Regarding the special measures in place for those planning to change their status of residence to "Specified Skilled Worker (i)"

Those who wish to change their status of residence to Specified Skilled Worker (i) and require more time to prepare (to acquire the required documents before their current period of stay expires, etc.) may apply for a change in status of residence to "Designated Activities (4 months, work permitted)" in order to continue working with the accepting organization where they are to be employed while making the necessary preparations.

• This extra period of time will be included in the period of stay (maximum 5 years) granted to the applicant with their new "Specified Skilled Worker (i)" status of residence.

• The applicant has grounds to believe that it will be difficult to submit their request to change their status of residence to Specified Skilled Worker (i) before their period of stay expires.
• The applicant is planning to apply for a change in status of residence to the "Specified Skilled Worker (i)" status of residence in order to engage in work that falls under the "Specified Skilled Worker (i)" status of residence at the accepting organization.
• The applicant will continue to engage in work that falls under the "Specified Skilled Worker (i)" status of residence with their accepting organization, as per their contract.
• The applicant will be offered remuneration suitable for a foreign national employed as a Specified Skilled Worker, at a rate equal or higher to that of a Japanese employee.
• The applicant has passed any necessary skill-related and/or Japanese proficiency tests required for foreign nationals wishing to become Specified Skilled Workers.
  * This includes cases where the applicant is exempt from examinations, due to having completed Technical Intern Training (ii).
• The applicant will receive assistance (in matters of daily living) from either their accepting organization or a designated support organization, throughout their stay in Japan.
• The accepting organization is prepared to properly support the applicant.

1. Application form for change of status of residence (with photograph) (Excel, in Japanese/English)Example(PDF, in Japanese/English)
2. An explanatory document drawn up by the accepting organization (Word, in Japanese)
3. A copy of both an employment contract and written employment conditions
4. Documents proving that either the applicant has passed any necessary skill-related and/or Japanese proficiency tests required for foreign nationals wishing to become Specified Skilled Workers, or that they are exempt from examinations due to having completed Technical Intern Training (ii)
   * These are the same items that are required to apply for a change in status of residence to "Specified Skilled Worker (i)". For more details, please click here to view separate volumes outlining the essentials for specific fields.