2025-03-15

There are two types of status of residence: No. 1 and No. 2. Here, we will explain in detail the difference between No. 1 and No. 2.

What are specific skills?

Specified Skills” is a system for accepting foreign nationals with certain expertise and skills in industrial fields where it is difficult to secure human resources. Then, from April of the following year, companies have been able to accept foreign nationals.

What is the difference between No. 1 and No. 2?

There are two types of “specified skills”: “specified skill No. 1” and “specified skill No. 2.

The “No. 1” category is a status of residence for foreign nationals who have the knowledge and experience to engage in a specific industrial field. The “No. 2” category is a status of residence for foreign nationals who possess the skilled skills necessary to engage in a specific industrial field.

The period of stay for “No. 1” is designated by the Minister of Justice, but not to exceed one year. In addition, the level of proficiency is verified through tests, etc., but foreigners who have successfully completed Technical Internship No. 2 are exempted from the tests, etc. In addition, the level of Japanese language proficiency is verified through tests and other means to ensure that the applicant has the Japanese language skills necessary for daily life and work. However, foreigners who have successfully completed Technical Internship No. 2 are exempt from the examination, etc. In addition, family members are generally not allowed to accompany the foreigner, but support will be provided by the host institution and registered support organization.

The period of stay for “No. 2” is either 3 years, 1 year, or 6 months. The level of Japanese language proficiency will not be checked, although the level of proficiency will be checked by tests. Family members are allowed to accompany the foreign national if they meet the requirements, but there is no support provided by the receiving institution or registered support organization.

The specified industrial fields in which foreign nationals with the specified skills 1 can be accepted are as follows.

(1) Nursing care, (2) building cleaning, (3) industrial product manufacturing, (4) construction, (5) shipbuilding/marine industry, (6) automobile maintenance, (7) aviation, (8) lodging, (9) automobile transportation, (10) railroad, (11) agriculture, (12) fishing, (13) food and drink manufacturing, (14) restaurant industry, (15) forestry, (16) lumber industry

However, foreigners with the specified skill No. 2 can be accepted only in the 11 fields other than (1), (9), (10), (15), and (16) above. As for (3) Industrial product manufacturing industry, some business categories are covered.

What should be noted?

Companies accepting foreign nationals (organizations affiliated with specified skills) must provide workplace, daily life, and social support for the foreign nationals with the specified skills 1. In addition, in order for the foreigner to perform his/her work in a stable and smooth manner, the company entrusts the preparation and implementation of the support plan to a specialized agency. The organization to which they are entrusted is called a registered support organization.

Support for foreign nationals requires specialized knowledge, and there are limits to what the agencies with specific skills can do on their own. Therefore, a registered support organization entrusted by an organization with specified skills prepares and implements support plans for foreigners with specified skills on behalf of the organization.

Therefore, it is important for the foreign nationals with specific skills, the organization with specific skills (receiving company), and the registered support organization to cooperate well with each other.

Summary

The difference between No. 1 and No. 2 is the number of accepted industries (16 for No. 1 and 11 for No. 2). In addition, No. 2 does not have the support of a registered support organization, while No. 1 does.