According to the Immigration Bureau, there is less work in factories, hotels and other fields in Japan due to the new coronavirus problem. For this reason, many foreign technical trainees are unable to learn technical skills in factories et cetera, while some working under the qualification of “specific skills” have been forced to quit their jobs.
Trainees and specified skilled workers are only allowed to work in designated fields under the current regulations, however; the Immigration Bureau has announced support measures and made it possible for technical trainees to change jobs to another type of industry or occupation.
Note: In order to be admitted, one must find a new accepting institution (accepting company) and then file a declaration.
When the declaration is accepted, on the premise that the trainee will take the test for the status of residence “specified skilled worker” (newly established in April 2019), one will be given the status of residence as “designated activities” and be able to work in Japan for one year.
Status of residence that you can apply to change to extend the stay:
①Those who have difficulty returning to their country:
* Those who wish to change their status of residence to “Short-term stay (90 days / not able to work)”
What you need:
○ Application for permission to change status of residence (No photo is required.)
○ Materials that can prove that there is a difficulty of returning to your country. (such as flight suspension or movement restrictions)
○ Documents related to payment of accommodation expenses
* Those who wish to change their status of residence to ” designated activities (3 months / allowed to work)”
What you need:
○ Application for permission to change status of residence (No photo is required.)
○ Materials that can prove that there is a difficulty of returning to your country. (such as flight suspension or movement restrictions)
○ Statement written by the supervising organization or the practitioner(Materials clarify that you will be engaged in the same type of work as your previous residence status)
・Reference format (for technical interns) [Word] [Example]
・Reference format (for foreign construction and shipbuilding workers) [Word] [Example]
②Those who cannot take the skill test to move to the next level of technical internship due to coronavirus.
status of residence to change: “designated activities (4 months / working allowed)”
what you need
○ Application for permission to change status of residence (a photo is required.)
○ Instructions created by the supervising organization /practitioner(The reason why one is not possible to take a skill test due to the impact of coronavirus including necessary advice, guidance and support etc.)
・ Reference format (specific activities (preparation for technical training)) [Word] [Example]
③Those who are not ready for the change to the status of ” Specified Skilled Worker (i)”
status of residence to change: “designated activities (4 months / allowed to work)”
what you need:
○ Application for permission to change status of residence (a photo is required.)
○ Statement including why it takes time to transfer to the status of residence " Specified Skilled Worker (i)" due to the influence of coronavirus.
・ Reference format (Specified Skilled Worker (i) transition preparation / for technical traininee) [Word] [Example]
・ Reference format (preparation for transition to Specified Skilled Worker (i) for foreigners, workers for shipbuilding) [Word] [Example]
○ Pledge created by the host organization(A pledge indicates that one is planning to apply for permission to change their status of residence for “Specified Skilled Worker (i)”)
・ Reference format (pledge) [Word]
○ Documents regarding employment contracts (copy of employment contracts, employment conditions, etc.) during the process of change to " Specified Skilled Worker (i)"
※if you are ready for the change to the status of ” Specified Skilled Worker (i)” check here.
④Those who wish to change to the status of ” Specified Skilled Worker (ⅲ)”
What you need:
○ Application for permission to change status of residence (a photo is required.)
○ Check here for other required documents o change to the status of " Specified Skilled Worker (ⅲ).
＊ If you are in trouble or need any advice, contact OTIC (Organization for Technical Intern Training)
＊ click the link or JITCO for more information.
source:
ministry of justice
application for trainee
Immigration service agency of Japan