WHAT IS A SPECIFIED SKILLED WORKER VISA? (TOKUTEI GINOU VISA)

Because of the lack of manpower here in Japan, the Japanese government made a new type of visa that will allow foreigners to work even without professional qualifications. The new visa is called a Specified Skilled Worker Visa o SSW visa. Before the new visa has been announced, every foreigner who works in Japan has their own professional qualifications based on their job.

According to the information gathered, Japanese language ability (at least JLPT N4 level) is required to obtain the Specified Skilled Worker Visa. Having this visa will allow holders to work in the 14 industries available in this category. JLPT N4 level is the basic level of the Japanese language for foreigners. It means that an individual is certified to be able to read and write hiragana and katakana, as well as around 300 kanji characters, and are able to understand and speak basic daily day-to-day conversations.

From April 1, 2019, the 14 industries that the Specified Skilled Worker visa holders are applicable is as follows:

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TECHNICAL INTERN TRAINING VISA (TRAINEE VISA) AND SPECIFIED SKILLED WORKER VISA (SSW VISA)?

The Japanese government has started a Technical Intern Training program for foreigners who wish to go to Japan to work, improve their skills and use what they’ve learned in their home country. The trainees are capable of selecting from 137 jobs in 77 categories. Jobs like Agriculture, Construction, Food Processing, and others.

The Technical Intern Training program’s aim is to have an exchange of manpower between foreign countries and Japanese companies. Thus, for an applicant to get a Trainee Visa, he/she needs to look for a company or organization that will help dispatch him to Japan to work as a Trainee Visa holder.

On the other hand, Specified Skilled Worker Visa is the new type of visa from the government to open more job opportunities for foreigners who wish to continue working in Japan. Specified Skilled Worker Visa has 2 types, type (i) and type (ii).

HOW TO OBTAIN A SPECIFIED SKILLED WORKER VISA?

To obtain the Specified Skilled Worker Visa type (i), an applicant must at least pass a Japanese language proficiency exam. Common ones are from Japanese Language Proficiency (JLPT) exams . However, if an applicant has already completed Technical Intern Training (ii), the language certificate won’t be necessary. Also, if an applicant desires a different job from his line of experience, he might need to take and pass the skill test of the particular job to enable him for the visa submission.

★ If an applicant is outside Japan

1. Take Japanese language test and Skills proficiency test of the desired job in your home country
2. Look for a company who will sponsor your application to work in Japan and sign a contract
3. Submit the appropriate documents for SSW Visa application

★ If an applicant is an International Student in Japan

1. Take Japanese language test and Skills proficiency test of the desired job
2. Look for a company and sign a contract
3. Submit the appropriate documents for SSW Visa application

★If an applicant is a Technical Intern Trainee who wishes to work at the same company

1. Submit the appropriate documents for SSW Visa application

★Kung ikaw ay isang Technical Intern Trainee na nais magtrabaho sa ibang kumpanya

1. Look for a company and sign a contract
2. Submit the appropriate documents for SSW Visa application

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SPECIFIED SKILLED WORKER VISA (i) AND SPECIFIED SKILLED WORKER VISA (ii)? 

Specified Skilled Worker Visa type (i) allows an individual to partake in jobs in the 14 industries given. The period of stay may range from 1 year and 6 months up to a maximum of 5 years in total (since the visa is renewable). Unfortunately, an individual isn’t eligible to bring his/her family to Japan for a long-term stay.

On the other hand, the Specified Skilled Worker Visa type (ii) is applicable only for Construction Industry and Shipbuilding and Ship Machinery Industry employees. The period of stay may range from 1 year and 6 months to 3 years, but there will be no limitation for a maximum stay since this type allows an individual to apply for a permanent residency and allows to bring his/her family from his/her home country to stay in Japan.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLYING A SPECIFIED SKILLED WORKER VISA?

1. Application form
2. Medical Examination
3. Documents that will show an individuals pension, health insurance, and other paid taxes.
   1.   Certificate of Tax Payment
   2.   Withholding Tax Slip
   3.   Copy of health insurance or national health insurance card.
   4.   National Health Insurance Payment Certificate
4. Other documents that will credit an individuals educational background as well as test certifications
5. Resume
6. Documents from the existing company regarding your job

You can check out the link below for more information on how to apply Specified Skilled Worker Visa and some detailed examples of the requirements.

https://www.ssw.go.jp/en/about/apply/