After a foreign national under the Engineer / Humanities / International Services status changes jobs, people often say “get a Certificate of Authorized Employment first.” It can be useful, but we do not recommend it mechanically in every case. The real goal is to make sure the new employer and duties can be consistently explained at the next renewal.
What the certificate proves
A Certificate of Authorized Employment is issued by immigration, upon application, to certify remunerated activities that the person is currently permitted to perform. It can be used to confirm whether duties at a new employer fall within the existing status.
It is not a document that must always be obtained after changing jobs. Immigration law also provides that a person should not be treated disadvantageously merely for failing to present such a certificate.
Why we do not recommend “get it just in case”
At the first renewal after a job change, immigration will in any event examine the new company, duties, employment conditions and the applicant’s education/work history. If a full set of similar materials is prepared immediately after the job change and renewal is due soon afterwards, the procedures may overlap.
Where the period of stay is close to expiry, it may be more rational to prepare the renewal application properly rather than first applying for the certificate.
Our basic approach
We do not treat the certificate as meaning that the next renewal will be automatically approved. We prioritize organizing the duties and employer evidence so that the situation can be explained at renewal.
Cases where it can be especially useful
- There is still a long time before expiry and uncertainty about whether the new duties fit the current status.
- The employer requires confirmation for compliance purposes.
- The occupational field changes significantly.
- The applicant is a vocational-school graduate and the relationship between education and duties should be checked early.
Do not forget the required notifications
A change of affiliated organization may require the foreign national to notify immigration, and the employer may have notification obligations to Hello Work. Keep the resignation date, joining date and actual duty-start date clear.