FAQ

Specified Skill Worker is a status of residence established to give foreign nationals more opportunities to work in Japan. This is a status of residence for working. You can work in Japan and receive the same salary as Japanese workers. There are two type of Specific Skill work, type 1 and type 2.

Type 1: allows you to work in Japan for total of five years. You can take Japanese classes and you receive various forms of support from your company. You are not allow to bring your family with you.

Type 2: requires more specialized skills than SSW type 1.You can bring your family with you.

SSW program covers  the following 14 fields .You can choose one of these fields to work in.

01. Care worker
02. Building cleaning management
03. Machine parts & tooling industries
04. Industrial machinery industry
05. Electric, electronic, and information industries
06. Construction industry
07. Shipbuilding and ship machinery industry
08. Automobile repair and maintenance
09. Aviation industry
10. Accommodation industry
11. Agriculture
12. Fishery and aquaculture
13. Manufacture of food and beverages
14. Food service industry

orking as a SSW type 1 requires:
01. Pass the Japanese Language Proficiency test (JLPT N4  / JFT)
02. Pass the proficiency test for the field which you wish to work.  

03. Being healthy (it is essential to have a health checkup that covers all the specified items)

 If you are already in Japan under a Technical Intern Training Program, you are exempt from the above qualification  to apply for the same job  category in SSW.

There are no particular requirements in regard to applicants’ educational backgrounds. How ever there is a minimum age requirement for Specified Skill Workers. They must be over 18 years of age.

In principle, you can work for up to 5 years in total, but you cannot bring your family. In addition, the major difference from other status of residence to work in Japan is a support system. You can receive a wide range of support for life and work from your employer while you are in Japan, from the time you arrive to leave for your home country.

SSW work with confidence and no worries.
The support that the employer could provide is the following:

1. Before coming to Japan, you will receive an advance guidance on living in Japan in a language that you can understand.
2. Transportation from/to the airport will be arranged on your arrival/departure.
3. Help you to rent a house, open a bank account, sign contracts for a mobile phone and lifeline(electricity and gas,etc.) in  Japan.
4. So that you can live comfortably in Japan, there will be an orientation session on the rules and manners of Japanese society, how to use transportation, and how to respond in the event of an earthquake or other disasters.
5. Accompany you to the city hall where you live, as well as help you with paperwork such as resident registration, tax payment, etc.
6. Support for further Japanese language study will be provided.
7. When you have any problems, you can receive consultations and advice in either your native language or English anytime.
8. Opportunities will be created to interact with Japanese people, to help you quickly become familiar with Japanese society.
9. Support for finding/switching a job if you are laid off or have to quit due to company circumstance.
10. Regular Meetings to discuss various matters between you and the manager in charge of SSW support in the company.

1. Pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test.
2. In order to work in Japan, take the necessary Skill Evaluation Test and pass it.
3. Find a sponsor company (employer) who will hire you directly in Japan.
4. A Japanese Sponsor Company applies for a Certificate of Eligibility. In that case, passing certificates of 1. and 2. are required.
5. A Certificate of Eligibility will arrive from the Japanese Sponsor Company.
6. Apply for a visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country.
7. With a visa and Certificate of Eligibility, you will undergo Immigration in Japan and will be issued a Residence Card.
8. Labor starts under the Sponsor Company. You can reside up to 5 years (in the case of “Specified skilled No. 1”).
9.  If the job category falls under the category of “Specified Skilled No. 2”, an application for visa change can be made after working for 5 years. It opens the way to permanent residence.

No, you are not allow to do part time job.

Yes, you can change without returning home.

In order to acquire a Specified Skilled Worker status in an industry that differs from other technical intern training, it is possible to pass a skill test for the desired industry and find an accepting organization.

* The Japanese Language Proficiency Test is not required.

Even if both skill tests were failed, the Immigration Bureau will determine whether the technical intern trainee has achieved the skill level by the issuance of an evaluation record from the accepting organization.

Status of residence of “specific skills” to accept new foreign human resources.
The main pillars of the new visa framework are the “accepting agency” that employs foreigners and the “registration support agency” that provides support for foreigners with specific skill No. 1 on consignment.

[Accepting institution (= institution to which specific skill belongs)] Companies / organizations that employ foreigners with specific skills

[Registration support agency] Companies / organizations / individuals who implement support plans for foreigners with specific skills  on behalf of the host organization