Many companies are considering a transition to Specified Skilled Worker status due to labor shortages. Some of these companies already employ technical intern trainees. In some cases, foreign trainees currently on staff are nearing the end of their period of stay. This article explains the following points about transitioning from Technical Intern Training to Specified Skilled Worker status.

・Two conditions for transitioning to Specified Skilled Worker
・Differences between Specified Skilled Worker (i) and Specified Skilled Worker (ii)
・Documents required for the transition
・Points to note when transitioning

We hope this will be a useful reference when you transition to Specified Skilled Worker status.

Technical Intern Training and Specified Skilled Worker

This section outlines Technical Intern Training and Specified Skilled Worker.

What Is Technical Intern Training?

Technical Intern Training is a program that allows foreign nationals to acquire skills, techniques, and knowledge in Japan that they cannot obtain in their home countries.
There are three types of Technical Intern Training: Technical Intern Training (i), Technical Intern Training (ii), and Technical Intern Training (iii).
The period of stay is a maximum of five years in total from Technical Intern Training (i) through (iii).
In principle, changing jobs or transferring is not permitted under Technical Intern Training. However, transfers are possible when there are unavoidable circumstances (such as company bankruptcy) or when transitioning to Technical Intern Training (iii).

What Is Specified Skilled Worker?

As you know, Japan is facing a declining birthrate and an aging population. As a result, labor shortages have become severe. Specified Skilled Worker is a status of residence created to accept workers from overseas and address labor shortages. There are two types: Specified Skilled Worker (i) and Specified Skilled Worker (ii). For Specified Skilled Worker (i), the period of stay is renewed every one year, six months, or four months, up to a maximum of five years. Specified Skilled Worker (ii) has no limit on the period of stay. Family accompaniment is also permitted.

How to Transition from Technical Intern Training to Specified Skilled Worker

This section explains the conditions for transitioning to Specified Skilled Worker and the differences between Specified Skilled Worker (i) and Specified Skilled Worker (ii).

Two Conditions for Transitioning to Specified Skilled Worker

When transitioning from Technical Intern Training to Specified Skilled Worker, two conditions must be met.

Condition 1: Successfully Complete Technical Intern Training (ii)

Transition conditions differ by type of Technical Intern Training, as follows.

Technical Intern Training (i) → Cannot transition
Technical Intern Training (ii) → Can transition
Technical Intern Training (iii) → Can transition

Technical intern trainees under Technical Intern Training (i) cannot transition to Specified Skilled Worker. To transition to Specified Skilled Worker, they must first move to Technical Intern Training (ii). Transitioning to Technical Intern Training (ii) requires taking the prescribed examinations (written and practical).

Condition 2: The Occupation Must Be an Eligible Field After Transitioning to Specified Skilled Worker

Note that the eligible fields differ between Specified Skilled Worker (i) and Specified Skilled Worker (ii).

Eligible fields are as follows:

・Specified Skilled Worker (i) (14 fields)
Nursing care
Building cleaning
Forming materials industry
Industrial machinery manufacturing
Electrical and electronic information-related industries
Construction
Shipbuilding and ship machinery
Automobile maintenance
Aviation
Accommodation
Agriculture
Fishery
Food and beverage manufacturing
Food service

・Specified Skilled Worker (ii) (2 fields)

Construction
Shipbuilding and ship machinery

Differences in Transitioning to Specified Skilled Worker (i) and Specified Skilled Worker (ii)

This section explains the differences in transitioning to Specified Skilled Worker (i) and Specified Skilled Worker (ii).

For Specified Skilled Worker (i)

Technical intern trainees who have successfully completed Technical Intern Training (ii) are exempt from examinations. This is because relevance is recognized when the Specified Skilled Worker (i) field matches the occupation covered under Technical Intern Training (ii). Foreign nationals residing in Japan or coming from overseas who have not completed Technical Intern Training (ii) must pass the “specified industrial field examination” and the “Japanese language examination.”

For Specified Skilled Worker (ii)

Only personnel with advanced skills in the two eligible fields (construction and shipbuilding and ship machinery) may transition. However, the required levels of technical skills and Japanese language ability appear to still be undetermined.

Documents Required for the Transition

Once the Specified Skilled Worker conditions are met, application procedures are required. The following documents must be prepared to transition to Specified Skilled Worker.

1. Application for Change of Status of Residence

This document is required for the procedure to change status from Technical Intern Training to Specified Skilled Worker.

2. The applicant’s passport or residence card

Required to verify the applicant’s personal information.

3. Documents required for each field
Required documents differ depending on the field of employment. The types of documents also vary depending on the applicant’s qualifications.
For example, in nursing care, if the applicant has completed Technical Intern Training (ii), a certificate of passing the nursing care technical intern training evaluation examination or an evaluation report is required.

For details on the documents required for each field, see here (Immigration Services Agency of Japan)↓
http://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/nyuukokukanri07_00197.html

Three Points to Note When Transitioning to Specified Skilled Worker

This section explains points to keep in mind when transitioning to Specified Skilled Worker.

Immediate Return Home If Transition from Technical Intern Training Is Not Possible

The occupation must match at the time of transition. Technical Intern Training covers 83 occupations and 151 work categories. By contrast, Specified Skilled Worker (i) covers only 14 occupations, and Specified Skilled Worker (ii) covers only two.

Care is needed because there are fewer occupations under Specified Skilled Worker. If the occupation does not match, the person must return home.

Preparing for the Transition to Specified Skilled Worker Takes Time

It takes time from document submission until the application is approved.
A Certificate of Eligibility takes one to three months, and an Application for Change of Status of Residence takes two weeks to one month.
Therefore, begin preparing documents at least three months in advance.

Costs of Transitioning to Specified Skilled Worker

For foreign nationals entering from overseas, fees must be paid to the sending organization.
The amount varies by country of origin, but the typical range is about 100,000 to 300,000 yen.
Costs related to applications and support also arise. For immigration applications, outsourcing typically costs around 100,000 yen.
In addition, utilities for dormitories are often paid at the company’s discretion. After employment, wages equivalent to those of regular employees must be paid.

Summary

We have explained the conditions and points to note regarding the transition to Specified Skilled Worker.
The two conditions for transition are successfully completing Technical Intern Training (ii) and matching a Specified Skilled Worker occupation.
As points to note, it is advisable to prepare application documents in advance and to calculate transition costs beforehand.
Please use the above as a reference for transitioning to Specified Skilled Worker.