Japan to Expedite Residency Approval for IT Engineers

Japan is planning to reduce reviewing residency process for IT engineers from this autumn on.

Applicants will be able to receive residency status within a month if they are hired inside National Strategic Special Zones. This process currently takes three months.

Foreign white-collar workers must obtain status of residence before entering Japan. They also submit information to the immigration office as regards their employer, work experienceand professional skills.

There are over a dozen such statuses of residence, each allowing the holder to work only in a specific professional field, for example, arts, research, education, engineering, entertainment, business management.

Small host enterprises and startups without experience in employing foreigners have to wait up to three months as they undergo an inspection by the Immigration Services Agency to identify threats of bankruptcy and any financial insolvency. Inconveniences exists for both sides.

Companies are being deprived on inability to fill gaping IT positions as the foreigners have to wait work visas outside Japan.

Now Japan will speed up this process by new system within the which local governments certify companies in advance. Municipality`s consultants will examine company performance details to investigate whether it has enough skills and resources to employ foreigners. Companies that meet requirements needed will obtain approval to hire foreigners.

It is believed that new system will ease the burden of the regional immigration offices.

The number of foreign residents in Japan was nearly 3,070,000 on the eve of 2023, exceeding 3 million for the first time.

The national government will outline this new framework within 13 National Strategic Special Zones around the country and local governments that participate in this novation will introduce guidelines and specific requirements relating company certification.