Administrative scrivener explains the five differences between specific skills and technical intern training in an easy-to-understand manner

"I don't really understand the difference between technical intern training and a specific skills visa..."I often get asked this question.
In this columnDifferences between technical internship and specific skills visaTheXNUMX pointsA certified administrative scrivener will also provide an easy-to-understand explanation.
This is an article that should be read by anyone who is considering hiring foreigners and employing them for the long term.

An easy-to-understand explanation of the differences between the systems

▼ What is a specific skill?

This is a new residence status (visa) that came into effect in 2019 with the aim of resolving labor shortages in specific fields where there is a labor shortage.
By requiring foreigners who apply for a visa to have a certain level of skills and Japanese language ability, it is expected that they will be able to work as immediate assets in companies.

▼ What is technical training?

In contrast, the Technical Intern Training Program is a residence status (visa) that aims to contribute internationally by having foreigners from developing countries learn Japanese industrial technology and then spread this acquired technology after returning home.
Specific skills are justHave them work in JapanThe purpose of the technical internship is to have them spread the skills and knowledge they have acquired during their training in Japan after they return home.International contributionThe two types of residence status (visas) have different purposes.

5 Differences between Specified Skills and Technical Intern Training

The different purposes of residence status (visas) for specific skills and technical intern training are very different in content.
Specifically, there are five main differences:

1. Available industries and occupations

In the case of specific skills and technical training,Available industries and occupations vary.
In other words, there are industries and occupations that are permitted for technical training but not for specific skills, and vice versa.

• ・List of occupations and tasks eligible for transition under the Technical Intern Training Program →here
• ・Guide to the list of specific skills fields etc. →here

2. Parties involved

In the case of technical intern training, in addition to the foreign trainees and the companies that accept them,Management Organizations, Sending Organizations, and Technical Intern Training OrganizationsMany organisations are involved.
In contrast, in the case of specific skills, the parties involved are:In principle, only foreign nationals with specific skills and the companies that accept them.
However, if the accepting company does not have a system in place to provide support to specific skilled foreign workers, a registered support organization may become involved as a third party.

3. Can I change jobs?

The purpose of the technical intern training program isPracticeTherefore, it is not expected that you will change jobs. However, if the company where you are receiving your technical internship goes bankrupt or if you move from Technical Intern Training No. 2 to Technical Intern Training No. 3,TransferIt is permitted to do so.
On the other hand, the purpose of the specific skills system isEmploymentTherefore, in principleChange jobs if it's the same occupation

4. Can I live in Japan with my family?

For foreigners living in Japan, being able to live with their families is an important issue. In Japan, family members of foreigners who have a work visa or a student visa can live together if they meet certain conditions."Family stay"This visa allows people to come to Japan, stay and live in Japan with their families.
First of all, the technical internship is not a visa for the purpose of employment, and of course it is not a student visa.Families of technical intern trainees cannot obtain "family stay" visas and live in Japan..
Although the specified skills visa is a visa for the purpose of employment, in principle, the family of a foreigner with a specified skills visa "No. 1" is not allowed to have a "family stay" visa. As an exception, if a foreigner who originally had a student visa or work qualification and was living in Japan with a family member who has a "family stay" visa changes to a specified skills visa No. 1, the family is allowed a visa similar to that of a family stay, out of humanitarian considerations.
Currently, the number of eligible people is limited,Family members of foreign nationals with specific skills status "No. 2" can obtain "family stay" visas.

5. Limitations on the number of people accepted

In the case of technical internships, companies can acceptThere is a limit to the number of traineesThis is because the purpose of the technical internship program is to acquire skills, and to ensure that companies have a system in place to provide appropriate technical training.
On the other hand, in the case of specific skills, in principle, the number of specific skills foreigners that a company can accept is limited.there is no limitThe purpose of the specific skills system is to make up for labor shortages.As an exception, there are limits on the number of people that can be accepted in industries such as construction.

Summary

These are the main differences between specific skills and technical intern training.

It is difficult to imagine a change from a specific skills visa to a technical intern training visa, but it is possible to change from a technical intern training visa to a specific skills visa.
For information on what cases are possible, points to note when making changes, and specific measures, please see here."How do I transition from technical intern training to specific skilled foreign worker status? What are the "special measures" that are in place when transitioning?"Please read the page.

Administrative scrivener corporation Climb provides visa services for foreigners with specific skills.

If you have a person in charge of a company who wants to utilize technical intern trainees and foreigners with specific skills as important human resources of the company, and want to support the knowledge and procedures for that purpose, please do not hesitate to contact us.Climb Immigration Lawyer OfficePlease contact us.An experienced administrative scrivener will respond.

For inquiries and consultations, please contact us atInquiry form for corporations onlyPlease from!