In June 2023, a Cabinet decision substantially expanded the fields eligible for Specified Skilled Worker (ii) from the previous two fields to 11. With no upper limit on the period of stay and permission to bring family members, Specified Skilled Worker (ii) is a status of residence that stands apart from Specified Skilled Worker (i) in enabling the long-term retention and career advancement of international talent.

As labor shortages intensify, more companies are building hiring plans with a transition from Specified Skilled Worker (i) to (ii) in mind. This article explains, from an HR and recruiting perspective, what this system reform actually means and what is required in each field, with reference to the list of status of residence types as well.

What Is Specified Skilled Worker (ii)? Key Differences from (i)

The Specified Skilled Worker system is a status of residence framework established in April 2019 to accept job-ready international talent in designated industrial fields facing serious labor shortages. The system has two categories, “(i)” and “(ii),” which differ significantly in the skill level required and the rights granted.

Overview of Specified Skilled Worker (i)

Specified Skilled Worker (i) is a status for engaging in work that requires a considerable level of knowledge or experience. The period of stay is renewed in units of one year, six months, or four months, for a cumulative maximum of five years in Japan. Family accompaniment is not permitted, and accepting organizations are obligated to formulate and implement a support plan in coordination with a Registered Support Organization.

Overview of Specified Skilled Worker (ii)

Specified Skilled Worker (ii) is a status for engaging in work that requires proficient skills. The period of stay can be renewed in units of three years, one year, or six months, and there is no upper limit on renewals. As long as the person continuously meets the conditions of stay, they can, in theory, remain in Japan indefinitely. Accompaniment of a spouse and children is also permitted, and there is no obligation to formulate or implement a support plan through a Registered Support Organization.

Comparing (i) and (ii) Side by Side

Period of stay

  • Specified Skilled Worker (i): Cumulative maximum of five years (renewed in units of one year, six months, or four months)
  • Specified Skilled Worker (ii): No upper limit (renewable in units of three years, one year, or six months)

Family accompaniment

  • Specified Skilled Worker (i): Not permitted
  • Specified Skilled Worker (ii): Spouse and children may accompany the holder

Support plan by a Registered Support Organization

  • Specified Skilled Worker (i): The accepting organization formulates and implements a support plan (commonly outsourced to a Registered Support Organization)
  • Specified Skilled Worker (ii): No obligation to formulate or implement a support plan

Required skill level

  • Specified Skilled Worker (i): Considerable knowledge and experience (passing a prescribed exam or equivalent to completion of Technical Intern Training (ii))
  • Specified Skilled Worker (ii): Proficient skills (equivalent to Grade 1 of a skills test, or passing an equivalent assessment exam)

Given these differences, Specified Skilled Worker (ii) is a highly important option for hiring aimed at the long-term retention and career advancement of international talent. Please also review the list of industries eligible for Specified Skilled Worker and consider how it may apply in your industry.

The Major Expansion of June 2023: Background to the Addition of Nine Fields and Overview of the Reform

The situation before the expansion

From the system’s establishment in 2019 through May 2023, fields eligible for Specified Skilled Worker (ii) were limited to only two: construction and shipbuilding and ship machinery. Highly proficient skills in these two fields were recognized early on and (ii) was permitted, but in all other fields there was no pathway to (ii). Industry widely pointed out that after the cumulative five-year limit under Specified Skilled Worker (i) was reached, there was effectively no receiving pathway.

Cabinet decision of June 9, 2023

On June 9, 2023, the government approved by Cabinet decision an amendment to the “Basic Policy on the Operation of the System Related to the Status of Residence of Specified Skilled Worker.” Under this amendment, nine fields—building cleaning, form materials, industrial machinery, and electrical, electronic, and information-related manufacturing; automobile maintenance; aviation; accommodation; agriculture; fishery; food and beverage manufacturing; and food service—were newly added as eligible for Specified Skilled Worker (ii), bringing the total, together with the existing construction and shipbuilding and ship machinery fields, to 11 fields in all.

Main background to the expansion

Several factors drove this policy shift.

  • Chronic domestic labor shortages caused by a declining birthrate and aging population became even more severe
  • A growing share of Specified Skilled Worker (i) talent began approaching the cumulative five-year stay limit, creating a need for a pathway for continued employment
  • Calls intensified—especially in manufacturing, food service, and agriculture—for the long-term securing of international talent who serve as core on-site personnel
  • Alignment with the international policy trend of promoting the settlement and retention of international talent

According to data published by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, the number of foreign nationals residing under Specified Skilled Worker status exceeded approximately 220,000 as of the end of 2023, making the development of a stable transition pathway that underpins the system an urgent priority.

The 11 Fields Eligible for Specified Skilled Worker (ii) and Requirements in Each Field

After the June 2023 amendment, the following 11 fields are eligible for Specified Skilled Worker (ii). Note that, among all Specified Skilled Worker fields (16 as of 2024), nursing care is not eligible for Specified Skilled Worker (ii). That is because nursing care has a separate status of residence, “Certified Care Worker,” which already functions as a long-term career path.

The two fields included from the system’s establishment (construction and shipbuilding)

Construction

  • Skill level: Equivalent to Grade 1 of a skills test by occupation, such as formwork, scaffolding, or interior finishing
  • Additional requirement: Construction Career Up System (CCUS) Level 3 or higher is a practical benchmark
  • Practical point: Must be able to perform core work independently on a construction site and guide junior workers

Shipbuilding and ship machinery

  • Skill level: Equivalent to Grade 1 of a skills test in areas such as welding, finishing, or machining
  • Practical point: Targets proficient skilled workers who can perform hull welding and outfitting at a high level. A field with a track record of recognizing (ii) since the system was established

Manufacturing, maintenance, and infrastructure-related fields (added in 2023)

Building cleaning

  • Skill level: Equivalent to Grade 1 of the Building Cleaning Skills Test
  • Practical point: The standard is the ability to oversee a cleaning team for commercial facilities or office buildings and handle quality control and guidance of junior staff

Form materials, industrial machinery, and electrical, electronic, and information-related manufacturing

  • Skill level: Equivalent to Grade 1 of a skills test in areas such as machining or electronic equipment assembly (covering multiple occupations within the category)
  • Practical point: The standard is a proficient level capable of production-line management, quality checks, and guidance of junior workers. Originally three separate fields, they are treated as a single category under the system

Automobile maintenance

  • Skill level: Passing Grade 2 of the Automobile Mechanic Skills Test (ordinary motor vehicles)
  • Practical point: Targets mechanic-level workers who can independently perform inspection, maintenance, and disassembly. Especially closely watched as a response to labor shortages in the maintenance industry

Aviation

  • Skill level: Skills assessment exam (equivalent to (ii)) for ground movement support operations and aircraft ground support operations
  • Practical point: Targets talent with high skills and the ability to guide junior staff in areas such as ground handling and cabin cleaning

Services, food and beverage, and primary industries (added in 2023)

Accommodation

  • Skill level: Accommodation industry skills measurement exam (equivalent to (ii))
  • Practical point: Targets talent who can perform front desk, planning, public relations, and customer service work at a high level and function as team leaders

Agriculture

  • Skill level: Agriculture skills measurement exam (equivalent to (ii))
  • Practical point: Must be able to handle machine operation and harvest adjustment through guidance of junior workers on crop farming or livestock farming sites

Fishery

  • Skill level: Skills measurement exam for fishery and aquaculture (equivalent to (ii))
  • Practical point: Targets proficient skilled workers who can take on core roles in fishing vessel operations or aquaculture

Food and beverage manufacturing

  • Skill level: Skills assessment exam (equivalent to (ii)) prescribed by the Food Industry Specified Skilled Worker Council
  • Practical point: Targets skilled workers who can lead manufacturing and processing line management and quality checks

Food service

  • Skill level: Passing the Food Service Specified Skilled Worker (ii) Skills Assessment Exam
  • Practical point: Targets talent who can perform cooking, customer service, and store management at a proficient level and also guide staff

Requirements for Obtaining Specified Skilled Worker (ii) and the Application Process

Requirements for the foreign national

To obtain or change to the Specified Skilled Worker (ii) status of residence, the foreign national must meet the following requirements.

Proof of skill level: Passing the exam prescribed for each field, or being recognized as having equivalent skills. In many fields, a certificate of passing Grade 1 of a skills test or a skills assessment exam dedicated to Specified Skilled Worker (ii) is required. Exam content and schedules are published regularly by the ministry with jurisdiction over each field.

Japanese language requirements: Specified Skilled Worker (ii) does not impose the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) exam or pass requirement that applies to (i). In practice, however, because holders take on guidance and management roles on site, communication ability equivalent to N3 or higher (able to handle everyday conversation without difficulty) is required in most cases.

Status of residence and conduct requirements: Meeting the general requirements for changing or renewing a status of residence (compliance with the law, a good record of stay, and so on) is a prerequisite. When transitioning from Specified Skilled Worker (i) to (ii), a long record of stable employment also functions as practical evidence at the time of application.

Requirements for accepting organizations

Under Specified Skilled Worker (ii), there is no obligation for a support plan by a Registered Support Organization, so the administrative burden on accepting organizations is lighter than for (i). However, the following requirements still apply.

  • Conclusion of an employment contract that complies with labor-related laws and social insurance-related laws
  • Membership in the field-specific council (for construction, participation in the Japan Association for Construction Human Resources (JAC), etc.)
  • Assurance of treatment with appropriate wages and working conditions

Standard application flow

  1. Taking and passing the skills exam: The individual takes and passes the skills evaluation exam or Grade 1 trade skills test for the relevant field
  2. Conclusion of an employment contract: Prepare an employment contract corresponding to the activities under Specified Skilled Worker (ii)
  3. Preparation of documents for change of status of residence: Gather the application for permission to change status of residence, employment contract, skills certificate, field-specific required documents, etc.
  4. Application to the Regional Immigration Services Bureau: The individual or an agent such as a certified administrative procedures legal specialist files the application
  5. Examination and permission: The examination period is generally about one to three months
  6. Receipt of the residence card and start of employment

The process of hiring foreign nationals is covered step by step in a separate article, so please refer to it as well if you want an overview of the full procedure.

Practical points accepting organizations should prepare for now

Designing compensation and career paths premised on long-term employment

Because Specified Skilled Worker (ii) has no upper limit on the period of stay and allows family accompaniment, international talent can choose a company as a place to build a long-term career. On the employer side, establishing career paths that include raises, promotions, and appointment to managerial roles—rather than treating workers as short-term labor fill-ins—directly improves retention. Putting in place wage structures and evaluation systems at a level equivalent to those for Japanese employees forms the foundation of a relationship of trust.

Planned support for transition from Specified Skilled Worker (i) to (ii)

To transition Specified Skilled Worker (i) talent already in Japan to (ii), it is important to systematically encourage them to take the skills exam during their period of stay. In some fields, exams are held only a few times a year, so confirm the exam schedule early and create an environment where work and exam preparation can be balanced. More companies are covering exam fees as a company expense, which is an effective form of upfront investment in talent.

Reviewing the relationship with Registered Support Organizations

Under Specified Skilled Worker (ii), there is no legal obligation for a support plan, but if it is difficult to handle daily-life consultation and various notification support entirely in-house, continuing to use a Registered Support Organization remains an option. YourBright’s international talent placement service provides end-to-end support from hiring through retention, including support for transition to Specified Skilled Worker (ii).

Joining field-specific councils and gathering information

Councils are established for each field under the Specified Skilled Worker system, and accepting organizations are required to join. As the fields covered by (ii) have expanded, it is essential to regularly check the requirements and latest guidelines of the council applicable to your company. Continuously monitor information published by the competent ministries for each field (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare; etc.), and also refer regularly to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan Specified Skilled Worker page.

System trends from 2024 onward and future outlook

Expansion of Specified Skilled Worker coverage to 16 fields (2024)

In March 2024, the government made a Cabinet decision to add four more fields to Specified Skilled Worker coverage. The newly added fields are as follows.

  • Automobile transport industry (bus, taxi, and truck driving work)
  • Railway (driving, vehicle maintenance, station operations, etc.)
  • Forestry
  • Wood industry

As a result, the Specified Skilled Worker system as a whole now covers a total of 16 fields. Acceptance under Specified Skilled Worker (i) has already begun ahead of the others in these four new fields, and institutional arrangements toward making them eligible for transition to Specified Skilled Worker (ii) are being advanced in stages. The latest requirements for each field can also be checked at any time on the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare foreign employment-related information.

Outlook for growth in the number of Specified Skilled Worker (ii) personnel accepted

According to statistics published by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, the number of residents under Specified Skilled Worker (ii) was still limited immediately after the 2023 revision, but from 2024 onward the effects of adding nine fields have fully emerged and the upward trend has continued. Especially in manufacturing, food service, and agriculture, talent transitioning to (ii) after completing the five-year cap under (i) has been steadily increasing, and models of international talent settling in as skilled core personnel on the ground are taking shape in various regions.

Pathway to permanent residence permission and naturalization

International talent who continue working under Specified Skilled Worker (ii) may also open a path to applying for permanent residence permission if they meet the requirements. Permanent residence permission generally requires continuous residence in Japan for 10 years or more (of which at least five years must be under a status of residence for work, management, or similar), and continued residence under Specified Skilled Worker (ii) can serve as a direct path to meeting this requirement. For companies, this means a dramatically higher likelihood that talent they have developed will continue to contribute at the company on a lasting basis. From the standpoint of long-term talent securing, strategic use of Specified Skilled Worker (ii) will only grow in importance going forward.

Summary: Leveraging the expansion of Specified Skilled Worker (ii) in your hiring strategy

The expansion of Specified Skilled Worker (ii) coverage to 11 fields is a major turning point for achieving long-term retention of international talent and strengthening on-site capability. The key points of this article are as follows.

  • Specified Skilled Worker (ii) has no upper limit on the period of stay and allows family accompaniment, making it an optimal status of residence for long-term employment
  • Under the June 2023 Cabinet decision, coverage expanded substantially from 2 fields to 11 fields (nursing care is not covered)
  • Obtaining the status in each field requires passing a skills evaluation exam equivalent to Grade 1 of the trade skills test
  • Accepting organizations have no support-plan obligation via a Registered Support Organization, but designing compensation and career paths is the key to higher retention
  • In 2024, Specified Skilled Worker overall expanded to 16 fields, and further moves to bring fields under (ii) will continue
  • From Specified Skilled Worker (ii), a path to permanent residence permission is also open, making ultra-long-term talent securing a realistic option

Full-scale use of Specified Skilled Worker (ii) goes beyond simply filling labor shortages and leads to efforts to develop international talent as core members of the company. Putting acceptance systems in place now—from developing (i) talent through transition plans to (ii)—will directly affect competitiveness several years from now.

For end-to-end support from hiring and change of status of residence through post-joining retention, please feel free to start with an inquiry to YourBright. The phone number is 03-6908-6143 (hours: 9:00–18:00).