System | About the System
specific skills
This is one of the residence statuses available to foreigners working in Japan.
While the Technical Intern Training Program has an emphasis on "human resource development," the Specified Skilled Worker program is a system for accepting workers in Japan as "workers."
What is a Specified Skilled Worker?
Specified Skills refers to a "status of residence."
The Specified Skilled Worker visa is a residence status that allows foreign nationals with a certain level of expertise and skills to work in Japanese industrial sectors facing serious labor shortages.
The Immigration Services Agency also explains that this residence status was established to allow foreigners to play an even more active role in Japan.
There are two types of Specified Skilled Worker visas: Type 1 and Type 2.
Category 1 is for individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills in their respective fields, and receiving organizations need support such as creating support plans.
Category 2 is a residence status for people with more advanced skills.
Ready-to-play foreign players
Foreign personnel with Japanese language proficiency and specialized/technical skills
Specified Skilled Workers are individuals who have been recognized as possessing the necessary knowledge and abilities for employment through skills tests and Japanese language tests required in their respective fields. They are equipped to handle on-site work and are expected to contribute immediately as valuable assets.
Employment system for performing practical work
The Technical Intern Training Program is a foreign employment system with a strong emphasis on "human resource development." Compared to the Specified Skilled Worker program, it has certain restrictions in terms of transfers and operational aspects.
On the other hand, the Specified Skills program allows for the acceptance of workers who are immediately ready to contribute to the workforce, making it more practical and relevant to real-world situations.
POINT: Advantages of Specified Skilled Workers
1. Secure employment based on legal systems.
2. You can hire personnel who have passed the skills test and the Japanese language test.
3. It is a system based on the premise of long-term employment.
★ It is now being increasingly accepted in many workplaces across Japan.
16 target fields
Specified Skills visas are currently available for acceptance in 16 industrial sectors.
【notice】
Regarding the Specified Skills Visa in the "Food Service Industry" category, the Immigration Services Agency of Japan has announced that applications for Certificates of Eligibility for Specified Skills Visa No. 1 (Food Service Industry) will be temporarily suspended from April 13, 2026. Please check the latest information published by the relevant ministries and agencies.
介護
工業製品
製造業
航空
自動車
運送業
建設
農業
宿泊
Railway
飲食料品
製造業
造船・舶用
工業
漁業
forestry
外食業
自動車整備
ビル清掃
Timber industry
Registered support organization
This organization acts on behalf of the accepting companies to support foreigners so that they can work and live safely in Japan.
10 Mandatory Supports
In order to accept specified skilled workers, it is necessary to provide support services that are prescribed to support the employment and daily life of foreign workers, from pre-entry explanations and setting up their lives to assistance with various procedures, consultations, and regular interviews.
登録支援機関とは？
Specialized organizations responsible for supporting foreign workers with specified skills.
A registered support organization is a government-registered organization that provides support to foreign workers in terms of their daily lives and work on behalf of companies and facilities that employ foreign workers with Specified Skills Visa No. 1.
We will implement post-arrival support measures according to the plan to ensure that foreign nationals can work and live with peace of mind.
Why is it necessary?
We support a smooth acceptance process in accordance with the system.
Accepting foreign nationals with Specified Skills Visa No. 1 requires appropriate support based on a support plan.
If companies were to handle this internally, they would need to establish a system that includes appointing support managers, etc. By entrusting this to a registered support organization, they can ensure that support is carried out smoothly in accordance with the system.
Leave the handling of system reforms to us.
Since 2025, improvements have been made to the procedures for notifications and submitted documents under the Specified Skills Visa system. While the legal revisions have changed the requirement for periodic notifications to be submitted once a year, periodic interviews are still required at least once every three months. Therefore, accepting foreign workers requires appropriate responses to these system changes.
Support details
Mandatory support + voluntary support
Registered support organizations provide the following "10 mandatory support services" on behalf of companies.
In addition to the above, Miyama Link provides its own voluntary support to assist foreigners working in Japan.
Information regarding optional support is available on a separate page.
01
事前ガイダンス
仕事内容や生活ルールを
事前に説明
03
住居確保・生活契約支援
住まいや生活契約を支援
05
公的手続等への同行
役所手続きなどを補助
07
日本人との交流促進
地域や職場での交流を後押し
09
定期面談・行政機関への通報
状況確認と必要時の対応
02
送迎
入国時・帰国時の
移動をサポート
04
生活オリエンテーション
日本での生活ルールを案内
06
日本語学習の支援
学習機会の情報提供や案内
08
相談・苦情対応
仕事や生活の悩みに対応
10
Job change support
Job change support in unavoidable circumstances
POINT: Advantages of Specified Skilled Workers
1. It is easier to implement support in accordance with the system.
2. Easier to reduce the burden of establishing internal systems.
3. Easier to reduce the workload on site staff.
★ Creating an environment where foreign workers can work with peace of mind is key to their retention.
The employment of specified skilled foreign workers is based on two systems: "residence status" and "support system." We provide appropriate support in accordance with these systems.
We will ensure a safe and secure acceptance process for both the workplace and the foreign workers.
