Q&A
07. About Support Plan for Specified Skilled Worker (i)

Under specified skilled workers System, which applies to all 16 fields including the construction sector, accepting companies are required to provide support to specified skilled workers in their professional, daily and social lives so that they can stably and smoothly carry out their activities based on their "Specified Skilled Worker (i)" residence status. To this end, accepting companies are required to create a "Support Plan for Specified Skilled Worker (i)" and ensure that it complies with various standards. This plan is required when applying for permission to change residence status, etc.

The following 10 items of support must be implemented by the receiving company.

1. Providing advance guidance


2. Pick-up and drop-off at immigration


3. Support for securing appropriate housing and assistance with contracts necessary for daily life


4. Lifestyle orientation


5. Accompanying to official procedures


6. Providing opportunities to learn Japanese


7. Response to inquiries or complaints


8. Support for promoting exchanges with Japanese people


9. Job change support for involuntary resignation


10. Regular interviews and reporting to government agencies

1

Providing advance guidance

• After concluding an employment contract, before applying for a Certificate of Eligibility or before applying for permission to change status of residence, we will explain in person or via video call about the working conditions, activities, immigration procedures, whether or not a deposit is required, etc.

2

Pick-up and drop-off at immigration

• Transportation to and from the airport and your place of business or residence upon entry
• Accompanying you to the airport security checkpoint upon your return

3

Securing housing and assistance with contracts necessary for daily life

• Becoming a guarantor, providing company housing, etc.
• Explaining bank accounts, mobile phone and utility contracts, and assistance with procedures

4

Lifestyle Orientation

• Explanations of Japanese rules and manners, how to use public institutions and contact details, how to respond in the event of a disaster, etc., so that students can live a smooth social life.

5

Accompanying to official procedures, etc.

• Accompanying the applicant in procedures for residence, social security, taxes, etc., and assisting with the preparation of documents, if necessary

6

Providing opportunities to learn Japanese

• Admission information for Japanese language classes, etc., providing information on Japanese language learning materials, etc.

7

Response to inquiries and complaints *JAC provides support free of charge

• Responding to inquiries and complaints about the workplace and daily life in a language that foreigners can fully understand, and providing necessary advice and guidance according to the content

8

Promoting exchanges with Japanese people

• Providing information on and assistance with participation in events such as neighborhood associations and local festivals, as well as opportunities for interaction with local residents

9

Job change support (in case of personnel reduction, etc.) *JAC provides support free of charge

• In the event that an employment contract is terminated for personal reasons on the part of the host company, we will assist in finding a new job, write letters of recommendation, and provide paid leave to search for a job and information on the necessary administrative procedures.

10

Regular interviews and reporting to government agencies

• Support managers will meet with foreign workers and their superiors on a regular basis (at least once every three months) and report any violations of the Labor Standards Act.

For more information, please see the page on the JAC website regarding the support that host companies must provide.

Source: Immigration Services Agency website

If the accepting company has a support system, it can provide all support in-house. In this case, it can also outsource some of the support to multiple third parties. On the other hand, if the accepting company does not have a support system, it must outsource all of the support (10 items) to one registered support organization.

If all of the following conditions ① to ⑥ are met, it will be determined that a support system is in place. Otherwise, it will be determined that a support system is not in place.

① Appoint a support manager (whether full-time or not) and a support staff member (who must be full-time; at least one person must be assigned to each business location) from among the executives or employees. (It is possible to hold both positions only if certain conditions are met.)

②Assistance can be provided in a language that foreigners can fully understand (it does not have to be their native language).

③ Prepare documentation regarding the status of support and keep it for at least one year from the date the employment contract ends.

④ The support manager and support staff do not have the authority to give directions to Specified Skilled Worker (i) and are not subject to any of the disqualification reasons.

⑤ The accepting company has not neglected to provide support to other Specified Skilled Worker (i) based on Support Plan for Specified Skilled Worker (i) within the five years prior to or after the conclusion of the employment contract.

⑥ The support manager or support staff must be able to hold regular interviews with the foreign national and those with authority to give instructions at least once every three months.