What Does Transitioning from Employment for Skill Development to Specified Skilled Worker (i) Involve? Requirements and Procedures Explained

The transition from Employment for Skill Development to Specified Skilled Worker (i) is directly connected to the fundamental purpose of the system. First, we will explain the relationship between the 2 systems in 3 points.

Point 1: A System for Developing Workers to the Specified Skilled Worker (i) Level

Employment for Skill Development is a system that develops workers to the level required for Specified Skilled Worker (i) through 3 years of employment (Immigration Services Agency of Japan).

Unlike Technical Intern Training (技能実習), which is intended to contribute internationally, its purpose is to develop and secure workers in fields facing labor shortages.

Point 2: Operation Begins on April 1, 2027

The Employment for Skill Development System will begin operation on April 1, Reiwa 9 (2027) (Immigration Services Agency of Japan).

As of October 2026, the system has not yet taken effect. The detailed requirements will be established by ministerial ordinances and field-specific operational policies (operational rules for each field).

Point 3: The Level at Completion Is Equivalent to the Specified Skilled Worker (i) Level

According to the overview materials of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, the level attained upon completion of Employment for Skill Development is equivalent to the level required for Specified Skilled Worker (i).

In other words, the 3 years of Employment for Skill Development can be considered a preparation period for transitioning to Specified Skilled Worker (i).

• Employment for Skill Development: A status of residence that generally allows a person to acquire skills and Japanese-language ability while working for 3 years
• Specified Skilled Worker (i): A status of residence for people with a certain level of skills and Japanese-language ability to work. The total period of residence is limited to 5 years
• Employment for Skill Development industrial fields: Fields that accept workers under Employment for Skill Development. There are 17 fields as of July 2026 (Immigration Services Agency of Japan)

Employment for Skill Development is positioned as a 3-year period leading to Specified Skilled Worker (i).

To transition from Employment for Skill Development to Specified Skilled Worker (i), you must pass 2 tests: a skills test and a Japanese language test. Let us look at the requirements in order.

Requirement ①: Pass a skills test

For skills, you must pass the Grade 3 Skill Test or an equivalent test, or the Specified Skilled Worker (i) Evaluation Test (Immigration Services Agency of Japan).

The Skill Test is a national test that certifies workers' skills. Because the available tests differ by field, check the field-specific operational policy.

Requirement ②: Pass a Japanese language test equivalent to A2

For Japanese language ability, you must pass a test at level A2 or higher under the Japanese Language Education Reference Framework (日本語教育の参照枠) (Immigration Services Agency of Japan).

The Reference Framework is a national standard that shows Japanese language proficiency in stages. Examples include JLPT N4 and JFT-Basic.

For a detailed guide to the A2 level, see Japanese Language Requirements for Employment for Skill Development: An Explanation of A1- and A2-Equivalent Levels, which provides a clear overview.

The Basic Policy also requires the level needed for work in each field. Check the required level in the field-specific operational policy.

Requirement ③: Differences from Technical Intern Training

Under the current Technical Intern Training system, there is an exemption from the tests for those who successfully complete Technical Intern Training (ii).

Under Employment for Skill Development, passing both the skills test and the Japanese language test is itself a requirement for transition (Immigration Services Agency of Japan).

• Skills test: Grade 3 Skill Test or an equivalent test, or the Specified Skilled Worker (i) Evaluation Test
• Japanese language test: A test equivalent to A2 or higher, such as JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic
• Level for each field: Check the field-specific operational policy for the level needed for the work

Remember that the transition requires passing both the skills test and the Japanese language test.

The timing of the transition may vary depending on the examination results and the period of employment. Here are 3 important points to keep in mind.

Point ①: Continued Stay for Up to 1 Year to Retake the Examination

If you fail the examination for transition to Type 1, you may be permitted to continue staying in Japan for up to 1 year to retake the examination (Immigration Services Agency of Japan).

Under the Basic Policy, the requirements include continuing under the same implementing organization for Employment for Skill Development (育成就労実施者). Please check future announcements for the detailed conditions.

Point ②: Conditions Regarding the Employment Period for an Early Transition

If you transition before completing 3 years, your period of employment at your current accepting organization (受入れ機関) must exceed a specified period (Immigration Services Agency of Japan).

According to the Q&A available as of October 2026, the policy to permit this has been announced, but no further details have yet been provided. Please check future announcements to confirm the specific period.

Point ③: The Examination After 1 Year Is Also Important

Accepting companies are required to have workers take examinations by the time 1 year has passed since the start of employment and by the end of the employment period (Basic Policy).

It is stated that the examination fees must be paid by the implementing organization for Employment for Skill Development or the Supervising and Support Organization (監理支援機関).

The Basic Policy states that the content and system of instruction should be reviewed through the examinations. Use the results after 1 year to make improvements.

Because conditions apply to continued stay after failing an examination and to an early transition, be sure to include the timing of the examinations in your plans.

After passing the examinations, proceed in the following order: employment contract, support plan, and change of status of residence. The main process is explained in 4 steps.

Step ① Confirm that the examinations have been passed

First, confirm that the person has passed both the skills examination and the Japanese-language examination.

It is also advisable to confirm that the field of the examination passed matches the field in which the person will work under Specified Skilled Worker (i).

Step ② Sign an employment contract for Specified Skilled Worker (特定技能)

The accepting company signs an employment contract for Specified Skilled Worker with the person.

After signing the contract and before applying for a status of residence, the company provides advance guidance explaining the working conditions and other matters (Immigration Services Agency of Japan).

Step ③ Prepare a support plan for Specified Skilled Worker (i)

A company accepting a Specified Skilled Worker (i) prepares a support plan for a Specified Skilled Worker (i) foreign national and provides support in accordance with the plan (Immigration Services Agency of Japan).

The support plan is submitted when applying for a status of residence. All or part of the support may be entrusted to a Toroku Shien Kikan.

• Advance guidance: Explain the working conditions and other matters after the contract is signed and before the residence procedures
• Daily life orientation: Explain the rules in Japan and how to use public institutions
• Provision of opportunities to learn Japanese: Provide information about places where the person can continue learning
• Regular interviews: Conduct an interview with the person at least once every 3 months

Step ④ Apply for permission to change the status of residence

Finally, submit an application for permission to change the status of residence. This application is required to change from the current status of residence to Specified Skilled Worker (Immigration Services Agency of Japan).

Check the required documents using the field-specific “List and Checklist of Required Documents”. When changing from Employment for Skill Development, check the latest announcements regarding its implementation.

Prepare the procedures as one continuous process, from confirming that the examinations have been passed to applying to change the status of residence.

Preparation for the transition to Specified Skilled Worker (i) begins on the first day of Employment for Skill Development. Here are 3 key preparations that companies should make.

Preparation ① Include the examination schedule in the development plan

The Employment-for-Skill-Development Plan (育成就労計画) must state the period, targets for skills and Japanese-language proficiency, and details (Immigration Services Agency of Japan).

By working backward from the examinations held after 1 year and at the end of the program, the process will be easier if you include the examination schedule in the plan.

Preparation ② Structure Japanese-language learning over 3 years

Before employment begins, proficiency equivalent to A1 or higher is generally required, and proficiency equivalent to A2 or higher is required at the end of the program (Kihon Hoshin).

Combine learning the language used at work with preparation for the examinations, and establish a system that allows workers to learn step by step over 3 years.

Preparation ③ Decide on the support system after the transition

After transitioning to Specified Skilled Worker (i), support based on a support plan is required. Decide whether your company will provide this support itself or outsource it to a Toroku Shien Kikan.

There is also a path from Specified Skilled Worker (i) to Specified Skilled Worker (ii). The differences are compared in A Thorough Comparison of the Differences Between Specified Skilled Worker (i) and (ii) [For Companies].

Begin preparing for the transition by putting the following 3 elements in place: a plan, Japanese-language learning, and a support system.

To transition from Employment for Skill Development to Specified Skilled Worker (i), a person must pass a skills test and a Japanese-language test at the A2 level or higher. Conditions apply to continuing after failing the tests and to transitioning during the program.

However, the most suitable approach differs depending on the field and the person's Japanese-language level.

If you are unsure about planning your Japanese-language studies or preparing for the transition, please feel free to contact us.