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Change employer same work type? 2016/1/30 01:00
Say I m currently under engineer visa (1year) and my current company sponsored me this visa , do I need to leave the company first and go back to my own country to find a new employer here in japan or can I just change employer and use the same visa ? If so how many months do I have to find a new employer if I leave my current company ? Or is it smarter to find a new employer while employed (having interview on weekends / nights). Thanks for reading my question!
by mysterly (guest)  

Re: Change employer same work type? 2016/1/30 13:19
I would suggest finding a new employer while employed and your resident status is still valid, and continue to work under the same visa (or resident status, to be more precise), and at the end of one year, get the new employer to sponsor you for renewal of the same resident status but with the new employer.

Is your current employer not going to renew the contract? Or you don't like the current employer that you want to change to another company earlier?

Either case, if you leave your current employer mid-contract, both you and the employer need to inform the immigration authorities about the change in your employment status within 14 days, and you will have "a few months" to find new employment (of course only as long as your current resident status is valid). But considering that your resident status is only valid for one year (as against 3 years or something longer), you don't have that much leeway.

(If you are toward the end of your contract, and either you or your employer decide not to renew the contract, be careful not ever overstay the resident status; if it expires you will be an illegal alien.)
by ... (guest) rate this post as useful

Re: Change employer same work type? 2016/1/30 13:58
Actually I am a permanent employee but for some reason I was only granted 1 year by the japanese immigration ( probably because It is my first time working in japan). What does "renew with new the employer by the end of the year" mean ? Does that mean if I find a new employer mid year do I need to wait until the end of the year in order to work for my new employer? Yes it is my decision to change employer.
by mysterly (guest) rate this post as useful

Re: Change employer same work type? 2016/1/30 14:47
Well, you currently have a valid one-year resident status of "engineer," right? So if you decide to leave your current employer, let's say, at the end of 8th month with the current employer and go to a new employer starting with the 9th month, you can continue to work for the new employer with the same "engineer" status (if the type of work is the same) until the end of the one year "engineer" resident status, with just reporting the change of employer to immigration. But at the end of the one year, you need to get your "engineer" resident status renewed or extended, correct? Then you need the help of the new employer to do that.

I suggest checking the contract to see how long an advance notice you need to give to leave the company, and if there is any non-compete clause in it.
by ... (guest) rate this post as useful

Re: Change employer same work type? 2016/1/30 15:14
What if I quit mid year and tell my employer that I m resigning because of personal reasons , do they have the power to cancel my engineer visa(which will still have 6 months validity). I have checked the contract many times I m pretty sure there are no clause about "non compete". Thanks btw for answering my post.
by mysterly (guest) rate this post as useful

Re: Change employer same work type? 2016/1/30 15:31
do they have the power to cancel my engineer visa

No.
by Firas rate this post as useful

Re: Change employer same work type? 2016/1/31 00:31
Thanks guys , can I ask one more thing ? Does working part time under engineer visa allowed ? For example I may do side projects on different company part time during weekends.
by mysterly (guest) rate this post as useful

Re: Change employer same work type? 2016/1/31 00:39
It's allowed if (and only if) the tasks performed fall within the scope of "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Service" status. You just need to notify immigration when a new contract is made, as usual.
by Firas rate this post as useful

Re: Change employer same work type? 2016/1/31 00:40
I know it is considered "moonlighting" but I believe it is normal in japan to have two jobs. If I have two jobs how will they find out that I am working part time? Sorry if I ask too many questions I really want to know my limits here unlike in my country I can do anything freely as long as it is legal.
by mysterly (guest) rate this post as useful

Re: Change employer same work type? 2016/1/31 00:46
If you are on a "work visa" such as engineer, the only thing you are not allowed to do is to engage in a paid activity which is not within the scope of your status.
by Firas rate this post as useful

Re: Change employer same work type? 2016/1/31 00:51
By the way, if you are unsure whether a given activity is considered to be in the scope of your status, you should apply for a Certificate of Authorized Employment, which is sort of like a CoE except it is not tied to a visa application.

http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/kanri/shyorui/10.html
by Firas rate this post as useful

Re: Change employer same work type? 2016/1/31 01:09
Thanks again fira btw is there a way my current employer will know if I am doing side projects on my free time ie working part time at some firm ?
by mysterly (guest) rate this post as useful

Re: Change employer same work type? 2016/2/9 04:14
Application for what? The certificate of authorised employment is not at all required, it just certifies that you are authorised to do a certain job, in case there are doubts.
by Firas rate this post as useful

Re: Change employer same work type? 2016/2/9 08:11
About your employer finding out if you have any side job: if you earn over a certain amount over the year, you will need to file that income with the tax authorities to pay income tax.
by ... (guest) rate this post as useful

Re: Change employer same work type? 2016/2/28 09:38
If i change employer, would the duration of visa validity be changed?
by haha (guest) rate this post as useful

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