What is the Specified Skills scheme?
- A residence status allowing foreigners to work for 5 years
- Allows work in 14 fields, including construction and restaurants, which was not previously possible
- After completing his or her Technical Internship, foreigners can change to the Specified Skills visa and work for a further 5 years
- Companies can also bring back former interns who have returned to his or her home country
Difference between Technical Internship
Training Program
and Specified
Skills Scheme
Technical Internship Training Program |
Specified Skills Scheme (Type 1) |
|
Residence Permit Type | Type 1 – 1 year; Type 2 – 2 years; Type 3 – 3 years (Maximum time in Japan – 5 years) |
Total 5 years (If the worker successfully continues onto a Type 2 visa, they can renew the visa an infinite amount of times) |
Skills Examination | None applicable | Candidate must pass exam (Former Technical Interns are exempt from examination for the field in which they were engaged) |
Japanese Ability Examination |
None applicable | N4 or higher (Former Technical Interns are exempt from examination) |
Management and Support Services | Workers are managed as a group by a trade union | Registered Support Organization, or alternatively, support services can be administered by the Accepting Organization |
Number of Workers possible per Accepting Organization | Total number is based on the total number of full time employees | Total number is based on the total number of full time employees |
Mid-term Change of Employer | Not possible, in principle (When changing between Types 2 and 3, change of employer is possible) |
Possible (Providing that the new employer is within the same industry as the original employer) |