Can I quit my job before starting the job contract but keep job searching on the work visa?
To start, I did search around for this, but couldn't find specifically about quitting before actually starting the job. From my research, it sounds like if i did start the job and then quit after 2-4 weeks then I would be able to job search while unemployed for 3 months before immigration might start asking for proof of my job searching. But is this also true if I quit before starting? Is this a question for an immigration lawyer?
I was on a student visa at a Japanese language school, and then got a job offer for a 6 month contract job that starts in June. I was just approved for the change of status to the Engineering/Humanities/International Relations work visa which I plan to pick up next week.
The problem is that this job is super rural and requires you to live in the company housing, which doesn't allow pets (I asked if pets were possible during the interview and they said no). I have a cat, but the job was a kinda unique opportunity, and I had a good friend who my cat knows well who said she was happy to take her in for 6 months. But due to very unfortunate circumstances, that friend can no longer take in my cat and I don't have any other friends who could.
I could board my cat at a cat sitter's place for 6 months, but it may be hard to find one who can do that long, and I'd have to worry about how good they are actually taking care of my cat, and even if they do it would be stressful for the cat since it's not someone she knows, and besides all that it's going to be pretty dang expensive which I don't think it's worth especially since I can't verify the quality of care.
Due to the above, I am wondering if I could quit the job before moving to the job next month and then job search while on the work visa. I'm currently in Tokyo and have 6 YoE in software engineering so I'm confident I could find another job within a few months.
I know the "smart" choice is always to have another job lined up before quitting, but I think starting the job and leaving after a month or so is worse for both the company and myself which is why I would prefer to just let know know asap. Plus I have enough money to live in Tokyo for a year so money is not a big concern. I also know they may ask to be reimbursed for immigration lawyer fees for applying for my change of status, which I think is totally fair.