Changing Careers After Obtaining Permanent Residency as a Highly Skilled Professional (HSP)#
Individuals who have obtained permanent residency in Japan through the Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) system often have questions about subsequent career changes. A common concern is whether it is permissible to switch to a completely different occupation after securing permanent resident status.
To state the conclusion first, after obtaining permanent residency, you are, in principle, free to change your occupation, as there are no longer restrictions on your activities of residence. However, to maintain your status as a permanent resident, there are several important points to keep in mind. This article will explain the nature of permanent residency, the degree of freedom in changing occupations, and the associated precautions, providing objective information.
The Fundamental Difference Between Permanent Residency and Other Statuses of Residence#
The first thing to understand is the fundamental difference between the “Permanent Resident” status and other work-permissible statuses of residence, such as “Highly Skilled Professional.”
Statuses like “Highly Skilled Professional” or “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” are granted on the premise that the individual will engage in specific, permitted activities. For example, an IT engineer with an HSP visa is expected to work in a role that utilizes their specialized knowledge. If they were to engage in a completely unrelated field, such as managing a restaurant, they would need to apply for a change of status to something like “Business Manager.”
On the other hand, the “Permanent Resident” status has no restrictions on activities. This signifies that the individual is recognized as having a stable life base in Japan and is a member of society. Therefore, as long as it does not violate public order and morals, a permanent resident can take up any occupation. Major career shifts, such as from an IT engineer to a farmer, or from a researcher to an entrepreneur, are legally possible.
Freedom of Occupation After Gaining Permanent Residency#
As mentioned above, once you obtain permanent residency, you are no longer bound by the requirements of the HSP point-based system or specific job descriptions. This significantly broadens your career options.
For instance, the following scenarios are entirely acceptable:
- From Researcher to Entrepreneur: After obtaining permanent residency as a university researcher, you decide to start a company to commercialize your research findings.
- From IT to a Completely Different Field: After gaining permanent residency as an IT consultant, you fulfill a lifelong dream of opening a bakery.
- From Company Employee to Freelancer: After receiving permanent residency while working as an engineer for a company, you decide to go independent and start working as a freelancer.
In this way, permanent residency provides a strong foundation for realizing a flexible work style that aligns with your personal career and life plans.
Important Considerations: The Potential for Revocation of Permanent Residency#
While you have the freedom to choose your occupation, it is crucial to remember that permanent residency is not absolute. Article 22-4 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act outlines the grounds for revoking permanent resident status. While changing jobs itself is not a direct cause for revocation, the consequences of a job change could lead to a situation that falls under these grounds.
1. Failure to Fulfill Public Duties#
If a career change results in a significant decrease in income, leading to a persistent failure to pay obligations such as residence tax, national health insurance premiums, or pension contributions, it may be judged as a “failure to fulfill public duties.” Permanent residents are expected to reside in Japan permanently, making the payment of taxes and social insurance one of their most important obligations. The ability to maintain a stable livelihood remains a key factor.
2. Suspicion of False Application#
In an extreme case, if you resign from the employer listed on your application immediately after your permanent residency is granted, it could raise suspicion that your employment was merely a means to obtain the status. The permanent residency application is meant to demonstrate a stable life base in Japan—past, present, and future. Actions that starkly contradict the application content should be undertaken with caution.
3. Long-Term Absence from Japan#
If a new job involves an overseas assignment or requires you to leave Japan for an extended period, you must be careful. Your permanent residency will be invalidated if you stay outside Japan beyond the one-year limit of the special re-entry permit. Even if you obtain a valid re-entry permit for a longer absence, if your primary life base is no longer considered to be in Japan, it could create disadvantages in the future, such as during the renewal of your residence card.
4. Violation of Laws#
It goes without saying that you must comply with Japanese laws throughout your life in Japan, including after a job change. Repeated traffic violations or criminal activities can be grounds for the revocation of permanent residency or even deportation.
Conclusion#
In principle, it is perfectly acceptable to change to a completely different occupation after obtaining permanent residency via the Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) route. Permanent residency is designed to remove restrictions on your activities, allowing you to build your career more freely in Japan.
However, this freedom comes with responsibility. It is predicated on the condition that you, as a permanent resident, faithfully fulfill your public duties, such as paying taxes and social insurance, comply with Japanese laws, and maintain a stable livelihood. As long as you fulfill these obligations, you can confidently pursue your desired career path. Obtaining permanent residency is not the final goal but rather an important step toward a new beginning as a full-fledged member of Japanese society.