FAQ
Inquiries from Foreign Residents
Q1: I’m currently enrolled at a Japanese language school. I want to work as a careworker in a facility in Chiba Prefecture. What should I do?
A1: There are several approaches you can take.(1) Enroll at a certified careworker training school.
After graduating from your Japanese language school, you enroll at a certified careworker training school and graduate from that school. If you can earn qualification as a certified careworker by passing the state examination for Certified Careworkers, you will obtain the status of residence,”Nursing care” and you will then be able to participate in carework.(Please note that persons who graduate from a careworker training facility by March 31, 2027, they can participate even if they do not pass the state examination for a Certified Careworker examination. If you work for five years following graduation as a careworker, you can continue to work in careworks.)
For information on Certified Careworker Training Facilities in Chiba Prefecture, please check the Chiba Prefecture website below.
Careworker training facilities in Chiba Prefecture
The issuance of the care worker registration certificate required to get permission to change Status of Residence to "Nursing care" may not be until April 1st of the year in which you pass the state examination for a certified careworker or graduate from a careworker training facility. Therefore, if you work in care work from April 1st, you will need to apply for a "designated activities" Status of Residence until you receive your care worker registration certificate.
For more information, please check the Immigration Services Agency website below.
(Immigration Services Agency website) Instruction of international students who have passed the national care worker examination and will be working in care work, etc.
(Immigration Services Agency website) Instruction of international students who have graduated from a care worker training facility and will be working in care work, etc.
(2) Pass “Specified Skilled Worker (ⅰ)” examination.
For this route you will first need to pass the “Nursing care skills evaluation test”, “Nursing care Japanese language evaluation test” and Japanese proficiency test (2 options). Once you do so, you can work as a careworker for five years. During that time, if you take practical training and pass the national Certified Careworker examination (three years or more of practical experience is required), you can change your status to “Nursing Care”. For details, please contact the Foreign Residents General Information Center .Foreign Residents General Information Center：
0570-013904(3) Activity other than that permitted under the Status of Residence previously granted
If you are currently enrolled in a Japanese language school and have permission to engage in activities outside your qualifications, you can work up to 28 hours a week (up to 40 hours a week during long school holidays). For details, please inquire with the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.Chiba Branch Office of the Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau:
043-242-6597Matsudo Branch Office of the Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau:
047-701-5472Q2: I would like to study at a careworker training facility to become a Certified Careworker. Can I receive support?
A2: Yes, Careworkers/Social Workers Training School lending programs are available for study to become a Certified Careworker. For details, please contact Chiba Prefecture Social Welfare Council, Fund Loan Division (Caregiving Section).Chiba Prefecture Social Welfare Council, Fund Loan Division (Caregiving Section)：
043-306-7571Q3: Is there anywhere I can receive training for foreign residents in caregiving Japanese?
A3: Please inquire with the facilities listed below.Japanese Language Schools
Hot Space Inage Pecorino (Chiba)
043-306-8520Foreign Caregivers Suport Center Inst. (Ichikawa)
047-713-6214※This facility offers examinations for qualification as a Certified Careworker.
Noda Japanese Language Support for Carework (Noda)
Q4: How can I participate in the Foreign Student Acceptance Program organized by Chiba Prefecture (only for Vietnamese)?
A4: Inquiry by those who live in VietnamTuition fees support for local Japanese language schools is designed for 5 schools that have made agreements with Chiba Prefecture.
Inquiry by those who live in Japan
You can receive support for tuition fees and living expenses while studying at a Japanese language school and a certified careworker training school which participates in this program.
“Chiba Prefecture Health and Welfare Guidance Division”：
043-223-2606Q5: I’m engaged in other work right now but I’m interested in doing care work.
A5: It depends on your Status of Residence. If you are not Permanent Resident, etc., you need to pass the “Specified Skilled Worker(ⅰ)” examination. Please refer to A1 (2) above.Q6: I’m working at a care facility. Can I invite my family in my home country to live with me in Japan?
A6: If your Status of Residence is "Nursing Care", you can invite your family to live with you (limited to your spouse and children). For details, please contact the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.Chiba Branch Office of the Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau:
043-242-6597Matsudo Branch Office of the Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau:
047-701-5472Q7: Are counseling services available for foreign residents?
A7: Select a facility to contact based on the nature of your concerns. In addition to the facilities listed below, you can inquire at the appropriate desk of your city, town or village hall.Counseling for foreign residents serving as careworkers or desiring to become one
The Chiba Prefectural Foreign Nursing Care Human Resources Support Center
0120-054-762Chiba Advisory Service
Chiba Convention Bureau and International Center (CCB-IC)
043-297-2966Free counseling support for foreign careworkers
Japan International Corporation of Welfare Services (JICWELS)
0120-118-370Counseling service for foreign students wishing to become Certified Careworkers
Japan Association of Training Institutions for Certified Careworkers (Kaiyokyo)
0120-07-8505