Registered Support Organization

1) What is a Registered Support Organization?

If you have a Specified Skilled Work Visa Level 1, it is essential to require and receive proper support. To access support, registered support organizations are here to assist you. For a Japanese Organization to become a registered support organization, the applicant must undergo registration with the Immigration and Residence Management Agency and submit various notifications to the Director of the Immigration and Residence Management Agency on a regular or extemporary basis.

Specified Skilled Workers level II are not eligible for support by either accepting organizations or registered support organizations. For more information on Specified Skilled Workers, please also read this page.

About Registered Support Agencies

画像：外務省「登録支援機関について」

Ⅰ- Criteria for Registration

ⅰThe organization itself must have a clean record (e.g., no immigration or labor law violations in the past 5 years).

ⅱThe organization must have a system in place to support foreign nationals (e.g., the ability to provide support in a language the foreign national can understand). To be registered, the applicant must be capable of implementing the entire support plan and cannot be registered for providing only part of the support (e.g., support must be offered in a language that the foreigner can understand).

Ⅱ- Obligations for Registered Support Organization

ⅰ Provide appropriate support to foreign nationals.

ⅱ出入国在留管理庁への各種届出

※ⅰ、ⅱ Notify various matters to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Agency. Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of registration.

【About the Accepting Institution】

ⅠStandards for acceptance of foreign nationals by receiving institutions

ⅰThe accepting organization should have an appropriate employment plan for foreign nationals (e.g., remuneration and working hours are equal to or more than those of Japanese nationals).

ⅱThe organization should have a system in place to accept foreigners (e.g., can provide assistance in a language that foreigners can understand).

ⅲThe organization should develop an appropriate plan to support foreigners (e.g., including orientation on daily life, etc.).

ⅡObligations of the Accepting Organization

ⅰEnsure that the employment plan concluded with the foreigner is implemented (e.g., pay remuneration appropriately).

ⅱProperly implement support for foreign nationals. Support can be outsourced to a registered support organization. Various notifications must be made to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Agency. If all support is outsourced to a registered support organization, you would have a system in place to accept foreigners. Failure to do so may result in the non-acceptance of foreign nationals, as well as guidance and improvement orders from the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Agency.

2) Outline of Support Plan

The receiving organization must develop a plan (Support Plan for Foreign Nationals with Specific Skills for Type 1) for providing support in terms of work and daily life. This plan enables foreign nationals to lead a stable and smooth life in Japan, supported by the receiving organization.

Key items to be included in the support plan are as follows:

Name and title of the person responsible for support.

Registered support organization (only when support is entrusted to a registered support organization).

The following 10 items:

ⅰPreliminary guidance:

Explanation of working conditions, activities, entry procedures, security deposits, etc., either in person or via videoconference.

ⅱTransportation to and from the airport: 

Assistance with transportation to and from airports and offices or residences upon entry, including transportation to and from airport security checkpoints upon return.

ⅲ Support for contracts necessary for securing housing and living: 

Help with opening bank accounts, cell phone and lifeline contracts, and other necessary procedures.

ⅳ Orientation for daily life

Explanation of Japanese rules and manners, how to use public institutions and contact information, and disaster preparedness.

ⅴAccompanying clients to official procedures, etc.

Assistance with procedures for residence, social security, tax, etc., and support with document preparation as needed.

ⅵ Providing opportunities for Japanese language study

Offering information on enrolling in Japanese language classes and related materials.

ⅶ Responding to consultations and complaints

Providing assistance in foreign languages for workplace and daily life issues and offering necessary advice.

ⅷ Promoting exchange with Japanese people

Providing information and support for participating in events and interacting with local residents.

ⅸ Assistance with job relocation (in the case of redundancy, etc.)

Aid in finding new employment, preparing recommendation letters, granting paid leave for job searching, and providing information on necessary administrative procedures.

ⅹRegular interviews and reporting to administrative agencies

Periodic meetings to report any violations of labor standards and more.

3)Notification

This section outlines the notifications that foreign workers, as well as registered support organizations, must submit to the Director-General of the Immigration and Residence Management Agency. Failure to comply with these notification requirements may result in guidance and penalties. Registered support organizations are also subject to guidance and potential cancellation of registration.

ⅰNotification of Accepting Organization

As a foreign worker, you should be aware that you have rights too. Submission can occur at any time and includes notifications of changes to or completion of specified skills employment contracts, support contracts with registered support organizations, support plan changes, knowledge of illegal acts related to immigration or labor laws, and your hiring or departure. Please note that notification should be made to Hello Work, not regional immigration bureaus.

ⅱNotification of Registered Support Organization:

 Registered support organizations are also obligated to report certain changes in their application for registration, suspension or resumption of support services, and periodic notifications about support service implementation status.

参照：出入国在留管理庁「特定技能 ガイドブック ～特定技能外国人の雇用を考えている事業者の方へ～ 」

4)Sending Out Procedures in Each Country

Certain countries with a Memorandum of Cooperation with Japan concerning the "Specified Skilled Workers " status of residence have established outbound procedures based on their domestic regulations. These procedures aim to protect your rights and ensure a smooth and appropriate transition when coming to Japan, while also preventing fraudulent intermediaries.

ountries with a bilateral memorandum of cooperation include the :

Philippines, Cambodia, Nepal, Myanmar, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and Thailand

The documents to be submitted differ by country, so please check the Immigration Bureau's website for specific details that apply to you.

参照：出入国在留管理庁「特定技能に関する二国間の協力覚書」

　　　出入国在留管理庁「特定技能に関する二国間取り決め（MOC）の概要」

5)How to Apply for Registration

To receive the support you need, it's important to understand the registration process for support organizations. It is recommended to start the application process at least two months before you commence work in Japan, as the screening process takes approximately two months. Required documents for support organizations include the application for registration (or renewal), proof of registration, fee payment form (with a 28,400 yen application fee stamp attached), and a return envelope.

As a foreign worker, please ensure that the organization supporting you is registered and maintains its registration. This ensures you receive the assistance you deserve.