Japan has finally started the process of recruiting Pakistanis through its 3 different visa programs which will continue for the next five years. These categories include skilled worker visas, technical intern programs, and highly skilled visa programs. Japan plans to recruit 3,45,000 workers from 10 countries for the immigration program it introduced in April last year.
Minister and Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Japan in Pakistan Yusuke Shindo told APP on 19 March 2020 that Japanese government has innitiated the porocess of hiring labor force from Pakistan for 14 different sectors.
Through this new visa program, less educated but skilled people will be to get a years visa of Japan to work therein 14 different sectors. Highly qualified people will be able to get a work visa for all possible professions which are related to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). On the other hand, students will be able to apply for the Technical intern program which will allow them to study and work in Japan.
When will the program start?
Application submission will start by 27 April 2020 (according to the associated press of Pakistan) for all set-aside sectors. Candidates will have to pass the Japanese language test conducted by NUML University Islamabad in July 2020.
Where to submit applications?
According to ‘Yusuke Shindo’, the Government of Pakistan had nominated, National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) and National University of Technology (NUTEC) for carrying out necessary service including recruitment of candidates in collaboration with Japanese counterparts.
MoU signed for fivers continuous recruitment
On December 23, 2019, the Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, H.E. Mr. MATSUDA Kuninori, and Federal Secretary of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, H.E. Mr. Aamir Hasan, signed the Memorandum for Cooperation at the Ceremony. H.E. Mr. SONOURA Kentaro, Special Advisor for Foreign Affairs to President ABE Shinzo of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (LDP), who was in Pakistan on a two-day visit also witnessed the signing ceremony along with Mr. Zulfi Bukhari.
“The basic level of Japanese language knowledge plus skills test passing can make you through the process”.
Which countries nationals are eligible?
Pakistan now joins 9 other countries including the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Mongolia, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh to be eligible for new immigration and work visa policy of Japan announced back in April 2019.
For which categories the labor force will be recruited?
The Japanese government will recruit labor force for the three following categories:
- Specified skilled workers (for 14 set aside sectors)
- Highly qualified professionals
- Technical interns
1- Specified Skilled workers This category includes 2 types of visas which are specified Visa type 1 and Visa Type 2.
i- Visa Type 1 (Specified Skills Visa 1- SSV1)
Foreigners with Japanese language proficiency and industry specified skills can apply for this 5 years visa. This work visa type will allow international workers to work in 14 sectors of a middle and lower level of labor skilled jobs. The 14 sectors are: 1. agriculture 2. materials processing 3. nursing care 4. shipbuilding 5. restaurants 6. airport ground handling & aircraft maintenance 7. food and beverage 8. hotels 9. industrial machinery 10. electronics and electric machinery 11. building cleaning 12. construction 13. vehicle maintenance 14. fishery. The applicants of this visa type will have to pass a Japanese language test and technical exams. Furthermore, they should also hold good work experience in the intended workstream. This visa will be awarded at first for five years. Unfortunately, workers will not be able to bring their family members. It allows limited time visa renewals and cannot be extended until changed into visa type 2. The government has planned to give first-year 47,550 work visas and then over the time of 5 years this number will be more than 345,150. Surprisingly it includes 60,000 work visas for the nursing care sector.
The requirement of the Japanese language:
For applying for specified skills visa 1, the applicants need N4 level or higher of Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is required.
When will the test be conducted?
JLPT will be held on July 5th and December 6th at the National University of Modern Languages (NUML) in Islamabad and on December 6th at the Japanese Consulate in Karachi. Application for JLPT on July 5th began on March 9th and due on March 27th. Read here complete details about applying for JLPT (Japanese language proficiency test)
Learning Japanese Online: You can also learn the Japanese language online through https://www.jlpt.jp/samples/forlearners.html and https://marugotoweb.jp/en/
ii- Visa type 2 (Specified Skills Visa 2- SSV2)
Workers staying on visa type 1 can apply for visa type 2 (starting in 2021) if they have acquired higher levels of specialization in their fields. Currently, applicants can only apply for 2 streams, construction, and shipbuilding. It allows visa holders to bring their family members with them and also allows the unlimited visa renewals and could possibly allow them to apply later on for permanent residency (that is given normally after 10 years of continuous stay in Japan) too. The quota has not been announced for this visa category. For this category, candidates do not need to show the language proficiency tests, instead, they will be tested in an exam against their skills. So first, work continuously, obey laws, and pay your taxes, and you will be then able to apply for this SSV2.
Basic requirements for the “Specified Skilled Worker 1 and 2:
The authorized Pakistani organization will set aside the requirements for those who want to apply for this program soon. Anyhow, some requirements are to be met for the Japanese government. So the interested Pakistani nationals:
- must be at least 18 years old with a good health conditions.
- should meet the standards/regulations which are unique to every 14 fields.
- should have completed necessary procedures and requirements by the sending country if any.
- should not pay a deposit and should not enter into a contract stipulating the payment of penalties.
- must hold passports issued by the foreign government that cooperates implementation of smooth deportation if necessary.
- should understand and reach an agreement on the expenses, if they have to make a payment for expenses such as traveling costs to supporting organizations.
- if have to pay for the expenses of living such as food and housing in Japan, they should fully understand the content of the expenses and should reach an agreement with accepting organizations. At the same time, the number of expenses should be the appropriate level of actual expenses, which should be proved with written documents.
Organizations in charge in Pakistan: The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development of the Government of Pakistan. Most probably OEC will handle this category for application.
2- Highly qualified professional visa
This category allows highly qualified professionals to apply for a Japanese work visa. This category covers a variety of fields including engineering, a specialist in humanities and international services. The status of residence is permitted for foreigners, who have higher expertise, techniques such as academic background or career history with a contract with public and private entities in Japan. Japanese envoy said that Information Technology (IT) software engineer is included in this status of residence. This visa allows you to stay in Japan for an unlimited period of time.
3- Technical interns
The technical training internship program has already started in Pakistan and NUTECH university has already recruited the first batch. This program, allows students and skilled workers to apply for a well-designed program that will transfer Japan\’s technological advancement in Pakistan. The internship visa program is free of cost and students/professional workers will be able to earn while they learn new techniques in Japanese companies. TITP interns shall be governed under Japanese labor laws, with equivalent pay and privileges as Japanese workers.
Period of stay: Period of stay in Japan for TTIP applicants is maximum 5 years (1st year for “Technical Intern Training (i)”, 2nd and 3rd year for “Technical Intern Training (ii)”, 4th and 5th year for “Technical Intern Training (iii)”)*Practical skill test is required to proceed to the next level of training.*Written test is required for those foreign nationals from Technical Intern Training (i) to (ii).
TITP Eligibility Requirements:
There are certain requirements interested candidates must fulfill in order to be selected for the TITP program which is as follows:
- You must not be convicted of any criminal or civil crime.
- You must have six months of skill certificate in the desired field. Provided that you hold no skilled qualification certificate, you must have at least one-year recognizable experience in the desired field.
- You must be between 18 to 30 years of age.
- You must be physically and mentally healthy.
List of Internship programs in Japan
Plumbing • Heat insulation • Interior finishing • Sash setting • Waterproofing • Concrete pressure feeding • Application of construction equipment • Building sheet metal work • Freezing and air conditioning apparatus installing • Fixture making • Carpentry • Frame working • Reinforcing bar construction • Scaffolding • Building stone construction • Forging • Die casting • Machining • Metal press • Ironwork • Factory sheet metal work • Electroplating • Aluminum anodizing • Machine inspection • Machine maintenance • Furniture making • Painting • Tiling • Tile roofing • Plastering • Bread Baking • Spinning operation • Weaving operation • Dyeing • Knit goods manufacturing • Warp knitted fabrics manufacturing • Ladies and children’s dressmaking • Tailoring men’s suit making • Underwear manufacturing • Bedclothes making • Cloth sewing • Seat product sewing • Casting
Authorized organizations to accept applications:
There are currently 2 authorized organizations in Pakistan that will accept the application from candidates. These are “National Vocational & Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC)” and “National University of Technology (NUTECH)”. These organizations announce their application dates accordingly. Benefits: The applicants who complete the TTIP program in Japan, do not require to pass the skills test required for specified skilled visa 1.