Technical Intern Trainee is a status designed for young and motivated individuals from developing countries who wish to learn skills and contribute to their home countries' development.

Until 1993, these individuals were referred to as 'trainees,' but since then they have been designated as 'Technical Intern Trainees.'

The number of Technical Intern Trainees has reached 327,689 people as of the end of June 2022, which is significantly higher than other qualifications. 

In this issue, we will provide an overview of the necessary qualifications for Technical Intern Trainees.

1)System Overview

The primary objective of the foreign Technical Intern Trainee system is to support foreign nationals who acquire skills, technology, and knowledge in Japan, enabling them to contribute to the economic development of their home countries, particularly developing nations. In other words, it is part of an effort to promote international cooperation.

Many companies and private entrepreneurs utilize the foreign Technical Intern Trainee system to assist technical intern trainees in acquiring diverse skills, technologies, and knowledge through employment contracts with domestic companies and private entrepreneurs.

It is crucial to have a support system in place that allows technical intern trainees to acquire and become proficient in skills, techniques, and knowledge that are challenging to obtain in their home countries.

2)Two Methods of Trainee Acceptance:

①Company-unique Type:

In this type, foreign technical intern trainees are recruited from overseas subsidiaries, overseas companies engaged in business relationships with the accepting company for at least one year, or overseas companies with an annual transaction volume of 1 billion yen or more.

Companies accepting foreign technical intern trainees must apply to the foreign technical intern training organization for a training contract, which needs to be approved. Although this method reduces costs by eliminating the need for a supervisory organization, the accepting company is responsible for all necessary procedures, making it labor-intensive.

②Group Supervision Type

In this type, a non-profit organization, such as a chamber of commerce and industry or a business cooperative, accepts foreign trainees and provides them with practical training at a member company within the cooperative.

The supervisory organization handles the application for certification of residence status and provides guidance on preparing the training plan. Although there are associated costs, the advantage is that technical intern trainees can be accepted while reducing the burden.

Comparing (1) and (2), 98.5% of all technical intern trainees are accepted by supervisory organizations as of the end of June 2022.

[Reference: Immigration Control Agency, 'About the Foreign Technical Intern Training System']"

［参考：出入国在留管理庁「外国人技能実習制度について」］

3)Requirements for Applicants

4)Period of stay

The period of stay is typically limited to a maximum of three years. It is divided into two categories based on the activities of the technical intern trainee: the first year is dedicated to acquiring skills after entering Japan, while the second and third years focus on mastering the acquired skills.

5)Applicable Activities

There are 85 occupations and 156 operations eligible for transfer to Technical Intern Trainee No. 2. For specific details, please refer to page 8 below.

▶About the Foreign Technical Intern Training System (Immigration and Residence Management Agency, Ministry of Justice; Human Resources Development Supervisor, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)

Major industries include construction, food, manufacturing, textiles, machinery and metal, agriculture, and fishery.

Even if your company is interested in accepting technical intern trainees, it is necessary to check in advance because you will only be able to enter as a Technical Intern trainee if the  work falls within the eligible categories.

Since new jobs and tasks are continually being added, there is a possibility that the company you want to work for may be able to accept technical intern trainees in the future, even if your current job category is not covered.

Furthermore, if you intend to accept to be a  technical intern trainee for a period exceeding one year, it is crucial to confirm in advance whether the job is subject to transition.

6)Employment Flow

①Inquiry and System Explanation　

②Employment Requests / Interview　

③Preparation of Required Documents and Application　

※Please refer to the website of the Immigration and Residency Management Agency for the necessary documents.

④Obtain Residence Status Permission and Visa　

Application for the issuance of a Certificate of Eligibility to the respective regional immigration bureau;

The process involves applying to the regional immigration bureaus for a Certificate of Eligibility and other procedures related to the entry of foreign construction workers into Japan.

⑤Visa Application

⑥Post-Entry training　

⑦Assignment and commencement of work