'Specified Skilled Workers' Residence Status

 1) System Overview　 　 

The Specified Skill System aims to accept foreign nationals with expertise and skills in industrial fields where it's hard to find enough domestic human resources. It was established in 2018 and started accepting applications in April 2019.

2) Two Types of ‘Specified Skills’

［Specified Skills No. 1］

This is a status of residence for foreign nationals engaged in work that requires considerable knowledge or experience in a specific industrial field.

［Specified Technical Skill No. 2］

A status of residence for foreign nationals engaged in work that requires high-level  skills in a specific industrial field.

Key Points for Each Category

［Specified Skilled Workers I］

Period of stay: 1 year, 6 months, or renewable every 4 months, up to 5 years in total.

Japanese language skills: Necessary for daily life and work, confirmed by examination, etc. (Foreigners who applied for Technical Internship No. 2 are exempted from the examination.)

The visa is supported by the host institution or registered support organization

［Specified Skilled Workers 2］

Period of stay: 3 years, renewed every 1 year or 6 months, with no upper limit on total period of stay.

Proficiency level: To be confirmed by an examination, etc.

Japanese language proficiency: Not required to take a test.

Accompanying Family Members: Possible if requirements are met (spouse, children)

Support by host institution or registered support organization: Not applicable

The main difference between the two is that Type 1 has a five-year limit on the period of stay and does not allow family members to stay, while Type 2 has no limit on the period of stay and allows family members to stay. However, the second category requires a higher level of skills than the first category.

The specified skills are accepted in industrial fields where it's difficult to find human resources, and foreign nationals can help fill the shortage (specified industrial fields).

In the case of No. 2, only the two underlined fields (construction and shipbuilding/marine industry) are open to foreign nationals.

【Accepted 12 Fields】

①Nursing care

②Building cleaning

③Industrial machinery, electrical and electronic information-related manufacturing 

④Construction

⑤Shipbuilding/Marine industry

⑥Automobile maintenance

⑦Aviation

⑧Lodging

⑨Agriculture

⑩Fishing industry

⑪Food and beverage manufacturing

⑫Food service industry 

【Test of Specified Skills】

This test evaluates the level of "Japanese language proficiency" and "technical skills" based on Japanese government standards. The level of "Japanese language proficiency" is determined by the "Japan Foundation Test of Basic Japanese (JFT-Basic)" or the "Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)." A2 or higher on the JFT-Basic or N4 or higher on the JLPT (in the nursing care field, additional Japanese Language Assessment Test for Nursing Care) is required. The level of "skills" is determined by the "skills measurement test" conducted by the industry organization for each job category.`

【Skills measurement test】 

① Nursing care [Work to be engaged in] (1 work category)

Physical care (assistance with bathing, eating…. based on the user's physical and mental condition) and related support work (recreation, assistance with functional training, etc.).

*Not applicable to home-visit services

[Skills test] Nursing care skills evaluation test

(1) Care (1 work category only is tested)

Physical care, etc. (assistance with bathing, eating, and elimination, etc., according to the user's physical and mental condition), and related support work (recreation, assistance with functional training, etc.).

*Not applicable to home-visit services

[Skills Test]

②Building cleaning

Cleaning of building interiors

[Skills test]

(1 job category) Building Cleaning [Work to be Engaged in] (1 job category)

③Construction

Civil engineering, Lifelines, and facilities

[Skills Tests]

(3 job categories) Construction specific skill No. 1 evaluation test, etc.

④Manufacturing of materials, industrial machinery, electrical, electronic, and information-related industries

Machinery and metal processing, Electrical and electronic equipment assembly, Metal surface treatment

[Skills Tests]

(Three job categories) Construction specific skill No. 1 evaluation test, etc.

⑤Shipbuilding and marine industry specific skill test No. 1, etc.

Welding, Painting, Ironworking, Finishing, Machinery and electrical equipment assembly

[Proficiency Tests]

(Six job categories) Shipbuilding and marine industry specific skill test No. 1, etc.

⑥Automobile maintenance

Daily inspection and maintenance, periodic inspection and maintenance, specified maintenance, and incidental maintenance of motor vehicles

[Skills test]

(1 job category) (Skills test) Automobile maintenance specified skills evaluation test, etc

⑦Aviation

Airport ground handling (ground support, baggage and cargo handling, etc.), Aircraft maintenance (maintenance of airframe, equipment, etc.)

[Skills Tests]

(2 job categories) Specific skill evaluation test (aviation: airport ground handling, aircraft maintenance)

⑧Accommodation

Front desk, planning, and public relations at lodging facilities, Providing lodging services including also public relations, customer service, and restaurant service

[Skills Test]

(1 job category) (Skills test) Accommodation industry skills test

⑨ Agriculture

General arable agriculture (cultivation management, collection, shipping and sorting of agricultural products, etc.), General livestock farming (management of livestock feed, collection, shipment, and sorting of livestock products, etc.)

[Proficiency Tests]

Agricultural skill measurement test

⑩ Fishery

Fishery (manufacturing and repair of fishing gear, searching for aquatic plants and animals, operation of fishing gear and machinery, harvesting of aquatic plants and animals, processing and storage of fish catch, ensuring safety and hygiene, etc.), Aquaculture (production, repair, and management of aquaculture materials; cultivation and management of aquatic plants and animals; harvesting (harvesting) and processing of aquaculture aquatic plants and animals; ensuring safety and hygiene, etc.)

[Proficiency Tests]

Fishery skill measurement test (fishery or aquaculture)

⑪Food and beverage manufacturing

Food and beverage manufacturing in general (production and processing of food and beverage, excluding alcoholic beverages, safety and hygiene)

[Skills test]

(1 job category) Food service industry specific skill 1 proficiency test

Difference from Technical Internship

⑫Restaurant business

General restaurant business (food preparation, customer service, store management)

[Skill test]

Food service industry specified skill and No. 1 skill measurement test 

4) Differences between Technical Internship and Specified Skills

"Technical internship" is often confused with "specified skills."

The differences between the two statuses of residence are explained here.

① Difference between Technical Internship and Specific skilled trainees

The "specified skilled traineeship" system was created to "solve the shortage of human resources" by accepting foreigners in fields where it is difficult to secure domestic human resources.

On the other hand, the purpose of the technical internship program is to provide foreign nationals with on-site skills, technology, and knowledge in Japan, which they can take back to their home countries to cooperate in the development of human resources who will be responsible for the economic development of their own countries, etc. The purpose of this program is "international contribution."

②Types of Business and Occupations

The types of business and jobs allowed under the two statuses of residence are different.

For Tokutei Gino (Specified Skilled Workers) category, there are 12 types of business. In the Technical Internship category, there are 86 occupations and 153 tasks that can be subdivided within those occupations (as of 2022).

The specified technical training program offers a wider range of work opportunities compared to the technical internship program.

③Period of Stay

A Specified Skilled Workers 1 visa can be renewed for up to five years without additional examinations. For No. 2 visa, there is no upper limit to the period of stay.

Technical Internship No. 1 has a maximum period of stay of 1 year, No.2 is 2 years, and No.3 is also 2 years.

④Job Change Possibility

Specified Skills visa holders can change jobs within the same occupation, but technical intern trainees cannot change jobs in principle.

⑤Acceptance Method

Technical training requires acceptance through a supervisory organization's introduction, while specified skills can be accepted directly by the recipient company or through an introduction agency.

The differences between technical internship and specified skills have been described above. The systems have different purposes, which leads to varying details.

➡For more information on the technical internship status, please refer to this page. [link provided]

5) Employment Flow

The flow of employment for foreign nationals with specified technical internship status depends on whether they are already in Japan on a visa or coming to Japan from overseas.

For foreign nationals already residing in Japan:

Pass an examination or complete technical internship No. 2.

Conclude an employment contract with a company with your specific skills

Sign an outsourcing contract with a registered support organization if necessary.

Formulate a support plan with the welcoming company 

Apply for permission to change the status of residence to the regional immigration bureau.

Change the status of residence to "Specified skilled foreigner No. 1".

Start working.

【For foreign nationals coming to Japan from overseas:】

Same as above (1) to (4).

Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility to the Regional Immigration Office.

Receive a certificate of eligibility and apply for a visa at an embassy or consulate abroad.

Enter Japan.

Start working.

Please refer to the webpage of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act for the documents required for application.