Specified Skilled Worker

The Specified Skilled Worker status, known in Japanese as Tokutei Gino, is Japan's visa for foreign workers filling labour shortages in designated industry sectors. It was created to bring workers into fields with acute shortfalls - sectors such as nursing care, food service, construction, agriculture, manufacturing and hospitality.

The status has two tiers. Specified Skilled Worker (i), or SSW1, is for workers with a defined level of skill and knowledge in a designated sector; it allows a stay of up to five years in total but does not permit family members to accompany the worker. Specified Skilled Worker (ii), or SSW2, is for workers with a higher, more proficient level of skill; it can be renewed without the five-year cap and allows family members to join - bringing it close to a long-term settlement track.

The SSW programme is closely linked to the reform of Japan's older Technical Intern Training Programme, with the TITP being restructured into a new training scheme that feeds more naturally into SSW status. In 2026 the SSW remains central to how Japan addresses demographic-driven workforce shortages.

You must work in one of the designated industry sectors that the SSW programme covers, and you must demonstrate the required level of skill for your sector - generally by passing a sector-specific skills examination. You must also demonstrate Japanese-language ability, typically through a recognised Japanese-language test, so you can function in the workplace and daily life.

Workers who have completed the relevant technical-training pathway may be exempt from some examinations. SSW2 has higher skill requirements than SSW1 and is available only in sectors that offer the second tier. You need a job offer or employment contract with an accepting organisation in Japan that meets the programme's standards, and you must meet character and health requirements. Confirm the current designated sectors and the available tests, as the programme is regularly expanded.

First, identify the designated SSW sector you will work in, then pass the required tests: the sector-specific skills examination and a recognised Japanese-language examination. Workers who completed the relevant technical-training route may be exempt from some testing.

Secure a job offer from an accepting organisation in Japan that meets the programme's obligations toward SSW workers, including a proper support plan covering orientation, language help and daily-life assistance.

From there the process follows Japan's standard pattern. Your employer applies to a regional immigration bureau for a Certificate of Eligibility, submitting your test results, employment contract and the support plan. The bureau assesses whether the role and the accepting organisation meet SSW standards.

Once the Certificate of Eligibility is issued, you apply for the visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate. On arrival you receive the SSW status of residence and a residence card. Workers already in Japan on another status, such as the technical-training route, can instead apply to change their status to SSW directly.

The Certificate of Eligibility carries no government issuance fee, and the visa stamp at the embassy or consulate is a modest charge; a change of status from within Japan involves a small revenue-stamp fee. Workers should budget for the sector-specific skills examination and the Japanese-language test fees, plus any preparation courses. Certified translations and document procurement add to the cost. The accepting organisation is responsible for providing a support plan and bears those support costs; some employers also assist with relocation. Once settled, national health insurance and pension contributions begin.

Processing of SSW cases is handled by the regional immigration bureau through the Certificate of Eligibility, generally taking from several weeks to a couple of months depending on the bureau's workload and whether the accepting organisation's support plan is complete. The subsequent visa application at the embassy or consulate is usually completed within a few business days. Having passed your skills and language examinations before the application is filed, and a fully documented support plan from the employer, are what keep the timeline short.

On arrival you register your address at the municipal office and enrol in national health insurance and pension. Your accepting organisation, or a registered support organisation acting for it, must provide the support plan - orientation, help with opening a bank account, language support and assistance with daily life.

The key distinction is between the two tiers. SSW1 allows a total stay of up to five years and does not permit family members to accompany you, so it functions as a fixed-term work period. SSW2, available in sectors that offer it, has no five-year cap, is renewable, and allows your spouse and children to join you on Dependent status - making it a genuine long-term settlement track. Many SSW1 workers therefore aim to upgrade to SSW2 by passing the higher-level skills test, which transforms a temporary placement into a durable future in Japan.