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）
There is no need to renew your family's 家族滞在 visas at the same time right now. The expiry date on the 在留カード (Residence Card) your family already holds stays valid, and it is enough to renew when the next expiry date comes closer. However, you yourself cannot start work at the new company until the change to 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」 is granted and you have received your new 在留カード.
The order of the procedures for a person changing from 高度専門職 to 技術・人文知識・国際業務, and for the family living in Japan on 家族滞在.
There is no need to apply at the same time right now. Your family's 在留カード stays valid until its expiry date.
Your family does not need to apply at the same time right now. Even after you change to 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」, the 在留カード your family holds, valid until March 2029 (2029年3月), stays valid as it is. It is fine to go through the renewal when the next expiry date comes closer.
It is not cut back straight away. It is reset at the next renewal to match the period of stay of the person supporting the family.
Even if your new 在留期間 (period of stay) becomes, say, 3 years, the expiry date until March 2029 (2029年3月) that your family already holds is not cut back straight away. At the next renewal it will be reset to match your period of stay at that time.
That said, 「家族滞在」 is a status of residence tied to the status of residence of the supporting family member. If you, as that person, lose the status of residence that lets you stay in Japan — for example through a denial of an extension of period of stay, or a revocation of your status of residence — 家族滞在 no longer fits your family's situation. If that happens, you will need to consult the 地方出入国在留管理局 (Regional Immigration Services Bureau) about what to do next.
Only after the change to 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」 is granted and you have received your new 在留カード.
In practice, this is the point that needs the most care.
「高度専門職1号」 is a status of residence that allows work only at the particular company named in the 「指定書」 (certificate of designation) attached to your passport. So that activity came to an end on the day you left the company. To work at the new company, you must wait until the change to 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」 is granted and you have received your new 在留カード.
If you work at the new company before permission is granted, it is regarded as 不法就労 (illegal work), that is, a breach of the rules on 資格外活動 (activity other than that permitted under the status of residence), even if the work itself is specialised. That may have a bad effect on a future 永住許可申請 (Application for Permanent Residence) and similar applications.
As long as the supporting family member is properly going through the change, the family will not lose 家族滞在.
Even while your change application is being processed, your family will not lose 「家族滞在」. As long as you, the person supporting them, are properly going through the procedure to switch to an appropriate status of residence in Japan, the basis of your family's stay is not lost, so please rest assured.
As in the proviso in the previous section, it is different if the supporting family member loses the status of residence itself. Please keep the procedure moving without delay.
Within 14 days of the day you leave, file the 「契約機関に関する届出（離脱）」 with the 出入国在留管理庁 (Immigration Services Agency of Japan).
This change to 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」 is a step towards settling your present life and preparing to start a business. First of all, please give top priority to switching your status of residence at the right time.
There is no need to apply at the same time right now. The 在留カード your family holds stays valid until its expiry date, and it is enough to renew when the next expiry date comes closer.
It is not cut back straight away. At the next renewal it is reset to match the period of stay of the supporting family member at that time.
No. 高度専門職 is a status of residence that allows work only at the company named in the 指定書, so the activity came to an end when you left that job. You can start only after permission is granted and you have received your new 在留カード.
Within 14 days of the day you leave, file the 「契約機関に関する届出（離脱）」 with the 出入国在留管理庁, online or by post.
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This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.