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Outline of Technical Intern Training Program


Purpose of the "Technical Intern Training Program"


 There is a need to provide training in technical skills, technology, knowledge from developed countries (hereinafter, referred to as "Skills") in order to train personnel who will become the foundation of economic and industrial development in developing countries. In an effort to address this situation, the Japanese government has created the "Technical Intern Training Program", an initiative that provides training for a specific period in industrial society to both youth and adult workers from all countries.

The purpose of this program is to transfer Skills to Technical Intern Trainees who will form a basis of economic development in their respective countries and play an important role in Japan's international cooperation and contribution.

 The "Technical Intern Training Program" has the following benefits.

  1. Technical Intern Trainees will advance their careers and contribute to the development of industries and companies through the utilization of their acquired skills after returning to their home countries.

  2. Technical Intern Trainees will contribute to the reform of quality management, work practices, cost awareness, etc., and to the improvement of production in their home countries through the utilization of their acquired skills and know-how.

  3. The program will benefit Japanese Implementing Organizations, etc., through the strengthening of relationships with overseas companies, the internationalization of management, vitalization of the company and contribution to production.


Outline of the "Technical Intern Training Program"


(1) The new establishment and 4 classifications of the "Technical Intern Training" status of residence
 

There are two types of new Technical Intern Training Programs depending on the accepting institution.

  1. Individual Enterprise Type: Japanese companies (Implementing Organizations) that accept and provide technical intern training for employees of overseas companies, joint venture companies and business partners.

  2. Supervising Organization Type: Organizations (Supervising Organizations) that accept technical intern trainees and provide technical intern training at their member companies (Implementing Organizations), etc., and are not profit organizations such as chambers of commerce and industry or small business associations.
    Furthermore, depending on the content of the activities performed by technical intern trainees, each of these two types can be categorized into activities for acquiring Skills in the first year and activities for becoming more proficient in acquired Skills in the second and third years, and the corresponding Status of Residence is categorized into four "Technical Intern Training" categories.


      First Year
    (after entering Japan)    		 Second and Third Years (after entering Japan)
    Individual Enterprise Type Status of Residence "Technical Intern Training (i)(a)" Status of Residence "Technical Intern Training (ii)(a)"
    Supervising Organization Type Status of Residence "Technical Intern Training (i)(b)" Status of Residence "Technical Intern Training (ii)(b)"

(2) Characteristics of the New Program
 

The main characteristics of the Technical Intern Training Program are described below.

  1. Technical Intern Trainees shall receive technical intern training from the first year in accordance to the employment agreement executed with the relevant Implementing Organization and shall be protected by the relevant labour laws.

  2. Implementing Organizations (Individual Enterprise Types only) and Supervising Organizations are obliged to provide lectures (Japanese language education, necessary lectures regarding the legal protection of technical intern trainees, etc.).

  3. Supervising Organizations are required to enhance instruction, supervising and support programs for Implementing Organizations.


(3) Transition to Technical Intern Training (ii)
 

Technical intern trainees may transfer to Technical Intern Training (ii) after passing the National Trade Skills Test Basic Grade 2, etc., for the occupational and work type the relevant trainee will perform following the completion of Technical Intern Training (i) and obtaining change of Status of Residence approval. In such cases, technical intern trainees must study the same Skill at the same Implementing Organization where the relevant Skills were acquired at the time of Technical Intern Training (i). Furthermore, the duration of residency is a maximum of three (3) years for Technical Intern Training (i) and Technical Intern Training (ii) combined.

Entry and Residence Procedures


(1) Applications for Certificate of Eligibility for the Status of Residence (COE)
 

Implementing Organizations (Individual Enterprise Types only) and Supervising Organizations that accept technical intern trainees shall first submit applications for Certificates of Eligibility for the Status of Residence at the relevant Regional Immigration Bureau. This certificate is evidence that the relevant applicant Technical Intern Trainee complies with the approval requirements prescribed in the immigration laws and it is effective for a period of three (3) months. In addition, Supervising Organizations are required to obtain approval or submit notification as an employment agency business in order to accept Technical Intern Trainees.
(See Acceptance Supervised by Organization "Requirements for Supervising Organizations conducting Employment Agency Businesses")
(2) Obtaining Visas and Landing Permit
 

Foreign nationals who wish to enter Japan as Technical Intern Trainees must hold a valid passport and visa. Applications for visas shall be made by presenting a Certificate of Eligibility for the Status of Residence, etc., to a Japanese diplomatic mission overseas. Technical Intern Trainees will be permitted to perform activities once a passport and visa, etc., are presented to an immigration officer at a Japanese airport or seaport and a landing permit for Status of Residence "Technical Intern Training (i)(a) or (b)" for one year (or six (6) months) has been obtained.
(3) Permission to Change Status of Residence
 

Technical Intern Trainees transferring from Technical Intern Training (i) to Technical Intern Training (ii) shall apply for approval to change the Status of Residence at a Regional Immigration Bureau after passing the National Trade Skills Test Basic Grade 2, etc., for the occupational and work type the relevant Technical Intern Trainee will perform following the completion of Technical Intern Training (i). An application to obtain a change of Status of Residence must be submitted one month prior to the expiry of the Status of Residence.
(4) Permission to Renew the Duration of the Status of Residence
 

Technical Intern Trainees may apply to renew the duration of the Status of Residence for Technical Intern Training (i) (in the event the duration of the Status of Residence is six (6) months) and Technical Intern Training (ii) at a Regional Immigration Bureau for a maximum period of three (3) years. An application to renew the duration of the Status of Residence must be submitted one month prior to the expiry of the Status of Residence.
(5) Alien Registration
 

Technical Intern Trainees must apply for alien registration at the local government office located in the area where the relevant technical intern trainee resides within 90 days of entering Japan and following registration.. Technical Intern Trainees have an obligation to carry the Alien Registration Card at all times. In addition, in the event of a change of residence or Status of Residence, etc., the Technical Intern Trainee must apply to register the change.

(Figure) Technical Intern Training Program Framework