Settlement Support Program
The Refugee Assistance Headquarters (RHQ) offers a settlement support program at the RHQ Support Center for Convention refugees, third-country resettled refugees, and persons under complementary protection.
To assist refugees and their families lead independent lives in Japanese society, the program provides: (1) Japanese language education to acquire the language skills necessary for daily life; (2) life guidance to learn about Japan’s social systems, lifestyle habits, culture, and public health; and (3) placement assistance for employment and workplace adaptation training.
For courses targeting Convention refugees and persons eligible for complementary protection, classes may be conducted online (group learning) via tablet PCs from home.
The Settlement Support Program begins every April and October. Information on how to apply is posted on this website approximately three months before the program starts.
Japanese Language Education and Life Guidance
Additionally, participants have opportunities to interact with local residents through Japanese cultural experiences.
Courses
The program consists of a total of 692 class hours, comprising 572 class hours of Japanese language education and 120 class hours of life guidance (1 class hour = 45 minutes). Refugees resettled from third countries are enrolled in the six-month daytime course (first half / second half of the year). Convention refugees and their families, as well as persons under complementary protection and their families, may choose from the six-month daytime course (first half / second half of the year) or the one-year evening course.
| April | May | June | July | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. | Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | |||
| Convention Refugees
Persons Eligible for Complementary Protection (Six-Month Course) |
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| Convention Refugees
Persons Eligible for Complementary Protection (1-Year Course) |
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| Third-country Resettled Refugees (Six-Month Course) |
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Financial Assistance Available during the Settlement Support Program
Participants receive financial assistance to cover living expenses, housing costs, and medical expenses during their participation in the program.
| Living Expenses
(Money for daily living) * May not be provided depending on conditions |
Adults (ages 12 and up)
2,400 yen per day (during the period of participation) *Only applicable if the individual is responsible for their own utility and water bills. Additionally, the second and subsequent adults in the same household receive 1,600 yen. Children (ages 11 and under) ＊¹ 1,200 yen per day (during the period of participation) *For those joining the evening course, the daily allowance is halved, but it is paid for one year. |
| Medical Expenses
(Money for when you get sick or injured) |
The actual costs of medical treatment and prescription medications paid to medical institutions during the program period will be reimbursed. Private medical care and preventive care are excluded.
(If you anticipate incurring high out-of-pocket expenses, please consult the RHQ Support Center in advance.) (All participants must enroll in health insurance at their own expense.) |
| Housing Costs
(Money for Housing) |
There is a cap on the amount of rent that will be paid. The amount paid varies depending on the rent and the number of residents. Please note that expenses other than rent will not be covered. |
| Settlement Allowance
(Money to help with settlement preparations) |
Adults (ages 16 and older): 156,900 yen
Children (ages 15 and younger): 78,450 yen *This payment is available only once upon completion of the Settlement Support Program. |
＊¹ Admission is limited exclusively to preschool-aged children.
Employment Assistance Grant*3
Participants who wish to find employment are provided with an employment assistance grant.
| Training Assistance Allowance
(Paid to refugees enrolled in training programs) Duration: Up to 6 months |
Basic Allowance
3,580–4,400 yen per day (depending on the participant’s place of residence) Course Attendance Allowance: 500 yen per day Commuting Allowance: Actual costs |
| Workplace Adaptation Training Expenses
1. General Guidance: Commission fees paid to employers who conduct the training 2. Special Guidance: In addition to the above, commission fees paid to employers who conduct training for groups of two or more refugees resettled from third countries |
1. Monthly fee (for 21 or more days) — 25,000 yen
2. Monthly fee (for 8 or more days) — 25,000 yen |
| Employment Development Subsidy *1
(Wage subsidy for employers who hire refugees resettled from third countries) Duration: 1 year |
One-third of wages (excluding bonuses, etc.)
*One-fourth for large companies |
| Wide Area Job-Seeking Activity Expenses | Fares and accommodation charges as specified
in the regulations |
| Work Experience Training Fees
(Fees paid to employers conducting the training) |
Monthly fee (for 21 or more days) 25,000 yen |
| Relocation Assistance*2 | Standard Fare Amounts
Arrival Allowance: Single: 12,700 yen Family: 25,400 yen Relocation Expenses (based on distance) Single: 31,000 yen to 94,000 yen Family: 62,000 yen to 188,000 yen |
*1 Workplace Adaptation Training Expenses and Employment Development Subsidy cannot be paid concurrently.
*2 Limited to residents of accommodation facilities.
*3 Not paid to individuals eligible for complementary protection, etc.