From 「特定活動」 to 「技能」: can you change status inside Japan?

This article is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails. Read the Japanese original（日本語版を読む）

What is this enquiry about?

A person working on a seasonal 「特定活動」 who wants to move to a company where the work runs all year.

Can you make the change while staying in Japan?

As a matter of procedure, yes. Whether it is granted depends on whether you meet the requirements.

A person living in Japan can apply to change from the status of residence they currently hold to another status of residence. So it is possible to file a change from 「特定活動」 to 「技能」.

For it to be granted, however, you need to meet the requirements of the status of residence you are changing to, and the change has to be found necessary and appropriate.

Note that a 「特定活動」 granted for a season covers activities at a particular place and for a particular period, and in practice an extension of the period of stay is in many cases not allowed.

What are the requirements for 「技能」?

4 points are looked at: the work, the skill, the employer, and appropriateness. For sports coaching, the practical experience required is at least 3 years.

1. The work you will engage in
   In Japan, you must engage in work that requires those mature skills.
2. The skill requirement
   Where you will engage in sports coaching, the practical experience required is at least 3 years. The "at least 10 years" figure that people often see belongs to a different category, such as cooking foreign cuisine, and does not apply to sports coaching. Counted towards these 3 years are periods spent as a professional athlete and periods spent majoring in that subject at an educational institution abroad. Also, if you have competed in international competitions, the number of years of practical experience is not asked.
3. The employer requirement
   The company employing you must have a stable business base and be properly set up to employ and manage foreign nationals.
4. Appropriateness
   There must be no problem with your residence record, and your activities in Japan must be found to be in the interests of Japan.

What should you prepare?

Proving your practical experience is the biggest point.

Proof of practical experience

Submit your past employment contracts, records of employment, and documents showing your coaching record (your profile on the website of the facility you belonged to, records of the classes and events you coached, and so on). It is important to have them state in detail the period of work, what you taught, and who you taught.

Proof of experience relating to the new work

In line with the work at the new employer, if you have coaching experience or qualifications in that field, please submit documents proving this.

Proof of qualifications and achievements

If you hold internationally recognised qualifications or have achievements in competitions, submit the certificates.

The contents of the employment contract

Check that the work, the term of employment and the salary are properly stated. In some cases the salary is required to be equal to or above that of a Japanese national.

The employer's stability

You may be asked to submit a certificate of registered matters, financial statements, a plan for employing foreign nationals, and similar documents.

What should you be careful about when you apply?

Explaining why the change is needed, and the timing of the application.

• Explaining that the change is necessary and appropriate　Explain clearly why the change is needed. It is important to show concretely that the new work builds on your experience so far and is more specialised and more continuous. That the work runs all year round is also a point in your favour
• Your residence record　If there are breaches such as repeated traffic offences or working without permission, the likelihood of denial rises
• Timing of the application　Please apply while enough time is left before your period of stay expires. Generally you can apply from 3 months before the expiration date of your period of stay. If you apply just before the deadline, there is a risk that the period runs out while screening is still going on
• Additional documents　You may be asked to submit further documents during screening. Please respond promptly

What happens if the application is denied?

As a rule you cannot continue to live in Japan.

If the change of status is denied, as a rule you cannot go on living in Japan. You will need to leave Japan once, apply again for a 在留資格認定証明書 (Certificate of Eligibility), obtain a 査証 (visa) at the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country, and re-enter Japan.

When an application is denied you are given a period to prepare to leave, but you must be sure to leave within that period. That is exactly why preparing well before you apply matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

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This article provides general information. Immigration rules change, and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Please check the Immigration Services Agency website or consult a qualified specialist.
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.