To accept foreign workers under the Specified Skilled Worker program in agriculture, you need to check in order whether the job you intend to offer falls within the system’s work categories, and confirm candidates’ examinations and residence requirements, employment contracts, council requirements, and support arrangements. Imai Administrative Scrivener Office accepts consultations nationwide from companies on recruitment and hiring. Individual consultations with foreign nationals about their residence status are also available nationwide.
First, determine whether the work is agricultural
The official field name is “Agriculture.” The basic scope covers all general crop farming duties (such as cultivation management and the collection, shipment, and sorting of agricultural products) and all general livestock farming duties (such as animal husbandry and the collection, shipment, and sorting of livestock products). It does not automatically include food factories or waste-related work. Check the tasks the prospective hire will perform and the farm’s employment arrangements against the latest guidelines for the agriculture field.
Check test and residence requirements for each candidate
In principle, Specified Skilled Worker (i) requires the Agriculture Skill Assessment Test for Specified Skilled Worker (i) and either the Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese or the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test at N4 level or above to confirm Japanese-language ability. Candidates who have successfully completed a Technical Intern Training (ii) program related to agriculture may be exempt from the tests, but the relevant occupation and work must be checked individually. Plan the application timing after confirming the candidate’s residence history, test results, and employment conditions.
Specify the duties and employment conditions in the job posting
Do not simply write “agriculture” on the job posting. Specify whether the work is crop farming or livestock farming; the main tasks, such as cultivation, animal husbandry, collection and shipment, or sorting; the work location; seasonal variations in workload; health and safety considerations; working hours; and wages. Even if work involves agricultural products, production-line work, delivery, and waste disposal cannot automatically be recruited for as duties in the agriculture field. Make sure the job posting and contract are consistent with the requirements of a Specified Skilled Worker employment contract, including remuneration equal to or greater than that of Japanese workers.
Check the requirements for accepting companies and outsourced support
Accepting organizations that directly employ workers must check field-specific requirements, including having a certain period of employment experience or equivalent experience, joining the Agriculture Specified Skilled Worker Council, and providing any required cooperation. For Specified Skilled Worker (i), the support plan must also be properly implemented. Even when outsourcing to a Registered Support Organization, check the council cooperation requirements, scope of the outsourced work, current registration status, fees, and allocation of responsibilities before signing a contract. If using a recruitment service, separately check whether it holds a paid employment placement license and what its role is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we recruit for agricultural product processing or factory work under Specified Skilled Worker (Agriculture)?
The basic scope covers general crop farming and livestock farming duties. Even if work is related to agricultural products, food manufacturing, simple warehousing or delivery, and waste disposal cannot automatically be treated as duties covered by the agriculture field. We will check the latest operational guidelines for the field based on the actual job duties, main and ancillary duties, and work location.
Which tests must prospective hires take?
In principle, candidates for Specified Skilled Worker (i) must pass the Agriculture Skill Assessment Test for Specified Skilled Worker (i) and either the Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese or the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test at N4 level or above. There may be an exemption if the candidate has successfully completed a related Technical Intern Training (ii) program, but the correspondence between the completed occupation and the planned duties must be checked individually.
If we outsource the support plan, does the company no longer need to check anything?
No. The accepting organization remains responsible for properly implementing the support plan and must check the contractor’s registration status, cooperation with the council, the scope of the outsourced work, and fees. If using a recruitment company, check its paid employment placement license and role separately from outsourced support before signing a contract.
Official Resources and Related Consultation Services
Systems and public consultation services may change. Please check the latest official information when proceeding with an application. Public consultation services are separate from our office.
- Agriculture field | Immigration Services Agency of Japan
- About Status of Residence “Specified Skilled Worker” (Agriculture field) | Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
- Specified Skilled Worker System and Employment for Skill Development System in the Resource Circulation Field | Ministry of the Environment
Let's start by organizing your hiring plan and job duties.
We accept inquiries from companies nationwide about hiring foreign workers, job openings, and checking statuses of residence. We do not guarantee successful recruitment or approval of a status of residence.
Consult About Hiring and Job Openings