What is the "Training" Status of Residence?

The "Training" status of residence applies to individuals engaged in activities to acquire skills, techniques, or knowledge at a public or private institution in Japan (excluding activities covered by the Technical Intern Training Type 1 and Student visa categories). A typical example of a holder of this status is a trainee.

The purpose of this visa is to foster international contribution through human resource development — enabling individuals to acquire skills, techniques, and knowledge in Japan and return home to support their country's industrial growth. It is a separate system from the Technical Intern Training program and is distinct from the Student visa (which covers language study and academic programs).

For the latest application details and forms, please visit the Immigration Services Agency – "Training" Status of Residence.

Eligibility Requirements for the Training Visa

Requirements differ depending on whether the training: ① does not include practical (on-the-job) training (non-practical training only), or ② includes practical training.

① Training Without Practical Training (Non-Practical Training Only)

1. The skills or techniques to be acquired cannot be learned solely through repetition of the same task.
2. The skills or techniques must be difficult to acquire in the applicant's home country or region.
3. The applicant must be 18 years of age or older and is expected to engage in work requiring the acquired skills upon returning to their home country.
4. The host organization or placement agency must take measures to secure the trainee's return airfare and other necessary support.
5. The host organization must prepare, maintain, and retain documentation related to the training for at least one year after the training ends.
6. If the training becomes impossible to continue, the host organization must immediately report the circumstances and remedial measures to the regional immigration bureau.
7. The host organization must have a full-time training instructor who is a permanent employee with at least five years of experience in the relevant skills or techniques.

In addition to the above, there are regulations regarding fraudulent acts, as well as disqualification provisions relating to the management, supervisors, and training instructors of the host organization.

② Training With Practical Training

Training that includes practical (on-the-job) components is limited to programs recognized as official public training, including the following:

1. Training conducted directly by the national government, local governments, or independent administrative agencies
2. Training conducted as part of an international organization's program
3. Training conducted as part of a program by the Japan Tourism Agency (an independent administrative institution)
4. Training conducted as part of a program by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
5. Training conducted as part of a program by the Oil Development Technical Center of the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation
6. In addition to (1)–(5), training primarily funded by national or local government sources, where the host organization meets all of the following conditions: securing accommodation and training facilities for trainees, assigning a living advisor, providing insurance and other protective measures, and ensuring occupational health and safety
7. Training conducted for full-time employees of a foreign government or its local bodies (the additional requirements of ⑥ above must also be met)
8. Training supported and guided by Japan for individuals appointed by a foreign government or local body, provided the applicant is engaged in broadly disseminating the relevant skills in their home country and other specified requirements are satisfied

Even when conducting official public training, the requirements for non-practical training and the regulations on fraudulent acts and disqualification still apply.

Period of Stay

• General trainees: 1 year, 6 months, or 3 months
• Physicians and other medical professionals conducting clinical training related to therapeutic particle beam irradiation devices (when specified requirements are met): 2 years, 1 year, 6 months, or 3 months

Required Documents

Depending on the nature and format of the training, additional documents beyond those listed below may be required. If any submitted documents are in a foreign language, please attach a Japanese translation. Certificates issued in Japan must be dated within three months of the application date.

Application for Certificate of Eligibility (for initial entry to Japan)

1. Application form for Certificate of Eligibility – 1 copy (available for download from the Immigration Services Agency website)
2. Photograph – 1 photo (of the specified size, affixed to the application form)
3. Return envelope – 1 envelope (with the applicant's name and address clearly written, and a stamp for registered mail affixed)
4. Documents describing the content, necessity, location, duration, and conditions of the training
   • Letter of invitation (describing the skills to be acquired, the background of the invitation, the necessity of the training, etc.; free format) – 1 copy
   • Training implementation schedule (prescribed form) – 1 copy
   • Training conditions summary (reference form) – 1 copy
   • If pre-arrival training was conducted outside Japan: documents describing the content, hours, duration, and instructors of the training, an overview of the implementing institution, and evidence of its relationship to the training in Japan (applicable if non-practical training of at least 1 month / 160 hours was conducted within 6 months prior to the planned entry date)
5. Document proving that the applicant will engage in work requiring the acquired skills after returning home (one of the following)
   • Letter of dispatch from home institution (prepared by the applicant's organization in their home country, indicating their position and job type upon return)
   • Re-employment confirmation certificate (prepared by the home institution, confirming the applicant's current position and job type and their planned reinstatement upon return)
6. Document proving the applicant's work history – Résumé (including work history; free format) – 1 copy
7. Document proving the training instructor's work history – Training instructor's résumé (including work history related to the skills to be acquired; free format) – 1 copy
   ※ Training instructor = a full-time permanent employee of the host organization with at least 5 years of experience in the relevant skills or techniques
8. Documents describing the overview of the sending (preparatory) organization
   • Preparatory organization overview form (prescribed form) – 1 copy
   • Brochure or official registration/certification document for the sending organization – 1 copy (reflecting the latest registration details)
9. Documents for the host organization
   • Host organization overview form (describing the organization's status and training track record, etc.; reference form available) – 1 copy
   • Certificate of registered matters (full historical record) or a brochure describing the overview of the host organization – 1 copy
   • Income statement, balance sheet, etc. – as appropriate
10. If a placement agency is involved
    • Placement agency overview form (reference form available) – 1 copy
    • Certificate of registered matters or a brochure describing the overview of the placement agency – 1 copy
    • Income statement, balance sheet, etc. – as appropriate
11. For physicians and other medical professionals conducting clinical training related to therapeutic particle beam irradiation devices, in addition to the above: Document proving that the applicant is dispatched as part of the official duties of the institution in their country of nationality or residence – 1 copy

If someone other than the applicant submits the application, they must present documents verifying their identity. If the name on the documents differs from the passport, please also submit a copy of the passport where possible, as this will help facilitate the procedure.

Application for Extension of Period of Stay (for those already residing in Japan under "Training" status)

1. Application form for Extension of Period of Stay – 1 copy
2. Photograph – 1 photo (of the specified size; not required for persons who are not medium- to long-term residents, or for renewals of stays of 3 months or less)
3. Passport and Residence Card – to be presented
4. Document describing the training content – Training implementation schedule (prescribed form) – 1 copy (a copy of the one submitted at the time of the COE application; if there are any plan changes, please indicate them in red ink)
5. Document showing the progress of the training – Training and living conditions report (prescribed form) – 1 copy

If someone other than the applicant submits the application, they must present a certificate of authorized representative, family register, or other documents verifying their identity.

Notifications: If there are any changes during the period of stay — such as a change in affiliated organization, change of address, or a change in information on the Residence Card other than the address — you are required to submit a notification. For details, please refer to the Immigration Services Agency website.