The Government of Japan has granted a maximum of one year’s status of residence for “Designated Activities (work permit)” as a special measure for the time being so that Technical intern trainees or foreign workers with a status of residence such as “Specified Skilled Worker, Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services”, who have been laid off due to the prolonged coronavirus infection and have difficulty in continuing their training, can seek employment again and continue working.
- Technical intern trainees, who are laid off, etc. and are facing difficulty in continuing the training.
- Foreign workers with work visa-based status of residence “Specified Skilled Worker, Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” and “Skilled Labor” who are laid off, etc. and are facing difficulty in continuing the training.
- International students whose informal employment offers have been cancelled.
- Foreigners who have completed technical intern training and have difficulty in returning to their home countries.
The new place of work is limited to Specified Industries. It is only for those foreigners who (from now onwards) wish to continue their residence in Japan in order to acquire the skills necessary for “Specified Skilled Labor”. For example, a foreign worker who has been laid off in the shipbuilding industry can be hired and work in the construction industry. It is also possible for them to change their jobs in different other domains, that had not been previously thought of.
A foreigner must apply for permission to change to “Designated Activities (work permit)” at the Regional Immigration Bureau, which has jurisdiction over the residential area of the applicant. If the applicant has lost his/her job due to coronavirus infection and cannot find a new job by himself/herself, he/she could ask the FRESC Help Desk for assistance. The phone number is 0120-76-2029. Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.