Introduction

In recent years, more foreign workers holding the status of residence “Skilled Labor” have become worried that shortened working hours might negatively affect their visa renewal.
This article explains how a reduction in working hours can influence the renewal of the “Skilled Labor” status, using laws and public information as a basis.

Basics and Official Name of the “Skilled Labor” Status

The “Skilled” status of residence is mainly intended for foreign workers such as foreign cuisine chefs, sports trainers, pilots, or jewelry craftsmen who work in Japan by utilizing their specialized skills.​
On the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, this status is officially described in English as Skilled Labor, and this notation is used as the official English name.​

Under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, “Skilled” is listed as one of the work-related statuses of residence and allows activities based on an employment contract with public or private organizations in Japan, where the person engages in skilled work.​
When renewing the status, it is therefore important that the work content fits the category and that the employment is stable and continuous.​

Key Points Checked When Working Hours Are Reduced

A reduction in working hours does not automatically mean that a renewal of the “Skilled Labor” status will be denied, but immigration authorities will likely check the following points comprehensively:

• Whether the job content still falls within the scope of “Skilled” (and has not turned into simple labor)​
• The form of employment (full-time or part-time, contract type, etc.)
• Whether the salary is comparable to that of Japanese workers and sufficient to maintain living in Japan​
• Business continuity and financial situation of the employer (not close to bankruptcy, no issues in paying salaries)​

If a full-time position is changed to substantially shorter hours, equivalent to part-time work, and the salary is largely reduced, immigration may scrutinize whether the foreign national is truly needed as skilled labor and whether they can maintain their livelihood in Japan.

Reduced Hours Do Not Automatically Mean Denial, but Be Careful

1. When Weekly Working Hours Are Significantly Reduced

Imagine a chef (Skilled Labor) who used to work 40 hours per week but is now asked to work 20 hours due to reduced business hours.
In this case, immigration will examine the employment contract and working conditions notice to evaluate whether the person still primarily engages in activities using their skills and whether the job provides a sufficient basis for living in Japan.​

If the skilled work becomes only a few hours per week and most of the person’s livelihood depends on other income sources, immigration may find it difficult to regard this as “activities as a skilled worker in Japan.”
However, even if weekly working hours are around 30 hours, as long as the job content is specialized and the salary is reasonably sufficient, renewal is not automatically denied.​

2. When Salary Drops Below a Livable Level

In practice, work-related statuses of residence require that the foreign worker’s remuneration be on par with that of Japanese workers engaged in comparable jobs.​
If shortened working hours bring the annual income down to a level where maintaining life in Japan becomes difficult, the risk of denial at renewal increases.

If Japanese workers in comparable positions are also subject to the same reduction of working hours and pay, documents showing that the change is not discriminatory may help demonstrate reasonableness.​

Fictional Case Studies for Illustration

Case 1: From 40 Hours to 30 Hours per Week, Slight Pay Cut

Mr. A, a Chinese cuisine chef with the “Skilled Labor” status.
He used to work 40 hours per week with a monthly salary of 300,000 yen, but due to shorter opening hours the contract has been changed to 30 hours per week and 240,000 yen per month.

• Job content: He continues to work as a chef (including menu development and training junior staff).
• Working hours: Shorter than full-time but still around 30 hours per week.
• Salary: Sufficient to cover rent and living expenses, with continued social insurance coverage.

In such a case, if the employer can show through documents such as employment contracts, pay slips, and company materials that the skilled work continues and the income is sufficient for living, renewal may still be approved.​

Case 2: From 40 Hours to 15 Hours per Week, Side-Job Level Income

Ms. B, a sports trainer at a fitness club with the “Skilled Labor” status, is reclassified so that she now teaches only a few classes, working about 15 hours a week and earning about 100,000 yen per month.

• Job content: Still specialized, but working hours are very short.
• Income: Most of her living expenses are covered by other income or support.
• Other activities: Studying at a Japanese language school occupies most of her time, and the trainer work functions like a side job.

In such a situation, immigration may question whether the main purpose of stay is really to work as a skilled professional, or whether another status such as “Student” would be more appropriate.​
The issue is less about reduced hours in itself, and more about whether activities as a skilled worker are the main activity supporting her stay in Japan.

Documents and Points to Prepare When Renewing

When working conditions such as working hours and salary change, it is advisable to prepare the following documents for renewal of period of stay:

• Updated employment contract and working conditions notice, showing working hours, salary, and contract term clearly​
• Recent pay slips, withholding tax certificates, and residence tax certificates to show actual income​
• Company brochure or website printouts to show business continuity and scale​
• Internal documents explaining why working hours and salary were changed (shorter business hours, sales decrease, new branch opening, etc.)

According to guidelines from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and immigration authorities, extension applications can generally be filed about three months before the expiry date, so if changes in working conditions are expected, early preparation is important.

Summary

• The status of residence “Skilled” is officially named Skilled Labor in English and is granted to foreign workers engaging in activities that require specialized skills.
• A reduction in working hours does not automatically lead to denial of renewal; immigration will consider job content, degree of reduction, salary level, and business continuity as a whole.
• Even with around 30 working hours per week, renewal may be possible if the skilled work continues and the income remains sufficient to live in Japan.
• However, if working hours and income become similar to those of a side job and the main livelihood depends on other sources, the risk of denial as a “Skilled Labor” holder increases.​
• When working conditions change, it is important to prepare contracts, pay records, and company materials that explain the reasons and demonstrate stability of both the employment and the person’s livelihood.

If your working hours have been or are about to be reduced, it is advisable to consult a professional early about renewal timing and the possibility of switching to another status of residence.