Status of residence: Specified Skilled Worker
In order to address the labor shortage in some industrial sectors where it is difficult to secure human resources, Japan established a new residence status called "Specified Skilled Worker" in April 2019 to accept foreign workers who have a certain level of expertise and skills and can contribute immediately. This page provides information on accepting foreign workers (Specified Skilled Worker) with the "Specified Skilled Worker" residence status.
What does SSW residence status mean?
Visa and Residence Status
As a general rule, foreign nationals who wish to enter Japan must obtain a visa from a Japanese embassy (agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) located abroad. However, having a visa alone does not guarantee entry into Japan. When you arrive in Japan, you must undergo the necessary examinations conducted by the Immigration Service Agency of the Ministry of Justice at airports, etc., and obtain a residence status that is compatible with the activities you will be carrying out in Japan. Therefore, "visa" and "residence status" are two separate procedures, which are under the jurisdiction of separate agencies. The SSW system presented on this page is a type of residence status that has been newly established. There are two types of SSW, "Specified Skilled Workers" - (i) and (ii).
Features of SSW
Those eligible to work in Japan as SSWs must be at least 18 years old, in good health, and have the ability to start work immediately without prior training. Incidentally, there is another system called "Technical Intern Training," established for the purpose of international contribution, in which workers learn various techniques through on-site training in Japan, and then return to their home countries to share Japanese technical expertise. Under this system, there is a way for those who have successfully completed a certain amount of training, without having to take tests for work skills and Japanese language proficiency, to change their status to SSW (i) in the same case at the time of their residence. Refer to the chart below for the main differences between SSW (i) and (ii).
Specific skilled workers
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SSW (i) : A residence status for foreign nationals engaged in work requiring skills that require substantial knowledge or experience in a specific industrial field. SSW (ii) : This is a residence status for foreign nationals who will be engaged in work requiring skills that require substantial knowledge or experience in a specific industrial field. |
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| Duration of stay |
SSW (i) : Up to 5 years in total SSW (ii) : No limit on the duration of stay subject to renewal |
| Skill level |
SSW (i) : Confirmed by examination (Foreign nationals who have completed Technical Intern Training (ii) are exempted from examination) SSW (ii) : No limit on the duration of stay subject to renewal |
| Japanese language proficiency level |
SSW (i): Japanese language skills necessary for daily life, work, etc. are confirmed through testing SSW (ii): There is no need to confirm through testing, etc. |
| Family travel |
SSW (i) : Not allowed in principle SSW (ii) : Possible if requirements are met (wife/husband, children) |
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SSW (i): Eligible to receive assistance from the receiving organization or registered assistance organization |
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