This article is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails. Read the Japanese original（日本語版を読む）
If you switch to 「特定活動」 (Designated Activities) for job hunting, please assume that the count of 5 years of continuous residence under a work status, which is needed for permanent residence, is in principle likely to be reset. This is because 「特定活動」 for job hunting does not fall under a work status as such. Keep the period on 「特定活動」 as short as possible, and keep the evidence that the dismissal was for reasons on the company's side.
An enquiry about how the permanent residence count works, from someone who has been dismissed for reasons on the company's side and plans to change to 「特定活動」 for job hunting.
Work visas and residence-based visas count; 「特定活動」 for job hunting does not.
To obtain permanent residence, you are in principle asked to have lived in Japan for at least 10 years continuously, and within that, to have lived here for at least 5 years continuously under a work status or a residence-based status.
The usual treatment in practice is that continuous residence under a work status is regarded as having been broken at the point you change from a work status to 「特定活動」.
In screening for permanent residence, the point that residence must be "continuous" is looked at very strictly.
The usual treatment in practice is that continuous residence under a work status is regarded as having been broken at the point you change from 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」 to 「特定活動」. Even if you find a new job and return to a work visa, the safe assumption is that the count of 5 years has to start again from that point.
Keep the period on 「特定活動」 as short as possible, and keep the evidence that the dismissal was for reasons on the company's side along with a record of your job hunting.
The view that the count is reset is a harsh one, but since there is a legitimate reason, namely that this was for reasons on the company's side, there is room to explain it depending on what you do afterwards. First, find a stable job and start building up a work record again.
It does not. 「特定活動」 for job hunting is a preparation period until you obtain your next work visa, and it does not fall under a work status as such.
The usual treatment in practice is that continuous residence is regarded as having been broken at the point you change from a work status to 「特定活動」. After returning to a work visa, the safe assumption is that the count of 5 years has to start again.
Be sure to keep the separation notice and any letter showing that this was for reasons on the company's side. Some years later, when you apply for permanent residence, these are important evidence for explaining that this was due to unavoidable circumstances that were not your fault.
Please take care not to fall behind with payments. Non-payment or late payment has a worse effect on screening for permanent residence than the residence requirement does.
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This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.