Application path · Job hunting

In-Japan Job Change · Switching Employers While Keeping Your Status

This route is for working adults already in Japan on a work status (usually 技術・人文知識・国際業務) who want to change employers — a path where you stay in Japan and only handle the residence procedures, with no need to re-obtain a COE as overseas applicants do. The key question isn't whether to quit or land an offer first, but whether the new job's actual duties still fall within the activities your current status permits. If they do, you typically just file the 所属（契約）機関に関する届出, and can use a 就労資格証明書 to confirm the boundary when in doubt; if they go beyond it, you must file an 在留資格変更許可申請 first rather than starting work and fixing it later. Mid-career hiring weighs your track record, skills, and ready-to-contribute fit over fixed graduate intake cycles — handled well, it carries through to status renewal, the points-based 高度専門職, and a compliant path toward permanent residence.