Job Discussion Forums

SunShan · Joined: 28 Mar 2013 Posts: 107

I quit my job a few months ago as an unexpected opportunity to travel came my way (was taking care of a sick relative). Have since returned and been doing some privates to tick over and now it's time to seek employment again. Got a few interviews coming up.

I have a Specialist in Humanities visa. However, I didn't notify immigration within 14 days that I'd left my company (not sure if that really matters).

Do I need to get something like a letter of release from my old company? Or now that I have the visa, can I just accept a new position with no questions asked? (apart from why I left previous job).

benshi · Joined: 16 Feb 2007 Posts: 48

You can find a new job using your existing visa. It won't become an issue until you need to RENEW your visa, at which point you will be required to provide a Letter of Release from your old employer. (Your old employer is required by law to provide them, but it will also indicate when and why you left their employment, which may carry some weight with Immigration.) You will also be required to prove that you have been paying your taxes, so you will need to get a tax form from the city hall in the place you were previously resident. Also, if you are living in a location different from your previous one, you are technically required to change the address on your ARC within 60 days of moving.

SunShan · Joined: 28 Mar 2013 Posts: 107

Interesting. I foresee some hassle with my old company to be honest. Let's just say it's unlikely they will go out of their way to help me with the release letter. I plan to do some travelling again when my current visa runs out, so will be switching to a tourist visa. If I get offered fresh working sponsorship sometime after that, is it just a case of applying for a new visa? (as opposed to renewing it).

Thanks for the advice.

benshi · Joined: 16 Feb 2007 Posts: 48

Yes; you (your new sponsor, actually) can just apply for a new visa. The tax issue might come back and bite you, though, if you aren't current. It was easier in the old days to avoid detection by just working in a different prefecture, but now that the Alien Registration system has been nationalized, it's a lot easier for them to track deadbeats. I'm sure that was one of the reasons they instituted the new system.