Since April 12, 2021, and for the time being, some of the requirements have been changed for applications by Vietnamese nationals residing in Japan to change their status of residence to “Specified Skilled Worker.” To understand the revised requirements, it is necessary to understand the original requirements, so this article also explains the requirements for changing to “Specified Skilled Worker” status in detail.

When Accepting a Vietnamese National Residing in Japan as a Specified Skilled Worker

To accept a Vietnamese national residing in Japan as a Specified Skilled Worker at a Specified Skilled Worker affiliated organization, a status of residence change permission procedure in Japan is required. Vietnamese nationals who wish to change their status of residence to “Specified Skilled Worker,” accepting organizations, employment placement businesses, or Registered Support Organizations must obtain approval and issuance of a Recommendation Form in advance from the Embassy of Vietnam in Japan.

Recommendation Form means, under Vietnam’s system, a document by which the Vietnamese government certifies that a Vietnamese national has completed Vietnam-side procedures for working overseas.

Recommendation Forms are issued to those expected to complete Technical Intern Training who wish to transition to “Specified Skilled Worker,” and to those expected to complete their educational institution while on a student status of residence. For these individuals, when issued by the Embassy of Vietnam in Japan, the Recommendation Form will state that completion (graduation) is expected.

When this notation is present, former international students must, when submitting the Recommendation Form to a regional immigration services bureau, also submit a document issued by the educational institution where they studied certifying that they completed (graduated from) that institution’s educational program, together with the other required documents.

Originally, international students from Vietnam were only able to apply to change their status of residence to “Specified Skilled Worker” after completing a program of at least two years at a school in Japan and obtaining a certificate of completion, and after passing the Specified Skilled Worker examination.

However, over the past year there has been a sharp increase in cases where international students who came to Japan primarily for part-time work lost their jobs due to the impact of COVID-19, became unable to pay tuition at Japanese language schools, and had no choice but to withdraw. Japan also could not simply create unauthorized workers, so many foreign nationals who still cannot return home have been able, for the time being, to change to the “Designated Activities” status of residence and take part-time jobs sufficient to live in Japan. With new entrants still uncertain as to when they can enter Japan, an increase in Vietnamese Specified Skilled Workers is likely welcome for both employers seeking to address labor shortages and for the workers themselves.

What Changed, and How?

The major change this time is that holders of “Student” status of residence who have completed or are expected to complete a program of less than two years can now change their status of residence to “Specified Skilled Worker” without submitting a Recommendation Form, by submitting documents proving completion or expected completion of a program of less than two years (such as a graduation certificate). Even those currently enrolled or who withdrew mid-course can change to “Specified Skilled Worker” by submitting documents proving enrollment (such as a certificate of enrollment) or documents proving prior enrollment (such as a withdrawal certificate).

For those already residing under the “Specified Skilled Worker” status of residence, submission of a Recommendation Form is not required.

Recommendation Forms are also issued to those “expected to complete Technical Intern Training” and those “expected to complete (graduate from) their educational institution while studying” who wish to transition to “Specified Skilled Worker.” For these individuals, when issued by the Embassy of Vietnam in Japan, the Recommendation Form will state that completion (graduation) is expected.

When this notation is present, former international students must, when submitting the Recommendation Form to a regional immigration services bureau,

submit, together with the other required documents, a document issued by the educational institution where they studied certifying that they completed (graduated from) that institution’s educational program.

Summary

However, this measure is only “for the time being,” so if circumstances change, these requirements are also likely to change. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, measures and procedures at the Immigration Services Agency of Japan have been changing rapidly. Companies and Registered Support Organizations that wish to employ Vietnamese Specified Skilled Workers will need to stay closely attuned to future information.