Japan to Replace Trainee Visa With New ESD Program

Looking for work in Japan? A new visa program called Employment for Skill Development (ESD) will begin in 2027. It will replace the current Technical Intern Training Program (TITP), which has been criticized for being unfair to foreign workers.

The new ESD program will give more rights to workers and help them grow their skills while working in Japan. It will also make it easier to change jobs and stay in Japan longer.

Why Japan is Ending the Trainee Program

The Technical Intern Training program was created to help foreign workers learn new skills and bring them back to their home countries. But in recent years, many people have reported that the program was being used to bring in cheap labor. 

Under this visa, foreign workers are not allowed to change jobs and there is little to no protection from abuse causing foreign workers to sometimes be overworked or underpaid. Because of this, the Japanese government has decided to end this system and start something new.

What is the ESD Program?

The new Employment for Skill Development (ESD) program will allow foreign workers to:

• Work in Japan for up to three years while learning skills that can help build a long-term career.
• Easily move to the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa. This visa lets workers stay longer and apply for jobs in more industries.
• Switch jobs after one or two years, as long as they pass a skills test and stay in the same field.
• Improve Japanese skills. Workers must pass a basic language test before arriving. While in Japan, they are required to study more, with at least 100 hours of Japanese lessons provided by employers or supervising groups. Employers must also cover the cost of this training.

The goal is to give workers a fairer experience and a chance to build a career in Japan.

When Will it Start?

The new ESD program is expected to begin in April 2027. Until then, Japan will continue to use the current intern system. The government hopes this change will improve the lives of foreign workers and help solve Japan’s labor shortages in industries like farming, construction and caregiving.

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