The status of residence "Technical Intern Training" is granted under the Technical Intern Training Program. It is available to foreign nationals who engage in activities at Japanese companies or organizations to acquire technical skills, techniques, and knowledge (including attending lectures and engaging in work related to those skills), or who engage in work requiring the skills they have acquired.
There are two types of acceptance: Company-Sponsored (Type i) and Organization-Supervised (Type ro). Technical intern training progresses in stages: Level 1 (first year: lectures + practical training) → Level 2 (2nd and 3rd years) → Level 3 (4th and 5th years).
Classifications and Periods of Stay for Technical Intern Training (per the Immigration Services Agency)
The status of residence is determined for each activity based on the technical intern training plan certified under Article 8, Paragraph 1 of the Technical Intern Training Act, as follows.
| Applicable Activity | Example | Period of Stay |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Intern Training 1 – Type i | Activities based on a Level 1 company-sponsored technical intern training plan, including attending lectures and engaging in work related to the relevant skills | Period individually designated by the Minister of Justice (not exceeding 1 year) |
| Technical Intern Training 1 – Type ro | Activities based on a Level 1 organization-supervised technical intern training plan, including attending lectures and engaging in work related to the relevant skills | Same as above |
| Technical Intern Training 2 – Type i | Activities based on a Level 2 company-sponsored technical intern training plan, involving work requiring the acquired skills | Period individually designated by the Minister of Justice (not exceeding 2 years) |
| Technical Intern Training 2 – Type ro | Activities based on a Level 2 organization-supervised technical intern training plan, involving work requiring the acquired skills | Same as above |
| Technical Intern Training 3 – Type i | Activities based on a Level 3 company-sponsored technical intern training plan, involving work requiring the acquired skills | Period individually designated by the Minister of Justice (not exceeding 2 years) |
| Technical Intern Training 3 – Type ro | Activities based on a Level 3 organization-supervised technical intern training plan, involving work requiring the acquired skills | Same as above |
Source: Status of Residence "Technical Intern Training" | Immigration Services Agency of Japan
The Company-Sponsored type applies when a Japanese company directly accepts regular employees of an overseas affiliated company as technical intern trainees. Up to one trainee may be accepted per 20 regular employees of the accepting company.
The Organization-Supervised type is a system in which supervisory organizations — such as chambers of commerce and industry, small and medium enterprise associations, vocational training corporations, agricultural and fishery cooperatives, and public interest corporations — take responsibility for overseeing the training implementing organizations. The number of trainees that can be accepted is: up to 3 for organizations with 50 or fewer regular employees, up to 6 for 100 or fewer, up to 10 for 200 or fewer, and up to 15 for 300 or fewer.
Requirements for the Technical Intern Training Visa (Company-Sponsored Type)
Eligible Organizations for Organization-Supervised Acceptance
Under the organization-supervised type of the Technical Intern Training Visa, the trainees eligible for acceptance must be employees of a foreign business establishment that has one of the following relationships with a Japanese company or organization:
- A business establishment of the Japanese company located overseas
- An organization that has had a continuous record of international trade with the Japanese company for one or more years, or a record of international trade exceeding 1 billion yen in the past year
- An organization that has a business relationship with the Japanese company through an international business alliance, as designated by a public notice issued by the Minister of Justice
Requirements for Technical Intern Trainees
- The applicant must be a regular employee of an overseas branch, subsidiary, or joint venture who is being transferred or seconded from that establishment.
- The skills to be acquired must not constitute simple labor.
- The applicant must be 18 years of age or older and have a plan to engage in work utilizing the skills acquired in Japan upon returning to their home country.
- The skills to be acquired must be ones that are difficult to learn in the applicant's home country.
- The applicant must have experience in the same type of work as the technical intern training to be received in Japan.
- The technical intern trainee must not be charged deposits or security fees by the sending organization or training implementing organization, and no contracts stipulating penalties for non-performance of the labor contract must have been concluded.
Requirements for Training Implementing Organizations
Lectures must be conducted on the following subjects for at least one-sixth of the total planned activity hours:
- Japanese language
- General knowledge about daily life in Japan
- Information necessary for the legal protection of technical intern trainees, including the Immigration Control Act and the Labor Standards Act
- Knowledge that contributes to the smooth acquisition of skills and techniques
In addition to the above, requirements include the placement of a technical intern training instructor and a daily life guidance counselor, the preparation of a training diary, ensuring appropriate compensation, securing accommodation, and providing workers' compensation insurance and other protective measures, among other requirements similar to those for training implementing organizations.
Requirements for the Technical Intern Training Visa (Organization-Supervised Type)
Organizations Eligible for Organization-Supervised Acceptance
- Chamber of Commerce and Industry or Chamber of Commerce
- Small and Medium Enterprise Association
- Vocational Training Corporation
- Agricultural cooperative or fishery cooperative
- Public interest incorporated association or public interest incorporated foundation
- Supervisory organization designated by a public notice issued by the Minister of Justice
Requirements for Technical Intern Trainees
- The skills to be acquired must not constitute simple labor.
- The applicant must be 18 years of age or older and have a plan to engage in work utilizing the skills acquired in Japan upon returning to their home country.
- The skills to be acquired must be ones that are difficult to learn in the applicant's home country.
- The applicant must have a recommendation from national or local public authorities in their home country.
- The applicant must have experience in the same type of work as the technical intern training to be received in Japan.
- The trainee must not be charged deposits or security fees by the sending organization, supervisory organization, or training implementing organization, and no contracts stipulating penalties for non-performance of the labor contract must have been concluded.
Requirements for Supervisory Organizations
- Technical intern training must be operated with financial and other assistance and guidance from national or local public authorities.
- Audits of training implementing organizations by executives must be conducted at least once every three months.
- A consultation system for technical intern trainees must be established.
- Technical intern training plans for Level 1 must be properly prepared.
- During the Level 1 period, staff members must conduct on-site guidance visits to training implementing organizations at least once per month.
- Immediately after the technical intern trainees enter Japan, lectures (classroom-based, including field visits) on the following subjects must be conducted for at least one-sixth of the planned activity hours for "Technical Intern Training Level 1 – Type ro" (or at least one-twelfth if pre-training of at least one month and 160 hours has been conducted overseas): (a) Japanese language; (b) General knowledge about daily life in Japan; (c) Information necessary for the legal protection of technical intern trainees under the Immigration Control Act, the Labor Standards Act, etc.; (d) Knowledge contributing to the smooth acquisition of skills. Note that the lectures in item (c) must be delivered by an external lecturer with specialized knowledge.
- Additional requirements include clarification of supervisory fees, measures for cases where training becomes impossible to continue, securing return travel expenses and accommodation for trainees, workers' compensation insurance and other protective measures, and disqualification provisions for executives and others.
Requirements for Training Implementing Organizations
- A technical intern training instructor and a daily life guidance counselor must be assigned.
- A training diary must be prepared, maintained, and preserved for at least one year after the completion of the training.
- Compensation for technical intern trainees must be equal to or greater than that paid to Japanese nationals performing the same work.
- Additional requirements include securing accommodation for trainees, workers' compensation insurance and other protective measures, and disqualification provisions for executives and management.
Period of Stay
Technical Intern Training Level 1: 1 year, 6 months, or a period individually designated by the Minister of Justice (not exceeding 1 year).
Technical Intern Training Levels 2 & 3: A period individually designated by the Minister of Justice (not exceeding 2 years).
Main Application Types and Required Documents for Technical Intern Training Status of Residence
The following documents are required depending on the type of application. Additional materials may be requested during the review process. Please attach Japanese translations to any documents in foreign languages. Certificates issued in Japan must have been issued within the past three months.
※ For the latest details, please refer to the Immigration Services Agency: Status of Residence "Technical Intern Training".
1. Application for Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
This application is made when a technical intern trainee who is currently overseas wishes to enter Japan for the first time under this status of residence (filed before the trainee arrives in Japan).
- Application form for Certificate of Eligibility — 1 copy
- Photograph — 1 photo (meeting specified requirements)
- Return envelope (standard size, with addressee's name and sufficient postage for registered mail) — 1 envelope
- Notice of Certification of Technical Intern Training Plan and a copy of the application for certification pertaining to the technical intern training plan certified under Article 8, Paragraph 1 of the Technical Intern Training Act — 1 copy (corresponding to the applicable status of residence category)
※ If the application is submitted by someone other than the applicant, the submitter must present a document verifying their identity. If the name on the Certificate of Eligibility differs from the name in the passport, please submit a copy of the passport at the time of application to facilitate smooth processing.
2. Application for Change of Status of Residence (Level 1 → Level 2, or Level 2 → Level 3)
This application is for those already residing in Japan who wish to change their technical intern training status from Level 1 to Level 2, or from Level 2 to Level 3.
- Application form for Change of Status of Residence — 1 copy
- Photograph — 1 photo (meeting specified requirements)
- Passport and Residence Card — to be presented
- Notice of Certification of Technical Intern Training Plan and a copy of the application for certification — 1 copy (corresponding to the applicable category)
- Municipal tax assessment (or non-assessment) certificate and tax payment certificate (showing total annual income and tax payment status) — 1 copy each
3. Application for Extension of Period of Stay
This application is for those currently residing in Japan under the Technical Intern Training status who wish to continue the same activities.
- Application form for Extension of Period of Stay — 1 copy
- Photograph — 1 photo (meeting specified requirements)
- Passport and Residence Card — to be presented
- Municipal tax assessment (or non-assessment) certificate and tax payment certificate (showing total annual income and tax payment status) — 1 copy each
4. Application for Acquisition of Status of Residence
This application is for those already residing in Japan who newly wish to acquire the Technical Intern Training status of residence.
- Application form for Acquisition of Status of Residence — 1 copy
- Photograph — 1 photo (meeting specified requirements)
- For those who have renounced Japanese nationality: documents proving nationality; For others: documents proving the reason for acquiring the status — 1 copy
- Passport — to be presented
- Notice of Certification of Technical Intern Training Plan and a copy of the application for certification — 1 copy
- Municipal tax assessment (or non-assessment) certificate and tax payment certificate (showing total annual income and tax payment status) — 1 copy each
※ Municipal tax and tax payment certificates are issued by the municipal office of your registered address as of January 1st. In some cases, either the tax assessment certificate or the tax payment certificate may be sufficient if both total annual income and tax payment status are recorded on a single document. If you recently entered Japan or cannot obtain the certificate due to relocation, please contact your nearest Regional Immigration Services Bureau.
