Over 90% of the 1,739 Myanmar technical trainees who went missing last year applied to change their residency status to the “Designated Activities” visa due to unrest in Myanmar, allowing for fewer employment restrictions. Since the visa rule change in 2021, the disappearances have increased, sparking concerns that some may be abusing the system to switch jobs more easily. The government is considering revising the system, as these trainees are typically not allowed to change jobs unless there are human rights violations.
After the Myanmar military coup in 2021, Japan allowed Myanmar nationals to switch to the special visa due to difficulties returning home. By 2022, disappearances increased from 250 to 447 trainees, and by 2023, nearly 1,765 trainees had gone missing. Of those, 1,739 applied to change their residency to the special visa.
The government continues to allow visa changes unless there is a criminal history, but fears grow that ongoing abuse of the system will lead to fewer companies accepting Myanmar trainees in the future.
