Can I get permanent residency even if I've changed jobs 10 times?

Consultation content: I’ve changed jobs many times, but I want to obtain permanent residency.

A woman from Denmark (35 years old) living in Tokyo got a job in the Japanese IT industry through a recruitment agency when she was 25 years old. After that, she changed jobs to another IT company two years later, and continued to build her career as a system engineer, changing jobs 10 times. When she applied for permanent residency, she was approved after 8 months. It is often thought that changing jobs many times puts you at a disadvantage when it comes to obtaining permanent residency, but let’s take a look at what points she focused on to obtain permanent residency.

Checkpoint: Important points to check when applying for permanent residency

Below is a list of points to consider when obtaining permanent residency.

Consistency of work history: Even if you have changed jobs many times, it is important that you have built your career in the same occupation.
Stability of income: An important factor in determining whether you have a stable or increasing income for the past five years.
Reason for changing jobs: You must be able to explain that changing jobs is a reasonable reason for career advancement or the end of a project.
Proof of assets: Your bank balance and real estate holdings will support your financial stability.
No overdue social insurance or taxes: Proper payment of social insurance and taxes will increase your credibility.

Solutions from an administrative scrivener: Steps to obtain permanent residency when changing jobs frequently

1. Explain your job history and emphasize the consistency of your work history

Even if you have changed jobs many times, emphasize that you have continued to build your career in the same occupation. In particular, if your work history as a software engineer is consistent, it is important that your career is specialized. To prove this, it is effective to prepare the following documents.

Past project summary: Organize the overview of the projects you have been involved in and show that your job change was a reasonable one due to the end of the project. Clearly state the duration of each project, the role you played, and the results.
Letter of recommendation from your current supervisor: Prepare a letter of recommendation from your supervisor to show your evaluation at your current workplace. In the letter of recommendation, have them specifically describe your technical skills, contributions, and trustworthiness at work.

2. Prove the stability of your income

If you change jobs frequently, you may be concerned about the instability of your income, but you can eliminate that concern by proving stable income for the past five years. Here are some specific methods:

Submit income tax certificate and tax payment certificate: Prepare these documents to prove your income for the past five years. If your income has increased, highlight that.
Past pay slips: Obtain pay slips from your past employers and submit them as documents that show the progress of your income. If you can confirm that your income has been maintained or increased even after changing jobs, this information will be very advantageous to the examiner.

3. Clearly explain the reason for changing jobs

It is important to explain that the job change was a reasonable one due to career advancement or the end of a project. For this reason, you are required to specifically document the reason for changing jobs and include it in the application letter. Include the following points in your explanation.

Career advancement: Emphasize that each job change was for the purpose of improving your technical skills or career advancement. For example, make it clear that you changed jobs to participate in a more advanced project or to deepen your expertise.
Project end-related job change: Since SE work is often project-based, explain that the end of the project was the timing for changing jobs. Show that it was a reasonable job change in order to seek a new challenge after the project ended.

4. Prove your financial situation

Submit a bank statement and a real estate registration certificate to prove your financial stability. This shows that you have a stable base of living for the long term and emphasizes that changing jobs has not caused your income to become unstable.

Prepare a bank statement: Submit a certificate showing your current bank statement to prove that you have financial security.
Real estate registration certificate: Submit a certificate for your real estate holdings to show that your financial situation is stable.

5. Check your social insurance and tax payments

Payment of social insurance and tax is an important factor in increasing your credibility when obtaining permanent residency. Be sure to gather documents that prove that these have been paid properly.

Pension Record Certificate: Submit a certificate obtained from the pension office to prove your pension payment status.
Copy of Health Insurance Certificate: Submit a copy of your health insurance certificate to confirm your social insurance enrollment status.
Tax Payment Certificate: Submit a certificate showing that past tax payments have been made properly to prove that you have no overdue taxes.

6. Final check before submitting documents

Before submitting your application, double-check that all documents are complete and that there are no errors in the information. It is especially important to double-check that you have not missed any documents that highlight the reason for changing jobs or the stability of your income. You can also improve the completeness of your application documents by getting advice from an expert.

Eligible status of residence: Permanent residence

Permanent residence is a status of residence that allows you to stay in Japan indefinitely and does not require visa renewal. Even if you have changed jobs many times, you can obtain it by following the appropriate procedures and preparing the necessary documents.
With permanent residence, you can live a stable life and your freedom of living will be greatly increased, such as smooth access to mortgages. While many statuses of residence have restrictions on certain periods and activities, permanent residence has a high degree of freedom, which is a great advantage for foreigners who wish to live in Japan long-term.

Documents required at the time of application

The following documents are required when applying for permanent residence. Please prepare these and proceed with the application.

Permanent residence permission application form: Fill out and submit in accordance with the prescribed format.
Statement of reasons for application: Describe in detail the reasons for wanting permanent residence and the stability of life in Japan. In particular, describe in detail the reasons for changing jobs and the stability of your income.
Copy of residence card: Submit a copy of both the front and back of your residence card to prove your current status of residence.
Income tax certificate and tax payment certificate for the last 5 years: Submit to prove the stability of your income.
Bank balance certificate: Required to show that you are financially stable.
Certificate of registered details of owned real estate: Submit to prove your asset status.
Pension record certificate: A certificate obtained from the pension office to confirm your social insurance payment status.
Copy of health insurance card: Required to confirm your social insurance enrollment status.
Project summaries for the last 10 years: Required to prove your work history as a system engineer.
Letter of recommendation from your current supervisor: Submit to show your evaluation at your current workplace.

Summary: It is possible to obtain permanent residency even if you have changed jobs many times

Even if you have changed jobs many times, it is possible to obtain permanent residency if you make proper preparations. You can pass the screening by preparing documents that prove the consistency of your work history and the stability of your income, and clearly explaining the reasons for changing jobs. Consult with an administrative scrivener and proceed with the appropriate procedures to increase your chances of success in obtaining permanent residency.