[Complete Guide] How to hire Filipinos with specific skills? | Practical procedures and points to note in the construction industry
- reingnagao
- Oct 9
- 3 min read
table of contents
What is the Specified Skilled Worker System? Features of the Agreement with the Philippines
The basic premise for accepting Filipinos: It's not just about domestic procedures
Construction industry procedure flow (pre-confirmation to residence status certification)
Support obligations as a registered support organization and the response of Re.ing Administrative Scrivener's Office
Common points to note and risks of violations
1. What is the Specified Skilled Worker System? Features of the Agreement with the Philippines
The "Specified Skilled Worker" system is a system that accepts foreign human resources who can immediately contribute to the workforce in 14 fields where serious labor shortages continue.
Among these, the construction field has complicated acceptance procedures.
A Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) was signed with the Philippines in 2019 .
Sending must be done through a government-approved sending agency (holding a POEA license) .
Agreement details: https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/files/000489394.pdf
Responsible Japanese ministries: Immigration Services Agency and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Philippine side: DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs), POEA (Overseas Employment Administration), TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority)
2. The basic premise for accepting Filipinos: It's not just about domestic procedures
To hire Filipinos with specific skills, the following conditions must be met:
A formal employment contract and recruitment contract is signed between the Japanese accepting company and the POEA-registered sending organization.
Filipino candidates must pass the construction skills assessment test and Japanese language test (N4 or above) (or successfully complete the second level of technical training).
Apply for certification to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in parallel with the Philippine procedures.
*From 2023 onwards, skill assessment tests will be implemented in the Philippines (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism-approved testing center).
3. Construction Industry Procedures (Preliminary Confirmation - Certification of Residence Status)
In the construction sector, in addition to the usual procedures for obtaining specific skills, certification of a "Construction Specified Skills Acceptance Plan" is required.
The main steps of the procedure:
After meeting the conditions specific to the construction field, apply for a "Construction Specified Skills Acceptance Plan" to the JAC of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
Employment contract signed with the sending organization (also requires Philippine government notarization) (Proceeds simultaneously with 1)
Submit an "Application for Certificate of Eligibility (COE)"
After issuance, POEA procedures will be carried out in the Philippines → Departure
📌 Must have a construction business license.
The status of enrollment in "social insurance" and "workers' compensation insurance" will also be examined.
4. Support obligations as a registered support organization and the response of Re.ing Administrative Scrivener's Office
Companies that employ Specified Skilled Worker No. 1 foreign nationals are required to implement a support plan . Re.ing Administrative Scrivener's Office is a registered support organization and provides the following support:
Airport transfers and housing assistance
Japanese language learning and life orientation
Accompanying and consulting for administrative procedures
Support for procedures when returning to Japan, etc.
Furthermore, we can also handle JAC certification procedures, contract preparation, and immigration applications all in one place .
5. Common points to note and risks of violations
❌ Incomplete employment contract → Rejected under POEA
If an employment contract does not comply with the format prescribed by the POEA, it will not be approved by the Philippine government.
❌ Acceptance without a construction permit → Disapproval
The specific skill "construction" is limited to companies that have obtained a construction business license .
❌ No registered support organization exists → Disadvantageous in the screening process
The status of support work must be reported to the immigration authorities. Lending your name to someone else is risky.
summary
In order to accept Filipinos with specific skills, it is essential to have support that is familiar with both the Japanese and Philippine systems. Re.ing Administrative Scrivener's Office has strengths in both construction business licenses and the specific skills system, and as the representative is half Filipino, he has a high level of expertise.
We provide practical support to avoid problems and ensure smooth acceptance.
Please feel free to contact us.
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