For those who have completed Technical Intern Training and wish to continue working in Japan, the Engineer visa is a strong option. However, the two residence statuses are fundamentally different, creating several hurdles for the switch.
Reference: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, “Change of Status of Residence”
Key Differences
| Item | Technical Intern Training | Engineer Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Skills transfer (international contribution) | Specialized work |
| Duration | Max 5 years | No limit (renewable) |
| Job changes | Not allowed in principle | Allowed |
| Education requirement | None | University degree or 10 years experience |
| Family | Not allowed | Allowed (Dependent visa) |
Requirements for the Switch
Critical Point: Education or Work Experience
- Home country university degree in a field related to the Engineer visa work
- OR 10+ years of work experience (Technical Intern Training period does NOT count)
- For International Services: 3+ years of work experience
Job Content Must Be Specialized
The post-switch work must require specialized knowledge or skills — NOT a continuation of the same intern training work.
Comparison with Specified Skilled Worker
| Item | Engineer Visa | Specified Skilled Worker 1 | Specified Skilled Worker 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education required | Yes | No | No |
| Exam required | No | Exempt if completed Training Type 2 | Yes |
| Duration | Unlimited | Max 5 years | Unlimited |
| Family | Allowed | Not allowed | Allowed |
Decision guide: If you have a home country university degree and want specialized work → Engineer visa. If you lack formal education and want to continue in the same field → Specified Skilled Worker.
Our Support
For switching from Technical Intern Training to an Engineer visa, trust Kaneko Hidetaka Administrative Scrivener Office.
- 98% approval rate
- Languages: Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese
- Free initial consultation
- Serving Chiba, Tokyo, and nationwide (online consultation available)