FAQ

(1) This is a system for recruiting foreign nationals with special expertise who can be immediately put to work in 16 fields, including the construction industry.

(2) The scheme, which began on April 1, 2019, aims to address the growing labor shortage, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises.

(1) The Technical Intern Training Program is a system aimed at transferring technology to developing countries through technical intern training.

(2) On the other hand, Specified Skills System aims to accept human resources from overseas who can be immediately put to work in order to alleviate the labor shortage in Japan.

(3) Therefore, specified skilled workers are required to have sufficient knowledge and skills.

(1) Specified Skilled Worker (i) is granted to foreign nationals who have sufficient knowledge and experience after going through certain procedures.

(2) A total stay of up to five years is permitted.

(3) In principle, family members are not permitted to accompany the applicant.

(1) Highly skilled foreign nationals will be granted permission to stay in Japan without certain restrictions on renewal of their period of stay by going through certain procedures.

(2) Family members (spouse and children only) may accompany you.

(3) Of the 12 specific industrial fields covered by Specified Skilled Worker (i), Specified Skilled Worker (ii) status of residence is permitted in all specific industrial fields except for the nursing care field.
● Building cleaning
● Materials, industrial machinery, electrical, electronic and information related manufacturing industry
● Construction
● Shipbuilding and marine industry
● Automobile maintenance
● Aviation
● Accommodation
Agriculture
● Fisheries
● Food and beverage manufacturing industry
● Food service industry

(1) Foreigners who have completed Technical Intern Training (ii) are exempt from The Specified Skills Evaluation Exam and Japanese language test. Therefore, even foreigners can omit the exam and obtain Specified Skilled Worker (i).

(2) Foreign nationals who have completed Technical Intern Training No. 3 may be exempt from the examination and become Specified Skilled Worker (i), provided that they have also completed Technical Intern Training (ii) in a satisfactory manner.

(3) Foreign construction workers with “designated activities” residence status are required to have completed Technical Intern Training (ii), and can switch to “Specified Skilled Worker (i)” without taking an exam.

(1) The exam consists of written questions and practical questions.

(2) The exam level is equivalent to the third-level trade skill test and tests the skills and knowledge that an entry-level engineer should typically possess.

(1) The scope of work you can do will be limited to the tasks that fall into each of the three categories you pass in the exam.

(2) To do other work, you will need to pass an examination for the category to which that work belongs.

(1) There are no educational requirements, but you must pass a Japanese language test and skills evaluation exam.

(2) You must also be 18 years of age or older.

(1) All people working in Japan are required to enroll in insurance designated by the Japanese government.

(2) There are three types of expenses that workers must pay from their salary: health insurance, employment insurance, and employee pension insurance. Depending on the worker's age, there is also additional old-age insurance (nursing care insurance). In addition to insurance premiums, there are other taxes that must be paid, such as income tax and resident tax.

(3) If you live in a company dormitory, you will also have to pay dormitory fees. The amount will vary depending on the company.
First, check with the company you are going to work for.

(1) Anyone can work in the construction industry in Japan if they pass The Specified Skills Evaluation Exam in the construction field and the Japanese language test.

(2) Anyone who has never worked in the Japanese construction industry should learn from the safety training videos provided by JAC.

(3) In addition, new employees undergo training before starting work on-site.

(1) You need to find a company to work for and sign an employment contract.
After that, you will need to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility, and if approved, you will be able to work in Japan.

(2) Overseas residents who pass the exam can check job information via the smartphone app “JAC Members.”
Smartphone app "JAC Members"

(1) The salary system for specified skilled workers in the construction sector will be a monthly salary system.

(2) The company pays salaries regularly on a fixed day each month.