Specified Skilled Worker (i)
🇯🇵 Japan visas · Work
What it is
For foreign nationals with considerable skills in designated fields (nursing care, construction, agriculture, food service, manufacturing, etc.) to fill labour shortages. Introduced April 2019.
Key facts
- Category
- Work
- Duration
- Up to 5 years total (renewed in increments of 1 year, 6 months, or 4 months)
- Processing time
- 3 months
- Maximum validity
- 1 year
- Extendable
- Yes
- Dependants
- No
- Health insurance
- Required
Standard figures for this route. Some applicants pay a reduced fee or none at all, so confirm your own case on the official page.
Fees
- Application fee (band 14,900-15,100; local amount per mission)
- JPY 15,100
- Application fee (band 29,900-30,100; local amount per mission)
- JPY 30,100
Key requirements
- Age 18 or older
- Pass skills evaluation test for the designated industry
- Pass JFT-Basic or JLPT N4 or higher
- Employment contract with a Japanese company in an eligible sector
- Not have previously spent 5 years as SSW(i)
- Exemption from tests for those completing Technical Intern Training (ii)
Working on this visa
The status of residence permits only the activities listed for it in the Immigration Control Act's annexed table; other paid activity needs separate permission.
Facts checked against the official source. Last updated 23 July 2026.