'%3E%3Cpath%20stroke='%23000'%20stroke-width='4'%20d='m-35-37-13%2020m5%203%2013-20m5%203-13%2020m63%2042%206-9m1-2%206-9m5%203-6%209m-1%202-6%209m5%203%206-9m1-2%206-9m-96%200%2013%2020m5-3-6-9m-1-2-6-9m5-3%2013%2020m63-42-6-9m-1-2-6-9m5-3%2013%2020m5-3-6-9m-1-2-6-9'/%3E%3Ccircle%20r='24'%20fill='%23cd2e3a'/%3E%3Cpath%20fill='%230047a0'%20d='M0%200a12%2012%200%201%201%2020%2013%2024%2024%200%201%201-40-26A12%2012%200%201%200%200%200'/%3E%3C/g%3E%3C/svg%3E){kind=small}
Blog
When a company hires a foreign national who is already working in Japan, the first concern is often, “Can we employ this person for our type of work?” Even if their Residence Card is valid, their Status of Residence is granted based on their previous employer’s work. A “Certificate of Authorization for Employment” is a document that allows the Immigration Services Agency to confirm in advance whether the new job falls within the scope of their current Status of Residence. This article will explain the contents and procedures for the Certificate of Authorization for Employment, the 14-day notification requirement for the foreign national who changed jobs, the company’s notification, and the increased penalties for the Crime of Aiding Illegal Employment starting April 1, 2027, for both foreign nationals and HR professionals.
Statuses of Residence that permit employment (such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Skilled Labor) are granted based on the job description provided at the time of application. When changing jobs, the employer and job content change, but the Residence Card remains the same. Therefore, simply looking at the Residence Card does not indicate whether the new job falls within the scope of the current Status of Residence.
The Immigration Services Agency’s “Immigration Examination/Status of Residence Examination Q&A” provides the following guidance on the relationship between changing jobs and Status of Residence procedures:
| Situation | Immigration Services Agency’s Guidance (Summary) |
|---|---|
| Status of Residence is nearing expiration, and I will be changing jobs soon. | If the activities after changing jobs do not differ from the activities of the current Status of Residence, apply for an Application for Extension of Period of Stay. If they do differ, apply for an Application for Change of Status of Residence. Both must be done by the expiration date of the Period of Stay. |
| My Period of Stay expires in 2 years, and I have already changed jobs. I want to confirm if the new job falls within the scope of my Status of Residence. | You can receive certification by applying for a Certificate of Authorization for Employment. |
| I want to apply for a Certificate of Authorization for Employment at the Immigration Services Agency near my workplace. | You must apply to the Immigration Services Agency with jurisdiction over your place of residence; you cannot apply at the Immigration Services Agency located at your workplace. |
In other words, for job changers whose Period of Stay has some time remaining, if no action is taken, the decision on “whether the new job is within scope” will be carried over until the next renewal application. The Certificate of Authorization for Employment is a means to expedite that confirmation.
💡 For those with Specified Skilled Worker or Designated Activities Status of Residence, the content of activities is specified in the “Designation Document” issued along with the Residence Card. Procedures different from the Certificate of Authorization for Employment explained in this article may be required, so please confirm before deciding to change jobs.
The foreign national themselves applies. An authorized representative, such as an employee of the employer approved by the Immigration Services Agency, or an Administrative Scrivener or Attorney registered with the Immigration Services Agency, can also submit the application documents on behalf of the applicant. The application must be submitted to the regional Immigration Services Bureau with jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence. For residents of Miyazaki Prefecture, this would be the Miyazaki Branch Office of the Fukuoka Regional Immigration Services Bureau. Applications for a Certificate of Authorization for Employment can also be made online.
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Basis | Immigration Control Act Article 19-2 |
| Target | Foreign nationals permitted to work (including Permanent Resident, Long-Term Resident, etc., who have no work restrictions, and those who have received Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted) |
| Fee | 2,000 yen (Revenue Stamp at the counter) / 1,600 yen for online applications |
| Standard Processing Period | Same day (1 to 3 months if the employer has changed, etc.) |
| Documents for job changers | Application form, presentation of Residence Card and passport, presentation of Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted (only for those who have received it), documents detailing the new employer and activities |
| Appeal | None |
For job changers, the focus of the examination is “what will be done at the new workplace.” Employment contracts, notices of labor conditions, company profiles, and descriptions of duties should be prepared to clearly convey the content of the work.
Please note that from October 1, 2026, the fee for applications accepted online will be paid via convenience store or bank transfer, instead of Revenue Stamp. For applications submitted at the counter, Revenue Stamp will continue to be used as before.
Article 19-2, Paragraph 2 of the Immigration Control Act stipulates that when employing foreign nationals, etc., if the activities they can engage in are clear, they must not be treated disadvantageously for not presenting or submitting a Certificate of Authorization for Employment.
The key here is the qualifier “if the activities are clear.” If the scope of permissible work is clear from the Residence Card or designation document, it is not permissible to reject employment solely because a certificate is not provided. On the other hand, this provision does not prohibit “requesting submission for confirmation” itself. For companies, the appropriate use of this article is to request it as a means of confirmation when the scope is unclear, without making it a condition of employment.
Individuals who have changed jobs have a duty to notify based on Article 19-16 of the Immigration Control Act. The type of notification varies depending on the Status of Residence.
| Example of Status of Residence | Type of Notification | Notification Required for Job Change |
|---|---|---|
| Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Skilled Labor, Nursing Care, Researcher, Highly Skilled Professional (i) (a)/(b), Specified Skilled Worker, etc. | Notification concerning the affiliated (contracting) organization (Article 19-16, Paragraph 2) | Termination of contract with previous company / Conclusion of contract with new company |
| Business Manager, Intra-company Transferee, Instructor, Professor, Highly Skilled Professional (i) (c), etc. | Notification concerning the affiliated (activity) organization (Article 19-16, Paragraph 1) | Departure from previous organization / Transfer to new organization |
The deadline is within 14 days from the date each event occurred. If the resignation date and start date are far apart, two separate notifications will be required. Notifications can be made 24 hours a day via the Immigration Services Agency’s electronic notification system, or at a counter or by mail. Submission of documents proving the reported matters is not required.
The application for a Certificate of Authorization for Employment and this notification are separate procedures. Applying for the certificate does not negate the need for the notification, so please ensure both are completed.
Employers who newly hire foreign nationals must notify Hello Work of the foreign employment status, based on Article 28 of the Act on Comprehensive Promotion of Labor Policies. The same applies when a foreign national leaves employment. The Immigration Services Agency’s leaflet and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s guidance state that failure to make this notification or making a false notification is subject to a fine of up to 300,000 yen. The notification deadline is the 10th of the month following employment for those covered by employment insurance (along with the qualification acquisition notification), and by the end of the month following employment for those not covered.
Article 19-17 of the Immigration Control Act also includes a provision for companies to submit a “Notification concerning the acceptance of mid- to long-term residents” to the Immigration Services Agency. However, employers who are required to notify Hello Work of foreign employment status are excluded. For general companies, the Hello Work notification is usually sufficient.
The crime of aiding illegal employment under Article 73-2 of the Immigration Control Act is a provision that punishes those who cause foreign nationals to engage in illegal work activities in connection with business activities, or those who arrange such activities. Penalties will be increased by the revised law (Act No. 60 of 2024) enacted in 2024.
| Period | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Currently (until March 31, 2027) | Imprisonment for up to 3 years or a fine of up to 3 million yen, or both |
| From April 1, 2027 | Imprisonment for up to 5 years or a fine of up to 5 million yen, or both |
The “illegal employment” indicated by the Immigration Services Agency includes not only cases where a person whose Period of Stay has expired works, but also cases where a person works beyond the scope permitted by their current Status of Residence. The Immigration Services Agency’s leaflet gives an example of a person approved as a foreign cuisine chef or language school teacher working as a factory worker. This “exceeding the scope” type is precisely what tends to cause problems when hiring job changers.
Furthermore, Article 73-2, Paragraph 2 stipulates that a person cannot be exempted from punishment on the grounds that they were unaware that the foreign national’s activities were outside the scope of their Status of Residence, provided that this does not apply if there was no negligence. If there was negligence, such as not checking the Residence Card, ignorance is not an excuse. Keeping records of the facts and methods of confirmation is a practical measure to protect the company.
Q1. Is it prohibited to hire a job changer without a Certificate of Authorization for Employment?
A. No. Obtaining it is optional. If the scope of employment is clear from the Residence Card, etc., you can employ them without the certificate. It is used as a means of confirmation when the scope is unclear.
Q2. If I obtain a Certificate of Authorization for Employment, will my next extension definitely be permitted?
A. A Certificate of Authorization for Employment certifies the activities that can be performed at that time. The extension review also considers the circumstances during the Period of Stay, so it does not guarantee permission. However, if you confirm in advance that your new job falls within the scope, you will not have to rush when it comes to the extension.
Q3. Can I apply at the Immigration Services Agency near my workplace?
A. No, you cannot. You must apply to the Immigration Services Agency that has jurisdiction over your place of residence. The same applies to applications for Extension of Period of Stay and Application for Change of Status of Residence.
Q4. What happens if the job after a career change does not fall within the scope of my current Status of Residence?
A. The Immigration Services Agency’s Q&A states that if the activities after a career change differ from the activities permitted under the current Status of Residence, an Application for Change of Status of Residence should be filed. If you start the job before receiving permission, it could lead to issues of Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted or illegal employment, so please plan the procedure before your start date.
Q5. Does the stricter penalties in April 2027 affect employees I currently employ?
A. The penalties being raised are for employers who aid illegal employment. For those currently employed, it is important to continue managing their Period of Stay and confirming that their assigned duties fall within the scope of their Status of Residence.
Q6. Is a Certificate of Authorization for Employment also required when hiring Permanent Residents or Long-Term Residents?
A. Permanent Residents, Long-Term Residents, etc., have no restrictions on employment. While they can apply for a Certificate of Authorization for Employment, their Residence Card’s “No work restrictions” notation confirms their eligibility for employment.
When hiring job changers, what needs to be confirmed is not just the expiration date of their Residence Card, but whether the new job falls within the scope of their current Status of Residence. The Certificate of Authorization for Employment is an optional means to confirm this in advance, and it is separate from the individual’s notification within 14 days and the company’s notification to Hello Work. From April 1, 2027, the penalties for the Crime of Aiding Illegal Employment will become heavier. Incorporating confirmation and record-keeping procedures into the hiring process will protect both the company and the employee.
💴 Support fees for Application for Certificate of Authorization for Employment are listed in the “Fee” section. The first consultation is free for up to 60 minutes online. Procedures required when changing jobs can also be checked using the free tool “Job Change Procedure Navigator“.
As an Administrative Scrivener Corporation in Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture, our office assists with residence procedures for foreign nationals changing jobs and confirmation procedures for companies employing foreign nationals.
For procedures that can be filed online, such as applications for a Certificate of Eligibility, change of status of residence and extension of period of stay, we accept requests from clients nationwide. Meetings are held online (Google Meet, LINE) and documents are exchanged by mail or electronically, so there is no need to visit our office. Applications for Permission for Permanent Residence and for Permission of Naturalization cannot be filed online and must be submitted at the counter, so they are limited to residents of Miyazaki Prefecture. Depending on the procedure and its urgency, you may need to collect your Residence Card at the counter of the immigration office covering the area where you live. Online applications cannot be filed on the last day of your period of stay, so please consult us as early as possible.
Please feel free to use our free consultation service first.
📞 To book a phone consultation: 0985-68-0851
Before you submit, let us take a look.
Free Immigration Pre-Submission Check ›
For those who will apply for a status of residence at the Immigration Services Bureau by themselves. Before you submit, we check your application form and supporting documents and tell you about any missing documents and points to watch. We accept checks online (Google Meet, about 20 minutes) or via LINE.
・Eligible: applications for a Certificate of Eligibility, change of status of residence and extension of period of stay (applications for permanent residence are accepted only from residents of Miyazaki Prefecture). Naturalization is not covered.
・Online (Google Meet): once per application. Replies via LINE: available for the same application until you submit it.
・Our guideline for replies via LINE is, in principle, within 2 business days (we are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays; replies may take longer when we are busy).
・Please send copies of your documents by LINE or email. For your residence card, send the front side only; please do not send the side showing your My Number.
・What we tell you is our office’s opinion. It does not guarantee approval; the outcome depends on the decision of the Immigration Services Bureau.
・We only point out missing documents and points to watch. We do not prepare or rewrite your application documents for you or draft text for them, and we do not tell you whether your application is likely to be approved (if you would like to engage us, we will introduce the Self-Prep Course, the Light Plan and the Standard Plan).
・If we find that a document contains information that is not true, or that the application is not your own (or a family member’s), we will decline the check.
This article is written based on publicly available information as of October 2026. Details of the system and implementation dates may change in the future. For actual applications, please confirm with official information from the Immigration Services Agency or our office.
Author of this article: Administrative Scrivener Authorized to File Applications, Satoshi Nakayama
Representative, Administrative Scrivener Corporation Miyazaki International Legal Office
Location: Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture
