Chapter 1
03. Route to become specified skilled workers (for those with no experience in technical intern training, etc.)

2. Route to becoming specified skilled workers

There are two routes for foreigners to become specified skilled workers. We will explain each in detail.

(1) Route 1: For foreigners who have not experienced technical internship (passed the exam)

In order for a foreigner who has not successfully completed Technical Intern Training (ii) to become Specified Skilled Worker (i), he or she must pass both skills evaluation exam equivalent to the level of the Skills Test Level 3 and a Japanese language test.

For skills evaluation exam, you must pass either the "Skill Test Level 3" or the "Construction The Specified Skills (i) Evaluation Exam for Construction Industry," which is equivalent to the Level 3 Skill Test and is administered by the Japan Japan Association for Construction Human Resources) (hereinafter referred to as "JAC").

Details such as the timing of the test will be announced on the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and JAC websites as soon as they are decided.

For the Japanese language examination, you will need to pass either the Japan Foundation's Test in Basic Japanese (administered by the Japan Foundation) or the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (level N4 or above) (administered by the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services). For details on the timing of the Japanese language examination, please contact the respective administering organizations.

Foreign nationals who pass both skills evaluation exam and the Japanese language test will be granted a "Specified Skilled Worker (i)" residence status after entering into Specified Skills employment contract with a construction company wishing to employ them and going through certain procedures described below.

The exam page provides an overview of The Specified Skills (i) Evaluation Exam for Construction Industry, sample questions for the written exam, practical exam questions, etc.