New Foreign National Acceptance System Starts April 1, 2019 - Overview of Procedure for Accepting Specified Skilled Workers (i)

Oct 5, 2026

Uploaded by Riley

New foreign national acceptance system begins April 1, 2019, introducing a new status of residence called “Specified Skilled Worker.” Designed for foreign nationals with specific expertise and skills to start work immediately in response to serious labor shortages, it covers eligibility requirements, stay periods, skill and language standards, and limits such as restrictions on accompanying family. The material also outlines procedures for applying, obtaining certificates, changing residence status, visa issuance, and start-of-work steps, plus approved specified industry fields and job categories.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

Overview of the Specified Skilled Worker status

Specified Skilled Worker (i) and stay conditions

Procedure overview for Specified Skilled Workers (i)

Requirements for foreign nationals

Specified industry fields and jobs

New Foreign National Acceptance System Starts April 1, 2019! A New Status of Residence “Speciﬁed Skilled Worker” has been created This is a system to accept foreign nationals that have a certain level of expertise and skill and can begin work immediately in response to circumstances of serious labor shortages. Speciﬁed Skilled Worker (i)* | This is a status of residence applicable to foreign nationals who work in jobs that require considerable knowledge of or experience in Speciﬁed Industry Fields | | --- | | -Period of stay: Renewed annually, every 6 months or every 4 months, for a maximum stay of up to 5 years in total
-Skill Standards: Conﬁrmed by exams, etc. (those who have successfully completed Technical Intern Training (ii) are exempt from exams, etc.)
-Japanese Language Level: Proﬁciency in Japanese language required in daily life and at workplace need to be conﬁrmed by exams, etc. (those who have successfully completed Technical Intern Training (ii) are exempt from exams, etc.)
-Accompanied by family members: Basically not permitted.
-Eligible for Support by Accepting Organizations or Registered Support Organizations | * The “Speciﬁed Skilled Worker” has two types, Speciﬁed Skilled Worker (i) and Speciﬁed Skilled Worker (ii) . Speciﬁed Skilled Worker (ii) is a status of residence for foreign nationals engaged in jobs that require proﬁcient skills in Speciﬁed Industry Fields. Immigration Services Agency of Japan Overview of Procedure for Accepting Speciﬁed Skilled Workers (i) Foreign nationals coming to Japan from overseas Foreign nationals residing in Japan (medium to long-term residents) [Signed an employment contract with an Accepting Organizations] Pre-departure orientation and medical checkup implemented by Accepting Organizations Application for Certiﬁcate of Eligibility * Proxy application made by an employee of Accepting Organizations, etc. Issue of Certiﬁcate of Eligibility Regional Immigration Services Bureau Application for Change of Status of Residence * In principle, the applicant must apply themselves. Permission to Change Status of Residence Visa application Diplomatic establishments abroad Issue of Visa Immigration [Requirements for Foreign nationals] -Is 18 years of age or older -Has passed the skills exam and Japanese language test (Foreign nationals that have successfully completed Technical Intern Training (ii) are exempted) -Has not resided in Japan for more than 5 years under Speciﬁed Skilled Worker (i) -Has not paid a security deposit or concluded a contract with penalties -Where there are self-borne expenses, the details are fully understood etc. [Implemented without delay after entering Japan (or after changing status of residence)] -Has attended orientation on daily life in Japan carried out by Accepting Organizations -Has registered as a resident in the municipality in which they are residing -Has opened a bank account for receiving salary -Has secured housing etc. Start working at Accepting Organizations Speciﬁed Industry Fields and Jobs | | Speciﬁed Industry
Fields | Competent
Ministry or Agency
of Industry Fields | Jobs to Engage in | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | Nursing care | Ministry of Health,
Labour and
Welfare | ● In addition to Nursing care (assistance with bathing, feeding and excretion responding to the physical and mental condition of the user), other related support services (assistance with recreation and functional training, etc.)
Note: Visiting services are not included (1 test category) | | 2 | Building cleaning
management | | ● Interior building cleaning (1 test category) | | 3 | Machine parts &
tooling industries | Ministry of Econ
omy, Trade and
Industry | ● Casting ● Metal press ● Finishing ● Welding
● Forging ● Factory sheet metal work ● Machine inspection
● Die casting ● Plating ● Machine maintenance
● Machining ● Aluminum anodizing ●

FAQs

What is the “Specified Skilled Worker” status of residence introduced for?

It is created to accept foreign nationals with a certain level of expertise and skills who can begin work immediately in response to serious labor shortages.

What are the key conditions for Specified Skilled Worker (i) regarding length of stay and standards?

The period of stay is renewed annually (every 6 months or every 4 months) for a maximum total stay of up to 5 years, and skill standards and Japanese language proficiency must be confirmed by exams, with exemptions for those who completed Technical Intern Training (ii).

What is included in the procedure overview to accept Specified Skilled Workers (i)?

It covers pre-departure orientation and medical checkups by accepting organizations, application for a Certificate of Eligibility (including possible proxy application), issuance by the regional immigration services bureau, application to change residence status when in Japan, visa application and issuance, and then steps after entering Japan such as orientation, resident registration, opening a bank account, and starting work.

Oct 5, 2026

Uploaded by Riley