Types of Specified Skilled Worker (Type 1 and Type 2)

There are two types of "Specified Skilled Worker" status of residence: Specified Skilled Worker (i) and Specified Skilled Worker (ii).

• Specified Skilled Worker (i): Engaging in work that requires a certain level of knowledge or experience in a designated industry sector. The period of stay is individually determined by the Minister of Justice (not exceeding 1 year at a time, with a cumulative maximum of 5 years).
• Specified Skilled Worker (ii): Engaging in work that requires advanced and expert skills in a designated industry sector. The period of stay is 3 years, 2 years, 1 year, or 6 months. Long-term employment is possible through renewals, and spouses and children may accompany the worker if the requirements are met.

Type (i) requires passing a sector-specific skills assessment test and a Japanese language proficiency test (those who have successfully completed Technical Intern Training (ii) are exempt from these tests), and are entitled to living support from the accepting organization or a registered support organization. Type (ii) does not require a Japanese language test and is not subject to the support requirements. For more details, please refer to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan: "Specified Skilled Worker" and JITCO: "What is the Specified Skilled Worker Status of Residence?".

Designated Industry Sectors (16 Sectors)

The following 16 designated industry sectors are eligible to accept Specified Skilled Workers. Type (i) is available in all 16 sectors; Type (ii) is available in a limited number of sectors (for Industrial Products Manufacturing, only certain work categories are eligible).

① Nursing Care　② Building Cleaning Management　③ Industrial Products Manufacturing　④ Construction　⑤ Shipbuilding and Ship Machinery Industry　⑥ Automobile Repair and Maintenance　⑦ Aviation　⑧ Accommodation　⑨ Road Transportation (Automobile)　⑩ Railway　⑪ Agriculture　⑫ Fishery and Aquaculture　⑬ Food and Beverage Manufacturing　⑭ Food Service Industry　⑮ Forestry　⑯ Timber Industry

For details on eligible work activities in each sector, please refer to the Separate Volumes for Specific Sectors (Immigration Services Agency of Japan).

How to Work in Japan on a Specified Skilled Worker Visa

Skills and Japanese Language Requirements

To work under Specified Skilled Worker (i), applicants must pass a sector-specific skills assessment test and demonstrate Japanese language proficiency (the Japan Foundation Japanese-Language Test (JFT-Basic) or the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N4 or above). Those who have successfully completed Technical Intern Training (ii) are exempt from these tests. Specified Skilled Worker (ii) requires confirmation of advanced skills through designated tests, but no Japanese language test is required. In the nursing care sector, applicants must also pass the Japanese Language Skills Assessment Test for Nursing Care (Kaigo Nihongo Hyoka Test) in addition to the above.

Links to Exam Information

You can find exam information for each sector at the following sites.

• Nursing Care (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)
• Building Cleaning Management (Japan Building Maintenance Association)
• Industrial Products Manufacturing (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)
• Construction (Japan Association for Construction Human Resources)
• Shipbuilding and Ship Machinery Industry (ClassNK)
• Automobile Repair and Maintenance (Japan Automobile Service Promotion Association)
• Aviation (Japan Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Association)
• Accommodation (Accommodation Industry Skills Test Center)
• Road Transportation (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)
• Railway (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)
• Agriculture (National Chamber of Agriculture)
• Fishery and Aquaculture (Japan Fisheries Association)
• Food and Beverage Manufacturing (Organization for Technical Intern Training in Food and Beverage Manufacturing — OTAFF)
• Food Service Industry (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries)
• Forestry (Forestry Skills Development Center)
• Timber Industry (National Federation of Wood Industry Associations)

Salary and Period of Stay

Salary: The salary must be equivalent to or higher than what a Japanese national would receive for the same type of work (as stipulated in the Specified Skilled Worker employment contract standards).

Period of Stay: For Specified Skilled Worker (i), the period is individually determined by the Minister of Justice (generally not exceeding 3 years at a time, with a cumulative maximum of 5 years). For Specified Skilled Worker (ii), the period is 3 years, 2 years, 1 year, or 6 months, and long-term employment is possible through renewals.

Required Documents

The main types of applications for the Specified Skilled Worker status are: (1) Application for Certificate of Eligibility (for new entry to Japan), (2) Application for Change of Status of Residence (changing from another status to Specified Skilled Worker), and (3) Application for Extension of Period of Stay. Required documents vary depending on the type of application, whether it is Type (i) or (ii), and the industry sector. The following is a general overview. Always confirm the latest forms and document lists at the Immigration Services Agency page on "Specified Skilled Worker" under the "List of Documents to Be Submitted / Confirmation Checklist for Residence Applications by Specified Skilled Workers."

Documents Required for All Application Types

• One photograph (meeting the specified requirements)
• Application form (Application for Certificate of Eligibility / Application for Change of Status of Residence / Application for Extension of Period of Stay)
• Applicant's passport and residence card (to be presented at the time of change or renewal application)

Categories of Required Documents (for Certificate of Eligibility / Change of Status Applications)

Required documents are generally divided into the following 3 categories.

1. (1) Documents related to the applicant: Table 1 (including cover page), etc. The confirmation checklist differs between Type (i) and Type (ii).
2. (2) Documents related to the accepting organization: Tables 2-1 to 2-3 (for corporations or sole proprietors). Organizations that have already accepted Specified Skilled Workers within the same fiscal year may be exempt from submitting Tables 2-1 to 2-3. Table 2 is not required for extension of period of stay applications.
3. (3) Documents related to the industry sector: Table 3. A confirmation checklist is prepared for each sector (Nursing Care, Building Cleaning Management, Industrial Products Manufacturing, Construction, Shipbuilding and Ship Machinery Industry, Automobile Repair and Maintenance, Aviation, Accommodation, Road Transportation, Railway, Agriculture, Fishery and Aquaculture, Food and Beverage Manufacturing, Food Service Industry, Forestry, Timber Industry, etc.).

Main Documents by Application Type

• Application for Certificate of Eligibility: Application form for Certificate of Eligibility, Tables 1–3 (prepare required documents using the applicable confirmation checklist according to the categories above).
• Application for Change of Status of Residence: Application form for Change of Status of Residence, passport and residence card (to be presented), Tables 1–3.
• Application for Extension of Period of Stay: Application form for Extension of Period of Stay, passport and residence card (to be presented), Tables 1 and 3 (Table 2 is not required).

When application documents are submitted by someone other than the applicant, documents proving the submitter's identity (e.g., authorized representative certificate, family register extract, etc.) may be required. Application forms, sample entries, and applicant lists can be found at the List of Forms for Specified Skilled Worker-Related Applications and Notifications (Immigration Services Agency of Japan).