Status of Residence:
Specified Skilled Worker No.1

Overview

What is Specified Skilled Worker No.1?: The “Specified Skilled Worker (i)” status of residence is a system that allows foreign nationals with certain knowledge and skills to work in industries in Japan where labor shortages are particularly serious. Established in April 2019, it was designed to complement the existing Technical Intern Training Program and enable immediate employment of skilled workers. The target sectors have expanded to 16 in total, including caregiving, building cleaning, material processing, industrial machinery manufacturing, electric and electronic information, construction, shipbuilding/marine industry, automobile maintenance, aviation, accommodation, agriculture, fishery, food and beverage manufacturing, food service, as well as the automobile transportation industry and railway sector added in 2022.

To obtain this status, applicants must pass both a skills test and a Japanese language proficiency test specified for each industry. The Japanese language requirement is set at a level sufficient for everyday life, such as JLPT N4 or its equivalent. In addition, foreign nationals who have completed the Technical Intern Training Program may be exempted from these tests and smoothly transition to the Specified Skilled Worker (i) status. This system ensures that individuals with prior work experience in Japan can continue contributing to the workforce effectively.

The period of stay for the Specified Skilled Worker (i) is limited to a maximum of five years in total, and in principle, family members are not allowed to accompany the worker. Therefore, it is not intended as a pathway for permanent settlement but rather as a framework to temporarily alleviate labor shortages. However, those who acquire more advanced skills and move on to the “Specified Skilled Worker (ii)” status can enjoy an unlimited renewal of stay and may also bring family members. The Specified Skilled Worker (i) program thus plays an important role in sustaining Japan’s economy while promoting greater international workforce participation.
Period of Stay: Renewal every 1 year, 6 months, or 4 months, up to a total of 5 years
Other Information: For "Specified Skilled Worker", there are documents and procedures required in addition to the normal "application for certification of residence status" under the bilateral agreements between Japan and each country, and these differ depending on the country.

-Procedures in major countries-
Cambodia
When applying COE,"Certificate of Confirmation" is required.
Indonesia
When applying VISA,"E-PMI" is required.
Nepal
At the time of departure,"Overseas Work Permit" is required.
Phillipines
At the time of departure,"OEC" is required.
Myanmar
At the time of departure,"OWIC" is required.
Thai
At the time of departure,"Overseas Work Permit" is required.
Vietnam
When applying COE,"LIST OF SPECIFIED SKILLED WORKERS" is required.
Trend of Number of Foreign Residents
Trend of Residency examination processing period