The specified skills visa (tokutei ginou, 特定技能ビザ) type 1 implemented to fill in the labor gap of 14 industries, including construction, industrial machinery, shipbuilding, and marine, fisheries, nursing care, food service, and more others. This working visa category grants foreign nationals to stay in Japan for a maximum of 5 years length.
However, to qualify for the visa, the candidate must pass the two required exams, the skills evaluation exam and the language proficiency test. This article will help you understand the two types of exams necessary for the specified skills visa application, including the exam scope, schedule, and application process. We will learn first about the two (2) qualifying exams for this new Japanese working visa category.
Table of Contents
2 Evaluation Test To Take
As for the visa applicant, she/he must understand the qualifications before applying for any visa type, such as the specified skills visa. Although this visa will not strictly require you a related working experience, considering passing the two main requirements is significantly important, such as the following:
1. Specified Skills Evaluation Test
This test is used to measure and evaluates the ability of the candidate to perform the duties. Some industries provided the exam in two parts, which are the theoretical and the practical exam.
The theoretical test will mainly assess the applicant’s intellectual capacity while the practical test is on performance.
2. The Language Proficiency Test
A Japanese language test is used to assess each candidate’s comprehension level. Also, to certify the ability of non-native language speakers to converse with their future Japanese employers.
The visa requires the applicant to pass the language proficiency exam for at least JLPT N4 level. Please read the “JLPT: Why Should You Take The Test?” article for more details.
Moreover, in measuring the foreign applicants’ requiring skills, the Japanese government assigned an agency to every sector to take charge of the evaluation process. For example, in the construction industry, the MLIT (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism) was assigned to conduct the computer-based exam and the MHLW (Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare) for the nursing care sector.
Please refer to the table below for the full list of designated Japanese agencies for the evaluation examinations.
| Agency | Field | Skills Test |
|
M H L W |
Care Worker | Nursing care skills evaluation test |
| Building Cleaning Management | Building cleaning field specified skills no. 1 evaluation test | |
|
M E T I |
Machine Parts and Tooling Industries | Manufacturing field specified skills no.1 evaluation test |
| Industrial Machinery Industry | Manufacturing field specified skills no.1 evaluation test | |
| Electric, Electronics and Information Industries | Manufacturing field specified skills no.1 evaluation test | |
|
M L I T |
Construction Industry | Construction field specified skills no.1 evaluation test |
| Shipbuilding and Ship Machinery Industry | Shipbuilding ship equipment field specified skills no. 1 evaluation test | |
| Automobile repair and maintenance | Car maintenance field specified skills evaluation test | |
| Aviation Industry | Aviation field specified skills evaluation test (airport ground handling or aircraft maintenance) | |
| Accommodation Industry | Accommodation industry skills proficiency test | |
|
M A F F |
Agriculture | Agriculture skills proficiency test (general crop farming or general livestock farming) |
| Fishery and Aquaculture | Fishing industry skills proficiency test (fishery or aquaculture industry) | |
| Manufacture of Food and Beverages | Food and beverage manufacturing industry skills proficiency test | |
| Food Service Industry | Restaurant industry skills proficiency test |
- MHLW or Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan
- MITE or Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
- MLIT or Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
- MAFF or Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
To know more about other types of visas in Japan, please read the “Japan Visa: How Can I Get a Visa to Work?” article. If you also want to know about jobs in Japan that can sponsor you a working visa, you can read the “What Are The Jobs Eligible For Work Visa Sponsorship in Japan?” article.
Specified skilled workers will be coming from developing countries that have bilateral agreements with Japan. Such countries like Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and more are also the venues for the specified visa evaluation examination besides Japan.
Each designated Government Agency or Ministry for the hiring process for this specified skills visa has also assigned a specific organization to conduct the skills evaluation exam. That means testing schedules, exam scopes, and exam application process for each industry will be different.
When you have successfully passed the skills and language test, you should have to choose a hiring organization or recruitment agency that is accredited by the Government agency to supervise overseas employment in your country.
For those who want to apply for the specified skilled worker (1) category, then check the qualifications below.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Must possess the Japanese Language Proficiency or JLPT N4 certification.
- Must possess skills proven through examination or evaluation.
- Must possess a valid passport for at least six months prior to the intended date of departure.
*For those who have completed the “Technical Intern Training 2” will be exempted from the number 2 and 3 qualifications.
Skills Evaluation Test Schedule
Nursing Care Worker
For the application on this field, applicants will undergo one skills evaluation test and the other two language proficiency test. It has a total of 3 evaluation tests.
- Skill test: “Nursing Care Skills Evaluation Test”
- Japanese proficiency test: “Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese” and “Nursing Care Japanese Language Evaluation Test”
MHWL published that the “Nursing care skills evaluation test” and “Nursing care Japanese language evaluation test” will be held in the Philippines on the following scheduled dates.
| Test schedule |
Philippines (Makati):
Philippines (Davao)
For the schedule of exams in other cities in the Philippines, please click the overseas test schedule link below. Cambodia (Phnom Penh Boeng Keng
Cambodia (Phnom Penh Chamkarmon)
Nepal (Katmandu):
Indonesia (Jakarta)
Indonesia (Jakarta Utara)
|
| Test Schedule for May June and July |
Prometric Test Center (check the complete overseas test schedule for this year 2020) Prometric Test Center (check the complete domestic test schedule for this year 2020) |
Source:https://www.mhlw.go.jp
How to apply for the nursing care evaluation test? You can visit the Prometric Test Center webpage and select the country where to take the exam.
Food and Beverage Manufacturing Industry
For the food and beverage manufacturing industry, OTAFF (Organization for Technical Skill Assessment of Foreign workers in the Food industry) was assigned by the Japan Food Service Association (JF) to conduct the exam. The first exam took place last April 25, and the current exam schedules will be as follows:
| Test schedule |
No Available Updates |
| Examination application acceptance period |
No Available Updates
|
| Examination application acceptance period | No Available Updates |
| Payment of Examination Fee | No Available Updates |
| Sending the Examination Ticket | No Available Updates |
| Announcement of Result | No Available Updates |
Source: https://otaff.or.jp/
Be sure to apply on time because they will not receive late applications and will close the reception desk once each venue is full.
To know more about the application and the guidelines of the second examination please visit the OTAFF website here.
Restaurant Industry
| Test schedule |
No Available Updates |
| Examination application acceptance period | No Available Updates |
| Payment of Examination Fee | No Available Updates |
| Sending the Examination Ticket | No Available Updates |
| Announcement of Result |
No Available Updates |
Source: https://otaff.or.jp/
*Visit OTTAF website to know more about the exam details.
Accommodation Industry
| Test schedule |
Test deferred |
| Testing Venue |
Test deferred |
| Exam time |
Test deferred |
| Exam registration period | Test deferred |
| Payment of Examination Fee |
Test deferred |
| Release of Admission ticket |
Test deferred |
| Announcement of Result |
Test deferred |
For further details about the skills exam for the accommodation industry, you may visit the CAIPT official website here.
While waiting for the next updates of the skills test schedule, why not looking for part-time jobs in Japan. If you hold a valid visa with eligibility to work part-time, check “Part-time Jobs in Tokyo for Foreign Nationals“ article to learn the in-demand jobs in Tokyo for foreigners.
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