"The pay isn't enough." "The working environment is tough." "I want to change jobs, but what happens to my visa?" — These are concerns shared by many foreign workers in Japan holding a Specified Skilled Worker visa.

The good news: changing jobs on an SSW visa is legally permitted. Unlike the Technical Intern Training visa, SSW holders have the freedom to choose their employer. This guide covers everything you need to know about making a job change in Japan on your Tokutei Ginou visa.

For foreign workers wanting to work in Japan — TreeGlobalPartners' service is completely free, no fees of any kind. We support your job change or new employment with verified employers →

Can You Change Jobs on an SSW Visa?

In short — yes, you can. Both SSW Category 1 and Category 2 visa holders are legally allowed to change employers in Japan.

How SSW Differs from Technical Intern Training

Technical Intern Training: Changing jobs is essentially not permitted. You are tied to a specific company for the duration of your program.

Specified Skilled Worker: Changing jobs is legally allowed. You can switch employers of your own free will.

This is one of the biggest advantages of the SSW visa. You do not need your employer's permission to leave. The only requirement is to follow the proper procedures through the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.

In fact, according to government surveys, approximately 22.4% of SSW visa holders have already changed jobs at least once. This shows that job changes are not only possible but relatively common.

Step-by-Step Procedure for Changing Jobs

The process of changing jobs on an SSW visa can be broken down into five clear steps:

1

Find a New Company

Search for a new employer through a licensed recruitment agency (like TreeGlobalPartners) or Hello Work, Japan's public employment service. Make sure the company is approved for your SSW designated field.

2

Sign an Employment Contract with the New Company

Once you receive a job offer from the new company, sign a Specified Skilled Worker Employment Contract. Carefully confirm the salary, working hours, holidays, and other conditions before signing.

3

Submit Your Resignation to Your Current Employer

The legal minimum under Civil Code Article 627 is 14 days' notice for indefinite-term contracts. Company rules may specify a longer period (e.g. 30 days), and following them is good professional practice. Note that Japanese court rulings have found that internal rules significantly exceeding the statutory 14-day period may not be legally enforceable — your right to resign after 14 days is protected by law.

4

Prepare Documents and Apply at Immigration

File a "Change of Status of Residence" application at the regional Immigration Services Bureau. Required documents include: the application form, your new employment contract, employer documentation, skills test certificate, and more.

5

Start Working at Your New Company After Approval

Approval typically takes 1 to 3 months. You cannot start working at the new company until the change of status is officially approved. Plan your timeline accordingly.

Application fee: 6,000 yen (counter) / 5,500 yen (online application), as of April 2025

Total process time: Approximately 2 to 4 months from start to finish

What Is the "3-Month Rule"?

Under Japan's Immigration Control Act, if a visa holder does not engage in the activities designated by their status of residence for 3 months or more (i.e., not working), the Immigration Services Agency has the authority to revoke that visa. This is commonly referred to as the "3-month rule."

Important: After leaving your current company, you should start a new job or at least have a pending application within 3 months.

However, if you have a "justifiable reason", this is not a problem. Examples of justifiable reasons include:

What You Can and Cannot Do During the Gap Period

Allowed: Job searching, attending interviews, taking Japanese language classes, filing your immigration application

Not allowed: Working at another company (until your new status is approved), taking unauthorized part-time jobs

5 Important Things to Know Before Switching

01Switching Fields Requires Passing a New Skills Test

Under SSW Category 1, you can only change jobs within the same industry field. To switch to a different field, you must pass the skills test for that new field.

02Check Your Remaining Visa Duration

SSW Category 1 has a maximum stay of 5 years. Check how much time you have left. If your visa is close to expiring, the job change process may become more complicated.

03Handle Social Insurance and Taxes Properly

When leaving your current company, make sure to properly handle your health insurance, pension, and any outstanding resident tax. Neglecting these can cause issues with your immigration application.

04Confirm the New Company Has a Registered Support Organization

Check whether your new employer works with a Registered Support Organization. This organization provides life support, Japanese language assistance, and help resolving workplace issues.

05Choose a Trustworthy Recruitment Agency

Beware of agencies that charge illegal fees to workers. Use a government-licensed agency like TreeGlobalPartners to find jobs safely. Under Japanese law, it is illegal for recruitment agencies to charge fees to workers.

Your Legal Rights and Obligations

Right to Resign (Civil Code Article 627): Under Japanese Civil Code Article 627, workers on unlimited-term contracts can resign by giving at least 14 days advance notice. Your employer cannot legally prevent you from quitting.

Freedom of Occupation (Constitution Article 22): The Japanese Constitution Article 22 guarantees freedom to choose your occupation. No employer can force you to stay.

14-Day Immigration Notification: After leaving your job, you MUST submit a "Notification of Change of Affiliated Organization" to the Immigration Bureau within 14 days. This is a legal requirement.

Penalty for Non-Reporting: Failure to submit the 14-day notification may result in a fine of up to 200,000 yen (approx. $1,300).

Free Consultation Hotline: Foreign Workers' Consultation Hotline: 0120-76-2199 (Free, multilingual support available)

For Foreign Workers Looking to Build Their Career in Japan

TreeGlobalPartners' service is completely free for foreign workers — no fees of any kind, no hidden charges. We support your appropriate job change or new employment in Japan with verified employers. Visa applications, status changes, and registered support procedures are handled through our group's affiliated Tree Administrative Scrivener Corporation, giving you a true one-stop service across the group.

Consult TreeGlobalPartners →

Frequently Asked Questions

Finding a new company and preparing documents typically takes 2 weeks to 1 month. After that, receiving approval from immigration takes 1 to 3 months. The entire process usually takes 2 to 4 months in total.
Yes. Under the SSW visa, you do not need your employer's permission to change jobs. This is a key difference from the Technical Intern Training program. However, giving proper notice is strongly recommended as a matter of professional courtesy.
The minimum requirement for SSW is JLPT N4 or equivalent. However, having a higher level such as N3 or N2 significantly improves your chances of landing a better position with higher pay and improved working conditions.
With SSW Category 1, you can only change employers within the same designated field. To switch to a different industry, you must pass the skills test for the new field. For example, moving from food service to manufacturing would require passing the manufacturing skills exam.
TreeGlobalPartners does not charge any fees to workers. All service costs are covered entirely by the hiring company in Japan. Consultations are completely free. We are committed to helping you change jobs safely and legally.

Summary

  • Changing jobs on an SSW (Tokutei Ginou) visa is legally permitted
  • You do not need your employer's permission — a key advantage over the Technical Intern Training visa
  • The process: find a new company → sign a contract → apply at immigration → start work after approval
  • Be aware of the "3-month rule" — but having a justifiable reason (like actively job hunting) is sufficient
  • You can only switch within the same field (passing a new skills test is required for a different field)
  • Always use a licensed recruitment agency — workers should never be charged fees

If you have any questions about changing jobs on your Specified Skilled Worker visa in Japan, reach out to TreeGlobalPartners for a free consultation. We are here to guide you every step of the way.

For Foreign Workers Looking to Build Their Career in Japan

TreeGlobalPartners' service is completely free for foreign workers — no fees of any kind, no hidden charges. We support your appropriate job change or new employment in Japan with verified employers. Visa applications, status changes, and registered support procedures are handled through our group's affiliated Tree Administrative Scrivener Corporation, giving you a true one-stop service across the group.

Consult TreeGlobalPartners →

Disclaimer: The information in this article is accurate as of March 2026 and is intended for general informational purposes only. It should not be considered legal advice. Laws and regulations are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please consult the Immigration Services Agency of Japan or a qualified professional. TreeGlobalPartners accepts no liability for actions taken based on this article.