8220;change jobs to another company as long as the job type (examination classification) is the same.&#8221; However, if you do not follow the immigration procedure rules, there is a risk that your visa will be refused and you will not be able to work. This time, I will explain the correct procedure and precautions for changing jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Detailed background and latest trends in Japan<\/h2>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First of all, the most basic rule when changing jobs for specific skills is &#8220;the job type (examination classification) must be the same at the new job.&#8221; For example, you can change jobs at any time from &#8220;restaurant work&#8221; to &#8220;restaurant work at another restaurant&#8221; without any additional exams. However, if you want to change jobs from the restaurant industry to a food factory (food and beverage manufacturing), you will not be allowed to change jobs unless you pass the food manufacturing skills evaluation test. Additionally, since you have already obtained a No. 1 visa for the Japanese language test, you will be exempt from taking the test again.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Important data and problem analysis that tell the truth<\/h3>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>First characteristic (rapid expansion of market needs and background):<\/strong> The labor shortage in Japan is a structural problem, and the demand for ready-to-work human resources is rapidly increasing, especially in the manufacturing and service industries. Data has proven that the specific skills system guarantees a certain level of work experience and Japanese language proficiency, so there are very few mismatches in the initial stages of introduction.<\/li><li><strong>Second feature (required language skills and educational system):<\/strong> To obtain a Specified Skilled Worker No. 1 visa, it is mandatory to pass a Japanese language proficiency test (N4 or JFT-Basic) at a daily conversation level or above, but additional Japanese language training on industry terminology and work safety is effective for smooth instruction transfer on site.<\/li><li><strong>Third feature (same or higher salary treatment and motivation):<\/strong> Japanese laws and regulations strictly prohibit creating discriminatory disparities in working conditions such as basic pay and bonuses compared to Japanese employees working in the same business within the same company. Having a fair evaluation system in place is the key to preventing employee turnover and boosting morale across the team.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Important institutional rules and legal compliance<\/h2>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most important thing to keep in mind when proceeding with the job change procedure is to &#8220;be sure to leave your current company only after you have decided on a new job (unofficial offer).&#8221; If you leave a company before you have decided on a new one, you will be unemployed for a period of time (blank period). According to immigration rules, if you have not worked for more than three months without a valid reason, your specific skill visa may be canceled. Additionally, while unemployed, you will have to pay your own Japanese health insurance premiums and pensions, making your life extremely difficult. Therefore, be sure to submit your notice of resignation only after receiving a &#8220;offer offer (agreed on terms)&#8221; from your next company.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Important check sheet to prevent problems from occurring<\/h3>\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>[Check 1] Multilingualization of employment contract documents:<\/strong> When hiring, it is necessary to obtain the foreigner&#8217;s agreement by providing and explaining in advance a &#8220;terms of employment&#8221; that specifies the wage breakdown, holidays, overtime work rules, etc. in his or her native language, which the foreigner can fully understand.<\/li><li><strong>[Check 2] Ensure payment of social insurance and taxes:<\/strong> It is mandatory to enroll in social insurance and to deduct and pay resident tax and pension from your salary. If you are in arrears, your visa renewal application (usually every 1 or 3 years) will be rejected and you will not be able to continue working in Japan.<\/li><li><strong>[Check 3] Ensuring appropriate space in the living environment:<\/strong> The legal minimum area for the room in which a foreigner resides is 7.5 square meters or more (bedroom area) per person, and is subject to strict immigration screening.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Specific practical points and solutions<\/h2>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Furthermore, when changing companies, you will need to submit a &#8220;Notification of Change of Affiliated Institution&#8221; to the Immigration Bureau and an &#8220;Application for Permission to Change Status of Residence (or an application associated with the transfer)&#8221; at the new company. This visa examination usually takes about 1 to 2 months. You cannot start working at a new company until this immigration change permission is officially granted. If you start working without permission, it will be considered &#8220;illegal work&#8221; and both you and your new company will be punished by law, so you will need to closely communicate with your new company&#8217;s representatives and support staff about when your visa will be granted.<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For detailed information and support plans for safely and effectively utilizing the Specified Skills System, please visit this page on our website.<a href=\"\/en\/worker\/change-jobs\/\">&#8220;For those who want to change jobs&#8221;<\/a>Please take a look at this page and use it to create an appropriate plan.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"callout-box\"><strong>\ud83d\udca1 Pro Tip:<\/strong> What we place most importance on is &#8220;mental care in multiple languages&#8221; so that foreigners do not feel isolated in their lives or workplaces in Japan. Providing Japanese language learning opportunities and regular one-on-one interviews are the most effective solutions to prevent job turnover and maximize on-site performance.<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Summary and future prospects<\/h2>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Changing jobs for specific skills is a legal right, but it involves a lot of complicated paperwork and procedures. In order to prevent troubles, including adjusting your retirement amicably with your current company, it is safest and recommended to consult with an employment support service specializing in specific skills, such as MirocStaff, and proceed with your job change while ensuring visa application support. Step up wisely and build a better career in Japan!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Everyone who is currently working as a specific skilled worker. Have you ever thought, &#8220;I&#8217;m worried about interpersonal relationships at my current workplace&#8221; or &#8220;I&#8217;d like to work at a company that pays better&#8221;? In principle, it was not possible to change companies with the previous technical intern visa, but with the Specified Skilled Worker [&hellip;]","protected":false},"featured_media":5855,"template":"","column_category":[13],"class_list":["post-6118","columns","type-columns","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","column_category-for-worker","en-US"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ssw.mirocstaff.co.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/columns\/6118","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ssw.mirocstaff.co.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/columns"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ssw.mirocstaff.co.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/columns"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ssw.mirocstaff.co.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5855"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ssw.mirocstaff.co.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6118"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"column_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ssw.mirocstaff.co.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/column_category?post=6118"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}