Introduction
Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) lets foreign workers take skilled jobs in designated industries facing labor shortages. It’s practical and goal-oriented: pass the skill/Japanese tests, secure an employer, file at the immigration office, and start work.
If you finished Technical Intern Training or you have industry skills from overseas, SSW may be your fastest route.
💡 In short: SSW is a work-ready status. Show your skills, prove basic Japanese ability, and match a real job opening.
What Is the Specified Skilled Worker Visa?
Japan created SSW in 2019 to accept foreign workers who already have practical skills and can start contributing quickly in certain industries.
There are two types of SSW:
- Specified Skilled Worker (i) – for people working on the front line in specified fields, using skills at a level that requires “considerable knowledge or experience.”
- Specified Skilled Worker (ii) – for more advanced roles where you use “proficient skills” and often supervise or guide others.
SSW (i) vs SSW (ii) — At a Glance
| Point | SSW (i) | SSW (ii) |
|---|---|---|
| Main image | Front-line skilled worker in a specified field | Highly skilled worker, often with supervisory or manager role |
| Skill level | Skills that need a certain level of knowledge/experience to do the job properly | Proficient skills that allow you to lead, instruct, or manage others |
| Total stay | In principle up to 5 years in total (with limited exceptions that may extend the effective stay) | No upper limit on total stay as long as you keep meeting the conditions |
| Period of stay per permit | Up to 3 years at a time (shorter periods such as 4 months, 6 months, 1 year may also be used) | 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, or 3 years per grant after the 2025 reform |
| Japanese test | Required (e.g. JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic; some fields have additional requirements) | No formal test requirement in the system, but some fields/employers effectively require higher Japanese level |
| Employer support | Employer (or a Registered Support Organization) must provide a formal Support Plan for daily life and work | No legal obligation for a Support Plan, though normal workplace support is still expected |
| Family accompaniment | Family cannot come on “Dependent” status | Spouse and children can come on Dependent status if conditions are met |
| Permanent Residence pathway | Time under SSW (i) is generally excluded from the “5 years under work/residence status” requirement for Permanent Residence | Time under SSW (ii) is treated as a normal work status and can count toward Permanent Residence if other conditions are met |
💡 As of 2025, rules around how to count the 5-year cap for SSW (i) have become more flexible. For example, some periods such as maternity/childcare leave or long-term illness can be excluded from the 5-year total if properly reported and approved.
Industries Covered by SSW (i) and SSW (ii)
SSW only applies to specific industries that Japan has designated as facing serious labor shortages. Based on the latest updates and field operation policies, the target fields can be summarised as follows:
SSW (i) — currently 16 fields, including:
- Nursing care
- Building cleaning
- Materials / industrial machinery / electric & electronic information-related industries
- Construction
- Shipbuilding / marine industry
- Automobile maintenance
- Aviation
- Accommodation (hotels, etc.)
- Agriculture
- Fishery
- Food and beverage manufacturing
- Food service (restaurants)
- Automotive transport
- Railway
- Forestry
- Wood products industry
SSW (ii) — currently 11 fields, including:
- Building cleaning
- Materials / industrial machinery / electric & electronic information-related industries
- Construction
- Shipbuilding / marine industry
- Automobile maintenance
- Aviation
- Accommodation
- Agriculture
- Fishery
- Food and beverage manufacturing
- Food service (restaurants)
At the moment, some of the newer SSW (i) fields (such as automotive transport, railway, forestry, wood products) do not yet have SSW (ii) options, and nursing care has its own Status of Residence (“Nursing Care”) for certified care workers.
Who Qualifies (Eligibility)
To qualify, you generally need all of the following:
- Be 18 or older and in good health.
- Pass the official skill test for your industry and a Japanese test (for SSW (i), usually JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic; some fields require more).
- Have an employer in Japan that meets SSW acceptance standards and offers a compliant employment contract (salary, working hours, support obligations, etc.).
Routes to SSW:
- From Technical Intern Training (ii):
- If you completed Technical Intern Training (ii) in the same field, you are usually exempt from both the skill test and Japanese test for SSW (i). If you change to a different field, you typically need that field’s skill test.
- From overseas or other statuses (Student, etc.):
- You normally need to pass both tests first, and then find an employer who can sponsor you under SSW.
💡 Reality check: if you already have the skill test and Japanese test passed, it becomes much easier for an employer to say “yes” and start the paperwork quickly.
Required Documents (Core Set)
Immigration and embassy websites usually split SSW documents into two groups: one set from you, and one set from the employer.
You may see the term “Certificate of Eligibility (CoE)” – this is a document issued inside Japan by the immigration office before you apply for your visa at an embassy/consulate. It is central to the standard application route from overseas.
Exact documents can vary by industry and by immigration office, but the core set is:
From you (applicant)
- Application form (CoE, Change of Status, or Extension – whichever fits your case)
- Passport and, if you are already in Japan, your Residence Card
- 1 photo (4 cm × 3 cm, taken within 6 months)
- Skill test certificate for your SSW field
- Japanese test certificate (JLPT N4 / JFT-Basic or equivalent for SSW (i), unless exempt as a Technical Intern Training (ii) completer)
- Resume / CV showing your education and work history
- If applicable: proof of Technical Intern Training (ii) completion in the same field (for test exemptions)
From the employer in Japan
- Company registration and business profile
- Recent financial / tax documents to show the company can pay your salary properly
- Employment contract / offer letter with details on duties, salary, working hours, and contract period
- A written Support Plan for SSW (i) workers (life support, Japanese training, administrative support, etc.) – or documentation from a Registered Support Organization if the employer outsources the support
Other
- Explanation letter if your background or role needs extra clarification
- A revenue stamp / fee stamp may be required at issuance – for example, when you receive a new status or a residence-related document at the immigration office.
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
You can apply in two common patterns: from abroad with a CoE, or by changing status inside Japan.
Applying from Outside Japan (with Certificate of Eligibility)
- Your future employer in Japan prepares the employer-side documents and applies for a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) at the local immigration office.
- Immigration reviews your skill/Japanese certificates, the job description, and the company’s compliance and financial status.
- After the CoE is issued, your employer sends the original to you.
- You apply for an SSW visa at the Japanese embassy/consulate with the CoE, your passport, photo, and visa application form.
- You receive the visa, enter Japan, and at the airport immigration grants your SSW Status of Residence and issues your Residence Card.
- Within 14 days after you move in and fix your address, register your address at your city or ward office.
⏱ CoE review typically takes around 1–3 months, and embassy processing is usually much faster once CoE is approved, but timing depends on the immigration office, the season, and how complete your documents are.
Changing Status Inside Japan (from Technical Intern or Student)
- Check the expiry date of your current status.
- Prepare your documents (skill/Japanese certificates or TITP completion, passport, Residence Card) and the employer documents (contract, support plan, company info).
- Submit a Change of Status of Residence application at your local immigration office.
- Wait for approval before starting work that your current status doesn’t allow.
- After approval, check your new Residence Card (Status of Residence and period of stay).
Duration, Renewal & Change
Period of Stay (after the 2025 reforms)
The basic framework is:
- SSW (i): total stay is in principle up to 5 years, with some limited exceptions that may extend the effective stay to around 6 years (for example, for certain SSW (ii) exam candidates or when specified periods are excluded).
- SSW (ii): there is no upper limit on total stay, as long as you keep meeting all requirements.
The length of each permit (period of stay) has been updated as follows (2025 rules):
- SSW (i): Can be granted for periods up to 3 years at a time (1 year, 6 months, or 4 months are also possible), as long as the total stay stays within the overall cap.
- SSW (ii): Can be granted for 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, or 3 years per renewal.
Some periods such as maternity/childcare leave, long-term illness, or work accidents can be excluded from the 5-year total for SSW (i) if properly reported and approved by immigration. On the other hand, certain “transition” periods related to SSW may be counted.
Practical Summary
| Item | SSW (i) | SSW (ii) |
|---|---|---|
| Period of stay (each permit) | Up to 3 years per grant (shorter options such as 4m / 6m / 1y also used) | 6m / 1y / 2y / 3y |
| Total cap | In principle up to 5 years (with limited exceptions that can extend effective stay) | No cap on total stay |
| Family accompaniment | Not allowed | Allowed (spouse, children, if conditions met) |
| Job change | Allowed within the same SSW field, with new paperwork | Freer mobility, but proper procedures and notifications still required |
| Renewal checks | Work history, tax/insurance payments, employer’s compliance often reviewed | Similar checks, with more focus on long-term stability |
💡 When you change employers, you must generally notify the immigration office within 14 days of the change, and at renewal you should be ready to show payslips and tax / social insurance certificates.
Common Mistakes (to Avoid)
- Taking the wrong skill test (different field) or using expired certificates.
- Thinking the employer or agency will automatically handle everything – in reality, you must manage your own skill and Japanese test records and keep copies.
- Working outside the approved field (for example, having SSW in food manufacturing but doing mostly unrelated restaurant work).
- Submitting applications without a proper Support Plan for SSW (i) or without required notifications and reports from the employer.
- Missing renewal deadlines or forgetting to report address/employer changes, risking overstay or non-compliance.
FAQ
Q1. Can I bring my family on SSW (i)?
No. SSW (i) does not allow family accompaniment. Only SSW (ii) allows your spouse and children to come to Japan on “Dependent” status if other conditions are met.
Q2. Can I change my SSW field (for example, from agriculture to food manufacturing)?
You can change jobs within the same SSW industry field. If you want to move to a different field, you must take and pass the skill test for that new field and meet the requirements again.
Q3. I completed Technical Intern Training (ii). Do I still need tests?
If you move to SSW (i) in the same field, you are generally exempt from both the skill test and Japanese test. If you change to a different field, you will normally need that field’s skill test and may need additional requirements.
Q4. Can I change to another visa later, such as Engineer/Specialist or Permanent Residence?
Yes. If you meet the conditions, you can apply to change your Status of Residence from SSW to another work or residence status (for example, Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services) – the same way students change to work visas when they find a job.
For Permanent Residence, immigration generally requires at least 10 years of continuous residence, including 5 years under a work or residence status – but time under Technical Intern Training and SSW (i) is normally excluded from that 5-year count. Time under SSW (ii) is treated as work status and can be counted if you meet all the other conditions (tax, income, behavior, etc.).
Conclusion
The Specified Skilled Worker system is designed for people who are ready to work – you prove your skills, show basic Japanese ability, and match a real employer in a designated field.
By preparing the right certificates, keeping your documents tidy, and following each step carefully, you reduce the risk of delay or refusal. This not only helps you start working in Japan under SSW (i), but can also open the door later to SSW (ii) and longer-term options, including Permanent Residence, if you meet the conditions.
👉 Related: Visa & Residency in Japan: A Complete Guide
Note: This article is written for foreigners living in Japan or planning to move to Japan. Conditions and requirements may vary depending on individual circumstances.
