New Specified Skills Visa in Japan explained!

*What are the new specified skills visa in Japan?*

 

First Classification: (SSV-1)   Specific Skills Visa-1 with Five Years of Renewable Visa

Second Classification: (SSV-2)   Specific Skills Visa-2 with Nonstop Renewable Visa

Must pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT N4) * Must pass the Specified Skills Test Foreign workers can stay and work in Japan for a maximum of 5 years Workers under this classification are not eligible to bring their families in Japan After gaining enough experience in Japan, workers under this category can be able to apply for the nonstop renewable visa so to have the benefits of the second classification

Must pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) * Must have a higher level of specialized skill with experience and certification Foreign workers can stay and work in Japan with the nonstop renewing of visa until they become a Japanese resident or have an indefinite stay in Japan Workers under this classification are eligible to bring their immediate family members (spouse and children) in Japan

 

* It is assumed that applicants need to pass the JLPT level N4 or level N5, depending on which specified skill category they belong. Anyway, both level N4 and N5 are exams that measure the level of understanding of basic Japanese language.

Aside from the language proficiency exam, you need to take the skills exam to obtain the specified skills visa.

 

Why does Japan’s Cabinet so eager to implement such a bill?

As mentioned above, the primary reason is that Japan nowadays is suffering from labor shortages. If this issue won’t be resolved as soon as possible, Japan will indeed experience an economic crisis. How serious is it? Take a look at the chart below.

 

Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs “Labor Force Survey Annual Report”

On the year 2016, there are 66.48 million workers in Japan but according to the survey, it will reduce to 64.04 million in the year 2020, and will continue to fluctuate negatively as the years go by. This is not healthy for the Japanese economy because local Japanese citizens alone cannot suffice the employment demand of the country. It obviously shows that there’s a lot of job offers in Japan but only with few qualified applicants to a specific sector. And so, to whatever classification a foreign worker belongs, he/she will be assigned to a sector with a greater need for workers. Such sectors include the following:

 

For First Classification: Must have at least knowledge and skills in…

1. Electronics
2. Construction
3. Industrial Machinery
4. Shipbuilding and Marine
5. Raw Material Industry
6. Automobile Maintenance
7. Food Service
8. Aviation
9. Food and Beverage
10. Agriculture
11. Nursing Care
12. Accommodation Industry
13. Building Cleaning
14. Fisheries

 

For Second Classification: Must have a higher level of skills and experience in…

1. Aviation
2. Construction
3. Automobile Maintenance
4. Accommodation Industry
5. Shipbuilding and Marine

 

During this implementation, Japan will check its effects and if there will be economic growth in 2021. With this, Japan will be able to determine if this bill can resolve the ongoing issue of labor shortages.

The Philippine Government must put this into great consideration, that instead of sending Filipinos to the Middle East or anywhere else, it is high time to send Filipinos here in Japan.

Before, if you want to go to Japan, the only option you have is either the entertainment industry or you must be at least a professional. Now, the door is open for Filipinos who are Ex- trainees and also for those who want to come as Specified Skilled Worker.

We have lot of Filipinos are very talented in terms of skills, Filipinos are well known to be very versatile and easy to learn. It is our utmost desire to see the Philippine Government make everything easy on preparing the documents on the Philippine side. Or else it will be unfortunate to see this great opportunity to slip out on the hands of every Filipinos who desire to work here in Japan.