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2027-04-01Visa
👷 Technical Intern Training Abolished → Training Employment
System transition in April 2027, 2026 is the preparation phase
3年
→ SSW (i)
N5
Japanese req.
17
Sectors
Allowed
Job transfer
❓ What's changing?
From April 2027, the long-running "Technical Intern Training Program" will be abolished and replaced with a new "Training Employment" system. The reform addresses the human rights issues and job-transfer restrictions that plagued the old system, aiming to create a clear career path into the Specified Skilled Worker status.
🔄 Key differences from Technical Intern Training
[Old] Technical Intern: transfers not allowed
[New] Training Employment: voluntary transfers allowed (under conditions)
[Old] Technical Intern: no Japanese requirement
[New] Training Employment: JLPT N5 or equivalent required
[Old] Technical Intern: return home after completion
[New] Training Employment: can move to Specified Skilled Worker (i) after 3 years
[Old] Insufficient oversight by supervising organizations
[New] Strengthened third-party oversight; bad sending agencies excluded
📅 2026 Preparation Schedule
- ●Nov 2024: New law passed and promulgated
- ●2025–2026: Ministerial ordinances, bilateral agreements reviewed
- ●2026: Guidelines published for employers, trial operations
- ●April 1, 2027: Training Employment system officially starts
- ●Existing technical interns can continue for a transitional period
👥 Who is affected?
- ✓Foreign workers wanting to come to Japan for the first time
- ✓Those aiming to move from Technical Intern to Specified Skilled Worker
- ✓Those with JLPT N5 level or equivalent (including willingness to learn)
- ✓Those planning a 3+ year career in Japan
🏭 Target Sectors (same 17 sectors as Specified Skilled Worker)
- ●Care, building cleaning, materials/machinery/electronics, construction
- ●Shipbuilding, auto maintenance, aviation, lodging
- ●Agriculture, fishery, food manufacturing, food service (*new applications frozen)
- ●Industrial products, road transport, railway, forestry, wood industry
💡 Key points to know
1Designed to clear the negative image of Technical Intern Training
2Voluntary job transfers now possible (important!)
3Pass the Specified Skilled Worker (i) exam in 3 years for long-term residence
4Japanese-language learning support will be mandatory
5Detailed operational guidelines to be published throughout 2026