Specified Skilled Worker Visa (SSW)

To become a Specified Skilled Worker in Japan, there are two types of visa available to you: SSW 1 and 2.

SSW 1 is a status of residence that requires considerable knowledge or experience in the specified industry.
SSW 2 is a status of residence that requires proficient knowledge and experience in the specified industry.

Both must fulfill the following requirements:

1.	Must be at least 18 years old and in good health.
2.	Must pass a Proficiency Test for the specific industry you wish to work in. For SSW 1: If Technical Intern Training (ii) is completed, in certain fields, test requirements may be waived.
3.	Must pass a Japanese Language Test (SSW 1) For SSW 1: It is necessary to pass the A2 “Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese (JFT-Basic)”, or acquire the N4 certificate for the “Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)”. If Technical Intern Training (ii) is completed, test requirements may be waived. SSW 2 is generally exempted from a test.
4.	Should have sufficient financial funds and no criminal record.

Visa duration:

SSW 1 visa holders can stay in Japan for up to 5 years.
SSW 2 visa holders can renew their visa indefinitely, if the requirements are met. Those requirements depend on industry restrictions, skill level and other relevant factors. Renewal is possible every 1 year or 6 months.

Estimated time:

Since this visa is tied to a job placement, the whole process is estimated to take at least around 4 – 6 months.

Certificate of Eligibility (COE):

Required, the employer will usually apply for the employee.

Detailed Comparison SSW 1 & 2:

	SSW 1	SSW 2
Experience Level	None required	Required (2-3 years)
Language and Skill test	JLPT N4 + Proficiency Test 1	Only Proficiency Test 2
Family accompaniment	Not allowed	Spouse & Children
Eligible for support from accepting organization	Yes	No
Visa duration	Up to 5 years	Indefinitely
Salary range	Same as Japanese	Same as Japanese

Available Industries

Industries marked with * are only available for SSW 1 Visa type.

Industry	Description
Nursing Care*	Assisting residents with daily activities Supporting mobility and exercise Helping with recreational activities Maintaining records of care
Building Cleaning Management	Cleaning offices, hotels, commercial facilities Floor care Window and glass cleaning Waste collection and disposal
Manufacture of Industrial Products	Operating casting and forging equipment Machining and assembling industrial machinery parts Manufacturing electronic components Quality inspection and packaging
Automobile Repair and Maintenance	Vehicle inspection and routine maintenance Engine, brake, transmission repair Tire and oil changes Diagnosing mechanical/electrical problems
Aviation Industry	Aircraft maintenance support Baggage handling and loading Ground support Cabin cleaning and preparation
Accommodation Industry	Front desk/reception work Housekeeping Food and beverage service inside hotels Guest support and tourism guidance
Agriculture	Planting, growing, and harvesting crops Operating agricultural machinery Sorting, packing, and shipping produce Greenhouse work
Fishery and Aquaculture Industry	Fish farming and feeding Net handling, setting and retrieving Sorting and processing catch Maintenance of aquaculture equipment
Food & Beverage Manufacturing	Processing and packaging of food products Operating food production machinery Quality inspection Labelling and shipping preparation
Food Service Industry	Kitchen support Serving food and drinks Dishwashing and cleaning Cashiering and customer service
Construction Industry	Scaffolding and concrete work Carpentry and building framework Plumbing and electrical installation Civil engineering
Shipbuilding / Ship Machinery Industry	Welding and cutting steel plates Assembling ship components Installing ship machinery and equipment Painting and maintenance of ships
Automobile Transportation Industry	Driving trucks or buses for cargo and passengers Loading and unloading cargo Vehicle safety checks Delivery and logistics support
Railway Industry*	Train inspection and maintenance Rail track construction and repair Station assistance and train operations support Electrical systems maintenance for trains/rail
Forestry*	Logging and cutting trees Transporting logs from forests Replanting and forest management Operating chainsaws, harvesters, skidders
Wood Industry*	Processing logs into lumber and wood products Operating sawmills and wood-cutting machines Drying, treating, and finishing wood Inspecting and shipping wood materials

Since all of these sectors are demand-driven, therefore there is no “best” time to apply. You can freely apply all year-round!

___________________________________________________________________________

We also function as a certified Registered Support Organization under the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) program, providing all legally required support services to both companies and foreign professionals. Businesses trust us to handle SSW compliance, while workers receive comprehensive guidance for a smooth, secure, and stable life in Japan.
Our support covers every phase of the SSW process—before arrival, during employment, and through renewals or job changes.
We deliver all 14 mandatory support duties set by Japanese immigration authorities:

Duty	Description
1. Pre-arrival guidance	Explaining working conditions, job details, salary, rights, visa information, and living arrangements before entering Japan.
2. Airport pickup	Greeting the worker upon arrival and escorting them safely to their accommodation.
3. Assistance with moving-in	Helping with housing procedures, utilities, mobile phone setup, bank account opening, and other essential arrangements.
4. Orientation after arrival	Providing an introduction to daily life in Japan, workplace rules, local customs, and important regulations.
5. Japanese language learning support	Arranging access to language schools, lessons, or online programs.
6. Daily-life consultation	Offering ongoing consultation for personal, work, or living concerns.
7. Interpretation and translation	Supporting communication between the worker and employer when needed.
8. Promotion of cultural exchange	Encouraging participation in community activities, events, and opportunities to interact with local residents.
9. Career change assistance	Helping workers find a new employer if their current contract ends earlier than expected.
10. Administrative procedure support	Assisting with residence card updates, health insurance, pension registration, and other official procedures.
11. Monitoring and workplace visits	Conducting monthly check-ins and reporting the worker’s status to Immigration.
12. Crisis support	Responding to accidents, illness, disputes, or urgent issues.
13. Departure or re-entry support	Assisting with contract renewals, end-of-employment procedures, or returning to Japan after temporary departure.
14. Documentation and reporting	Preparing and managing all required documentation for Immigration and employers.