Japan’s labor shortage has pushed the government to steadily expand one of its most significant work visa programs for foreign nationals: the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW, or Tokutei Ginō) visa. Unlike many of Japan’s other work visas, it doesn’t require a university degree — just demonstrated industry skills and Japanese language ability. The program has grown and shifted enough in the past year that it’s worth understanding the current state carefully rather than relying on older figures.
What the SSW Visa Is
Launched in 2019, the SSW visa lets foreign nationals work in specific industries facing serious labor shortages in Japan. It’s structured into two tiers:
- SSW Type 1 (SSW1): The entry tier, capped at a maximum total stay of five years, generally without the ability to bring family members.
- SSW Type 2 (SSW2): A more advanced tier requiring higher-level skills exams and demonstrated professional/supervisory competence, but offering indefinite visa renewals with no cumulative maximum stay, and the ability to bring a spouse and unmarried children.
Critically, time spent on SSW2 status counts toward Japan’s 10-year residency requirement for permanent residency — making it a genuine, if demanding, pathway to long-term settlement, whereas SSW1 time generally does not count the same way.
Eligible Industries
The number of eligible sectors has been expanding steadily and is reported somewhat differently across sources depending on when they were published — recent counts have ranged from around 14 to 19 sectors, reflecting genuine, ongoing government expansions (recent additions have included railways, forestry, and automobile transportation, responding to labor shortages tied to Japan’s aging workforce, particularly in regional areas). Because this list is actively growing, always check the current, official sector list on the Immigration Services Agency of Japan’s website rather than relying on a specific older count.
Common sectors across most current guides include: nursing care, building cleaning, machine parts/tooling industries, industrial machinery, electronics/electrical, construction, shipbuilding, automobile maintenance, aviation, accommodation, agriculture, fisheries, food and beverage manufacturing, and food service.
Important note on the food service/restaurant sector: as of April 13, 2026, new Type 1 applications for the restaurant sector were suspended, as the sector’s cap of 50,000 workers (set for the five-year period beginning April 2024) is expected to be reached by around May 2026. If you’re specifically targeting this sector, verify current status directly with the Immigration Services Agency before making plans, since caps like this can open or close application windows on short notice.
Requirements
The core eligibility requirements for SSW1 generally include:
- Passing a sector-specific skills examination, testing practical knowledge, technical competency, safety awareness, and job-related skills relevant to your specific industry
- Japanese language ability, generally requiring passing the JLPT N4 level or above, or the JFT-Basic test designed specifically for SSW applicants (which is set to introduce new sub-levels, A1 and A2, from August 2026)
- Being at least 18 years old and in good health
- Coming from a country with a bilateral agreement with Japan — applicants typically work through a sending organization in their home country and a registered support organization in Japan
Typical Salary
Reported salary ranges commonly fall around ¥200,000–¥250,000 per month, though actual pay varies by industry, region, and specific employer. As with other countries in this guide series, treat this as a general benchmark rather than a guarantee, since actual compensation depends heavily on your specific sector and location within Japan.
Changing Employers
Switching employers is allowed, but the rules differ depending on whether you’re staying in the same field:
- Within the same industry (e.g., moving between two food service companies): no additional skills test is required, and you can transfer directly.
- Switching to a different field (e.g., agriculture to food service): you must pass the relevant skills test for the new industry.
- Japanese language requirement: once you’ve obtained SSW1 status, you generally don’t need to retake the language test when changing employers, even across fields.
Employer Support Obligations
Employers sponsoring SSW workers are required to provide a defined set of support services — commonly cited as 10 categories, covering things like pre-arrival guidance, housing assistance, and support navigating daily life and administrative procedures in Japan. This is a structural feature of the program aimed at reducing the isolation and practical difficulties that can come with relocating for lower-wage sector work in an unfamiliar country.
Major Changes on the Horizon
Based on the “Comprehensive Measures for Acceptance of Foreign Workers” approved by Japan’s Cabinet in January 2026, the government has continued revising sector categories and job classifications within the program. Separately, a new program called the Employment for Skill Development Program (ESDP) is planned to launch in April 2027, intended to replace the current Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) and create a smoother on-ramp into the SSW system for foreign workers gaining skills while employed in Japan. Because this is still a forward-looking, not-yet-implemented change as of 2026, treat it as a planned development rather than a currently available pathway.
Practical Challenges to Consider
Beyond the formal requirements, several practical realities are worth weighing honestly before committing to this pathway:
- Language barriers persist even after passing the N4 exam — basic workplace communication can still be genuinely difficult for new arrivals, particularly in specialized technical vocabulary.
- Japanese workplace culture often emphasizes discipline, hierarchy, punctuality, and teamwork in ways that may differ significantly from workplace norms in your home country.
- Rural placement is common for several SSW sectors (agriculture, fisheries, forestry), and workers placed in these areas may experience meaningful social isolation, particularly without an existing community of fellow expatriates nearby.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Relying on an outdated sector count. The list of eligible SSW industries has expanded multiple times recently — always check the current official list rather than a number from an older article.
- Assuming SSW1 time counts toward permanent residency the same way SSW2 does. It generally doesn’t — SSW2 is the tier that counts toward Japan’s 10-year PR residency requirement.
- Not checking sector-specific application caps. As shown by the 2026 restaurant sector suspension, individual sectors can hit worker caps and pause new applications with relatively little advance notice.
- Underestimating the language and cultural adjustment. Passing the N4 exam is a real accomplishment, but it doesn’t eliminate the day-to-day communication and cultural adjustment challenges many workers report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a university degree for Japan’s SSW visa? No. This is one of the SSW visa’s key advantages over many other Japanese work visas — it’s based on demonstrated industry skills and Japanese language ability rather than a formal degree requirement.
What’s the difference between SSW1 and SSW2? SSW1 caps your total stay at five years and generally doesn’t allow bringing family. SSW2 requires passing an advanced skills exam but allows indefinite renewals, family reunification, and counts toward Japan’s 10-year permanent residency requirement.
How much Japanese language ability do I need? Generally, JLPT N4 level or above, or the equivalent JFT-Basic test score designed specifically for SSW applicants.
Can I switch employers on an SSW visa? Yes, generally. Switching within the same industry doesn’t require a new skills test, but switching to a different field does require passing that field’s relevant skills exam.
How many industries are eligible for the SSW visa? The number has been expanding and is reported differently across sources depending on when they were published — recent figures range from around 14 to 19 sectors. Always check the current official list on Japan’s Immigration Services Agency website.
Can SSW visa holders become permanent residents of Japan? Not directly through SSW1, but SSW2 status counts toward Japan’s 10-year residency requirement for permanent residency, making it a genuine (if demanding) pathway to long-term settlement.
Final Takeaways
Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker visa remains one of the more accessible routes into the country for workers without a university degree, and the program keeps expanding to cover more industries as Japan’s labor shortage persists. The distinction between SSW1 and SSW2 matters enormously for anyone thinking long-term about Japan, since only the more demanding SSW2 tier builds toward permanent residency. Because sector eligibility, application caps, and language test structures are actively evolving — including a significant new program planned for 2027 — confirm current details directly with Japan’s Immigration Services Agency or your local Japanese embassy before making relocation plans.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration advice. Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker program is actively evolving — verify current sector eligibility, requirements, and application caps directly through Japan’s Immigration Services Agency or your local Japanese embassy or consulate before applying.