Commentary on the tests required for a specific skill visa

Click here for test information for each of the 14 industries (fields)!

What is a specific skill

There is a status of residence that foreigners residing in Japan must acquire.
Among them, the relatively new status of residence newly established in April 2019"Specific skills".

It has been a long time since the labor shortage in Japan has been called out, but the status of residence is applied to "industries recognized as labor shortages" selected by each ministry to make up for such labor shortages.
Therefore, it should be noted that not all industries are able to accept foreigners.

As of September 2022, 9 industries are acceptable.
At first glance, it may seem like there are few, but with some exceptions, it is now possible for foreigners to work in industries that were previously prohibited.

• ・ Long-term care
• ・Building cleaning
• ・Material industry
• ・Industrial machinery manufacturing industry
• ・Electrical and electronic information industry
• ·construction
• ・Shipbuilding and marine industry
• ·Car maintenance
• ・ Aviation
• ・Lodging
• ・Agriculture
• ・Fishery
• ・Food and beverage manufacturing industry
• ・Food service

It is important to note that not all of these industries can be chosen freely.
Because there are different types of specific skills.

• ● Specific Skill 1
• ● Specific Skill 2

Of these,Only No. 14 can choose 1 industriesAs of November 2022, only a limited number of industries can be selected for No. 11.
After understanding the difference between No. 1 and No. 2, it is necessary to consider which status of residence to acquire.

▼ What is Specified Skills No. 1?

Specified Skilled Worker No. 1 is a status of residence that has been in force since April 2019.
The purpose is to accept a certain number of foreign human resources with a certain level of knowledge, experience, and expertise, and to solve the labor shortage.

The purpose is to solve the labor shortage, so foreigners with specific skill No. 1 areCan be used as an immediate forceThat is a major premise.
Therefore, in order to obtain a certification, it is a prerequisite that you have the ability to perform a certain task.

At the same time, it is importantJapanese ability.
Since you will be working in Japan as a ready-to-work force, your Japanese language skills will naturally be required.
However, since the level of Japanese proficiency required differs depending on the industry, it is determined by each industry.

As mentioned above, the industries where you can work with Specific Skills No. 1 are the most sought after in the nursing care industry.
It is an indispensable human resource in Japan, which has become an aging society due to the declining birthrate and aging population.
There are many people in their 60s and 70s who are still working in the nursing care industry, but it is clear that this alone is insufficient as a labor force.

In addition to the nursing care industry, the wave of declining birthrate and aging population is surging in all 14 industries.
Specified Skilled Worker No. 1 is a status of residence established for such industries.

▼ What is Specified Skills No. 2?

Along with the specific skill No. 1, I would like to know the status of residence for the specific skill No. 2.
Both look similar but are very different.
Above all, I would like to rememberSpecific skill No. 2 is a qualification to prove that you have a proficient skillThat's the point.
In other words, just by having a specific skill No. 2, the skills of the foreigner are guaranteed.

It is difficult to obtain the status of residence of Specified Skilled Worker No. 2, and it is necessary to pass the proficiency test set by each competent ministry, as well as to acquire proficient skills from long-term practical experience.

On the other hand, Specified Skilled Worker No. 1 requires passing a Japanese language test, so you must study both.
Also, not all industries are compatible, but only the following industries are allowed to accept.

• ● Construction industry
• ● Shipbuilding and marine industry

Please note that other than these, you are not allowed to work with specific skill No. 2.

Specified Skilled Worker No. 2 is also a status of residence that foreigners feel more attractive than Specified Skilled Worker No. 1 because it is possible to bring family members if the requirements are met.

Employment method for foreigners with specific skills

The method of hiring specific skilled foreigners is different from other statuses of residence.
Therefore, care must be taken when hiring.

Also, as a major premise, only the 14 industries mentioned above can be employed.
Furthermore, the companies and institutions that accept them must also meet the standards stipulated by law.
Keeping these things in mind, follow the steps below.

1. XNUMX.to recruit
2. XNUMX.give an interview
3. XNUMX.sign an employment contract
4. XNUMX.Develop a support plan
5. XNUMX.Apply for status of residence

One thing to keep in mind here is when recruiting personnel overseas.
Foreigners who have successfully completed Technical Intern Training No. 2 will be exempted from the exam if they perform the same work as during the technical internship, but foreigners who are planning to enter the country for the first time must take and pass both domestic and foreign exams. not.
After that, you can either apply directly to job postings or be put through a job search by a private employment agency.

After that, a person from the company or institution will actually interview you, and if it is acceptable, we will conclude an employment contract.
Of course, prior guidance and medical examinations are required before acceptance.

After that, all you have to do is formulate a support plan and apply for a status of residence for a specific skill.
The flow is very simple, but when recruiting human resources, we may ask for the cooperation of registration support organizations.
It is a good idea to consider in advance which method is easier for your company to employ.

Requirements for specific skills that foreigners must meet

Regardless of whether the specific skill is No. 1 or No. 2, foreigners are required to meet the requirements outside of the accepting company or institution.
Therefore, only foreigners who meet the requirements can be accepted.

• ・ Being over 18 years old
• ・Passing the skill test and Japanese language test (Foreigners who have successfully completed Technical Intern Training No. 2 are exempted)
• ・Do not stay in Japan for a total of 1 years or more as a specific skill No. 5
• ・A security deposit has not been collected, or a contract that stipulates penalties has not been concluded.
• ・If there is a cost to be borne by yourself, you must fully understand the content.

As mentioned above, a solid understanding of Japanese is a prerequisite.

As with other statuses of residence, your conduct will also be checked.
Especially for foreigners staying in Japan for study abroad, etc., we recommend that you check whether there is anything wrong with the payment.

I also want to be aware ofJapanese exam.
There are two types of Japanese tests, but the following levels are required.

• ・Japanese proficiency test (JLPT): N4 level
• ・The Japan Foundation Japanese Language Basic Test (J.F.T.): A2 level

Both are held several times a year, so let's meet the level of the standard.

Field tests

In order to obtain a status of residence for a specific skill, it is necessary to take an examination for each field.
If you don't pass it, you won't be able to qualify for a specific skill, so be careful.

There are 14 industries in total, but first of all, you must take the following exams that are common to all.

Since JFT is a point system like TOEIC, there is no pass rate.
Take the exam to exceed the target score.

In addition to these, only the nursing care field requires passing the following Japanese language evaluation tests.

[Nursing care Japanese evaluation test]

Jurisdiction: Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare
Schedule: Every month in Japan and overseas
Most recent domestic exam pass rate: 89%
Answer method: multiple choice

reference:Exam implementation procedure
The nursing care industry is particularly required to communicate with users, so it is a separate form.

In addition to these Japanese proficiency, it is necessary to clear in each fieldProficiency test.
The proficiency test is different for each of the 14 fields.
Also, the country where the test is conducted and the test method are all different, so be sure to prepare for the test before taking the test.

Summary

The status of residence for specific skills was newly established in April 2019.
Although it is limited to 14 industries, it is possible to employ foreigners in industries that are recognized to have labor shortages.
Since foreigners can work in fields where they could not work until now, there are high expectations for the future.

On the other hand, in order to obtain a status of residence for a specific skill, you must pass an examination.
In addition to Japanese language proficiency, you can acquire a status of residence for a specific skill for the first time by passing a test set for each field.

Tests are held in Japan and overseas.
Now that it has become with Corona, there is a high possibility that we will promote taking the specific skill test.
If you are thinking of hiring foreigners in the 14 fields, please feel free to contact us.

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

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