Visa renewal after changing jobs is
as difficult as a "new application"!?
Renewal after changing jobs is a "major hurdle"!
"It's the same visa as before, so it'll be fine" is dangerous.
Your new company and job description will also be strictly reviewed from scratch.
3-month blank period
A long period of unemployment is a negative factor in the review. An explanation of 'legitimate reasons (job search records, etc.)' is essential.
Delinquent resident tax
Many cases occur where people don't realize that resident tax payment switches from 'payroll deduction' to 'self-payment' after leaving a job, leading to delinquency!
If you have it (Safe)
The legality of your work has been already reviewed.
Renewal will proceed smoothly.
If you don't have it (Risky)
Essentially, it's a review from scratch, the same as a 'new application'.
A vast amount of additional documents, such as company financial statements and letters of employment, are required.
※Don't forget to notify 'Immigration' when leaving and joining a company!
To conclude, renewal involving a job change significantly increases the difficulty of the review compared to renewing with the same company. This is because Immigration will re-examine not only your residence status but also "your new company and job description" at almost the same level as a new visa application.
Caution! Impact of "Blank Period" after Resignation
What is the 3-month rule?
This regulation states that if you have not continuously engaged in your permitted activities (work) for 3 months or more without a legitimate reason, your residence status may be revoked.
While actual immediate revocation is rare, it becomes a "significant negative evaluation" in a renewal application.
Countermeasure: If there is a blank period of 3 months or more, you must present "job search records (application lists, interview records, etc.)" and specifically explain the legitimate reasons in a statement of reasons.
The "Resident Tax" Trap Often Overlooked by Job Changers
When you leave a company, payroll deduction (special collection) for resident tax often stops, and it switches to "ordinary collection," where you pay with a payment slip yourself.
Cases where people fail to notice this switch, leave payment slips sent to their homes unattended, and become delinquent are endless. Tax delinquency is viewed most strictly in reviews.
[Aside: Pension and Health Insurance]
During a blank period after resignation, enrollment in National Health Insurance and National Pension is required. While current operations do not immediately disadvantage you in a renewal review, non-payment will be a reason for denial in a future "permanent residency application".
How does the renewal review change? "Certificate of Eligibility for Employment" is the turning point.
Case 1 If you had obtained a "Certificate of Eligibility for Employment" in advance
This is the safest pattern. Since the legality of your new job has already received "official approval," the renewal procedure will proceed smoothly.
Case 2 If you had not obtained it (Caution!)
This is a maximum difficulty situation where "renewal review" and "new application review" are conducted simultaneously.
The renewal list on the Immigration website is completely insufficient. You must prove the legality of your work from scratch with documents such as the following:
- Letter of Employment (detailed explanation of job duties)
- Company registration certificate, financial statements
- Your graduation certificate, resume, etc.
Summary
If you face renewal after changing jobs without a "Certificate of Eligibility for Employment," submitting only the documents from the Immigration website is very risky. You must prove why you changed to that company, how you will utilize your expertise, and the company's stability.
※Don't forget that notifying "Immigration" within 14 days of both resignation and joining a new company is also mandatory!