2025-04-04

A registered support organization is an organization that provides support to foreign nationals with the “specified skills” status of residence. They provide support to foreign workers so that they can work in Japan without any problems. What are the procedures and requirements to become a registered support organization?

What is a “specified skill”?

Specified Technical Skills” is a system to accept foreign nationals with certain expertise and skills in industrial fields where it is difficult to secure human resources in Japan.

There are two types of “Specified Technical Skills” status: “Specified Technical Skill No. 1” and “Specified Technical Skill No. 2. Specified Technical Skills No. 1 is a status of residence for foreign nationals who have the knowledge and experience to work in a specific industrial field. Specified Technical Skill II is a status of residence for foreign nationals who need skilled skills to engage in a specific industrial field.

The period of stay for foreigners who qualify for “Specified Technical Skills 1” is designated by the Minister of Justice for “a period not exceeding one year,” and the level of skills is verified through tests and other means. However, foreign nationals who have successfully completed Technical Internship No. 2 are exempted from the examination. Japanese language proficiency is required for daily life and work, and is verified through tests, etc. Foreigners who have successfully completed Technical Internship No. 2 are exempted from these tests, etc. Family members are generally not allowed to accompany the trainee. Support is provided by the host institution and registered support organizations.

The period of stay for “Specified Technical Skills II” is 3 years, 1 year, or 6 months, and the level of skills is confirmed through tests, etc. The level of Japanese language proficiency is confirmed through tests, etc. The level of Japanese language proficiency is not tested. Family members may accompany the applicant if certain requirements are met. There is no support by the host institution or registered support organization.

What is a registered support organization?

A registered support organization is an organization that is commissioned by a Japanese company to accept a foreign national and prepares and implements a support plan for the stable and smooth operation of a foreign national with a specified skill 1. The company or organization that accepts the specified skilled foreign nationals for employment is referred to as the “specified skilled foreign nationals affiliated organization,” and this organization provides support for the specified skilled foreign nationals in the workplace, daily life, and in social activities.

Since support for foreign nationals with specific skills requires specialized knowledge, it is not easy for organizations affiliated with specific skills to provide support by themselves. Therefore, registered support organizations are requested by organizations affiliated with specified skilled workers to prepare and implement support plans for specified skilled foreigners on their behalf.

How to become a registered support organization?

To become a registered support organization, you must obtain permission from the Director General of the Immigration and Immigration Services Agency. It takes about two months to be approved as a registered support organization, so you need to apply at least two months prior to the start of your support services.

To apply, bring or mail the application form, supporting documents, application fee (revenue stamps must be attached to the payment form), and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the regional immigration office.

In the technical internship system, the supervisory organization was limited to non-profit organizations such as associations of commerce and industry, business cooperatives, etc., but individuals and private companies can also become registered support organizations. However, the following requirements must be met.

First, a support manager and one or more persons in charge of support must be appointed. Since the support manager and support staff are required to be neutral and appropriate, relatives of officers of the receiving organization (organization with specified skills) are not allowed to become support staff.

In addition, the person in charge of support must have past experience or achievements in accepting foreign nationals and providing consultation services, and must be recognized as being able to provide support services reliably. Other requirements include being able to provide information in a language that foreigners can fully understand, and not having foreigners bear the cost of support, either directly or indirectly.

Summary

To become a registered support organization, the applicant must appoint a person in charge of support and a person in charge of support, and must have a track record of accepting foreign nationals and providing consultation services in the past. Then, an application form is submitted to the regional immigration office with the required documents and materials.