Japan is trying to retain skilled foreign workers in the construction and shipbuilding industries. It has joined the agriculture, aviation, technology manufacturing, food and beverage preparation, food service, building cleaning, hospitality (hotels, resorts), fisheries and auto maintenance sectors. From now on, Japanese companies in these sectors will be able to issue special visas for skilled foreign workers.Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told a cabinet meeting on Friday that promoting Japan as an attractive work destination for foreign workers has become important as we face acute labor shortages.The decision to increase the scope of recruitment of foreign workers will be effective from this year. In order to retain foreign workers with more convenient and long-term visas than ever before, the Japanese cabinet has increased the scope and opportunities for obtaining visas for category 1 and 2 workers.*You must allow minimum 5 working days for visa issuance
I Visa procedures 1. How to get and fill out the “Visa application forms” Visa Application Form. In addition, the same form can be found on internet search with key words “Japan Visa Form”.
2. How to apply for visa Appointment 9:00 to 11:00 on every working day by the applicant.
3. How to attend Interview
4. How to get back your passport
Category 1 visas will be applicable to workers in the agriculture, aviation, technology manufacturing, food and beverage manufacturing, food service, building cleaning, hospitality (hotels, resorts), fisheries and auto maintenance sectors. Visa holders in this category get five years of residency, but cannot bring their families with them.
Skilled workers in the construction and shipbuilding sectors will get visas in the 2nd category. This class of visa holders can stay in Japan indefinitely and bring their families with them.
Regarding the newly approved visa policy, Toshihiro Menzu of the Japan Center for International Exchange said that the visa policy for highly skilled professionals always ignores the possibility of long-term residence in Japan. However, this move will play an important role in introducing full-time long-term residency for skilled foreign workers.
However, despite the increase in the scope and scope of the two-category visa, workers have to go through several steps to get it. First, the technical proficiency test must be passed. Workers in certain sectors also need to know Japanese. Should have work experience in manager or supervisor position.
As of March this year, 1,55,000 foreign workers were working in category 1 in Japan, according to Japanese government data. On the other hand, only 11 people were staying with 2nd category visas.
After traveling to Japan with a Category 1 visa, there is an opportunity to apply for a Category 2 visa. But in that case the technical test must be passed. Japan’s Ministry of Labor plans to conduct these technical tests twice a year.