Q&A
12. About Specified Skilled Worker (ii)

Since the "Specified Skilled Worker (ii)" visa is a direct procedure with the Immigration Services Agency, there is no need to obtain certification of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's "Construction Specified Skills Acceptance Plan."
If a foreign national currently working as Specified Skilled Worker (i) transitions to Specified Skilled Worker (ii), they must submit a "No. 2 Transition Report" to the Foreign National Employment Management System.

The manual for the Foreign Work Management System No. 2 Transition Report is available here.
https://www.mlit.go.jp/tochi_fudousan_kensetsugyo/tochi_fudousan_kensetsugyo_tk3_000001_00005.html

In order to utilize the Specified Skills system, it is necessary to join the company which carry out the business of hiring specified skilled workers (JAC).

Among the documents required to change your status of residence to Specified Skilled Worker (ii)
There is a "Letter of Pledge for Public and Private Institutions in Japan that are the Counterparts of Employment Contracts for Specified Skills Workers of Specified Skilled Worker (ii) in the Construction Sector" (Field Reference Form No. 6-2),
It states, "Belong to a Support Plan for Specified Skilled Worker (i) Tourism No. 357, March 15, 2019, which prescribes standards to be established by the head of the relevant administrative agency in charge of the construction sector in consideration of circumstances unique to the construction sector based on the provisions of the ministerial ordinance establishing the standards for the support plan for specified skilled foreign nationals (Article 7, Paragraph 1, Item 1 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act) or a construction industry association that constitutes such a corporation, and comply with the code of conduct prescribed in Article 1, Item 1 (i)."

Please check the Immigration Services Agency website for information on required documents.
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/specifiedskilledworker.html

[Requirements]
(1) Some practical experience as a team leader
The required practical experience is the number of working days (foreman + team leader) equivalent to level 3 of the ability evaluation criteria for the job type in Construction Career Up System that corresponds to the work classification.
In the event that there is no corresponding ability evaluation standard, the required practical experience will be "3 years or more of working days (foreman + team leader) (645 working days)".
For more information, please refer to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism documents at the following URL:.
　https://www.mlit.go.jp/tochi_fudousan_kensetsugyo/content/001499418.pdf
*This is merely "equivalent to Level 3" and does not necessarily mean that a Level 3 rating is required..
The number of days is determined based on the "number of days worked as a foreman or team leader" required for level 3 of the ability evaluation criteria..
*If you do not have experience as a team leader in your CCUS technician ID, you must also submit the "Field Reference Form No. 6-3, Appendix: Experience Certificate".
The form can be downloaded from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism website..
　https://www.mlit.go.jp/tochi_fudousan_kensetsugyo/tochi_fudousan_kensetsugyo_tk3_000001_00003.html

(2) Pass the "The Specified Skills (ii) Evaluation Exam for Construction Industry" or the "Skills Test Level 1"
You must pass the Skills Test Grade 1 (including single grade) or The Specified Skills (ii) Evaluation Exam that corresponds to the job category.
For details, please refer to Appendix 2 of the "Policy on the Operation of the System Pertaining to the Status of Residence of Specified Skills in the Construction Sector.".
　https://www.mlit.go.jp/tochi_fudousan_kensetsugyo/content/001735077.pdf
At present, there is no requirement to take a Japanese language test to obtain the status of residence of Specified Skilled Worker (ii).

[Required Procedures]
Please submit the necessary documents to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan. There are no documents to submit to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. For details, please check the Immigration Services Agency website.
　https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/specifiedskilledworker.html
*If a foreign national currently working as Specified Skilled Worker (i) transitions to Specified Skilled Worker (ii), they must submit a "No. 2 Transition Report" through the Foreign National Employment Management System.

The main differences are the period of stay, whether family members accompany you, and whether you are eligible for support.
Please check out the JAC Magazine for more information.

[What is Specified Skilled Worker (ii)? Differences with No. 1 and how to obtain it]
https://jac-skill.or.jp/columns/point/about-specific-skills-no2.php

The maximum period of stay for "Specified Skilled Worker (ii)" is three years, but there is no limit to the number of times it can be renewed. As long as your residence card is renewed, you can work in Japan.

Since the job of scaffolding falls under both categories, even if you are only qualified as Specified Skilled Worker (ii) in one category, you will not be unable to perform the work.
Please refer to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism for the correspondence between work categories and the type of construction work you would like the worker to engage in.

[Specified Skills Business Classification - Construction Business License Correspondence Table]
https://www.mlit.go.jp/tochi_fudousan_kensetsugyo/content/001499406.pdf

This does not apply because there is no need to notify the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

“Specified Skilled Worker (ii)” is not subject to the 10 mandatory supports.

If a person is deemed to have the skill level and work experience stipulated in "Specified Skilled Worker (ii)," it is possible to obtain "Specified Skilled Worker (i)" residence status without first going through "Specified Skilled Worker (ii)"

If you are eligible for Specified Skilled Worker (ii) in the Lifeline/Facility category, you will need to gain practical experience (foreman + team leader) in a job that belongs to the same category.

The free job placement service also applies to those with Specified Skilled Worker (ii).
*FITS native language consultation services are not included.

Specified Skilled Worker (ii) holders are also eligible for educational training support and Temporary Return Support.
* CCUS charge support, compensation system for Specified Skilled Worker (i), and free Japanese language courses are not eligible.

Regarding team leader experience, we do not require experience within the same company.
At construction sites, it is common for skilled workers from multiple companies who perform the same tasks to work together at the same site. For example, even if there is a sole proprietor, he or she will be appointed as a team leader or foreman at the site to supervise skilled workers from multiple companies and manage the process.
Regardless of whether it is within or outside the company, as long as you are able to gain experience as a team leader, you can count these as days of practical experience.
For those aiming for Specified Skilled Worker (ii), we recommend being assigned to a site where you can gain practical experience.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has not specified any documents that Specified Skilled Worker (ii) must submit when entering a work site.

There is no obligation for team leaders to attend training courses.
As for foremen, the construction industry is required to provide safety and health education.
Please check the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare website for information on the content (curriculum) of foreman training.
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/0000152296.html

*There are no specific regulations regarding education, which can be provided by the business operator or by attending courses offered by organizations or associations.
*When applying for Specified Skilled Worker (ii), you are not required to submit a certificate of completion of training for foreman, safety and health officer, etc.

I need support to meet the requirements for Specified Skilled Worker (ii).

(1) Some practical experience as a team leader
Provide guidance and training so that employees can gain experience as team leaders in the field and accumulate practical experience.

(2) Pass the "The Specified Skills (ii) Evaluation Exam for Construction Industry" or the "Skills Test Level 1"
Since the exam is in Japanese, Japanese language ability is required. In addition to providing opportunities to study Japanese on a daily basis, it is also important to provide support during study.

This is not available overseas.

If certain conditions are met, you can bring your family over.
[Application requirements for family stay]
(1) Be the “spouse” or “child” of Specified Skilled Worker (ii).
The marriage relationship must be established under Japanese law.
*If you are engaged, in a common-law marriage, in a civil partnership, or in a divorced relationship, you will be deemed not to meet the application requirements.

(2) Have the ability to support specified skilled workers.
Dependent Stay is a status of residence issued to dependent family members of foreigners who have obtained a visa and are working in Japan.
Specified Skilled Worker (ii) are required to have the ability to support their families.

For information on the "family stay" status of residence, please see the Immigration Services Agency's website.
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/dependent.html

If specified skilled workers changes Specified Skills organization or specified industry field listed in the designation due to changing jobs, he/she must obtain permission to change his/her residence status.

Included in full-time employees.

There is no limit.
The expected number of acceptances set for each field is only for Specified Skilled Worker (i), and as for the system as a whole,
There is no limit on the number of Specified Skilled Worker (ii) that can be accepted.