Specified Skilled Worker is one of Japan’s work visas. By using this system, it is relatively easy to work in Japan, so the number of foreigners seeking a specific skill visa is increasing.
As of March 2022, 64,730 foreigners are working under a Specified Skilled Worker visa. Japan aims to accept 350,000 specified skilled workers, so it is expected that there will be more employment opportunities in Japan in the future.
In order not to miss a job opportunity in Japan, it is necessary to understand the Specified Skilled Worker system properly.
Those who have completed the technical intern training program can immediately switch to a Specified Skilled Worker visa and are permitted to work in the same occupation. Currently, many foreigners working on Technical intern training visas obtain a Specified Skilled Worker visa in this way.
*If you want to obtain a Specified Skilled Worker visa in a different industry/occupation even after completing the technical intern training program, You will need to take the “Specified Skilled Worker test” that will be introduced next.
Another way to obtain a Specified Skilled Worker visa is to get the qualifications for the Prometric Test and the Japanese Language Test.
The Prometric Test is a test to measure skills and knowledge in each field. Prometric tests are conducted several times a year, so it is necessary to check so that you do not miss a test date.
For the Japanese language test, it is necessary to pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test N4 or higher or the Japan Foundation Japanese Basic Test A2 or higher.
Japanese Language Proficiency Test
*If you have completed the technical intern training program, you don’t need to take the Japanese Language Examination.
In order to apply for a Specified Skilled Worker visa, the following personal documents are required.
When switching from a technical intern training visa or a student visa to a Specified Skilled Worker visa, you will need to prove that you have properly paid your taxes, so be sure to pay your taxes.