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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
🔗 Related Issues
💳→
2026-06-14
Residence Card + My Number Card Combined
From June 14, 2026, a "Specified Residence Card" combining residence card and My Number Card into one starts. Switching is voluntary.
🍽️→
2026-04-13
Specified Skilled Worker "Food Service" Frozen! 50,000 Cap Reached
From April 13, 2026, new applications for Specified Skilled Worker (i) "Food Service" field are frozen. Resident count has reached the 50,000 cap. Skills tests also suspended domestically and overseas.