The government of Japan has announced discontinuance of the Technical Trainee visa, instead introducing a vocational training program, 育成就労制度 (Ikusei Shuro Seido – meaning vocational training program. (There is not an official English name for the visa yet.)
According to reports, the new program is expected to be launch in Q2 of 2025.
The Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa remains as the career path after completing the new-type trainee visa.
Comparing the Current and New Trainee Visas:
| Current | New | |
| Employer change | N/A | Available after working under an employer for 1 year + sufficient Japanese language level |
| Step up to SSW | After 5 years of training | After 3 years of training |
| Limit to number of visa issues | N/A | Limit will be set |
| Working industries | Not all matches with the industries for SSW | Matches with industries for SSW |
Erickson Insights and Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions.