Changes to the Application Format for Specific Skills (Effective April 2025)

Regarding the improvement of the Specific Skills System

From April 1, 2025, a cabinet order will be enforced that changes the items and frequency of notifications in the Specific Skills System, resulting in some changes to the system's operation.

1. Changes in Notification Timing

• If work is not started one month after the permission of residence status
• If circumstances arise preventing activity for one month after employment
• Notification regarding non-compliance with specific skill employment contracts or No. 1 specific skill foreigner support plans
• Notification and report on the difficulty of implementing No. 1 specific skill foreigner support plans

2. Changes in Regular Notifications

• Change in submission frequency from quarterly to once a year
• Integration of formats

3. Changes in Operational Guidelines

• Addition of types of fraudulent acts related to specific skill-affiliated institutions
• Addition of matters related to the criteria of No. 1 specific skill foreigner support plans

These changes are expected to make the operation of the Specific Skills System more efficient and smooth.

4. Changes in Residence Application

• Omission of documents related to affiliated institutions is possible under certain conditions

This page will explain the changes in residence application.

Change 1: Addition of Items to the Application Form

Whether the foreigner who is a party to the specific skill employment contract cooperates with requests for social integration measures from local governments

A new item will be added.

Change 2: Timing of Submission of Affiliated Institution Documents

The following documents related to affiliated institutions will only be required when accepting for the first time.

1. Specific Skill Affiliated Institution Overview (Reference Form No. 1-11-1)
2. Certificate of Registered Items
3. Copy of the resident registration of officers involved in business execution
4. Oath of officers of specific skill-affiliated institutions (Reference Form No. 1-23)
5. Documents related to the payment of labor insurance premiums of specific skill-affiliated institutions
6. Documents related to the payment of social insurance premiums of specific skill-affiliated institutions
7. Documents related to the payment of national taxes of specific skill-affiliated institutions
8. Documents related to the payment of corporate resident taxes of specific skill-affiliated institutions
9. Explanation of the remuneration of specific skill foreigners (Reference Form No. 1-4)
10. Explanation of employment history (Reference Form No. 1-16)

Therefore, in the case of renewal applications, affiliated institution documents can be omitted, and only personal documents need to be attached.

Change 3: Changes in Format (Template)

1. Reference Form No. 1-5 (Specific Skill Employment Contract)
2. Reference Form No. 1-17 (No. 1 Specific Skill Foreigner Support Plan)

These two documents will have format changes.

Reference Form No. 1-5 (Specific Skill Employment Contract)

The following text has been added.

• From the date of landing permission or change of residence status permission, both parties will promptly adjust and agree to start employment within one month from the date agreed upon by both parties.
• Both parties agree to share information on the examination results of the other party's residence status.

Additionally, in the new employment contract, the statement "The employment contract period (start and end of the employment contract) changes with the date of starting employment agreed upon by both parties" has been changed to "The employment contract period (start and end of the employment contract) changes with the date of starting employment agreed upon by both parties".

Reference Form No. 1-17 (No. 1 Specific Skill Foreigner Support Plan)

Deleted item

• Planned start date of support services

Added items

• Whether residence fees are collected
• Amount collected as residence fee per month approximately
• Specific details of the provided accommodation
• Explanation that the cost is equivalent to actual expenses or other appropriate amounts
• Integration policy

Furthermore, the text at the bottom for signatures will be changed as follows.

"I would like to have regular interviews conducted by □ both face-to-face and online □ face-to-face only."

This indicates that regular interviews can now be conducted online, but the applicant's consent is required for this.

RakuVisa will support the new formats from April 1, 2025, so please continue to use it with peace of mind.