Specified skills (Tokutei) Japan: conditions and opportunities

🔄 Cập nhật lần cuối: 08/10/26

Specified skills (Tokutei Ginou) Japan is a status of residence for foreign workers with a certain level of Japanese skills and proficiency, allowing them to work directly with Japanese businesses, receive salaries equivalent to Japanese people, and be able to change jobs in the same field. This article helps you understand the conditions, reception areas, processes for Vietnamese people and the actual opportunities of this visa category.

What is Tokutei specific skill?

The Specified Skilled Worker (特定技能 – Specified Skilled Worker, abbreviated SSW) regime was introduced by Japan in April 2019 to compensate for the shortage of human resources in industries that are difficult to recruit domestically. Different from the program technical intern which has the goal of "technology transfer", Tokutei is a visa true labor: workers sign a contract directly with the enterprise, are paid no less than Japanese people doing the same job and can change jobs if still in the same field.

Vietnam and Japan have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) on Specified Skills since 2019. According to the MOC summary document published by the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam, the Japanese side only accepts Vietnamese workers who have completed procedures according to Vietnam's regulations and are on the "Confirmation List".

Distinguish between Tokutei number 1 and number 2

The regime has two levels, which differ significantly in length of stay and benefits:

Tokutei No. 2 opens the way to a long-term relationship in Japan, even a premise for applying for permanent residence if other conditions are met. However, exam number 2 is quite difficult and requires many years of practical experience, so most Vietnamese people start from number 1.

Reception fields

Initially, the regime included 14 sectors (later grouped into 12 production areas). From the end of March 2024, Japan will add 4 more fields: automobile transport, railways, forestry and wood processing, bringing the total number to 16. Current fields include:

• Services - care: nursing/caretaker (kaigo), building cleaning, hotel accommodation, restaurant - food.
• Production - engineering: industrial production (materials, machinery, electricity - electronics), construction, shipbuilding - marine, automobile maintenance, aviation.
• Agriculture - forestry - fishery and food: agriculture, fishery, food - beverage processing, forestry, wood processing.
• Transport: car transport (truck drivers, taxis, buses), railways.

According to the expert council meeting documents of the Japanese Immigration Department, the Japanese side is considering adding additional fields such as warehousing - logistics, resource recycling and industrial laundry (linen supply). Categories and targets for each industry may change, so you should compare information on the official page before deciding.

One thing to know: each school has an admission ceiling according to the 5-year plan. For example, in early 2026, VnEconomy reported that Japan temporarily stopped issuing new COEs to Tokutei, No. 1 in the food and beverage industry because the number of workers had reached the planned ceiling. This is the reason you should not believe in the promise that "any industry can do it right away".

Conditions for participating in Tokutei Japan

Basic Conditions (Tokutei No. 1)

1. From 18 years old or older, healthy enough to work.
2. Pass the skills exam of the registered field (organized by industry associations in Japan, some industries have exams in Vietnam).
3. Pass the Japanese exam: JFT-Basic (exam of the Japan International Exchange Foundation) or JLPT N4 or higher. The nursing profession also requires a kaigo Japanese language test.
4. Have a labor contract with a Japanese enterprise that meets standards.

In case of exemption from exam

People who have successfully completed the technical intern trainee program No. 2 (usually 3 years) are exempt from the skills test if they switch to the same profession, and are also exempt from the Japanese language test. This is the reason why many former interns return to Japan under the Tokutei program with better salaries and conditions.

Conditions for businesses

Receiving businesses must pay salaries equivalent to or higher than Japanese people, pay full insurance and implement a support plan (pick up at the airport, support finding a house, living instructions, learning Japanese...). Many businesses entrust this to a “registration support organization”.

Process for Vietnamese workers

According to the MOC content between the two countries, the process for people traveling from Vietnam usually includes the following steps:

1. Learn Japanese, review and pass the skills + Japanese exam (or be exempt from the exam).
2. Find a receiving business through a licensed service business sending workers to work abroad.
3. Sign a labor contract; Labor supply contracts are registered with Vietnam's overseas labor management agency.
4. Included in the "Confirmed List" approved by the Department of Overseas Labor Management (currently under the Ministry of Home Affairs).
5. Japanese businesses apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), then the employee applies for a visa at the Japanese Embassy/Consulate General.
6. Improve your knowledge before going, booking tickets and leaving the country.

For Vietnamese people in Japan (international students, interns) who want to transfer to Tokutei, the confirmation list is approved by the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan. MOC also clearly states: workers You are not required to pay a deposit or sign a contract with a penalty clause for violation. If you are asked for these amounts, carefully review the instructions in the article Choose a reputable dispatching company.

Opportunities and things to keep in mind

Opportunity

• Income is the same as Japanese people in the same position, can increase with years of experience.
• Change jobs in the same field, reducing the situation of being "stuck" with one employer.
• Route to Tokutei No. 2, sponsor your family and stay long term.
• From 2027, the “Education to Work” (育成就労) system is expected to replace the trainee program, with the goal of training workers to reach Tokutei level 1 – meaning Tokutei will be a popular “destination” for foreign workers.

Note

• Japanese is key: N4 is just the minimum to get through the door; If you want to get promoted, you need N3 and N2.
• Be careful with fake certificates: the press has reported cases of fraudulent certificates to go to Japan, resulting in cancellation of status and entry ban.
• Costs must be transparent, with clear contracts and invoices.

If you are wondering between paths and cards Compare vocational study abroad and study abroad and post Study abroad in Japan while studying and working will help you have a more complete view.

VeDuHoc's team of 30+ Bookers hunts for multi-agent tickets for workers going to Japan, continuing to monitor prices even when prices are high; If a better price is found after you have paid, HVSC will refund the difference. We also advise on luggage optimization, 24/7 support and issue VAT invoices for businesses. See more at page Labor plane tickets and post Prepare before flying to work abroad for the first time.

Frequently asked questions

Can Tokutei No. 1 bring his family over?

In principle no. Only when you reach Tokutei No. 2 can you sponsor your spouse and children to live with you.

Can I go to Tokutei without a JLPT certificate?

JFT-Basic results can be used instead of JLPT N4. Former interns who successfully complete program number 2 are exempt from the Japanese language test when transferring to the same industry.

Is there a brokerage fee to go to Tokutei?

The Japanese side prohibits collecting deposits and imposes penalties. Legal expenses on the Vietnamese side must comply with regulations and be clearly stated in the contract; Please request an explanation of each item before signing.

How long does a No. 1 Tokutei stay in Japan?

The total length of stay according to Tokutei No. 1 is maximum 5 years. If you want to stay longer, you need to pass the exam to level 2 (in a field with number 2) or change to another suitable status of residence.

Tokutei is a clearer and more transparent path for people who want to work long-term in Japan, as long as you prepare well in Japanese, have good skills and choose a reputable dispatching unit. When you're ready to go, contact VeDuHoc via hotline/Zalo 090.1800.918 to get a suitable ticket price.

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