[Complete Guide] Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) Visa
Practice Guide 2026
The “Specified Skilled Worker” (SSW) is a status of residence created to accept foreign nationals who possess a certain level of expertise and skills as an immediate workforce in specific industrial fields where it is difficult to secure human resources within Japan. Since the system’s launch in 2019, it has undergone several legal amendments, and as of 2026, the scope has expanded to 16 industrial fields, including the addition of road transportation and railway sectors.
At the Administrative Scrivener Ishinagi Office, we provide support for sustainable foreign employment while minimizing legal risks for companies, based on our extensive record of successful applications at the Osaka Regional Immigration Bureau.
1. What is the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) Visa? (Basic Definition)
The SSW visa is a status of residence defined in the Immigration Control Act (Appended Table I-2), focusing on securing labor. Unlike the “Technical Intern Training” program, its primary characteristic is the expectation for the individual to act as a ready-to-work professional from the beginning.
Detailed Comparison: SSW Category 1 vs. Category 2
As of 2026, it is possible to transition to “Category 2” in almost all specified industrial fields (excluding Nursing Care), which significantly opens the door to long-term employment.
| Comparison Item | SSW Category 1 | SSW Category 2 |
| Skill Level | Substantial knowledge or experience (Exam-based) | Expert skills (High level of specialization) |
| Japanese Proficiency | Basic level for life and work (N4 equivalent) | No certificate required (Focus on practical skills) |
| Stay Period | Total up to 5 years (Renewable) | No limit (A path to Permanent Residency) |
| Family Accompanying | Generally not permitted | Permitted (Spouse and children) |
| Support Obligation | Employer has full support obligations | None (Worker leads an autonomous life) |
| PR Application | Generally not counted toward residency years | Counted as work period toward residency |
SSW Category 2 Transition Practice: Strategy for Long-term Employment and Permanent Residency
With the expansion of target fields in 2024, transition to “Category 2” is now possible for all fields except Nursing Care. Unlike Category 1, Category 2 has no upper limit on the stay period and allows family members to accompany the worker, serving as a powerful step toward “Permanent Residency”.
What are “Expert Skills” for Category 2 Transition?
The requirement of “expert skills” is proven through advanced skill evaluation exams in each field.
- Importance of Practical Experience: In many fields, not just passing the exam, but also practical experience as a supervisor or leader on-site is required. Employers need to present a career path early on.
- Exemption from Japanese Language Exams: When transitioning to Category 2, there is no need to take a Japanese language exam again.
Category 1 “Total 5 Years” Management and Deduction Rules
The stay period for SSW Category 1 is limited to a total of 5 years. However, there are practical exceptions in counting this “5-year” limit.
Periods that can be excluded (deducted) from the count
The following periods can be subtracted from the 5-year limit by submitting appropriate documentation during the application:
- Maternity and Childcare Leave: Periods without actual work can be deducted.
- Waiting Periods Due to Circumstances Outside One’s Control: The period from leaving a job (due to bankruptcy or non-voluntary reasons) until finding a new job.
- Period of Medical Treatment for Injury or Disease: Periods when work was impossible due to long-term medical care.
Practical Note: By accurately managing and explaining these periods, it is possible to continue employing valuable human resources beyond the “5-year wall” while preparing for the transition to Category 2.
2. The 16 Target Industrial Fields (2026 Latest)
The SSW visa is only permitted for designated industrial fields:
- Nursing Care (Category 1 only)
- Building Cleaning
- Material Processing, Industrial Machinery, and Electrical/Electronic/Information Related Manufacturing
- Construction
- Shipbuilding and Ship Machinery
- Automobile Maintenance
- Aviation
- Accommodation (Hospitality)
- Agriculture
- Fishery
- Food and Beverage Manufacturing
- Food Service (Restaurants)
- Timber and Forestry (Added in 2024)
- Wood Processing (Added in 2024)
- Motor Vehicle Transport (Bus, Taxi, Truck) (Added in 2024)
- Railway (Added in 2024)
3. Requirements for the Foreign National (Category 1)
Applicants must satisfy all of the following criteria under the law:
- Age and Health: Must be at least 18 years old and in good health.
- Skill Proficiency: Passing the skill evaluation exam for the relevant field. (Note: Technical Interns who successfully completed Category 2 training are exempt from exams.)
- Japanese Language Proficiency: Passing the JFT-Basic or JLPT N4 or higher.
- Prohibition of Deposits: Ensuring that neither the individual nor their relatives have entered into contracts for security deposits or penalties (to prevent exploitation).
- Cooperative Passport: Must hold a passport from a country that cooperates with deportation orders.
4. Requirements for the Employer (Accepting Organization)
Employers have an obligation to maintain a proper system and strictly comply with laws.
- Equal Compensation: Employers must pay wages equal to or higher than those of Japanese employees in the same role.
- Non-disqualification (5-Year Rule): No violations of immigration or labor laws (such as the Labor Standards Act) within the past 5 years.
- Social Insurance and Tax Compliance: Companies must correctly pay taxes and be enrolled in social insurance.
- Direct Employment: Employment must generally be direct, though dispatching (Haken) is allowed in Agriculture and Fishery under specific conditions.
“Occasional Notification” Obligations and Risk Management
Under the SSW system, in addition to the “Regular Report (Annual),” employers are legally obligated to submit an “Occasional Notification” when significant changes occur:
Cases requiring notification (within 14 days of the event)
- Changes in Employment Contract: Raise (or reduction) in wages, changes in hours, or job duties.
- Changes in Support Plan: Change in the Registered Support Organization or personnel.
- Termination of Contract: Resignation, dismissal, or disappearance.
- Inability to Accept: Management deterioration preventing the acceptance of foreigners.
Risks of failure to notify
Failure to comply with notification duties (Violation of Article 19-18) leads directly to a 5-year ban on accepting new foreign workers. Furthermore, reports that differ from reality may be considered “False Applications” and could lead to charges for aiding illegal employment.
5. Contents of the “Category 1 Support Plan”
Companies must create and implement a support plan covering these 10 items to support the social and professional life of workers:
- Pre-entry Guidance: Explaining labor conditions after the contract but before entry.
- Airport Pickup and Send-off: Transport to and from the airport.
- Housing and Utility Contracts: Assisting with apartment leases, bank accounts, and mobile phone contracts.
- Life Orientation: Rules and manners in Japan, and transportation usage.
- Administrative Accompanying: Accompanying workers for city hall registrations and tax procedures.
- Japanese Language Study: Information on classes or teaching materials.
- Consultation and Complaint Handling: Responding to workplace or life concerns in the worker’s native language.
- Social Interaction: Information on local community events.
- Job Search Support (if dismissed): Helping secure new employment if the company closes.
- Periodic Interviews: Quarterly meetings with the worker and their supervisor.
[Practical Point]: If a company cannot provide this support internally, it can outsource to a “Registered Support Organization” registered with the Ministry of Justice.
6. [Most Important] 2026 Legal Reform and Compliance
As of January 2026, compliance regarding foreign employment has become more stringent than ever.
- Exclusive Duty for Document Preparation: Preparing application documents for the Immigration Bureau for a fee is the exclusive duty of Administrative Scriveners (or lawyers). Unregistered organizations preparing documents under the guise of “support fees” are in clear violation of the Administrative Scrivener Act (punishable by imprisonment or fines), and the employer may also be held liable for aiding “illegal residency” or “false applications”.
- Shift to “Annual Reports”: From April 2026, the frequency of regular reports has shifted to once a year. This is not a simplification; rather, it demands highly accurate audits by professionals for each report. False reporting can lead to the immediate revocation of acceptance status.
Why an Administrative Scrivener Must Be Involved
If an application is made using documents created by an unlicensed party and its legality is later questioned, the company becomes party to “residency through improper means” and faces penalties or acceptance bans. Our office creates all documents under the name of an Administrative Scrivener, completely insulating the company from such legal risks.
7. Application Procedures and Necessary Documents
Applying for an SSW visa requires dozens of documents depending on the individual and company situation.
Essential Documents (Selection)
- Certificate of Eligibility (COE) Application or Change of Status Application
- Copy of the SSW Employment Contract
- Explanation of Wages for SSW (Comparison with Japanese employees)
- Category 1 SSW Support Plan
- Copy of Skill Evaluation and Japanese Language Exam Certificates
- Company Financial Statements (past 2 years) and Tax Certificates
- Other sector-specific proving documents
8. Benefits of Choosing Administrative Scrivener Ishinagi Office
The SSW system is prone to “nominal support” or “illegal document preparation” due to its complexity. Our office, based in Yodogawa-ku, Osaka, provides the following value:
- Optimization of Legal Schemes: Even when collaborating with Registered Support Organizations, we take charge of document preparation to completely eliminate the risk of violating the Administrative Scrivener Act.
- “Osaka Bureau” Measures: We effectively prove “rationality of wages” and “feasibility of support”—points heavily scrutinized by the Osaka Immigration Bureau—based on our field experience.
- Long-term Residency Management: We provide consulting that covers not only renewals but also annual reports, occasional notifications, transitions to Category 2, and future applications for “Permanent Residency.”
No Extra Fees! Transparent and Fair Pricing
At Gyoseishoshi Ishinagi Office, all fees are clearly listed on our website.
Even if you have a complicated departure history, previous visa denials, or unstable income, no additional fees will be charged. We offer our services under a transparent and fair pricing system.
If your application is denied, we will support you with resubmission at no extra cost until approval is obtained.
If your application submitted through Gyoseishoshi Ishinagi Office is unfortunately denied, we will resubmit it free of charge as long as there is a possibility of approval.
We aim to obtain your visa as quickly as possible and provide full support until your application is successful, because you chose us among many administrative scrivener offices.
Feel Free to Contact Us
- You have a job offer, but don’t know how to proceed with the application
- You want to change your visa category to a different field
- You want to stay with your current employer but are worried about benefits or procedures
Whether it’s before or after employment, feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Please contact us using the inquiry form below.
If you are in a hurry, feel free to call us at
06-7777-3467
(9:00 AM – 11:00 PM, Monday to Friday)
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In that case, kindly leave a voicemail, and we will call you back as soon as possible.
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Representative Administrative Scrivener: Takanori Ishinagi
Japan Federation of Certified Administrative Procedures Legal Specialists (Registration No.: 24260930)
Osaka Administrative Scrivener Association (Membership No.: 008905)
Certified Immigration Agent (Notification No.: Gyō-172025200093)
Neo Heights Shin-Yodogawa Room 406,
1-20-18 Jūsōhigashi, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka 532-0023, Japan
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