Periodic Reporting for Specified Skilled Workers Has Changed to Once a Year — What Companies Need to Do
For companies employing Specified Skilled Workers, "periodic notification" is one of the essential procedures.
Previously, accepting organizations were required to report the status of acceptance and support, among other details, to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan every three months. However, due to a review of the system, this periodic notification has been changed to an annual submission.
With the reduction in the frequency of notifications, the burden of document preparation and administrative procedures has been significantly alleviated. This revision can be considered one that leads to greater operational efficiency, particularly for companies employing multiple Specified Skilled Workers.
However, it is crucial to avoid the misconception that "since it's now annual, there's no need to worry about notifications anymore."
Only the periodic notification has been changed this time; "ad-hoc notifications," which are required when certain events occur, are still necessary as before. For instance, if a Specified Skilled Worker resigns, or if their employment is terminated, or if there are changes to the support plan, a notification must be submitted within the prescribed period.
Furthermore, even if the frequency of notifications has decreased, it is important to properly manage the acceptance status on a daily basis. By regularly organizing documents such as employment contracts, payroll records, work status, support implementation records, and the contents of regular interviews, you can respond without haste when a notification is required.
The Specified Skilled Worker system has continued to undergo operational reviews even after its inception, and further revisions may occur in the future. If procedures are carried out without understanding the latest system, necessary notifications might be overlooked, or unexpected procedural omissions could result.
Regarding the details of system revisions, they can also be confirmed on the official website of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.
Our office handles a wide range of services, including various notifications and status of residence applications related to the acceptance of Specified Skilled Workers, as well as comprehensive support for companies employing them.
Companies considering employing foreign nationals, as well as those currently employing them, are welcome to contact us if you have any concerns or difficulties.
For information on our foreign national employment support services, please see here. https://hayashi-office.site/consulting