Japan Has Opened Its Doors to Foreign Workers And It Needs You. Here is what you need to know about Japan Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) Professional Visa that includes all 16 sectors, SSW Type 1 vs Type 2, JLPT N4 requirement, salary guide, application process, and the path to Japanese permanent residency.
For most of the 20th century, Japan maintained one of the world’s most restrictive immigration systems. The country’s official position was that the domestic workforce, supplemented by modest numbers of technical trainees, was sufficient to meet national labour demand. That position became increasingly difficult to sustain as Japan’s population began to decline, its workforce began to age, and entire sectors of its economy started to experience chronic shortages of workers that no domestic policy could adequately address.
The Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa, introduced in April 2019 and substantially expanded since and represents Japan’s acknowledgement that international labour is essential to the country’s economic future. In 2026, the programme covers 16 designated industrial sectors, has set an ambitious target of 820,000 workers over five years, and has been reformed to eliminate the exploitative features of its predecessor programme. For workers in qualifying sectors from the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Nepal, and many other countries, the SSW visa is a genuine, structured pathway to legal employment in one of the world’s most unique and fascinating countries.
The most important feature of the SSW visa for international workers is this: you do not need a university degree to qualify. What you need are demonstrated vocational skills in a qualifying sector and a basic level of Japanese language ability. This makes it one of the only major developed-country immigration pathways that is accessible to skilled blue-collar and service sector workers who have built their competencies through work experience rather than formal academic credentials.
This post explains everything such as the 16 sectors, how SSW Type 1 and Type 2 differ, what the language requirements are, what you can earn, how to apply, and what life in Japan looks like for an international SSW worker.
What Is the Japan Specified Skilled Worker Visa?
The Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa, known in Japanese as Tokutei Gino, is a work visa specifically designed for foreign nationals who want to work in industries experiencing severe labour shortages in Japan. It was created as a genuine employment pathway, distinct from the former Technical Intern Training Program (TITP), which was nominally framed as training but was widely criticised for exploitative practices. The TITP was abolished and replaced by a new Employment for Skill Development (ESD) status in 2024.
The SSW programme has two tiers. SSW Type 1 (SSW-1) is for workers who have passed the relevant sector-specific skills test and a Japanese language test. Type 1 allows work in Japan for a cumulative maximum of five years and does not include the right to bring family members. SSW Type 2 (SSW-2) is for workers who have passed a more advanced Grade 2 skills test and have demonstrated supervisory-level proficiency. Type 2 permits are renewable indefinitely, allow family accompaniment, and represent a clear pathway to Japanese permanent residency.
| Feature | SSW Type 1 vs SSW Type 2 |
| Duration | Type 1: Max 5 years total | Type 2: Renewable indefinitely |
| Family Rights | Type 1: No family | Type 2: Spouse and children allowed |
| PR Pathway | Type 1: Does not directly lead to PR | Type 2: Leads to PR |
| Exam Required | Type 1: Grade 1 skills test + JLPT N4 | Type 2: Grade 2 (advanced) skills test |
| Sectors Available | Type 1: All 16 sectors | Type 2: Currently limited to select sectors |
| Employer Support | Type 1: Must have registered support organisation | Type 2: More independent |
The 16 Designated Sectors for SSW Visa in 2026
The SSW programme covers 16 industrial sectors where Japan has identified chronic labour shortages. The programme was originally launched with 14 sectors and expanded to 16 in 2024 with the addition of rail transportation and restructuring of several manufacturing categories. Each sector has its own skills evaluation test, administered by the relevant industry association under the oversight of Japan’s Immigration Services Agency.
| Sector | Key Roles | Type 2 Available | Primary Source Countries |
| Nursing Care (Kaigo) | Care workers, nursing home staff | No | Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam |
| Building Cleaning | Commercial and residential cleaning | No | Vietnam, Philippines, Nepal |
| Food Manufacturing | Food processing, packaging, quality control | Yes (expanded 2025) | Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar |
| Food Service | Restaurant staff, kitchen workers, baristas | No | Vietnam, Philippines, China |
| Agriculture | Crop farming, greenhouse cultivation, livestock | Yes | Vietnam, Philippines, Myanmar |
| Fisheries | Aquaculture, fish processing, fishing operations | Yes | Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam |
| Construction | Structural work, concrete, reinforcement, carpentry | Yes | Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia |
| Shipbuilding | Welding, hull assembly, piping, painting | Yes | Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia |
| Automobile Repair | Vehicle maintenance, inspection, repair | Yes | Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia |
| Aviation | Ground handling, aircraft maintenance support | No | Philippines, Vietnam |
| Accommodation | Hotel front desk, housekeeping, facility management | No | Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia |
| Industry Machinery | Machine assembly, metalworking, electronics | Yes | Vietnam, China, Philippines |
| Electronics Manufacturing | Printed circuit board assembly, soldering | Yes | Vietnam, China, Indonesia |
| Casting / Forging / Metalwork | Industrial metalworking and fabrication | Yes | Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia |
| Automobile Manufacturing | Vehicle parts assembly, welding, painting | Yes | Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines |
| Railway (since 2024) | Maintenance, operations support, safety inspection | Yes (limited) | Philippines, Vietnam |
Language Requirements: The JLPT N4 Standard
Japanese language ability is the most significant barrier for most international applicants to the SSW visa. Unlike many other work visa programmes, the SSW requires proof of Japanese language proficiency, the minimum standard for SSW Type 1 is the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N4 level, or equivalent certification such as the Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese (JFT-Basic).
What does JLPT N4 mean in practice? At N4 level, you can understand basic vocabulary and grammar used in everyday conversations spoken slowly, read simple passages in hiragana, katakana, and basic kanji, and handle routine daily interactions in Japanese. It does not require you to be conversationally fluent, but it does require genuine effort and investment in language learning. Most learners without prior Japanese exposure need 6 to 12 months of consistent study to reach N4 from zero.
There is an alternative path for applicants who already completed the three-year Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) under the former system or the newer Employment for Skill Development (ESD) programme at Grade 2 level. These individuals are exempt from the skills test and the language test for most SSW sectors, as their programme completion is treated as equivalent evidence of both skills and language ability.
| Language Pathway | Qualification Required |
| Standard SSW-1 | JLPT N4 (passed) OR JFT-Basic (passed) |
| Nursing Care specific | JLPT N4 + Nursing Care Japanese Language Evaluation Test |
| Former TITP (Grade 3) Holder | Skills test ONLY (language test waived for most sectors) |
| Former ESD (Grade 2) Holder | Both tests waived for the relevant sector |
| SSW-2 | No separate language test, skills grade 2 is sufficient |
Salary and Working Conditions for SSW Visa Workers in Japan
The SSW programme’s core principle regarding wages is equality: SSW workers must be paid the equivalent of what a Japanese worker performing the same role in the same location would earn. Discriminatory underpayment is illegal. There is no SSW-specific minimum salary above the national minimum wage, but enforcement of the equal pay rule means that wages in practice are set by market rates for each sector and region.
Typical Salary Ranges by Sector
| Sector | Typical Monthly Salary (JPY) | Typical Annual (Approx. USD) |
| Nursing Care | 200,000–250,000 | $17,000–$21,000 |
| Construction | 210,000–280,000 | $18,000–$24,000 |
| Food Manufacturing | 180,000–230,000 | $15,000–$20,000 |
| Food Service | 175,000–220,000 | $15,000–$19,000 |
| Agriculture | 180,000–240,000 | $15,000–$20,000 |
| Automobile Manufacturing | 200,000–270,000 | $17,000–$23,000 |
| Shipbuilding | 210,000–280,000 | $18,000–$24,000 |
| Automobile Repair | 200,000–260,000 | $17,000–$22,000 |
| Accommodation | 180,000–230,000 | $15,000–$20,000 |
Important context: Japan’s cost of living, particularly outside Tokyo and Osaka, is significantly lower than most Western countries. Many SSW employers provide company dormitory housing at low or no cost, which dramatically increases disposable income. Monthly housing in a company dormitory typically costs JPY 15,000 to 30,000 (approximately USD 100 to 200), compared to private apartment rents of JPY 50,000 to 100,000+. Including this benefit substantially improves the effective value of SSW compensation. Health insurance and pension contributions are also provided through the social insurance system, deducted from the gross salary.
SSW Type 2: The Pathway to Permanent Residency in Japan
One of the most significant features of the SSW programme often overlooked by applicants focused on the Type 1 entry point is what it leads to. SSW Type 2 is renewable indefinitely, allows family accompaniment, and provides a direct pathway to Japanese permanent residency.
The pathway works as follows. Workers who pass the Grade 2 (advanced) skills evaluation test in their sector and meet the relevant language and employment requirements can upgrade from SSW Type 1 to SSW Type 2. Once on SSW Type 2, consistent legal residence and employment in Japan accumulates toward the 10 years of residence generally required for permanent residency. Some categories of work can reduce this timeline for highly skilled workers in certain fields, Japanese PR is achievable faster.
Japan’s Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) points visa provides an even faster PR track: 70 points gets PR eligibility after three years of residence, and 80 points after just one year. For SSW workers who develop high-level Japanese skills, sector expertise, and career progression, transitioning to the HSP points system is a viable long-term strategy.
How to Apply for the Japan SSW Visa: Step by Step
- Pass the sector-specific skills evaluation test. These are administered by Prometric testing centres in Japan and in 13+ designated sending countries including the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Myanmar, Cambodia, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Check the exam schedule at the Immigration Services Agency website (moj.go.jp) for your target sector and location.
- Pass the Japanese Language Test. For most sectors, the minimum is JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic. The Nursing Care sector also requires the Nursing Care Japanese Language Evaluation Test. The JLPT is administered twice a year (July and December); JFT-Basic is available more frequently at designated testing centres.
- Find a registered SSW employer in Japan. Japan maintains a registry of employers certified to hire SSW workers. Job matching can be done through registered overseas sending organisations, Japanese overseas employment agencies, or direct employer recruitment through official portals. Ensure any agency you use is officially registered, unregistered intermediaries are prohibited.
- Sign a compliant employment contract. The contract must specify your job duties, salary, working hours, and support arrangements. Your salary must be equivalent to what a Japanese worker in the same role would earn.
- Your employer files a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) on your behalf at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau in Japan. This process takes approximately one to three months from submission.
- Once the COE is issued, apply for your SSW visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country. Bring your COE, passport, and required supporting documents.
- Travel to Japan. Upon arrival, collect your Residence Card (Zairyu Card) at the port of entry. Register your address at your local municipal office within 14 days of arrival.
- For SSW Type 1, your employer must engage a registered support organisation (torokushien kikan) to provide daily life support, including Japanese language learning support, orientation, banking assistance, and social insurance registration. This support is free to you as the worker.
Countries Eligible for Japan’s SSW Programme
Japan has signed bilateral agreements on the SSW programme called Specified Skilled Worker Sending Countries (Tokutei Gino Gaijin ni Kakaru Okuridashi Kikan) with specific nations. Workers must be nationals of, and currently residing in, one of these countries to apply through the overseas pathway. Workers already legally in Japan on another visa status can also apply domestically.
As of 2026, the list of sending countries includes: the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Nepal, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Kyrgyzstan, India, and several others. The list has expanded steadily since the programme launched. Workers from countries not on the bilateral agreement list may still be eligible to apply for the SSW visa from within Japan if they are already there on a different status.
Always verify the current list of sending countries at moj.go.jp before planning your application. New countries are added periodically.
Life in Japan as an SSW Worker
Daily Life and Integration
Japan is a country of extraordinary depth and culturally rich, intensely safe, technologically sophisticated, and in many ways unlike anywhere else in the world. For first-time arrivals, the adjustment can be significant: the language barrier is real, the social norms differ markedly from many other cultures, and Japan’s bureaucratic systems (health insurance, pension, municipal registration) require early attention. Your registered support organisation is responsible for helping you navigate all of these within 14 days of arrival.
Over time, most SSW workers report that the adjustment to daily life in Japan becomes progressively easier as language skills improve and social networks develop. Japanese colleagues and neighbours are generally welcoming to foreign workers who show genuine interest in the culture and make efforts to learn the language. The safety, cleanliness, and reliability of Japanese infrastructure such as trains, healthcare, food are universally appreciated.
Japanese Language Learning Resources
- JLPT Official Study Materials: jlpt.jp (free sample questions and past papers)
- Japan Foundation Test (JFT-Basic): jftbasic.jlpt.jp
- NHK World Japanese language courses: available free online and as apps
- Marugoto Japanese language textbook series designed for working adults
- Anki flashcard decks for JLPT N5 to N3 vocabulary free open-source
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Do I need a university degree for the Japan SSW visa?
No. The SSW visa is specifically designed for workers who demonstrate skills through vocational competency tests rather than academic qualifications. A university degree is not required. What you need is to pass the relevant sector-specific skills evaluation test and a Japanese language test at JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic level.
Q2. How long does it take to pass the JLPT N4?
Most learners without any prior Japanese exposure take 6 to 12 months of consistent, dedicated study to reach JLPT N4 level. Learners who already have some exposure to Chinese characters (such as Chinese speakers) may progress faster. The N4 level requires knowledge of approximately 1,500 vocabulary items, 300 kanji, and basic grammar patterns. Consistent daily practice (one to two hours) using structured textbooks and supplementary digital tools is the most effective approach.
Q3. Can I bring my family to Japan on the SSW visa?
SSW Type 1 does not allow family accompaniment. You must come to Japan alone under Type 1. SSW Type 2, which is obtained after passing the advanced Grade 2 skills test, does allow your spouse and children to accompany you. Planning for the Type 2 upgrade should be part of your long-term Japan strategy if you intend to bring your family.
Q4. Can I change employers on the SSW visa?
Yes. Unlike the former TITP programme which tied workers to specific employers, SSW Type 1 workers can change employers freely within the same sector. If you want to move to a different sector, you need to pass the skills test for that new sector. Your new employer must also be registered as an SSW employer.
Q5. How does the SSW visa differ from the old Technical Intern Training Programme?
The former TITP (abolished in 2024 and replaced by the Employment for Skill Development programme) was structured as a training programme, which meant workers had limited labour rights and were largely tied to their original employer. The SSW visa is explicitly framed as employment, granting workers full labour law protections, equal pay rights, freedom to change employers within the sector, and genuine career progression pathways through the Type 2 upgrade.
Q6. Which country sends the most SSW workers to Japan?
Vietnam is the largest source country for SSW workers in Japan, accounting for approximately 44 percent of all SSW holders in 2026. Indonesia is second at approximately 21 percent, followed by the Philippines at around 10 percent and Myanmar at around 10 percent. China, Nepal, Cambodia, and other sending countries make up the remainder. The programme is broadly designed to serve workers from Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Central Asia.
Q7. Is Japan safe for foreign workers?
Japan consistently ranks as one of the safest countries in the world. The crime rate is extremely low, public spaces are clean and well-maintained, and the social environment is generally respectful and orderly. Foreign workers in Japan report feeling safe in their daily lives. The main challenges are cultural and linguistic rather than safety-related, navigating a very different social environment, learning a demanding language, and adapting to Japan’s high standards for workplace conduct and punctuality.
Q8. What is the path from SSW Type 1 to Japanese permanent residency?
SSW Type 1 (maximum 5 years) does not directly lead to permanent residency. To progress toward PR, you need to either upgrade to SSW Type 2 (by passing the Grade 2 skills test) or transition to another visa status such as the Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) visa. Once on SSW Type 2 (or HSP), consistent legal residence and employment in Japan accumulates toward the 10-year general PR threshold. For highly skilled workers on the HSP points visa, PR can be achieved in as little as one to three years.
Q9. Are there sectors that make it easier to qualify for SSW in Japan?
The Food Service, Building Cleaning, and Accommodation sectors are generally considered to have more accessible skills tests with broader eligibility. Agriculture and Food Manufacturing are also widely accessible and have active bilateral recruitment programmes with sending countries. Construction and Shipbuilding have strong Type 2 tracks but more technically demanding entry skills tests. Nursing Care requires additional language certification but offers one of the most stable employment environments with strong employer support systems.
Q10. What support must employers provide to SSW Type 1 workers?
Employers hiring SSW Type 1 workers must either provide or arrange through a registered support organisation a comprehensive support package including: pre-arrival orientation, airport pickup, assistance finding housing, Japanese-language social insurance registration support, Japanese language learning support, regular consultation sessions at least once per month, assistance with complaint resolution, support with cultural adaptation and understanding of Japanese customs, and notification of rights regarding labour conditions.
Japan’s Doors Are Open For Workers Ready to Step Through Them
The Japan Specified Skilled Worker visa is not a casual immigration pathway. It requires commitment to learning Japanese, to passing a skills assessment, to adapting to a deeply different cultural and social environment. But for workers who make that commitment, it offers something genuinely valuable: legal, stable, protected employment in one of the world’s most fascinating and economically sophisticated countries, with a clear pathway from first entry all the way to permanent residency.
Japan needs workers. It has set a target of 820,000 SSW workers through 2028. It has built a legal framework to protect those workers, an exam system to ensure competency, and a support infrastructure to help new arrivals settle. Approximately 370,000 SSW workers are already building their lives in Japan. By 2028, that number will more than double.
Start with the language. The JLPT N4 is your key. Once you hold it, paired with a sector skills certificate in an area where Japan has genuine demand, the opportunity is real. Prepare well. Enter Japan through an official, registered channel. And invest in the country that has invested in its system to welcome you.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Japan’s SSW programme rules, eligible sectors, sending countries, salary standards, and visa requirements are subject to regular update by the Immigration Services Agency (moj.go.jp). Always verify current requirements at the official Ministry of Justice portal before making application decisions. This article was researched and published in June 2026.