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）
Under the system, there is at present no official status of residence 「特定活動」 whose purpose is preparation for moving to 「特定技能2号」 (Specified Skilled Worker (ii)). If your deadline is close, the surest way is to apply for an extension of your period of stay on 「特定技能1号」 at your current company and buy yourself time.
A person living in Japan on 「特定技能1号」 asks whether 「特定活動」 can be used as a preparation period, because the application to change to 2号 will not be ready before the expiration date of their period of stay.
「特定技能2号」 assumes that you already have enough practical experience and a high level of skill to complete 1号, so no dedicated preparation visa is provided.
The 「特定活動」 for moving to 特定技能 (6 months) that the 出入国在留管理庁 allows is mainly intended for cases such as these.
By contrast, 「特定技能2号」 assumes that you have enough practical experience and a high level of skill to complete 1号. The basic thinking is therefore that if you are not ready for 2号 you can simply stay on 1号 and renew it, and as things stand no dedicated preparation visa is provided.
The 「特定活動」 described on the website is only for people aiming at 1号. As a rule, a person already living in Japan on 1号 cannot use it to prepare for 2号.
There are 2 routes: renewing 1号 at your current company to buy time, and filing the application to change to 2号 within the deadline.
This is the surest way. First, at your current company, apply for an extension of your period of stay on 「特定技能1号」 and push back the expiration date. Then, when you move to the new company, deal with 1号 (change of the organisation you belong to) and the change to 2号 one after the other.
A change of the organisation you belong to and a change to 2号 are both 在留資格変更許可申請, so you cannot file the 2 applications at the same time. They have to be done one after the other, so please plan your schedule on that basis.
If the documents from the new employer can somehow be assembled before the expiration date, the office may accept the application even if something is missing (you would submit the missing material later). As long as it is accepted, you can stay in Japan under the 特例期間 (grace period) for up to 2 months while you wait for the result.
Check urgently whether the new employer's documents will be ready before the expiration date. If they will not be, renew 1号 to buy time.
If you do not make the deadline and switch to the 「特定活動」 for preparing to leave Japan, you can no longer work from that point, and changing to 2号 becomes very difficult. It is dangerous to plan on the assumption that you can insert a period of 「特定活動」.
This article is based on information as of March 2026. Please check the website of the 出入国在留管理庁 and other sources for the latest information.
No. Under the system, there is at present no official status of residence 「特定活動」 whose purpose is preparation for moving to 「特定技能2号」.
That 特定活動 is intended for moving from 技能実習 to 「特定技能1号」, or for cases where passing the test for 1号 or preparing the documents will not be finished in time. As a rule, a person already living in Japan on 1号 cannot use it to prepare for 2号.
The surest way is to apply for an extension of your period of stay on 「特定技能1号」 at your current company, push back the expiration date, and then go ahead with the job change. Note that a change of the organisation you belong to and a change to 2号 are both 在留資格変更許可申請, so they cannot be filed at the same time and have to be done one after the other.
If it is accepted, you can stay in Japan under the 特例期間 for up to 2 months while you wait for the result.
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This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.