When you are not so sure if a new job description is fine with requirements and conditions of your current visa (status of residence) which was granted for previous job or not, it is good idea to apply “Certificate of Authorized Employment”.
Based on an applicant’s description on the application form, Minister of Justice certifies the eligibility of the applicant for activities related to the management of business involving income or activities for which he/she receives remuneration (or “authorized vocational activities”) on Certificate of Authorized Employment.
For convenience of employers and foreign workers, if a foreign national applicant wishes to work in Japan, the immigration control authority to deliver “Certificate of Authorized Employment”, which specifically indicates authorized vocational activities for the applicant.
Whether a foreign national may work in Japan is determined based on types of the status of residence or whether he/she has obtained permission to engage in an activity other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted.
Therefore, a certificate itself is not a permit to allow a foreign national to work in Japan, nor does it mean that a foreign national may not work without a certificate.
(Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan)
Application for Certificate of Authorized Employment (Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan)
1. When to submit
When the foreign national intends to receive the Certificate of Authorized Employment
(Yet, since it takes 1-3 months to process in case of changing job, it is better not to apply if your current visa remains less then 6 months.)
2. Who may submit
(1) Applicant
(2) The following persons may complete the application procedure (submit the passport, residence card and application form, etc.) in lieu of the applicant.
(a) The legal representative of the applicant
(b) A member of staff of the accepting institution, etc. or of a public interest corporation whom the director of the regional immigration bureau deems to be appropriate (in cases pursuant to a request from the applicant or the legal representative of the applicant).
(c) An attorney or administrative scrivener who has given notification, via the bar association or administrative scriveners’ association to which he or she belongs, to the director of the regional immigration bureau which has jurisdiction over the area where such bar association or administrative scriveners’ association is located (in cases pursuant to a request from the applicant or the legal representative of the applicant).
3. Fee
900 yen for receiving the certificate (Payment must be made with revenue stamps)
4. Necessary documents
Application for Certificate of Authorized Employment
[PDF] [EXCEL]
The Certificate to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted (if the applicant has the certificate) (to present)
Passport and residence card (to present)
A document that proves the status (if a legal representative or agent submits the application form on behalf of the applicant) (to present)
* Although it was not mentioned on the Immigration Services Agency’s HP, following documents are necessary if you apply it for changing jobs.
Certification of Tax Income Withheld, Resignation Certificate, etc issued by the previous employer
Details of the new employer such as a certified copy of register, A copy of Financial Statements for the latest financial year, documents explaining company profile, etc
Details of applicant’s activities at the new workplace such as Employment contract, a letter of appointment, a notice of acceptance, etc
Document explaning why applicant change a job this time
The new employer issued document explaining why they employ this particular applicant
5. Where to submit
The regional immigration office in charge of applicant’s address (Refer to your regional immigration office or immigration information center.)
For inquiry to Visa and Beyond by Takatsuka Office, please send a message through a contact page.
Visa and Beyond Immigration Services 