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）
It is not enough simply to work as 1号. You are expected to have 「熟練した技能」 (skilled expertise) — a level at which you can take a supervisory or instructional role on site as a team leader or group leader — and to have passed the skills evaluation test for 2号. You can apply for the change before you complete the 5 years of 1号, provided you meet the requirements. Once you hold 2号, you can bring your family with you, and that period also counts as an employment period for a permanent residence application.
We have gathered the questions we receive about changing to 2号 from people living in Japan on 「特定技能1号」.
You need practical experience at a level where you can take a supervisory or instructional role on site as a team leader or group leader.
To change to 「特定技能2号」, it is not enough simply to work as 1号. A certain level of 「熟練した技能」 (skilled expertise) is required. How long that must be depends on the field, but in general you need practical experience at a level where you can take a certain supervisory or instructional role on site as a team leader or group leader.
When you apply, a 実務経験証明書 (certificate of practical experience) from your company is an important document.
No. You do not have to wait 5 years. If you meet the requirements for 2号, you can apply for the change.
Even before the 5 years of your period of stay on 1号 have passed, you can apply for the change if you meet the requirements for 2号 (passing the test and practical experience).
In fact, 1号 has an upper limit of 5 years, so meeting the requirements early and switching to 2号 removes any worry about your future period of stay.
The skills evaluation test covers more advanced material than the test for 1号, and in some fields a Japanese-language requirement is added.
The skills evaluation test for 「特定技能2号」 asks for more advanced knowledge and skills than the test for 1号. Your judgement on site and your ability to supervise are tested, so you need to study for the test as well as rely on your day-to-day knowledge of the work.
In some cases a higher language requirement is also imposed. In the fisheries field and the food service field, for example, this may be N3 or above in the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT).
Yes. Bringing your family is one of the biggest advantages of 「特定技能2号」.
One of the biggest advantages of 「特定技能2号」 is that you can bring your family. On 「特定技能1号」 you cannot, as a rule, bring your family; once you hold 2号, you can bring your spouse and children to Japan and live together.
Yes. Unlike 1号, the period on 2号 counts as the employment period required for a permanent residence application.
The period on 「特定技能1号」 counts towards the period of residence required for a permanent residence application (at least 10 years), but it does not count towards the employment period required within that (at least 5 years).
However, the period on 「特定技能2号」 does count as an employment period as well. So by changing to 2号 and continuing to work steadily, your chances of obtaining permanent residence in the future become considerably higher.
No. 2号 has never carried an obligation of support by a 登録支援機関.
「特定技能2号」 does not carry the obligation of support by a 登録支援機関 that applies to 1号. This is because a holder of 2号 is treated as a more independent person with higher ability.
However, the various notifications and renewal procedures are still required, and the company and the person concerned need to work together and manage them properly.
Changing to 「特定技能2号」 is an important procedure that will greatly affect your future in Japan. Checking whether you meet the requirements, preparing documents on the company side, and building a life plan with permanent residence in mind all call for early preparation and accurate knowledge. If you have any concerns, please consult a specialist such as a gyoseishoshi.
How long that must be depends on the field, but in general you need practical experience at a level where you can take a certain supervisory or instructional role on site as a team leader or group leader. A certificate of practical experience from your company is important when you apply.
Yes. If you meet the requirements for 2号 — passing the test and practical experience — you can apply for the change without waiting 5 years. 1号 has an upper limit of 5 years, so switching early gives you peace of mind.
Yes. On 1号 you cannot, as a rule, bring your family, but once you hold 2号 you can bring your spouse and children to Japan and live together.
The period on 1号 counts towards the period of residence (at least 10 years) but does not count towards the employment period (at least 5 years). The period on 2号, on the other hand, counts as an employment period as well.
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This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.