Visa information
Employment for Skill Development (former Technical Intern Training)
This guide covers the purpose of the Employment for Skill Development (育成就労) system, which takes effect in April 2027, how it differs from Technical Intern Training, the path to Specified Skilled Worker No. 1, and the supervising-organization structure from the perspective of a Japan staffing strategy.
Japan
At a glance
- System transition
- Technical Intern Training (技能実習) abolished → Employment for Skill Development (育成就労) established
- Effective date
- April 1, 2027
- Purpose
- Developing and securing human resources on the premise of transition to Specified Skilled Worker No. 1
- New Technical Intern Training applications
- Applications for approval of No. 1 Technical Intern Training plans are accepted through February 2027
- Structure
- Unlike Specified Skilled Worker status, the supervising and support organization structure remains
Frequently asked questions
Is Technical Intern Training really being abolished?
Yes. Under the amended law promulgated in June 2024, the Technical Intern Training system will transition to the Employment for Skill Development system on April 1, 2027. New applications for approval of No. 1 Technical Intern Training plans will be accepted only through February 2027.
How does Employment for Skill Development differ from Technical Intern Training?
Unlike Technical Intern Training, which was nominally for technology transfer and international cooperation, Employment for Skill Development is designed from the outset to develop people in labor-shortage fields and move them to Specified Skilled Worker No. 1. Its nature as an employment system has been made clear.
What role do supervising organizations play?
In the group-supervision structure, a supervising organization is a Japanese intermediary and management body that connects and supervises overseas sending organizations and Japanese companies (training implementing organizations). A key difference is that Specified Skilled Worker No. 1 has no supervising organization and companies employ directly.
Can we hire people who completed Technical Intern Training as Specified Skilled Workers?
Workers who satisfactorily complete Technical Intern Training No. 2 may be exempt from the skills and Japanese-language tests when converting to Specified Skilled Worker No. 1 in a related field. There is a pool of workers in Japan on this conversion path.
Which system should we choose if we are planning to bring in workers now?
If immediate deployment is needed, direct hiring of people who have passed the Specified Skilled Worker No. 1 tests is an option. If planning long-term supply on the premise of development, Employment for Skill Development, which begins in 2027, is a candidate. The choice depends on the field, timing, and cost structure, so an individual review is needed.
Related visas and systems
Visa schemes and figures may change in line with government notices and Cabinet decisions. This page provides general information as of the date of writing; please contact us to confirm the requirements that apply to your company and the latest criteria.
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