Types of Work Visas and Job Change Considerations

"Your visa will expire" — is that really true? Know the facts to protect yourself

"I was told my visa would expire the moment I quit"

Chen (31) from Shanghai decided to change jobs in September 2024. He had endured two years of being yelled at daily by his boss, having his mistakes publicly humiliated, and being told "Why does a foreigner need to take paid leave?" every time he submitted a leave request.

When he started job hunting, a colleague said with a serious face: "If our company reports you to immigration, your visa could be revoked immediately. You'd better behave."

That night, Chen searched online. He found a site saying "If you quit your job on a Gijinkoku visa, you may lose your residence status." His legs were shaking.

But that information was inaccurate.

To be precise — even if you quit your job, your visa does not expire immediately. You can remain in Japan until your residence period expires. However, if you "continue for 3 months or more without activity for justifiable reasons," your residence status may be revoked. Securing your next position within 3 months of leaving is critical.

Chen did change jobs. Report from the old company? He never received a single notification from immigration. He obtained a Work Eligibility Certificate (Shuro Shikaku Shomeisho) and his visa renewal at the new workplace went smoothly.

One important note for those working as dispatch employees on a Gijinkoku visa: Since April 2026, new guidelines from the Immigration Services Agency have clarified that dispatch contract periods are now linked to residence periods. If your dispatch contract is "1 year," your residence period renewal may only be approved for "1 year" in increasing cases. "Where the contract ends is where the visa ends" — this is the current reality for dispatch × Gijinkoku combinations.