Note: This article is based on Japanese laws and materials published by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) as of October 9, 2026.
A change from "Gijinkoku" (the common short name for the status of residence "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services", 技術・人文知識・国際業務) to Specified Skilled Worker (i) (特定技能1号) is possible under the system. The foreign national files an Application for Change of Status of Residence (在留資格変更許可申請), and the Minister of Justice decides whether to grant permission.
Permission requires that the foreign national has passed the tests, that the work falls within a field covered by Specified Skilled Worker, and that the company meets the criteria for acceptance. After the change, the upper limit on the period of stay, the family's residence, the procedures for a job change, and the company's obligations change. This article explains the requirements and the points that change, for staff at companies that want to assign on-site work.
Contents
- Can a person change from Gijinkoku to Specified Skilled Worker (i)?
- Requirements for the change: the foreign national, the work and the company
- How is the work done so far viewed in the examination?
- What changes with the change: Gijinkoku and Specified Skilled Worker (i) compared
- What happens to family members already residing under Dependent?
- A change to the food service industry field is, in principle, denied
- The flow of procedures, and how the person works until permission
- Change the status, or return the work to the scope of Gijinkoku?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Summary
- References
Can a person change from Gijinkoku to Specified Skilled Worker (i)?
A change from Gijinkoku to Specified Skilled Worker (i) can be made through an Application for Change of Status of Residence under Article 20 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (入管法). The person who applies is the foreign national. The Minister of Justice may grant permission only when there are reasonable grounds to find the change appropriate (paragraphs 2 and 3 of the same Article).
The ISA's Operational Guidelines on the Acceptance of Specified Skilled Workers (運用要領) give examples in which, for a change to Specified Skilled Worker, reasonable grounds are in principle not found to exist. Gijinkoku is not included in these examples.
- A person under "Student" (留学) whose enrollment record at the educational institution they belonged to is not good (except when there are justifiable grounds)
- A technical intern trainee (技能実習生) who has gone missing (except when there are justifiable grounds)
- A person under "Temporary Visitor" (短期滞在)
- Activities such as Technical Intern Training or training that are partway through their plan, for which, by the nature of the activity plan, a change to another status of residence is not planned. Or activities for which a change to, or an extension of, a specific status of residence is planned after the activities end
No provision or note that singles out a change from Gijinkoku is found in the Operational Guidelines, the Q&A on the Specified Skilled Worker System, or the Work Status Q&A (就労資格Q&A) (as of October 9, 2026).
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Operational Guidelines on the Acceptance of Specified Skilled Workers" (in Japanese; August 2026), Chapter 4, Sections 1 and 3, "Q&A on the Specified Skilled Worker System" (in Japanese), "Frequently Asked Questions on Applications concerning Work-related Statuses of Residence (Q&A)" (in Japanese; July 2026), "Application for Change of Status of Residence" (in Japanese); e-Gov Laws and Regulations Search, "Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act" (in Japanese), Article 20
Requirements for the change: the foreign national, the work and the company
The requirements fall into three parts: the foreign national has passed the tests, the work falls within a covered field, and the company meets the criteria. There is no requirement for academic background.
| Category | What is required |
|---|---|
| The foreign national (skills) | Has passed the skills test corresponding to the job category (業務区分) in which the person will work |
| The foreign national (Japanese language) | Has passed the Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese (JFT-Basic), the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) (N4 or higher), or the like |
| The foreign national (other) | Is 18 years of age or older and in good health |
| The work | Work that belongs to one of the 19 specified industrial fields and falls under a job category |
| The company (employment contract) | The prescribed working hours are equivalent to those of regular workers (full-time), and the remuneration is equivalent to or greater than what a Japanese national would receive for the same work |
| The company (structure) | Complies with the laws and regulations on labor, social insurance and taxes. Does not fall under the grounds for disqualification (欠格事由). Has become a member of the field's council (協議会) before the application |
| The company (support) | Prepares a support plan (Support Plan for Specified Skilled Workers (i), 1号特定技能外国人支援計画), and either provides the support itself or outsources it to a registered support organization (登録支援機関) |
For people who have successfully completed Technical Intern Training (ii) (技能実習2号), among others, there is an exemption from the tests. Residing under Gijinkoku is not listed as a ground for exemption.
In some fields, such as the nursing care field, Japanese language requirements are added. The tests held in Japan can be taken by people who are residing in Japan with a status of residence (except nationals of certain countries specified by public notice).
There is no need to obtain certification from the immigration office as an accepting company. Whether the company meets the criteria is checked by the immigration office in the examination of the foreign national's application. In the construction industry field, certification of an acceptance plan (受入計画の認定) by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is required separately. Employment as a dispatched worker (worker dispatch, 労働者派遣) is possible only in the Agriculture and Fishery & aquaculture fields (as of December 1, 2025).
The list of the 19 fields, the content of the criteria for companies, and the 10 items of support are summarized in our overview of Specified Skilled Worker.
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Operational Guidelines on the Acceptance of Specified Skilled Workers" (in Japanese; August 2026), Chapters 4 and 5, "Explanatory Material on the Specified Skilled Worker System (Overview of the Systems for Foreign Workers)" (in Japanese; updated September 29, 2026), pp. 6 and 11, "Q&A on the Specified Skilled Worker System" (in Japanese), Q5, Q14, Q27, Q45 and Q60; e-Gov Laws and Regulations Search, "Ministerial Order on Criteria (上陸基準省令)" (in Japanese), row for "Specified Skilled Worker", "Ministerial Order to Provide for Criteria for the Employment Contract for Specified Skilled Workers and Support Plan for Specified Skilled Workers (i) (特定技能基準省令)" (in Japanese), Articles 1 and 2
How is the work done so far viewed in the examination?
In the examination of the change, the foreign national's residence activities so far are also taken into consideration. The Operational Guidelines state that passing the tests does not guarantee permission for the change, and that the person's residence activities so far, the necessity of residence and other matters are taken into consideration.
The ISA's Guidelines for Permission for Change of Status of Residence and Extension of Period of Stay also list, as a matter to be considered, that the person "has been engaging in the activities corresponding to the status of residence currently held." The examples given are technical intern trainees who have gone missing and international students who continued to reside after being removed from the register or withdrawing from school. The Guidelines state that these are evaluated as negative factors, except when there are justifiable grounds.
On the company's side, there are grounds for disqualification. A company that has committed a wrongful or significantly unjustifiable act in relation to the laws and regulations on immigration or labor cannot accept specified skilled workers. What is covered is acts committed within the 5 years before the date the employment contract is concluded, and acts committed on or after the date it is concluded.
The Operational Guidelines list "employment of illegal workers" (不法就労者の雇用) as one of the acts mainly envisaged here. These are acts such as having a foreign national engage in illegal work in relation to one's business activities. Whether an act falls under this is judged according to the seriousness of the individual, specific case.
The Guidelines and the Operational Guidelines do not single out the case where a person under Gijinkoku has been doing work that does not fall under Gijinkoku (as of October 9, 2026). The penalties for having a foreign national engage in illegal work are summarized in our explanation of the offense of facilitating illegal work (不法就労助長罪).
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Operational Guidelines on the Acceptance of Specified Skilled Workers" (in Japanese; August 2026), Chapter 4, Section 3 and Chapter 5, Section 2, "Guidelines for Permission for Change of Status of Residence and Extension of Period of Stay" (in Japanese; last amended June 2026), Section 3; Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, Article 2-5, paragraph 4; Ministerial Order to Provide for Criteria for the Employment Contract for Specified Skilled Workers and Support Plan for Specified Skilled Workers (i) (特定技能基準省令), Article 2, paragraph 1, item 4(リ)
What changes with the change: Gijinkoku and Specified Skilled Worker (i) compared
The major changes are that a total limit applies to the period of stay, and the family's residence. The procedures for a job change and the company's obligations also change.
| Item | Gijinkoku | Specified Skilled Worker (i) |
|---|---|---|
| Period of stay | 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 3 months | A period designated individually, not exceeding 3 years |
| Total limit | None provided | In principle, up to 5 years in total |
| Family (spouse and children) | Covered by "Dependent" (家族滞在) | Basically not permitted |
| "5 years or more under a work-related status of residence" for permission for permanent residence | Counted | Not counted |
| Job change | If the person continues activities falling under Gijinkoku, no change of status of residence is required. The foreign national files a notification within 14 days | When the company or the field changes, permission to change status of residence is required. The person cannot work at the new place of employment while the application is pending |
| Notifications by the company | Notifying the immigration office of the start and end of acceptance is an obligation to make efforts, not mandatory (business owners that file the Notification of the Employment Status of Foreign Nationals (外国人雇用状況の届出) with Hello Work are not covered) | A regular notification once a year, and occasional notifications within 14 days after the relevant event occurs (mandatory) |
| Support | No provision on a support plan | Obligation to prepare a support plan and provide the 10 items of support. The company bears the cost |
The 5 years in total also include periods when the person was not working and periods when the person was outside Japan on re-entry permission. Periods of maternity leave and childcare leave, and periods of leave due to illness or injury, among others, are excluded from the total. To continue working beyond 5 years, the person proves proficient skills through a test or other means and changes to Specified Skilled Worker (ii) (特定技能2号). Specified Skilled Worker (ii) covers 11 fields, has no total limit, and accompaniment by family members is also permitted if the requirements are met.
For permission for permanent residence, a person is required, in principle, to have resided in Japan continuously for 10 years or more, and, within that period, to have resided continuously for 5 years or more under a work-related status of residence (就労資格) or a status of residence based on personal status or position (居住資格). The period of residence under Specified Skilled Worker (i) is not counted toward these 5 years. The details of the requirements are summarized in our article on the revision of the Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence.
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Status of Residence "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services"" (in Japanese), "Q&A on the Specified Skilled Worker System" (in Japanese), Q9, Q10, Q13, Q28 and Q79, "Explanatory Material on the Specified Skilled Worker System" (in Japanese), p. 6, "Total Period of Stay" (in Japanese), "Frequently Asked Questions on Applications concerning Work-related Statuses of Residence (Q&A)" (in Japanese), Q2, "Notifications by Organizations of Affiliation of Specified Skilled Workers and Registered Support Organizations" (in Japanese), "Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence (revised October 1, 2026)" (in Japanese); Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, Articles 19-16, 19-17 and 19-18, and Article 2-5, paragraph 6
What happens to family members already residing under Dependent?
When the foreign national's status becomes Specified Skilled Worker (i), the spouse and children are no longer covered by "Dependent." This is because "Dependent" excludes Specified Skilled Worker (i) from the statuses of residence of the supporter (the family member who supports the dependents) (Appended Table I(4) of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act).
The ISA states that, as an exception, a change to "Designated Activities" (特定活動) may be permitted in some cases. One of the examples it gives is a spouse or child already residing under "Dependent" when a person changes from "Student" to Specified Skilled Worker (i). The reason given is that humanitarian consideration is particularly necessary.
The published Q&A and Operational Guidelines do not give a change from Gijinkoku as an example. On the other hand, the Immigration and Residence Examination Guidelines (入国・在留審査要領), in which the ISA sets out how examinations are handled, describe the family members envisaged as covered as follows. They do not limit the status of residence before the change to Student.
- A spouse or child whose family relationship had already been established, and who had been residing as a mid-to-long-term resident, before a person who had been residing as a mid-to-long-term resident changed to Specified Skilled Worker (i)
- A person who was born in Japan as the child of a specified skilled worker (i) and is supported by that person
For the first of these family members, the same Guidelines state that, where both of the following two apply, permission may be granted at the judgment of the regional immigration services bureau.
- The date on which the family relationship (marriage or a parent-child relationship) was established is before the date of the permission for the foreign national's change to Specified Skilled Worker (i)
- The family member has been residing, since before the date of the permission for the change, under a status of residence such as "Dependent" for the purpose of being supported by the foreign national
Even where the family relationship was established first, a case in which the family member does not hold a status of residence for being supported by the foreign national does not fall under this.
A child born in Japan (where the mother is a mid-to-long-term resident) is treated in the same way. For a spouse or child who falls under none of these, it is stated that whether humanitarian consideration is particularly necessary is judged according to the individual circumstances.
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Q&A on the Specified Skilled Worker System" (in Japanese), Q9, "Operational Guidelines on the Acceptance of Specified Skilled Workers" (in Japanese; August 2026), Chapter 2, Section 1, "Status of Residence "Dependent"" (in Japanese), Immigration and Residence Examination Guidelines (入国・在留審査要領), Part 12, Section 26 "Designated Activities"; Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, Appended Table I(4)
A change to the food service industry field is, in principle, denied
For a change to Specified Skilled Worker (i) in the food service industry field (外食業分野), applications accepted on or after April 13, 2026 are, in principle, denied. This is because the number of people residing under Specified Skilled Worker (i) in the food service industry field was expected to exceed the expected number of acceptance (受入れ見込数; operated as the upper limit on acceptance).
The following three remain subject to examination or permission on and after the same date.
- Applications by people residing under Specified Skilled Worker (i) in the food service industry field (applications accompanying a job change, etc.): examined as usual
- People who have completed Technical Intern Training (Meal processing work for Medical and welfare facilities, 医療・福祉施設給食製造作業) and are transitioning: after examination, permitted in order, within the expected number of acceptance
- People who have already received permission for Designated Activities (preparation for transition to Specified Skilled Worker (i), 特定技能1号移行準備) in the food service industry field and are transitioning: same as above
The ISA's page on the status of examination states that, for applications for change from statuses of residence that do not come under the categories above, applications accepted on or after April 13, 2026 are in principle denied. A change from Gijinkoku falls under this. How each type of application is handled is summarized in our article on the suspension of acceptance in the "food service industry" field of Specified Skilled Worker.
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Operation of the Upper Limit on Acceptance in the "Food Service Industry" Field of Specified Skilled Worker" (in Japanese; March 27, 2026), "Status of Examination of Residence Applications for Specified Skilled Worker (i) (Food Service Industry Field)" (in Japanese; posted September 10, 2026)
The flow of procedures, and how the person works until permission
Specified Skilled Worker work can be made the main activity only after permission for the change has been received. The permission takes effect when the person is issued a new residence card (Article 20, paragraphs 4 and 5 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act). Until then, the person remains under the Gijinkoku status of residence, and what the person can engage in is activities falling under Gijinkoku.
- Check whether the work you want to assign falls under a job category of a specified industrial field
- The foreign national passes the skills test and the Japanese language test
- The company becomes a member of the field's council
- The company and the foreign national conclude an employment contract for specified skilled workers (特定技能雇用契約). The company prepares a support plan and gives advance guidance (事前ガイダンス) before the application
- The foreign national files an Application for Change of Status of Residence with the regional immigration services bureau
- On receiving permission, the foreign national receives a new residence card and a Designation (指定書)
The Designation states the company where the person may work and the specified industrial field.
The number of days taken to examine changes to Specified Skilled Worker (i) was 59.5 days on average from acceptance of the application to permission (permissions granted in July 2026, excluding applications in the food service industry field).
The fee paid at the time of permission is summarized in our table of residence permission fees.
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Operational Guidelines on the Acceptance of Specified Skilled Workers" (in Japanese; August 2026), Chapters 3 and 6, "Q&A on the Specified Skilled Worker System" (in Japanese), Q14 and Q16, "Processing Time for Residence Examinations (permissions granted in July 2026)" (in Japanese); Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, Articles 19 and 20
Change the status, or return the work to the scope of Gijinkoku?
Where on-site work becomes the main activity, besides a change to Specified Skilled Worker, there is the option of returning the work to something that falls under Gijinkoku. What may happen if an extension is applied for while remaining under Gijinkoku, and the criteria for judgment, are explained in Gijinkoku: What If You Assign Work Different from the Application?.
It is the foreign national who applies for the change, and it is also the foreign national who concludes the employment contract for specified skilled workers. The switch cannot be made by the company's decision alone.
Before the application for the change, the company gives the foreign national advance guidance. This is support that conveys the content of the employment contract, the content of the activities the person can engage in in Japan, the conditions of residence and so on, and it is a matter to be stated in the support plan. The Written Employment Conditions (雇用条件書) must be prepared in a language the foreign national can fully understand, and the foreign national must have signed them after fully understanding the content.
From here on is our office's own view. The change alters the foreign national's prospects for residence and the family's life. We think it is best to tell the foreign national about three points before concluding the contract, namely the limit of 5 years in total, the family's status of residence, and the effect on permission for permanent residence, and to proceed after confirming the person's wishes.
If you are unsure how to judge, we will go over the content of the work and the requirements with you in our consultation on applications for Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services.
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Operational Guidelines on the Acceptance of Specified Skilled Workers" (in Japanese; August 2026), Chapter 5, Section 1 and Chapter 6; Ministerial Order to Provide for Criteria for the Employment Contract for Specified Skilled Workers and Support Plan for Specified Skilled Workers (i) (特定技能基準省令), Article 3, paragraph 1, item 1(a)
Frequently Asked Questions
After changing to Specified Skilled Worker (i), can the person change back to Gijinkoku?
To change back, the person needs to file an Application for Change of Status of Residence again and meet the Gijinkoku requirements. The ISA states that merely having gained practical experience under Specified Skilled Worker is not treated as satisfying the "practical experience" in the Gijinkoku criteria.
According to the ISA's explanation, career advancement for specified skilled workers is basically to take place through the transition from (i) to (ii). Changing from (i) to Gijinkoku to advance one's career on the basis of practical experience gained under Specified Skilled Worker is not envisaged. The Gijinkoku requirements are summarized in our Complete Guide to the Japan Gijinkoku Visa.
The date of expiration of the period of stay is near and the application documents are not ready. What should we do?
If preparation takes time, the person can apply for a change to "Designated Activities (6 months; work permitted)" (特定活動（6月・就労可）). This is a status of residence for preparing for the transition while working at the company where the person plans to work under Specified Skilled Worker (i).
Having passed the skills test and the Japanese language test is one of the requirements, and people who have not passed are not covered. The period of residence under this status of residence is included in the total period of stay for Specified Skilled Worker (i). In the food service industry field, a change to this Designated Activities status is also denied, except in some cases.
For cases where the transition is expected in advance, the ISA asks that the person apply for a change to Specified Skilled Worker (i) as far as possible.
If the period of stay expires while the application for the change is pending, can the person keep working?
If the application was filed by the expiration date of the period of stay, the person may continue to reside under the Gijinkoku status of residence and engage in the previous activities (activities falling under Gijinkoku). This lasts until the time the result is issued or the end of the day on which 2 months have passed from the expiration date, whichever is earlier (Article 20, paragraph 6 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act).
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Frequently Asked Questions on Applications concerning Work-related Statuses of Residence (Q&A)" (in Japanese; July 2026), Q41, "Designated Activities Related to Specified Skilled Worker (For Those Wishing to Transition to "Specified Skilled Worker (i)")" (in Japanese), "Operation of the Upper Limit on Acceptance in the "Food Service Industry" Field of Specified Skilled Worker" (in Japanese), "What Is the Special Provision Period?" (in Japanese)
Summary
A change from Gijinkoku to Specified Skilled Worker (i) can be made through an Application for Change of Status of Residence under Article 20 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act. Permission requires that the foreign national has passed the skills test and the Japanese language test, that the work falls under a job category of a specified industrial field, and that the company meets the criteria for acceptance. For a change to the food service industry field, applications accepted on or after April 13, 2026 are, in principle, denied.
With the change, the period of stay becomes, in principle, up to 5 years in total, and the spouse and children are no longer covered by "Dependent" (as an exception, "Designated Activities" may be permitted in some cases). The company becomes subject to obligations of support and notification.
First, check whether the work you want to assign falls under a job category of Specified Skilled Worker. Then tell the foreign national about the points that change with the change, and decide whether to change the status or to return the work to something that falls under Gijinkoku.
References
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Operational Guidelines on the Acceptance of Specified Skilled Workers" (in Japanese; August 2026)
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Q&A on the Specified Skilled Worker System" (in Japanese; accessed October 9, 2026)
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Explanatory Material on the Specified Skilled Worker System (Overview of the Systems for Foreign Workers)" (in Japanese; updated September 29, 2026)
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Frequently Asked Questions on Applications concerning Work-related Statuses of Residence (Q&A)" (in Japanese; July 2026)
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Guidelines for Permission for Change of Status of Residence and Extension of Period of Stay" (in Japanese; last amended June 2026)
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Application for Change of Status of Residence" (in Japanese), "What Is the Special Provision Period?" (in Japanese; accessed October 9, 2026)
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Status of Residence "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services"" (in Japanese), "Status of Residence "Dependent"" (in Japanese; accessed October 9, 2026)
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Total Period of Stay" (in Japanese; updated June 17, 2026)
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Designated Activities Related to Specified Skilled Worker (For Those Wishing to Transition to "Specified Skilled Worker (i)")" (in Japanese; accessed October 9, 2026)
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Notifications by Organizations of Affiliation of Specified Skilled Workers and Registered Support Organizations" (in Japanese; accessed October 9, 2026)
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Operation of the Upper Limit on Acceptance in the "Food Service Industry" Field of Specified Skilled Worker" (in Japanese; March 27, 2026)
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Status of Examination of Residence Applications for Specified Skilled Worker (i) (Food Service Industry Field)" (in Japanese; posted September 10, 2026)
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence (revised October 1, 2026)" (in Japanese)
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Processing Time for Residence Examinations" (in Japanese; permissions granted in July 2026)
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Immigration and Residence Examination Guidelines (入国・在留審査要領), Part 12, Section 26 "Designated Activities" (no link)
- Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (Cabinet Order No. 319 of 1951), Articles 2-5, 19, 19-16 to 19-18 and 20, and Appended Table I
- Ministerial Order to Provide for Criteria Pursuant to Article 7, Paragraph (1), Item (ii) of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (Ministerial Order on Criteria, 上陸基準省令), row for "Specified Skilled Worker"
- Ministerial Order to Provide for Criteria for the Employment Contract for Specified Skilled Workers and Support Plan for Specified Skilled Workers (i) (特定技能基準省令), Articles 1 to 3
