[For construction industry] Specific skill visa
Updated: July 2026, 8
*This article is intended for construction companies that are hiring foreigners.
We often receive inquiries such as ``I would like to hire foreigners who are working as technical intern trainees as ``specified skills.''
In addition, recently there has been an increase in the number of foreigners who have passed the Specified Skilled Worker No. 1 skill evaluation test and want to work at Japanese construction companies.
■As a technical intern trainee, I taught him a lot of work and he worked hard, so I would like to continue working with him even after the training period ends.
■We are hiring in Japan, but there are few applicants, so we are considering hiring foreign personnel in the future.
■I know that there is a status of residence of ``Specified Skilled Worker,'' but there are a lot of documents to prepare and it is difficult.
In order to hire specific skilled foreigners, it is necessary to apply for a status of residence (visa) to the Immigration Bureau.
In the construction industry, there are many formalities that the host company must complete before applying for a visa.
[Applications that the accepting company should make before applying for a visa]
① Obtaining a construction business permit
②Construction career advancement system business registration
③ Construction career advancement system technician registration
④Application for certification of construction specific skill acceptance plan
If these procedures are not completed, your visa will not be granted.
However, I applied for a visa first without knowing that I needed to go through the necessary procedures,
Permit not granted by the period of staycase,It took more time and money than I expected.,
The number of cases of people giving up on employment is increasing.
In particular, you will not be able to apply for ④ until you complete ① to ③, so it is necessary to proceed in a well-planned manner.
Moreover, the examination of applications for certification of construction specific skills acceptance plan in ④ has recently become quite crowded.
After applyingCases that take about 5 to 6 monthsThere are many cases, so it is essential to respond quickly.
At our company,We provide total support not only for applying for residence status (visa) but also for the procedures necessary for specific skills (visa).Then,
We will enable construction companies to smoothly employ foreigners with specific skills.
Click here for detailed requirements
We support such construction companies!
Permit record
◆Achievements 1◆
Company
Major construction company in Tokyo
Specific Skilled Foreigner
Vietnam/Male/Dozens of people in their 20s to 30s
Key Points
It takes time to certify the acceptance plan.Therefore, we proceeded in a well-planned manner,I submitted an application with minimal amendments.
◆Achievements 2◆
Company
A company that performs formwork construction in the Kanto area
Specific Skilled Foreigner
Vietnam/Male/20s
Key Points
There were concerns about wage regulations,We focused on explaining the appropriateness of wages.
◆Achievements 3◆
Company
A company that performs scaffolding and earthworks in the Kanto area.
Specific Skilled Foreigner
Vietnam/Male/30s
Key Points
As the period of stay was approaching, I firstSpecific activities to transition to specific skill No. 1, and then changed it to Specified Skills No. 1 with some time to spare.
Background of accepting foreign human resources in the construction field
- In the construction industry, where the aging of skilled workers continues, securing workers for the future has become an important issue for the industry as a whole.
- In the future, even if efforts are made to secure domestic human resources through work reforms and treatment improvements while working to improve productivity, it will be necessary to fill the gap in the medium to long term by accepting foreign human resources.
What types of construction industry can foreigners with Specified Skills No. 1 work in?
Although there are many types of jobs in the "construction field," there are only a limited number of jobs that can be worked with a specific skill visa.
Target occupation
Civil engineering: Engage in work related to new construction, renovation, maintenance, and repair of civil engineering facilities while receiving instructions and supervision from instructors.
- Formwork construction
- Rebar construction
- Jump
- Landscaping
- Painting
building: Engage in work related to new construction, expansion, renovation, relocation, repair, or remodeling of buildings while receiving instructions and supervision from instructors.
- Formwork construction
- Plasterer
- Kawarabuki
- Construction machinery construction
- Interior finishing construction
- Jump
- architecture carpenter
- Building sheet metal
- Painting
- block architecture
- advertising art finishing
Lifeline/Equipment: Engage in work related to the maintenance, installation, modification, or repair of telecommunications, gas, water, electricity, and other lifelines and equipment while receiving instructions and supervision from an instructor.
- Piping
- Building sheet metal
- Refrigeration air conditioning equipment construction
Even if you can work as a technical intern trainee, there are some occupations where you cannot work on a specific skill visa, so you should check carefully before making a hiring decision.
Please contact us for expert advice based on the latest information.
In order to employ foreigners with specific skills in the construction field, there are many procedures that the receiving company must complete before applying for a status of residence.
Requirements for foreigners to obtain specific skill No. 1 in the construction field
1. Pass the Japanese language level N4 or higher exam
2. Passed the construction field specific skill level 1 evaluation test
Process for bringing in newly hired people from abroad
 | Contact Us The first consultation regarding your application is free of charge. Consultations are available in Chinese, Korean, English, and Vietnamese, and after-hours consultations and on Saturdays and Sundays are also available if you make a reservation. Please contact us by phone or via the inquiry form. |
 | For consultations and applications After confirming the current situation, we will explain our application plan. Please discuss the payment timing and success fees with the person in charge. You can proceed with the application once you are satisfied with the estimated costs and service details. |
 | Document Preparation We will collect and prepare the necessary documents for the application. We also translate documents in Chinese, Korean, English, and Vietnamese. *Please note that the applicant will be responsible for the costs of obtaining certificates, etc. (actual expenses) and translation fees (1,000 yen per page). |
 | Apply to the Immigration Bureau Our administrative scrivener will apply for a highly skilled professional visa to the Immigration Bureau on your behalf. Customers can apply without going to the Immigration Bureau. |
 | Notification of Approval As a result of the examination, if there are no problems, the Immigration Bureau will send us a notification to proceed with the issuance of a new residence card. If the application is denied, we will reapply according to the applicant's request. |
 | Issuance of New Residence Card We will guide the applicant on the documents required for the procedure for issuing a new residence card. (Passport, residence card, fees paid to the immigration bureau, etc.) Once the documents are ready, our administrative scrivener will carry out the procedures for issuing a new residence card at the Immigration Bureau on behalf of the client. Documents can be delivered by mail, so there is no need to visit our office. After payment of the fee, we will return the passport and residence card to the client. |
Process when changing from other status of residence to "Specified Skilled Worker" visa
| Contact Us Consultations regarding applications are always free of charge. Consultations are available in Chinese, Korean, English, and Vietnamese, and after-hours consultations and on Saturdays and Sundays are also available if you make a reservation. Please contact us by phone or via the inquiry form. |
| For consultations and applications After confirming the current situation, we will explain our application plan. Please discuss the payment timing and success fees with the person in charge. You can proceed with the application once you are satisfied with the estimated costs and service details. |
| Document Preparation We will collect and prepare the necessary documents for the application. We also translate documents in Chinese, Korean, English, and Vietnamese. *Please note that the applicant will be responsible for the costs of obtaining certificates, etc. (actual expenses) and translation fees (1,000 yen per page). |
| Apply to the Immigration Bureau Our administrative scrivener will apply for a highly skilled professional visa to the Immigration Bureau on your behalf. Customers can apply without going to the Immigration Bureau. |
| Receive certificate of eligibility(COE) If there are no problems as a result of the review, we will receive the "Certificate of Eligibility" necessary for obtaining a visa. After payment of the fee, we will give this certificate to the client. Additionally, in the unlikely event that permission is denied, we will reapply according to the client's request. |
| Sending Certificate to the Applicant's Country and Visa Application The client sends the certification certificate to their home country and applies for a visa for the applicant at the local Japanese consulate. Once you receive your visa, you will be able to enter Japan. Please note that the certification certificate is valid for 3 months from the date of issue. |
How to obtain specific skill No. 1 without an exam
It is possible to move to Specified Skilled Worker No. 2 after completing No. 1 Technical Intern Training in the construction industry field.Main requirements that construction companies must meet in order to hire specified skill No. 1 foreigners
Construction companies that wish to employ foreigners with "specific skills" must meet the following conditions and directly employ such foreigners. Please note that employment as a temporary employee is not permitted.①I have applied for acceptance plan certification from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
The key point in the construction industry is that, unlike other industries, "Planning Certification from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism" is required in order to hire foreigners with Specified Skills No. 1.② Obtaining a construction business permit
It is okay even if the type of licensed construction business is different from the work content scheduled to be performed by the specified skill No. 1 foreigner.③Registration of business operators and specified skilled foreigners to the construction career advancement system
④Joining the Japan Construction Skills Human Resources Organization (JAC) or a construction trade association that is a regular member of JAC.
Procedures can be completed from the JAC Construction Skills Human Resources Organization website.⑤The total number of foreigners working in specified skills and specified activities is less than or equal to the number of full-time employees of the accepting company.
⑥Salary payment on a monthly salary system and compensation set at the same level as Japanese employees with the same background.
Unlike other industries, the construction industry has limits on the number of people it can accept.Applications will be examined in detail, including consistency with Hello Work job openings. Daily wages are not accepted.
⑦ Has not received a supervisory disposition based on the Construction Business Act within 5 years before the application date or after the application date.
⑧Enrollment in social insurance for all full-time employees
⑨ Not in excess of debt on financial statements
➡Setting conditions for wages, allowances, raises, etc., content of safety and health education, skill improvement plans, etc.
There are detailed rules, which pose a problem for accepting companies.
The following three requirements require particular attention.
◆Construction Career Up System (CCUS) registration
Companies that accept foreigners with specific skills are required to introduce the Construction Career Advancement System (CCUS).
If you do not have a CCUS business ID, you will not be able to apply for the construction industry specific skills acceptance plan.
Registration for the Construction Career Advancement System requires complicated documents, and it takes about a month to register.
It is necessary to prepare and apply well in advance.
◆Hello Work is recruiting “full-time employees” in the “same job category” as specified skilled foreigners.
Hello Work needs to recruit ``regular employees'' in the ``same job category'' as specified skilled foreigners.
Even if you use a private free employment placement agency or continue to employ technical intern trainees,
Registration of job information at Hello Work is required.
There are detailed rules regarding how Hello Work recruits, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism may point out that you need to resubmit...
◆The treatment of specified skilled foreigners should be the same or better than that of regular employees.
In construction specific skill acceptance plans, it is important to set conditions such as wages, allowances, and raises for specific skilled foreign workers.
However, there are rules and detailed points that are not listed in the application guide, and the rules are frequently revised.
This is a point that worries host companies.
If you want to change from specific skill No. 1 to No. 2
We are currently hiring foreigners with specific skill level 1,
"I want to transition to Specified Skilled Worker No. 2 and work for a long time, but I don't know what to do."
We often receive this question.
In order to move to specific skill level 2 in the construction field,passing the exam"When"work experience” both must be met.
① Passing the exam
- Pass the construction field specific skill level 2 evaluation test or pass the skill test level 1.
②Work experience
- Engage in work while instructing multiple construction technicians at construction sites,
Must have practical experience as a process manager (group leader)
In addition, the number of days of work experience required varies depending on the job category.
The number of working days equivalent to level 3 of the construction career advancement system (foreman + unit leader) is required.
For example, it is specified as follows.
[Scaffolding]
Required number of working days (foreman and group leader): 2 years (430 days) or more
[Architectural carpenter]
Required number of working days (foreman and group leader): 0.5 years (108 days) or more
[Interior work]
Required number of working days (foreman and group leader): 3 years (645 days) or more
Therefore, as a company that employs foreigners with Specified Skills No. 1,
Check in advance the number of days of work experience required to transition to Specified Skills No. 2,
It is necessary to promote employees in a planned manner, such as by having them gain experience as a foreman or group leader while they are in the Specified Skills Level 1 category.
<What is a foreman/group leader? ＞
・Foreman: Foreman or a person immediately subordinate to the foreman who manages multiple teams.
- Unit leader: A person other than a foreman who manages multiple units or skilled workers.
*The title does not necessarily have to be "foreman" or "unit leader," but actually refers to a person in a position to manage multiple teams or skilled workers.
<Point>
The review period is announced to be approximately 1 and a half to 2 months.
In reality, it takes longer than that (especially for applications under the jurisdiction of the Kanto Regional Development Bureau, which takes more than four months!).
Furthermore, if corrections occur, it will take an additional 1 to 2 months.
In order to receive certification of the construction specific skill acceptance plan,
Registration of job information at Hello Work, registration of Construction Career Up System (CCUS),
Various procedures are required, including joining the Japan Construction Skills Agency (JAC).
➡It is important to prepare your application early and apply without any defects or corrections!
Advantages of requesting our company
Preparation of application documents
There are many materials and documents to prepare for a specific skill visa, so if you leave it to us, we will fully support you until you obtain a status of residence.
Specialized Visa Team
Even if you can work as a technical intern trainee, there are some occupations in which you cannot work on a specific skill visa.
There are more jobs available than when the specific skill visa was first established.
Our experienced visa specialist team will respond based on the latest information.
Support for field-specific procedures
Specific skill visas for the construction field have procedures specific to the construction field.
For example, the procedures are more complicated than in other fields, such as being required to register with the Construction Career Advancement System and obtaining permission from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in advance.
Multilingual Support
Specified skill visas require documentation and support in the "native language" of the foreigner being hired.
We also have foreign staff, who can also speak Chinese, Korean, English, and Vietnamese.
Large quantity applications possible
We have branches in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka, and each branch has a specialized visa team to assist you.
Support services/human resources introduction
Our affiliated company is registered as a support organization and has obtained a license for paid employment placement services.
In the case of specific skills, it is a requirement for permission to provide support to foreigners after acceptance, but if your company does not meet the support requirements, it is necessary to entrust it to a registered support organization.
【Affiliate】
Support Holdings Co., Ltd.
Registration support organization:19 Climb 000034
Would you like to partner with us to increase your sales? (Proposal for partnership)
[For recruitment agencies]
By partnering with our company, we will provide comprehensive support for visa applications, reporting to the government, and management of period of stay.
Companies can hire foreigners smoothly, and increasing the number of employees can contribute to your company's sales.
Leave the visa support for foreigners you plan to hire to us!
①A foreign applicant (hereinafter referred to as the applicant) will consult your company regarding employment.
②We will introduce the applicant to companies that want to hire foreigners.
③We will receive a request from your company to apply for a visa.
④Our company will support the applicant's visa application.
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