2025-06-21

Companies that accept foreigners with specific skills generally outsource support for foreigners to a registered support organization. However, it is very difficult to know which registered support organization to choose. Here, we explain how to choose from the “List of Registered Support Agencies (Directory)”.

What are specific skills?

Specified Skills is a system for accepting foreign nationals with certain expertise and skills as workers in industrial fields where it is difficult to secure human resources. Officially, it is called “Specified Technical Skills” status of residence.

There are two types of “Specified Technical Skills” status: “Specified Technical Skill No. 1” and “Specified Technical Skill No. 2. Specified Technical Skill 1" is a status of residence for foreign nationals engaged in work that requires skills necessary for a specific industrial field. Specified Technical Skill II is a status of residence for foreign nationals who are engaged in work that requires skilled skills to engage in a specific industrial field.

What is a registered support organization?

A registered support organization is an organization that prepares and implements a “support plan” for the stable and smooth operation of the foreign nationals under the commission of the company accepting the foreign nationals with the specified skills 1.

Companies and organizations that accept foreign nationals with specified skills (organizations affiliated with specified skills) must provide support for the foreign nationals in the workplace, in their daily lives, and in society. However, such support requires specialized knowledge, and there are limits to what organizations with specified skills can do on their own. Therefore, registered support organizations commissioned by organizations with specified skills prepare and implement support plans for foreign nationals on their behalf.

List of Registered Support Agencies

For companies and organizations that accept foreign nationals with specified skills, one of the major concerns is which registered support agency to entrust.

If you search for “list of registered support organizations” on the Internet, you will find a large number of websites that will introduce you to a number of support organizations. The following are some pointers on which registered support organization to choose from among them.

The first is whether they are listed in the “List of Registered Agencies. The website of the “Immigration and Immigration Control Agency” has a “List of Registered Support Agencies”. Registered support organizations are required to register their licenses with the Immigration and Residence Management Agency, and if they are registered, they will be listed in the “List of Registered Support Organizations”. If you are not listed, there is a possibility that you are not an official registered support organization. However, even if they are listed on the registry, they may not be in full compliance with laws and regulations.

Second, how much experience do they have in providing support? Check the website of the registered support organization to see their track record of support. A proven track record is evidence of trust from both the company accepting the foreigner and the foreigner.

Third, is the language support system sufficient for foreigners? You can check the languages that each registered support organization can support in the “Registry of Registered Support Agencies”. You can also check the languages available on the website of the registered support organization.

The fourth question is whether the fees paid to the registered support organization are adequate. According to a survey conducted by the Immigration and Residence Management Agency, the average monthly fee per foreign national with specified skills is 28,386 yen. In addition, a registered support organization that provides detailed information on support items (guidance, orientation, transportation to and from immigration, etc.) can be said to have a high level of credibility.

Fifth, does the agency also provide recruitment services? Some registered support agencies offer both support and job placement services. For companies that need introductions to foreigners, it is more efficient to choose an agency that offers both services.

Finally, the sixth is whether they have a good after-sales service. This, too, should be checked on the website along with the results mentioned earlier.

Summary

If you check the “Register of Registered Support Agencies,” you will find that there are currently more than 10,000 registered support agencies. It is extremely difficult to find a reliable registered support organization that suits your company. Let’s try to find one by referring to the points we have introduced.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)