Permanent Residence Visa Applications and Changing Jobs

Permanent Residence Visa Applications and Changing Jobs

Many people considering a Permanent Residence application — or those currently in the middle of one — find themselves being offered a new job or thinking about starting a job search, and worry about whether this might affect the Permanent Residence review. Others, looking back at their record so far, may feel anxious that having changed jobs many times could increase the likelihood of denial. In a Permanent Residence visa application, “income stability” is one of the most important points. The following sections look at job changes from the standpoint of income stability.

Changing Jobs Before Applying for Permanent Residence

If you apply for the Permanent Residence visa immediately after changing jobs, there is a risk that your employment situation will be judged as not yet stable. You might think there is no problem so long as your income has gone up, but doubts can arise as to whether you have settled in and are working stably at the new workplace. Reasons for changing jobs may include factors other than income, such as working hours, but the review becomes especially strict when the job change has resulted in a decrease in income. If you are hoping to obtain Permanent Residence after changing jobs, we recommend applying after about 1 year has passed since the job change, once stability can be demonstrated.

Changing Jobs During a Permanent Residence Visa Application

As with the above, from the standpoint of income stability, this is not particularly desirable either. However, a good job opportunity often cannot wait until the lengthy Permanent Residence review is complete. If you change jobs while your application is under review, please notify the Immigration Bureau of this fact. You will be asked to submit documents concerning your new place of employment, so be sure to handle this properly.

Permanent Residence Visa Applications When You Have Changed Jobs Many Times

Having changed jobs many times in the past is not in itself a disadvantage in the review. What matters more is whether the proper procedures were carried out at the time of each job change. If you hold a work visa, you must file a “Notification Concerning the Affiliated Organization” with the Immigration Bureau. It is also important that the transfer of social insurance and other matters was carried out correctly, and that contributions have been properly paid. Mistakes here can become negative factors in the Permanent Residence review, so please be careful.

As shown above, changing jobs does not mean that the Permanent Residence visa becomes unobtainable, but the review can become stricter. It is especially important to be careful regarding the timing of a job change and matters related to income. Also, for those holding a work visa, if you change to an occupation that cannot be performed under your current visa, your current visa itself will be revoked, putting a Permanent Residence application out of the question. So, when changing jobs, please obtain a “Certificate of Authorized Employment.”

A Permanent Residence visa application cannot be made by every foreign national in Japan; various conditions must be met. For this reason, if you are considering Permanent Residence, we recommend acting cautiously when it comes to changing jobs.