Can a Tokutei visa be converted to a Shyu visa? This is a common question among many Vietnamese workers in Japan who hope to advance their careers through a more specialized professional pathway. In practice, transitioning from a Tokutei Visa to a Skilled Worker Visa is entirely possible if you meet the requirements related to educational qualifications, work experience, and a position that matches the visa category. However, not everyone clearly understands these conditions. In this article, AN KOI will explain the key factors you need to consider when evaluating your eligibility for a visa change and preparing your application more effectively.

Can a Tokutei visa be converted to a Shyu visa?

Can a Tokutei visa be converted to a Shyu visa?

The answer is yes. Under current Japanese immigration regulations, workers holding a Tokutei visa may convert to a Skilled Worker (Shyu) visa if they meet the requirements regarding educational qualifications, professional expertise, and job responsibilities. This is why many foreign workers plan to move from a Tokutei visa to a Shyu visa in order to access more specialized career opportunities and higher income levels in Japan.

However, Can a Tokutei visa be converted to a Shyu visa? The answer also depends on both the applicant’s qualifications and the hiring company. Not every application is automatically approved. Workers must be able to demonstrate that their new position falls within a recognized professional, technical, or international services category.

In many cases, the conversion can be completed directly within Japan without requiring the applicant to return to their home country. This is a significant advantage, helping workers save both time and costs while continuing their employment under the Tokutei Ginou status.

>> Related reading:What is a Shyu visa? Conditions and how to convert a student visa to a Shyu visa – An Koi

Conditions for converting a Tokutei visa to a Shyu visa

Understanding the requirements for converting a Tokutei visa to a Skilled Worker (Shyu) visa can help applicants prepare the necessary documents in advance and improve their chances of approval. To successfully make the transition, workers must meet several criteria established by the Japanese Immigration Services Agency. This is one of the most important topics for anyone asking, “Can a Tokutei visa be converted to a Shyu visa?”

Conditions for converting a Tokutei visa to a Shyu visa

Common requirements include:

• Holding a college, university, or vocational school qualification relevant to the intended job.
• Securing a new position that is professional or technical in nature rather than unskilled labor.
• Having a valid employment contract with a Japanese company.
• Meeting the required salary standards and employment conditions.

Most importantly, immigration authorities carefully evaluate the connection between the applicant’s educational background and the proposed job role. If there is no reasonable link between the field of study and the position being offered, the application may be rejected even if the applicant has already gained work experience in Japan.

Documents for converting a Tokutei visa to a Shyu visa.

Preparing a complete application package is one of the most important factors affecting the success rate of a visa status change. For those researching Can a Tokutei visa be converted to a Shyu visa?, understanding the required documents in advance can help avoid repeated requests for additional paperwork. In general, the application consists of three main categories of documents:

Personal documents

• Passport.
• Residence permit.
• Application for change of residence status.
• Passport-sized photos as per regulations.

Educational and professional documents

• Graduation certificate.
• Score sheet.
• Professional certifications, if available.

Documents from the business

• Employment contract.
• Job description.
• Business registration certificate.
• Financial report.

In addition, workers should prepare additional documents proving their practical experience to increase the persuasiveness of their engineer visa application.

Documents for converting a Tokutei visa to a Shyu visa.

Mistakes that lead to application rejection

Many applications are rejected even though the applicants have many years of work experience in Japan. The main reason is that they do not meet the requirements of the engineer visa.

Common mistakes include:

• This is a manual labor job.
• Qualifications are not relevant.
• Unable to demonstrate expertise.
• The job description lacks technical detail.
• The receiving company does not meet the eligibility requirements.

For example, if the job primarily involves performing simple production tasks on an assembly line, immigration authorities may determine that this is not a job eligible for an engineer visa.

Therefore, when researchingCan a Tokutei visa be converted to a Shyu visa?Therefore, job seekers need to pay special attention to the job description and the documents provided by the recruiting company.

Common mistakes when converting a Tokutei visa to an engineer visa.

Cases that are easy to get approved

Although each application is evaluated individually, the reality is that some groups have a higher success rate when applying for conversion.

Cases that are typically evaluated positively include:

• Have a university or college degree in the relevant field.
• I am currently working in a technical field.
• Possesses international professional certifications.
• The acquiring company is reputable and operates stably.
• I have many years of work experience in Japan.

For example, a mechanical engineering graduate hired for a CAD design position is often more likely to be considered than someone transitioning to a completely new field.

This is also why ANKOI always recommends that workers build a suitable career path from the beginning to optimize their chances of transitioning to an engineer visa in the future.

Cases that are easy to get approved for a Japanese engineer visa

Visa conversion process in Japan

After determining eligibility, workers can complete the conversion procedure directly in Japan. This is currently the most common method.

The process of converting a Tokutei visa to an engineer visa.

The basic process includes:

• Step 1: Find a job that matches your engineer visa (Shyu).The job must require specialized skills and be appropriate to the worker’s qualifications or experience.
• Step 2: Sign an employment contract with the recruiting company.The receiving company will sign the contract and prepare the necessary documents to support the conversion process.
• Step 3: Prepare all necessary documents for changing your residency status.This includes personal documents, diplomas, employment contracts, and documents proving professional competence.
• Step 4: Submit an application for a change of residence status to the Japanese Immigration Bureau.The application was submitted to the Japanese Immigration Bureau to request a conversion from a Tokutei visa to an engineer visa.
• Step 5: Wait for the authorities to approve it. 
• Step 6: Receive the results and update your residence permit under the new engineer visa category.Once approved, the worker will be granted residency status under the engineer visa category and can begin their new job.

Typically, the processing time ranges from 1 to 3 months, depending on the locality and the completeness of the application. During the waiting period, workers can still legally reside in Japan if their current visa is still valid.

Those who are interestedCan a Tokutei visa be converted to a Shyu visa?It’s advisable to proactively submit your application before your current visa expires to avoid potential problems.

>> See more:Job application in Japan: A guide to writing the best Japanese resume.

Is it possible to convert a Tokutei visa to an engineer visa if my field of study is different?

This is the most frequently asked question when researching.Can a Tokutei visa be converted to a Shyu visa?In fact, workers still have opportunities to transition even if their qualifications don’t perfectly match the new job.

For example:

• I graduated in mechanical engineering but I’m working in QA/QC.
• I studied electrical engineering but switched to CAD.
• Learn a foreign language and become an interpreter.

However, the reviewing body will carefully assess the relevance between the applicant’s expertise and the job position. If the gap is too large, the applicant will need to demonstrate their competence through practical experience or professional certifications.

Change your Tokutei visa to an engineer visa if your field of study is different.

In short, Can a Tokutei visa be converted to a Shyu visa? The answer is Yes, if the applicant meets the qualifications, expertise, and job requirements. Preparing a complete application and following the correct procedures will increase the chances of approval. If you need detailed advice regarding your specific case, please contact us, AN KOI, for assistance and the latest information regarding visa conversion in Japan.