During the first half of August, I handled numerous permit and application procedures, including those with the Immigration Bureau.

One of these was an application for a Certificate of Authorized Employment. This application serves to confirm—prior to changing jobs—that one’s current status of residence allows for the specific work to be performed at the prospective company. However, many foreign nationals still switch jobs without filing this application.

Consequently, the Immigration Bureau only learns of the job change when the individual applies to renew their period of stay; in some cases, the new employment may be deemed “activity outside the scope of status” (unauthorized work).

Such a classification can lead to the worst-case scenario: a denial of the renewal application. Even if approved, a five-year period of stay might be reduced to three years, or a three-year period to one year.

Furthermore, failing to file this application properly can prevent one from ever obtaining a five-year permit—keeping it capped at three years indefinitely—which effectively makes it impossible to apply for permanent residence. This is because a five-year period of stay is one of the requirements for a permanent residence application.

By filing the application correctly—as was done in this instance—one receives the Certificate of Authorized Employment, allowing for a worry-free transition to the new job.