Advantages and precautions for part-time workers to obtain a specific skill visa

In order to solve the shortage of human resources, many people are thinking of having foreign students acquire specific skills as part-time workers.
Or, some foreign students may ask you to hire them because they will be acquiring specific skills.

This time, we will explain the benefits of obtaining a specific skill visa for part-time workers.

To start with the conclusion, when hiring foreigners, it is easier to hire a foreigner as a part-time worker and then switch to a specific skill visa than to suddenly hire a full-time employee with a specific skill visa.
This will be a great benefit for those considering hiring foreigners.

We also introduce important points to note when obtaining a specific skill visa, so please refer to it.

How long can I work on a student visa?

Foreigners with a student visa areImmigration Control Law Enforcement Regulations Article 19でWithin 28 hours a weekIf so, you can work as a part-time job.
However, this is only possible if you have permission to engage in activities other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted.

Originally, a student visa is granted for "receiving education at a Japanese educational institution."
Therefore, part-time work is not permitted.
In order to work part-time, separateAllowance for activities outside your statusIs required.

I want to be careful28 hours includes overtime hoursIt is a point.
If you do not comply, you will be working illegally.

For example, if overtime increases and exceeds 28 hours during a company's busy season, it is illegal no matter what the reason is.
Furthermore, even if you work part-time for two or more companies, it is illegal if the total time exceeds 2 hours.

On the other hand, when schools are closed for long periods, such as during summer vacation, you can work up to 1 hours a day.
The Labor Standards Act applies just like Japanese people, so the upper limit is 40 hours a week.
However, this only applies to "long-term leave periods determined by school regulations."
This does not apply if there are many class cancellations. Let's watch out.

In summary, it looks like this:

● Part-time work of up to 1 hours per week is possible.
● It is illegal if it exceeds 28 hours.
● Part-time work of 1 hours a day/8 hours a week is possible only during long school holidays.

Be careful of these things when hiring international students as part-time workers.
If you employ people in the same way as Japanese people, there is a possibility that your work hours will exceed 28 hours.
Also, from what day of the week do you count the 28 hours? We sometimes receive this question, but the starting point is not fixed, and it is necessary to make sure that no matter when you start counting, it does not exceed 28 hours.

What are the benefits of changing from a student visa to a specific skill visa?

Changing from a student visa to a specific skill visa has the following benefits:

● Since they are already in Japan, there is no need to call them from overseas.
● In many cases, the Japanese language ability is at or above the everyday conversation level.
● You are more likely to pass the skill measurement test based on your Japanese language ability.
● No need to open a bank account etc.
● Easy life support
● As a part-time worker, you are accustomed to work, so training after employment is easy.

The tedious procedures that the receiving organization has to go through will be greatly reduced.
Since I am living in Japan as an international student, it is also an advantage that I have a certain level of Japanese language ability.

If you want to hire people with specific skills from the beginning, you will need to go through various procedures.
When calling from overseas, there is a possibility that a malicious broker will intervene, so you must be aware of the risks.

On the other hand, part-time workers are far easier to hire than people with specific skills.
Recruitment costs are also low.
By using your part-time job as a trial period, you can determine the degree of mismatch.
This is a big advantage for employers as it reduces training costs.
For these reasons, it can be said that the benefits of changing from a student visa to a specific skill visa are very large.

Points to note when changing from a student visa to a specific skill visa

When changing from a student visa to a specific skill, there are some points to be aware of.
Please pay particular attention to the following points.

● Part-time jobs must be done within the specified hours.
● Pay taxes and payments
● Pass various exams.
● Maintain good mental and physical health
● Do not engage in bad behavior.
● Does the hiring company meet the requirements?

Above all, please be sure to keep your part-time working hours within the specified hours.
If you exceed the limit, you will be working illegally and your application may not be successful.

If you have multiple part-time jobs, you will also need to file a tax return.
When applying for a change, please submit the document issued by the tax office.Tax payment certificate (part 3)Let's get it.
If you have lost the withholding tax certificate for your employment income for the year corresponding to the contents of your tax certificate, please have it reissued by your part-time job.

Also, find out if you can get a job at the hiring company.
For example, if you pass the "restaurant industry skill measurement test," you can only get a job in a "restaurant" job in "customer service, cooking, store management, etc."
Even if you work at a restaurant, you cannot do accounting or clerical work.

It is also important that the hiring company meets the requirements as an organization that accepts foreigners.
Both are important points, so it's a good idea to check them when you start considering changes.

Should I apply for change to a specific skill in-house? Should I entrust it to an administrative scrivener?

When changing from a student visa to a specific skill visa, many people are confused whether to do it in-house or outsource it to an administrative scrivener.
If you do it in-house, you can keep costs to a minimum, but it is also true that the process can be a burden.

From here, we will introduce the necessary documents and procedures for each of the following patterns.
● If you want to make the changes yourself
● When outsourcing to a registered support organization

If you want to make the changes yourself

If you want to change to a specific skill at your company, the following documents and procedures are required.

[Documents prepared by the accepting company]
● Registration certificate
● Copies of resident records for all executives
● Copies of financial statements for the most recent two years
● Copies of corporate tax returns (copies) for the most recent two years
● Certificate of payment of labor insurance premiums (certification of non-payment)
● Copies of receipts for the most recent year
● Copies of labor insurance estimate/increase estimate/final insurance premium declaration form (copy from employer)
● Copy of health insurance/employee pension insurance premium receipt (for 24 months up to two months before the month of application)
● Tax payment certificate with withholding income tax, special income tax for reconstruction, corporate tax, consumption tax, and local consumption tax
● Tax payment certificate with corporate inhabitant tax as the tax item
● Application for permission to change residence status
● Specified Skills Affiliation Organization Outline
● No. 1 Specified Skills Support Plan
● Agreement for payment expenses and statement of expenses
● Remuneration statement
● Copy of specific skill employment contract
● Copy of employment terms and conditions
● Explanation of collection fees
● Written oath of support manager
● Resume of support manager
● Written oath of the person in charge of support
● Resume of support person
● Copy of business license

[Documents prepared by international students]
● Application for permission to change status of residence
● Photo: 1 leaf (height 4cm x width 3cm)
● Passport and residence card
● Copy of skill test passing certificate
● Copy of Japanese language test pass certificate
● Resume
● Graduation certificate
● Health check individual form
● Taxation certificate for personal residence tax
● Resident tax payment certificate
● Copy of withholding tax slip for employment income
● Copy of National Health Insurance card
● National Health Insurance Premium Payment Certificate
● Copy of National Pension Insurance premium receipt

The required documents differ depending on each case, so please contact the Immigration Services Agency for details.Apply for change of status of residence."

Both require a lot of documentation.
Depending on the size of your company, some documents may not be required, so it's a good idea to check in advance.

When outsourcing to an administrative scrivener

When changing from a student visa to a specific skill, if you entrust an administrative scrivener, the necessary documents and procedures are as follows.

● Specified Skills Affiliation Organization Outline
● Registration certificate
● Copies of resident records of officers involved in business execution
● Written oath regarding officers of specific skilled workers
● Copy of social insurance premium payment status answer sheet or health insurance/employee pension insurance premium receipt
● Tax payment certificate issued by the tax office
● Instructions on performance of official duties
● Certificate of payment of labor insurance premiums, etc. (if accepted for the first time)
● Corporate residence tax tax payment certificate issued by the municipality (if accepted for the first time)

Compared to doing it in-house, the required documents and procedures are reduced.
Another advantage is that there is no need to prepare documents and go to the Immigration Bureau in person.

You should compare the cost and decide which one is better.

Summary

There are an increasing number of cases in which foreigners who have student visas and work part-time are acquiring specific skill visas.
With a student visa, you can only work up to 1 hours a week, and after you graduate from school, you will not be able to work part-time even if your visa expires.
If you want to continue working after graduation, consider changing to a specific skill visa.

However, various documents are required when making changes. Collecting it yourself can reduce costs, but it takes time.
If you are unsure, it is best to ask an administrative scrivener.

Climb, an administrative scrivener corporation, is an office specializing in residence status applications.
We employ professionals with proven ability and skills who are used by approximately 1,000 customers each year.
We offer free consultations, so please feel free to contact us.

For inquiries regarding specific skills, please contact Climb!
Please feel free to contact us by phone or inquiry form!

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