Japan Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) Visa
Japan JPN
Japan's Specified Skilled Worker visa was introduced in 2019 to address severe labour shortages in 14 designated industries including nursing care, construction, agriculture, food service, and shipbuilding. SSW-1 status requires passing a sector-specific skills test and Japanese language proficiency exam (JLPT N4 or equivalent), and allows up to a cumulative 5 years of work without family sponsorship rights. SSW-2 status, available in select industries, permits indefinite renewal and the right to bring family members, creating a practical long-term residency pathway for skilled blue-collar and service workers.
Program Details
- Category
- Skilled Worker
- Processing Time
- 2 months
- Application Fee
- $60
- Minimum Income
- N/A
- Minimum Investment
- N/A
- Family Included
- No
- Path to PR
- Yes — 10 years
- Path to Citizenship
- Yes — 10 years
- Physical Presence
- Must reside and work continuously in Japan; SSW-1 is capped at a cumulative 5 years of stay; SSW-2 allows indefinite renewal without a total cap
- Dual Citizenship
- Not allowed
- Tax Impact
- Workers residing in Japan are subject to Japanese income tax on worldwide income after five years of residency; prior to five years, only Japan-sourced income is taxed
- Renewal Cost
- $60
No fixed minimum income; salary must meet sector-specific wage standards and be equivalent to or higher than wages paid to Japanese workers in the same role
Key Requirements
- ✓Pass the relevant industry-specific skills evaluation test for the target sector (SSW-1), or hold Technical Intern Training (ii) or (iii) certification as an exemption
- ✓Pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT N4 minimum) or equivalent — some sectors exempt Technical Intern graduates
- ✓Valid employment contract with a registered Japanese employer in one of the 14 designated sectors
- ✓Proof of compliance with sector wage standards
- ✓No prior immigration violations in Japan