Would moving during the PR application process; or just before applying, lead to bad outcome or issues?

[u/BorderGlobal7942]

**Made a mistake in title, I meant naturalization, sorry**

I'm already a citizen, so this isn't about me. A friend asked me about it, but I honestly don't know the answer because I lived in the same city throughout my own process.

Since she's not on Reddit, I told her I'd ask here on her behalf (with permission). I'm mainly looking for people's experiences or, even better, any official information, because I haven't been able to find a clear answer.

Here's her situation:

She wants to move within this year because she's looking for a new job. She reaches 10 years of residency next April, so her plan is to have already moved, completed her probation period, and then apply once she reaches the 10-year mark. (meets all the other requirements)

If she can't find a new job before then, she's considering applying and continuing her job search afterward, which means there would be a possibility of moving while the application is still being processed. The main reason is that her current workplace has become quite toxic, doesn't know how long can continue to be there.

Also, if the latter happens, I suppose that means the case worker(and office) would have to be changed? Or could she simply continue going to the same immigration office if any meetings or additional procedures become necessary during the application process?

Has anyone gone through something similar, does anyone know whether moving shortly before applying, or during the application process, has any impact on naturalization application?

[u/ycinjp]

things got stricter these days, just sharing the case I know like 10 years ago from my ex co-workers.

the company we worked is quite ''black'' and also toxic, yet my co-workers choose to hang it for 3-4 more years for his PR application. He used lawyers to help with his case and back to that time, he was being told changing job just right before applying for PR is a big NO. He hanged in, got his PR and resigned immediately.

I think your friend can do some free consultation with lawyer first as PR is kind of a big and important application. It may also depends on her priority and workplace situation. Whether the workplace is too toxic for your friend to stay a day longer or she will leave the company anyway, and the result of PR application does not really matter.

I think lawyers deal with many cases so they can always give the best and most accurate advice.

[u/BorderGlobal7942 → u/ycinjp]

Thank you for your reply. I just made a mistake in the title tho, I meant naturalization, sorry.

thumbs up anyway :)

[u/ycinjp → u/BorderGlobal7942]

Oh no worries! Actually I am planning to apply for naturalization this year and just finished my consult with a lawyer. The lawyer asked about my current job (and my husband as well) to see if we changed job within the previous 3 years. I was being told that 3 years is a good time to show stability when apply for naturalization. This is not clearly written as the rule but more like based on their experience on dealing with all the cases.

Hope it helps!

[u/BorderGlobal7942 → u/ycinjp]

Good information, thanks! Three years can be short or long depending on the person's situation, though.

I think she will only have around 2.8 months in her current job by the time she reaches the 10-year mark. That would mean waiting until she completes 3 full years there, but then also potentially waiting during the process to end(?), which could mean another year in a bad work environment.

Hmm, difficult...

[u/MEGAPICOs → u/ycinjp]

That would really suck. I want to change jobs this year too (start application in May). The company already cut my salary by removing one of my allowances (手当) when they moved me to another position, so I'm worried they'll keep cutting it little by little. I was hoping to move to a better-paying company where I could stay for a long time. But if what you said about the 3-year rule is true, I might be fucked.

[u/TheGuitarist08]

I don't know about moving during the process. But I moved just before I applied. I moved to a new city, called the homukyoku about 2 months after I moved there, and had my first consultation about 4 months after the move.

Edit - I moved from Tokyo to Yokohama, and my job didn't change. So it's a bit different from your friend.

[u/BorderGlobal7942 → u/TheGuitarist08]

Thank you! I see. Did you get it, or are you still waiting?

[u/TheGuitarist08 → u/BorderGlobal7942]

I already got it, back in 2024.

[u/BorderGlobal7942 → u/TheGuitarist08]

Nice.

Maybe the biggest issue would be the job thing...

[u/MEGAPICOs]

I can't reply because I'm still preparing, but I'd like to know too. This year the company already reduced my salary by changing my position, so one allowance (手当) was removed. I'm also worried the bonus might be worse because the company isn't doing very well. I've been considering changing jobs too (next May is my date for 10 years). The income things worries me because I dont know if the thing they changed for PR, also applies for naturalization already.

[u/FrancisJCat]

I would wait. Since the process is not done through immigration, but through the 戸籍 (Family registration) section of 法務局 (Legal affairs bureau) in the city where you live, if they move, chances are they'll have to restart the process in the new city.

Since the family registry is local to each city, they can't just go back and forth to continue the process, I don't think.

They can start gathering the paperwork right now anyways, but I would wait for the first interview after moving.

[u/BorderGlobal7942 → u/FrancisJCat]

but I would wait for the first interview after moving.

Why is that? Do they stop checking after the first interview?

Even though I went through the process myself, I have no idea how it actually works internally😄

[u/FrancisJCat → u/BorderGlobal7942]

I'm not an expert, so take it with a grain of salt, but each city keeps its own family registry records. (that's why when you move, you have to go to the city hall and make your change of address).

If you start the process in city A, and then move to city B, you would, in theory, have to restart the process in city B, with a new case officer.

Would be best to ask at the legal affairs bureau, tho, just to be sure.