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What if a Specified Skilled Worker notification in Japan is past its deadline? What to do when a periodic or ad hoc notification is late
Even after the deadline for the Specified Skilled Worker periodic notification (by May 31 every year) or an ad hoc notification (within 14 days) has passed, you can still submit it. What matters is to attach a statement of reasons explaining the delay and submit as soon as possible. Based on Immigration Services Agency materials, this article explains the steps to take today, what to do when only some documents are not ready in time, what to do when you notice a mistake after submitting, and the risks of leaving a notification unsubmitted. -
What is the Employment for Skill Development system? A full guide to the differences from Technical Intern Training, transfers, and Japanese requirements [Starts April 2027]
An explanation, based on materials published by the Immigration Services Agency, of the Employment for Skill Development system that replaces Technical Intern Training on April 1, 2027 (April 1, Reiwa 9). Tables summarize the differences from Technical Intern Training and Specified Skilled Worker, the 17 fields and expected numbers of workers, the rules for transfers, the Japanese language targets, the transitional measures for current technical intern trainees, and what companies and supervising organizations should prepare before the start. -
Changing jobs in Japan on Specified Skilled Worker status: the change of status process, processing time, and can you work while your application is pending?
When a Specified Skilled Worker changes companies, a notification alone is not enough: an Application for Permission to change status of residence is required. You cannot work at the new company until permission is granted. Based on Immigration Services Agency materials, this article covers which job changes within job categories are allowed, the timeline from leaving your job to joining the new company, the processing times published by the agency, the notifications required from the former and new companies, and the fees from October 2026. -
Annual Guide to Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker Notifications: Periodic Notification (April–May) and Ad Hoc Notifications (Within 14 Days)
We have organized, along the flow of one year, the notifications that companies employing Specified Skilled Workers submit to immigration. Following materials from the Immigration Services Agency, this article explains the once-a-year periodic notification (every year from April 1 to May 31, covering April to March of the previous year), ad hoc notifications due within 14 days after an event occurs, the "certain criteria" and attached documents, and the differences from notifications by registered support organizations and by the foreign nationals themselves. -
How to get and renew the Application Agent Certificate in Japan | Application form, required documents, and what registered support organizations can submit [Updated for the revised Gyoseishoshi Lawyer Act]
A certified immigration gyoseishoshi lawyer explains how staff of registered support organizations, accepting companies, schools and other organizations get approval as application agents (application form, documents, where to apply, validity, renewal), how to apply to use the online system, what agents can submit, and what to watch out for when submitting for a fee under the revised Gyoseishoshi Lawyer Act. -
How is the period of stay for Specified Skilled Worker (i) in Japan decided? Limits by company category, and fees that change with a one-month difference
The period of stay granted for Specified Skilled Worker (i) depends on the company's category, the length of the employment contract, and the remaining total period. A gyoseishoshi lawyer explains the limits by category, cases of 11 months or 4 months, and the link to the fees from October 2026. -
Which statuses of residence can bring family to Japan on a Dependent visa? Whether Specified Skilled Worker, Student, and Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services qualify, and the conditions
A quick-reference guide to which statuses of residence let you bring your spouse and children to Japan on a Dependent visa. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services and Specified Skilled Worker (ii) qualify, while Specified Skilled Worker (i), Technical Intern Training, Employment for Skill Development, and Japanese language school students in principle do not. Covers the support and income conditions (no official income threshold has been published), required documents, typical processing times, working up to 28 hours a week, and children's options after high school. -
【Live in Japan】Overview of All 29 Types of Visas for Foreigners Staying in Japan: Work Visas, Residence Visas, and More
For foreigners to stay in Japan, they must obtain permission that matches their purpose of stay. This is called a "status of residence," and it is commonly r... -
【Work in Japan】How Closely Must Academic Background and Work Experience Align with Job Duties for the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services Visa?
For companies hiring foreign nationals under the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa, as well as for foreign nationals seeking empl... -
【Work in Japan】Technical, Humanities, and International Services Visa: Employment Conditions for Foreign Interpreters, Translators, and Language Instructors – Approval and Denial Case Studies Explained
In recent years, the advancement of globalization has increased the importance of international business transactions and multilingual support, leading to a ...
