Changing jobs in Japan triggers a legal obligation that most work visa holders don’t fully understand until something goes wrong. The moment your employment changes — whether you resigned, were let go, or accepted a new offer — a 14-day countdown starts. Miss it, and you risk visa revocation. This guide covers the exact notification process, required documents, fees, and the real consequences of getting it wrong.
When people say “visa” in Japan, they usually mean their status of residence (在留資格 / Zairyu Shikaku) — the official designation stamped on your landing permission and Residence Card. The actual visa is just the entry stamp. This matters because job change rules apply to your status of residence, not the visa stamp itself.
What Is the Japan Job Change Visa Notification Requirement?
Understanding the mandatory notification rule for work visa holders
Under Japan’s Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, foreign nationals on a work-based status of residence are required to notify the Immigration Services Agency (ISA) within 14 days of any change in employment. This means 14 days from the date you leave your job, join a new one, or both. It is not a recommendation. It is a legal requirement.
The notification tells immigration that you are still engaged in activities permitted under your current status of residence. Your Residence Card (在留カード / Zairyu Card) lists your visa category — Engineer/Specialist in Humanities, Skilled Labor, Instructor, and so on. If your new job still fits within that category, you file a notification. If it doesn’t, you need to apply for a Change of Status of Residence (在留資格変更許可申請), which is an entirely different — and longer — process.
Why immigration notification matters for your legal status in Japan
Immigration keeps a Residency Management System that tracks whether foreign nationals on work visas are actually doing the work their status permits. The 14-day notification is your side of that system. It signals to the ISA that you remain in compliant employment, or that you are actively seeking new work. Stay compliant. It protects you.
Missing this step doesn’t immediately flag you as illegal, but it creates a gap in your record. Immigration authorities have the power to revoke status of residence if they determine a holder is no longer engaged in permitted activities. That determination is easier to make when no notification was ever filed.
There’s also a secondary reason: your notification history matters at renewal time. A history of missed notifications — even minor ones — can raise questions about whether you’ve been acting in good faith within your status.
Who Must Notify Immigration When Changing Jobs in Japan?
Work visa categories that require job change notification
The 14-day notification rule applies to most employment-based statuses of residence in Japan. The most common ones affected are Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (技術・人文知識・国際業務), Instructor (教育), Skilled Labor (技能), Intra-company Transferee (企業内転勤), Specified Skilled Worker Type 1 and Type 2 (特定技能1号・2号), Business Manager (経営・管理), Medical Services (医療), and Legal/Accounting Services (法律・会計業務). If you hold any of these statuses and your employer — or your employment relationship — changes, the clock starts from that date.
Exceptions: When you don’t need to notify immigration
A few situations don’t trigger the standard job change notification. Permanent residents (永住者) and spouses of Japanese nationals (日本人の配偶者等) can work for any employer without restriction and have no job-change notification obligations tied to employment. The Highly Skilled Professional visa (高度専門職) has its own set of requirements — changes may still require notification but under different rules.
Internal transfers within the same company — such as moving between departments, being reassigned to a new project, or changing job titles while keeping the same employer — generally do not require a full job change notification, as long as the work activities remain within your permitted category. A departmental reshuffle doesn’t count as a change of employment. Changing legal employers always does.
The 14-Day Notification Window: What Happens If You Miss It?
Consequences of failing to notify within 14 days of employment change
Missing the 14-day window is a violation of the Immigration Control Act. The immediate consequence is a fine of up to ¥200,000. This is real money. The longer-term risk is more serious: immigration authorities may determine you have been engaging in activities outside your permitted status — or not engaging in your permitted activities at all — and begin revocation proceedings.
Late notification is still better than no notification. If you missed the deadline but still file, you are on record as having notified, and the late filing gives you something to point to at renewal. File as soon as you realize you missed it, and don’t try to backdate anything.
How visa revocation and overstay penalties work
Revocation of status of residence is a formal administrative action by the ISA. It doesn’t happen automatically the day after you miss the deadline. However, if during a regular check or a renewal review immigration discovers you were not engaged in permitted activities for an extended period without notification, they can revoke your status. Once revoked, you lose your legal right to remain in Japan. You would then be treated similarly to someone who has overstayed their visa — deportable, with a re-entry ban ranging from 1 to 10 years depending on the circumstances.
Overstay itself carries criminal penalties: up to 3 years in prison and a fine of up to ¥3 million. These penalties are not hypothetical. Voluntary departure before enforcement action is treated more leniently, but the re-entry ban still applies in most cases.
Real-world scenarios: When expats lose their visa status
The most common scenario is this: someone quits their job, takes a few months to find a new one, and never notifies immigration when they left — believing notification only applies when starting a new job, not when leaving. By the time they go to renew, there’s a 4-month employment gap with no notification record. Renewal gets denied. This is preventable.
The second common scenario: an expat switches from an English teaching role to an engineering role at a software company. The job type — and permitted activities — don’t match their current Instructor status. Instead of applying for a Change of Status, they just file a standard notification. The error may not surface until renewal, at which point the period spent working outside permitted activities creates a serious problem.
If you’re moving between fundamentally different work types — say, from English instruction to software development, or from a hospitality role to a corporate management position — talk to a registered immigration lawyer (行政書士 / 弁理士) before you file anything.
How to Notify Immigration of Your Job Change: Step-by-Step
Preparing required documents for your notification submission
The ISA requires specific documents with your notification. The exact list can vary by visa category and company size, but the standard set includes a completed notification form (届出書) available on the ISA website, your original Residence Card (在留カード), an employment contract or letter of appointment from your new employer (雇用契約書), recent company registration documents (登記簿謄本) typically within 3 months, and your passport. For a Change of Status application, you’ll need additional forms, passport photos (4cm x 3cm), and a processing fee via revenue stamp.
The ISA maintains the right to request additional documents — particularly for startups, first-time foreign hires, or cases where salary structure or contract terms are unclear. Filing with clean, complete documentation from the start significantly reduces the chance of a follow-up request that delays your timeline.
If your job change involves leaving education-related employment (for example, a sponsored school program), you must also file a school-discontinuation notification (退学の届出) alongside your other paperwork.
Submitting your notification online or in person at immigration
You have two options for submission. Online or in person. Choose wisely.
Online: The ISA’s online application portal (在留申請オンラインシステム) allows you to file notifications and change-of-status applications digitally. You’ll need a My Number card with IC chip enabled for authentication. Online filing cuts out travel time and allows document upload, though complex cases may still require an in-person follow-up.
In person: Submit at your nearest Regional Immigration Bureau. For Tokyo, the address is the Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau, Residency Management Information Department, 5-5-30 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8255. If you’re mailing your forms, write “The notification form is enclosed” (届出書在中) in red letters on the envelope — this is a formal requirement, not a suggestion.
Regional offices in Osaka (大阪出入国在留管理局), Nagoya, Fukuoka, and Sapporo handle submissions for their respective areas. Smaller cities with no regional office typically submit to the nearest branch or, increasingly, rely on the online system.
When you change jobs in Japan, you’re required to notify the Immigration Bureau (出入国在留管理局) twice: once within 14 days of leaving your old company, and again within 14 days of starting your new one. You can do this online through the electronic notification system, by mail, or in person at the office. Miss the deadline and you could face a fine of up to ¥200,000.
What to expect during the processing timeline (1-3 months)
A standard notification (when you’re staying in the same visa category and simply changing employers) does not require immigration to issue you anything new. You file, they record it, and that’s the end of the transaction for now. Your existing Residence Card remains valid until its expiry date. No new card. No fee. Done.
A Change of Status of Residence application is different. Processing takes 1 to 3 months from submission. During that time, immigration may send a postcard requesting additional documents — respond within the timeframe printed on the card, typically 2 to 4 weeks. If your change of status is approved, you’ll receive a postcard notification and collect your updated Residence Card at the immigration counter, paying the ¥1,000 collection fee via a ¥1,000 revenue stamp.
For anyone who entered Japan on a Certificate of Eligibility (在留資格認定証明書 / CoE), the CoE review itself takes 2 to 4 months before the embassy visa stamping step — which then takes roughly 3 to 5 working days. Plan accordingly if your job offer has a hard start date.
Costs and Fees for Changing Jobs Japan Visa Notification
Breaking down the ¥6,000 status change fee and payment methods
A standard job change notification — filed because you changed employers but your new job fits your existing status — has no filing fee. You submit the form with your documents, and that’s it. Free. No revenue stamp needed.
A Change of Status of Residence application carries a ¥6,000 fee, paid via revenue stamp (収入印紙 / Shūnyū Inshi) at the time you collect your updated Residence Card. You do not pay upfront at submission — you pay when you come back to collect the result. Revenue stamps are sold at post offices and at the immigration bureau itself. Obtaining part-time work permission (資格外活動許可) is also free and requires no additional fee.
Comparison table: Visa notification costs vs. other immigration procedures
| Procedure | Fee | Payment Method | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Job change notification (same category) | ¥0 | N/A | Immediate record update |
| Change of Status of Residence | ¥6,000 | Revenue stamp at collection | 1–3 months |
| Residence card renewal (extension) | ¥4,000 | Revenue stamp at collection | 2–4 weeks (standard) |
| Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) | ¥0 | N/A (employer/agency pays) | 2–4 months |
| Part-time work permission | ¥0 | N/A | Granted at counter |
| Permanent Residency application | ¥8,000 | Revenue stamp at collection | 4–12 months |
How to pay via revenue stamp at immigration
Revenue stamps (収入印紙) are sold at the post office, at convenience store counters in some areas, and directly at Regional Immigration Bureau counters. Bring the exact amount — ¥6,000 for a Change of Status, ¥4,000 for a standard renewal. You attach the stamp to the prescribed collection form at the counter when you come to pick up your updated card. The staff will cancel the stamp in front of you. Do not pre-cancel it yourself. Let them do it.
Common Questions
Do I need to notify immigration if I change jobs within the same visa category?
Yes. Even if your new job fits perfectly within your current status of residence category, you must still file a job change notification within 14 days of the employment change. The notification requirement is about the change of employer, not the change of job type. Skipping it because “it’s the same visa type” is the most common misunderstanding that leads to compliance issues at renewal.
What documents do I need to submit for a job change notification?
At minimum: your completed notification form, Residence Card (original), passport, employment contract from your new employer, and a recent company registration extract (登記簿謄本) dated within the last 3 months. A full Change of Status application requires additional materials including passport-size photos and may require financial documentation about your new employer. The ISA may request more documents — particularly for startups or companies with no prior track record of hiring foreign nationals.
What happens if I don’t notify immigration within 14 days of changing jobs?
You are in violation of the Immigration Control Act and liable for a fine of up to ¥200,000. More critically, a failure to notify — especially if combined with a gap in permitted employment — can be used by immigration as grounds to deny your next renewal or, in serious cases, to revoke your status of residence. File late rather than never, and don’t attempt to hide the delay.
Do I need a new visa when changing jobs in Japan as a foreigner?
Not necessarily. If your new job falls within the activities permitted by your current status of residence, you file a notification and your existing Residence Card stays valid. You only need a Change of Status of Residence — a formal application with a ¥6,000 fee and 1–3 month processing time — if your new job involves activities outside your current permitted category. A high-school English teacher moving to a corporate training role is a different situation from an English teacher moving to a civil engineering position.
Can my visa be revoked if I don’t find a new job within 3 months?
Yes. Japan’s immigration framework allows a 3-month grace period after leaving employment during which you can remain in Japan and search for new work. If you exceed that 3-month window without securing a new position, your status of residence can be revoked. Notify immigration when you leave your job — don’t wait until you have a new offer in hand. The notification when leaving is just as important as the one when starting.
Can I change jobs while waiting for a visa decision?
This is a gray area. If you have a pending Change of Status application and you switch employers again before the decision comes through, you may need to withdraw and refile. Working for an employer that doesn’t match the application you filed — even during the pending period — creates a compliance problem. Talk to an immigration lawyer before making a move while any application is in progress.
Does the 14-day rule apply if I’m changing jobs within the same company?
Generally, no. An internal transfer, department change, or title change within the same legal entity does not trigger the 14-day notification requirement — provided the activities remain within your permitted status category. However, if your company undergoes a merger, acquisition, or spin-off that changes the legal employer entity, that does count as a change of employer and notification is required.
What is the difference between visa cancellation and job change notification?
A job change notification is something you file proactively to stay compliant. Visa cancellation (or revocation of status of residence) is something immigration does to you as a consequence of non-compliance — such as failing to notify, working outside permitted activities, or being unemployed beyond the 3-month grace period. Filing your notification correctly is what prevents cancellation from becoming a possibility.
Where do I submit my job change notification in Tokyo and other regions?
In Tokyo: Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau, 5-5-30 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8255 (nearest station: Shinagawa). In Osaka: Osaka Regional Immigration Services Bureau in Temmabashi. Other regional offices exist in Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sapporo, Sendai, Hiroshima, and Takamatsu. The online portal (在留申請オンラインシステム) is also available for most notification types and requires a My Number card with IC chip for login.
How long does it take to process a job change notification?
A standard employer-change notification within the same visa category is a record update — there’s no formal processing period and you won’t receive any document back. A Change of Status of Residence application takes 1 to 3 months for a decision. If immigration sends a request for additional documents by postcard, respond within the timeframe stated — typically 2 to 4 weeks — or your application may be treated as abandoned.
Bottom Line
File your job change notification within 14 days of the employment change — not 14 days after starting the new job, but 14 days from the date of any change. If your new role fits your current visa category, it’s a free notification form. If it doesn’t, start the Change of Status application immediately, because the 1–3 month processing window is your responsibility to plan around. When in doubt about whether your new job activities match your current status, consult a registered immigration lawyer before you file — getting that wrong is harder to fix than getting it right the first time.
Information accurate as of 2026. Requirements and fees change — verify current details with the Immigration Services Agency (isa.go.jp) or an accredited immigration lawyer before taking action.
