Specified Skilled Worker Visa (Type 1 & Type 2)

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa Name	Specified Skilled Worker Visa (SSW)
Stay (Type 1)	Up to 5 years total
Stay (Type 2)	1–3 years per renewal; unlimited renewals
Visa Sticker Cost	15,000 JPY (from July 1, 2026)
COE Application Cost	Free
Exam Fees	Skills: 7,000–10,000 JPY; Language: ~6,500 JPY
Work Rights	Restricted to designated industry sector
Study Rights	Not stated in the source
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Family Sponsorship	Type 1: No; Type 2: Spouse/children
Permanent Residency	Type 2 pathway; Type 1 no
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Travel Facility	Not stated in the source
Processing Time	1–3 months

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Purpose & Overview

The Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) residence status (Zairyu Shikaku) allows foreign nationals with demonstrated skills to work in designated labor-shortage industries in Japan.

• Type 1 (SSW 1): For workers passing basic skills and language tests. Valid for up to 5 cumulative years, requires a registered support organization, and does not permit family accompaniment.
• Type 2 (SSW 2): For workers with higher-level skills. Allows indefinite renewals, family accompaniment, and a potential pathway to permanent residency. Available in almost all designated sectors except care work (which utilizes the separate Care Worker status).

Designated Industry Sectors (16 Sectors)

• Care work
• Building cleaning
• Industrial manufacturing (material processing, industrial machinery, and electronics merged)
• Construction
• Shipbuilding and marine industry
• Automobile repair and maintenance
• Aviation
• Accommodation
• Automobile transport
• Railway
• Agriculture
• Fisheries
• Food and beverage manufacturing
• Food service
• Forestry
• Wood industry

Eligibility Requirements

• Skills Evaluation: Pass the sector-specific Skills Evaluation Examination (特定技能評価試験). Type 2 applicants must pass the higher-level Type 2 examination.
• Japanese Language (Type 1): Pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) at level N4 or the Japanese-Language Evaluation Test (日本語能力評価試験).
• Employment Contract: Hold a valid employment contract with a registered specified skills employer (特定技能所属機関).
• Technical Intern Trainees Exemption: Former Technical Intern Trainees who completed 2nd or 3rd grade training are generally exempt from both skills and language exams when applying for Type 1 in a related field.
• General Requirements: Valid passport and a clean immigration record.

Costs & Fees

• COE Application: Free
• Visa Sticker Issuance: 15,000 JPY (single entry, effective from July 1, 2026)
• Skills Examination: Approximately 7,000–10,000 JPY
• Japanese Language Exam (N4): Approximately 6,500 JPY

Processing Times

Average processing times based on official Ministry of Justice statistics (June 2026):

Application Category	Type 1 Average (30-mo avg)	Type 2 Average (30-mo avg)
Overseas COE Issuance	68.2 days (65.8 days)	51.5 days (54.1 days)
Change of Status (In Japan)	63.0 days (62.4 days)	55.6 days (51.5 days)
Renewal / Extension	45.9 days (42.1 days)	43.5 days (41.3 days)

Overall estimated processing time ranges between 1 to 3 months.

Conditions & Rights

• Work Scope: Work is restricted to the designated sector; outside employment is prohibited. Type 2 holders may take on a broader operational scope, including management duties.
• Family Accompaniment:
  • Type 1: Family accompaniment is not permitted.
  • Type 2: Eligible to sponsor a spouse and children under a Dependent (Family Stay) visa.
• Extensions & Transitions:
  • Type 1: Granted in 1-year increments up to a strict maximum of 5 years. Holders must leave Japan or transition to another status (e.g., Type 2 or Engineer/Specialist in Humanities if qualified) before the limit expires.
  • Type 2: Renewable every 1 to 3 years without an upper limit. Eligible to apply for Permanent Residence.

Obligations

• Must register residential address in Japan within 14 days of entry.
• Type 1 visa holders must engage with a registered support organization (登録支援機関) for daily life support.
• Employers must be registered Specified Skilled Worker organizations.

Required Documents

• Valid passport
• Application for Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
• Recent passport-size photograph
• Employment contract with a registered specified skills employer
• Skills Evaluation Examination certificate
• Japanese language proficiency certificate (JLPT N4 or equivalent)
• Health certificate
• Support plan from a registered support organization (for Type 1)
• Previous residence cards and Technical Intern Training certificates (if transitioning from TITP)

Application Steps

1. Skills & Language Testing: Pass the industry-specific skills test and the Japanese language exam (unless exempt as a former Technical Intern Trainee).
2. Job Offer: Secure an employment contract meeting Specified Skills standards with a registered employer in one of the 16 sectors.
3. Support Plan (Type 1): Coordinate with a registered support organization.
4. COE Application: The Japan-side sponsor submits the COE application to the Regional Immigration Bureau.
5. Visa Application: Take the approved COE to the local Japanese Embassy or Consulate to obtain the visa sticker.
6. Arrival & Registration: Enter Japan and register the local residential address within 14 days.

Official Link

• Immigration Services Agency of Japan - Specified Skilled Worker