Worried about money while searching for your next position? You may be entitled to unemployment benefits (失業保険) and yes, this applies to foreign workers too.
This guide explains everything you need to know: eligibility requirements, how much you’ll receive, the step-by-step application process at Hello Work in Yokohama, and how unemployment affects your visa status.
We also cover where to get multilingual support, including the Yokohama Foreign Residents Information Center that offers assistance in 12 languages.
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Unemployment Insurance Guide for Foreign Workers in Yokohama
Are you a foreign worker in Yokohama thinking about leaving your job? Worried about how to survive financially while looking for a new one?
Good news: As a foreign worker in Japan, you’re entitled to unemployment benefits
What You’ll Learn
Whether you qualify for unemployment benefits
How your visa status is affected by unemployment
How much money you can receive
Step-by-step application process in Yokohama
Where to get help in your language
Do You Qualify for Unemployment Benefits?
First, let’s check if you’re eligible. The Japanese unemployment insurance system (雇用保険 / Koyou Hoken) has specific requirements.
Basic Requirements
You paid into employment insurance for at least 12 months during the past 2 years
You’re able and willing to work
You’re actively looking for a new job
You hold a valid work visa (or spouse visa)
If you quit voluntarily (自己都合退職), you need 12 months of contributions.
Not sure if you’ve been paying? Check your payslip. Look for “雇用保険” — it’s usually deducted automatically if you worked more than 20 hours per week.
Freelancers (業務委託) are NOT eligible for unemployment benefits. This only applies to employees (正社員, 契約社員, 派遣社員).
How Your Visa Status Is Affected
This is one of the biggest concerns for foreign workers. Let’s clear up some common misconceptions.
Key Facts About Your Visa
Your visa does NOT expire immediately when you lose your job. However, there are important rules you must follow.
You must notify Immigration within 14 days
You can submit the notification:
Immigration has the right to revoke your visa after 3 months of unemployment, but in practice, they rarely do this if you’re actively job hunting and following the rules. Keep records of your job search activities!
What About Spouse Visa Holders?
If you’re married to a Japanese citizen and hold a spouse visa, your employment status doesn’t affect your visa. You can receive unemployment benefits without any visa concerns.
How Much Will You Receive?
The amount depends on your previous salary and age. Here’s a general overview.
Factor Details Daily Amount 50-80% of your average daily wage Payment Duration 90-150 days (voluntary resignation) Waiting Period 7 days + 2 months (for voluntary resignation)
The “Basic Allowance” (基本手当) is calculated based on your last 6 months of salary. Typically, you’ll receive around 50-80% of your previous daily wage.
If you quit voluntarily, there’s a 2-month waiting period before payments begin (on top of the initial 7-day waiting period). This means you won’t receive any money for about 2 months and 1 week after applying.
How Long Can You Receive Benefits?
For voluntary resignation, the duration depends on how long you paid into the system:
Insurance Period Benefit Duration 1-10 years 90 days 10-20 years 120 days 20+ years 150 days
How to Apply in Yokohama: Step by Step
Here’s exactly what you need to do to apply for unemployment benefits in Yokohama.
Step 1: Get Your Documents from Your Employer
Before you leave your job, make sure you receive these documents:
Required Documents
離職票 (Rishokuhyo) – Separation Certificate. This is the most important document!雇用保険被保険者証 – Employment Insurance Card
Your employer is legally required to issue the 離職票 within 10 days of your last working day. If they don’t, Hello Work can help you request it.
Step 2: Prepare Additional Documents
You’ll also need:
Your Residence Card (在留カード)
My Number Card (or notification letter)
Bank passbook or cash card (for direct deposit)
Two passport-sized photos (3cm x 2.4cm)
Personal seal (印鑑) if you have one
Step 3: Visit Hello Work
Go to the Hello Work office that covers your residential area. In Yokohama, the main office recently moved to a new location.
Hello Work Yokohama – Main Office
Address 1-6-1 Shinko, Naka-ku, Yokohama (Yokohama Shinko Government Building) Hours 8:30 – 17:15 (Weekdays only) Access 5-min walk from Bashamichi Station Coverage Naka, Nishi, Kanagawa, Minami, Konan, Hodogaya, Asahi, Isogo wards
There’s also a branch office near Yokohama Station:
Hello Work Yokohama – Branch Office
Address 1-11-15 Kitasaiwai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama (Yokohama ST Building 4F) Access 3-min walk from Yokohama Station West Exit
If you live in other areas of Yokohama, you may need to visit a different Hello Work office:
Hello Work Kohoku – For Kohoku, Midori, Aoba, Tsuzuki wardsHello Work Totsuka – For Totsuka, Izumi, Seya, Sakae wardsHello Work Yokohama Minami – For Kanazawa ward
Step 4: Attend the Mandatory Briefing
After submitting your application, Hello Work will schedule a mandatory orientation session. You MUST attend this session, or you’ll lose your eligibility.
At this briefing, you’ll receive:
Employment Insurance Eligibility Certificate (受給資格者証)
Unemployment Certificate (失業認定申告書)
Step 5: Continue Job Searching
To keep receiving benefits, you must:
Visit Hello Work every 4 weeks on your designated “certification day” (認定日)
Prove you’ve been actively job hunting (at least 2 activities per month)
Report any income or job offers
Job search activities include: applying for jobs, attending interviews, using Hello Work’s job consultation services, attending job fairs, or taking vocational training courses.
Key Deadlines You Must Know
Missing these deadlines can cost you your benefits.
Deadline What Happens If You Miss It Apply within 1 year of leaving your job You lose eligibility completely Notify Immigration within 14 days Potential visa issues Attend your certification day (認定日) That period’s payment is delayed or lost
The most critical deadline: You must apply within 1 year of your last working day.
Common Mistakes Foreign Workers Make
Don’t fall into these traps that many foreign workers encounter.
1. Not Checking Your 離職票 Carefully Your separation certificate shows the “reason for leaving.” If your employer wrote something incorrect (like saying you were fired when you quit), it can affect your benefits. Always verify this information before signing!
2. Missing Your Certification Day You must visit Hello Work on your designated day. If you can’t make it due to illness or a job interview, contact them in advance. Missing without notice means losing that period’s payment.
3. Not Keeping Job Search Records You need to prove at least 2 job-seeking activities per certification period. Keep records of applications, interviews, and any job-related activities.
4. Ignoring Visa Status Remember: receiving unemployment benefits doesn’t automatically protect your visa. Keep a record of your job search activities in case Immigration asks for proof.
Where to Get Help in Yokohama
If you need assistance in a language other than Japanese, Yokohama has several excellent resources.
Yokohama Foreign Residents Information Center
This is your best resource for multilingual support in Yokohama.
Address Pacifico Yokohama, 1-1-1 Minatomirai, Nishi-ku (5F) Phone 045-222-1209 Languages 12 languages including English, Chinese, Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog Services Phone interpretation, volunteer interpreter dispatch, legal consultation
They offer a unique “trio-phone” service: they can connect you, the government office, and an interpreter on a three-way call. This is incredibly helpful when dealing with Hello Work!
Learn more at the Yokohama City official page for the consultation center .
International Lounges in Yokohama
Yokohama has 13 International Lounges throughout the city. These local centers can help you with daily life issues and may provide interpretation support.
Find your nearest lounge on the Yokohama City International Lounge page .
Official Resources
Useful Links
Conclusion
Losing a job is stressful, especially in a foreign country. But remember: you have the same rights to unemployment benefits as Japanese workers.
Quick Action Checklist
Get your 離職票 from your employer
Notify Immigration within 14 days
Visit Hello Work in Yokohama to apply
Attend the mandatory briefing
Keep job searching and visit Hello Work every 4 weeks
If you need help in your language, don’t hesitate to contact the Yokohama Foreign Residents Information Center. They’re there to help you navigate this process.
For more detailed information in Japanese, check out our other articles on unemployment insurance .
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