What is the "skills" residence status?

What is a Skilled Worker Visa? [Overview and purpose of the status of residence]

The “Skilled Worker Visa” is a status of residence for foreigners with special skills to work in Japan. This status applies to jobs that require skilled work in a specific field that is difficult to replace with Japanese workers. The period of stay for a skilled work visa is either “5 years”, “3 years”, “1 year” or “3 months”, and is determined by the Immigration Bureau of Japan, taking into consideration the foreigner’s past activities and future activities. The main fields covered are foreign cuisine, architecture, sports instruction, jewelry processing, aviation operations, etc. Foreign workers with specific skills in these fields contribute to improving the competitiveness and technological capabilities of companies.

Scope of work eligible for Skilled Worker Visa

1. Foreign cuisine chef (Chinese, French, Indian, Thai, etc.)
2. Architectural engineer (Chinese, Korean, Gothic, Romanesque, Baroque, etc.)
3. Manufacturer of foreign-specific products (Persian carpets, European glassware, shoe fitters, etc.)
4. Jewelry, precious metal, and fur processing technician
5. Animal trainer
6. Oil and geothermal drilling survey worker
7. Pilot
8. Sports instructor
9. Sommelier/wine appraiser

Conditions for applying for a skilled worker visa [Explanation of work experience and employment conditions]

In order to obtain a skilled worker visa, the applicant must prove that he or she has skilled skills. To prove this, a certain period of work experience is required. A certificate of employment is required to prove work experience. A certificate of employment is an important document to prove that the applicant has worked with specific skills and techniques in the past.

This certificate contains information that shows that the applicant has met the required number of years of work experience for the conditions of obtaining a skilled worker visa. Since the number of years of work experience required varies depending on the type of job, it is important that the job content and period of employment are described in detail.

In addition, employment status is also an important factor in the review of a skilled worker visa. In order for an applicant to work in Japan, the employer must be clearly determined. When applying, it is required to submit an employment contract and documents that clearly state the employment conditions. It is confirmed during the review that the employer is a Japanese company and that appropriate working conditions are in place.

In addition, remuneration requirements are also one of the important screening criteria. In order to obtain a skilled worker visa, the applicant must receive remuneration equal to or greater than that of a Japanese person. This is a requirement to prevent applicants from working for unfairly low wages, and it is checked whether the salary offered by the employer at the time of visa application is appropriate. Since the condition is that the remuneration must be equal to or greater than that of Japanese workers, it is important that this information is clearly stated in the pay slip and employment contract.

When applying for a visa, by submitting this certificate of employment and employment contract to the Immigration Bureau, it is confirmed that the applicant has the required skills and experience, and will work under appropriate working conditions and remuneration, and the application will be reviewed. Therefore, the certificate of employment, employment status, and remuneration requirements play a very important role in the application for a skilled visa.

Practical and remuneration requirements for each occupation for the Skilled Worker Visa

1. Foreign cuisine chef (Chinese, French, Indian, Thai, etc.)

Practical requirements: 10 years or more of practical experience required (including time spent majoring in subjects related to cooking or food manufacturing at a foreign educational institution).
Remuneration requirements: Remuneration must be equal to or greater than that of a Japanese person performing a similar job.

2. Architectural engineers (Chinese, Korean, Gothic, Romanesque, Baroque, etc.)

Work requirements: 10 years or more of practical experience required (5 years or more of experience under the direction and supervision of a foreigner is acceptable if working in architectural or civil engineering techniques unique to a foreign country). This includes the period of majoring in related subjects at a foreign educational institution.
Remuneration requirements: Remuneration must be equal to or greater than that of a Japanese person working in a similar position.

3. Manufacturer of products specific to foreign countries (Persian carpets, European glassware, shoe fitters, etc.)

Work requirements: 10 years or more of work experience required (skills related to manufacturing and repairing products specific to foreign countries). Includes time spent majoring in related subjects at a foreign educational institution.
Remuneration requirements: Remuneration must be equal to or greater than that of a Japanese person performing a similar job.

4. Jewelry, precious metals, and fur processing technician

Work requirements: 10 years or more of work experience required (jewelry, precious metals, and fur processing techniques). This includes the period of majoring in related subjects at a foreign educational institution.
Remuneration requirements: Remuneration must be equal to or greater than that of a Japanese person performing similar duties.

5. Animal Trainer

Work requirements: 10 years or more of work experience required (skills related to animal training). Includes time spent majoring in related subjects at a foreign educational institution.
Remuneration requirements: Remuneration equivalent to or greater than that of a Japanese person engaged in a similar position.

6. Oil/geothermal drilling survey worker

Work requirements: 10 years or more of work experience required (skills related to seabed drilling, geothermal development, and seabed mineral exploration). Includes time spent majoring in related subjects at a foreign educational institution.
Remuneration requirements: Remuneration equivalent to or greater than that of a Japanese person engaged in a similar position.

7. Pilot

Work requirements: Must have at least 1,000 hours of flight experience in piloting aircraft.
Compensation requirements: Must receive compensation equal to or greater than that of a Japanese person performing a similar job.

8. Sports instructor

Work requirements: Must meet one of the following:
- More than three years of work experience in sports instruction (including the period spent majoring in a subject related to the instruction of the sport at a foreign educational institution and the period spent receiving compensation while engaged in the sport).
- Experience of participating in international competitions such as the Olympics or World Championships.
Compensation requirements: Must receive compensation equal to or greater than that of a Japanese person performing a similar job.

9. Sommelier/Wine Appraiser

Work Requirements: Five or more years of work experience (skills related to appraising, evaluating, maintaining and serving the quality of wine). Includes time spent majoring in related subjects at a foreign educational institution.
Specific Qualification Requirements: Must meet one of the following:
- A person who has achieved excellent results at an international sommelier competition.
- A person who has participated in an international sommelier competition (limited to those in which the number of contestants is limited to one per country).
- A person who has a qualification in wine appraisal etc. as set by the Minister of Justice.
Remuneration Requirements: Remuneration must be equal to or greater than that of Japanese people performing similar duties.

Documents required for a skills visa

The documents required vary greatly depending on the size of the employer and the type of job. Below are the documents required if you are employed as a chef at a listed company.

[Common documents]

Application for Certificate of Eligibility
Passport photo (4cm x 3cm)

Reply envelope (with 392 yen stamp affixed)
Company-prepared summary of legal records such as withholding slips for employee salary income for the previous year (copy of one with reception stamp)

[Documents to be prepared by the company]

Copy of Nikkei Financial Yearbook or document certifying that the company is listed on a Japanese stock exchange
Reason for employment *Certify the content of the work to be performed
Curriculum vitae *Specify the organization, content, and period in which you have worked in the work requiring skills related to the application

Consultation guide for detailed cases and questions
The documents required vary depending on the size of the company and the type of job. For specific documents that suit your case, please contact us using the inquiry form below or contact the Immigration Bureau directly.

Summary of the “Skilled” visa

The “Skilled” visa is a visa required for foreign workers with advanced skills and techniques in a specific field to work in Japan. It covers a wide range of occupations, including foreign cuisine chefs, architectural engineers, sports instructors, jewelry processing engineers, and pilots, which are difficult to replace in Japan.

Work experience is one of the most important requirements for obtaining a skilled visa, and the number of years required is set for each occupation. Generally, more than 10 years of work experience is required, and a certificate of employment must be submitted to prove that experience. It is also important that the applicant is in an appropriate employment situation, and an employment contract must be submitted and remuneration must be equal to or greater than that of Japanese workers.

Applications for skilled visas in the Japanese labor market go through a rigorous process to ensure that applicants meet certain standards, which ensures that foreign workers can work in a specific field while receiving fair treatment.

Reference site: Immigration Services Agency of Japan – “Skilled Labor” status of residence
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/skilledlabor.html