Japan is opening its doors wider to foreign workers under the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa, a program designed to tackle labor shortages across key industries. If you’re a skilled or semi-skilled worker dreaming of building a future in Japan, this visa might be your ticket in.

In this 2025 update, we’ll walk you through:

• What the SSW visa is
• Who qualifies and how to apply
• The list of eligible jobs
• Requirements and benefits
• Step-by-step application process

Let’s explore how you can legally live and work in Japan under this growing employment program.

🇯🇵 What Is the Japan Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) Visa?

The SSW visa is a residence and work permit introduced by Japan in 2019 and expanded in 2023 and beyond. It allows foreign nationals to work in sectors facing labor shortages, such as caregiving, construction, food service, and agriculture.

There are two SSW categories:

• SSW Type 1 (SSW1): Up to 5 years of employment in one of 12 industries
• SSW Type 2 (SSW2): For advanced skills; allows longer stays, family reunification, and a path to permanent residency

Note: Most applicants begin with SSW1.

🛠️ Industries Covered by the SSW Visa

As of 2025, the following industries accept foreign workers under the SSW program:

1. Nursing care
2. Food service (restaurants, catering)
3. Building cleaning
4. Construction
5. Industrial machinery manufacturing
6. Shipbuilding and marine
7. Automobile maintenance
8. Agriculture
9. Fisheries
10. Food and beverage manufacturing
11. Electronics and electrical industries
12. Aviation ground handling

These jobs are spread across Japan, including Tokyo, Osaka, Aichi, Hokkaido, and Fukuoka.

✅ Who Is Eligible?

To apply for an SSW visa, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have relevant skills and knowledge in the selected sector
• Pass a skills proficiency test specific to the industry
• Pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N4 or higher
• Have a job offer from a Japanese employer

You do not need a university degree. Experience, certification, and testing are more important.

Many applicants come from the Philippines, Indonesia, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and other Asian and African countries.

📋 Required Documents

To apply, prepare the following:

• Valid passport
• Job offer or employment contract from a Japanese employer
• Certificate of eligibility (CoE) issued by Japan Immigration
• Japanese language test certificate (JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic A2)
• Skills evaluation test result
• Medical certificate
• Proof of clean criminal record
• Photos (per Japan visa guidelines)

📌 How to Apply for the SSW Visa: Step-by-Step (2025)

Step 1: Choose an Industry

Decide which sector matches your skills — caregiving, construction, hospitality, etc.

Step 2: Pass the Skill Test

Each industry has its own practical and theoretical exam. These are held in various countries.

• SSW Skill Test Website

Step 3: Pass a Japanese Language Test

You’ll need:

• JLPT N4 or
• JFT-Basic A2

Tests are available globally multiple times a year.

Step 4: Find a Job Offer

Use recruitment agencies or apply directly to Japanese employers participating in the SSW program.

Popular platforms:

• Hello Work Japan
• Jobs in Japan
• World Integration Community
• Accredited recruitment agencies in your country

Step 5: Certificate of Eligibility (CoE)

Your employer will apply for this on your behalf at a local immigration office in Japan.

Step 6: Apply for the SSW Visa at Your Local Embassy

Once your CoE is ready:

• Submit your documents to the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country
• Pay the visa application fee (~¥3,000 – ¥6,000)

Step 7: Enter Japan and Begin Work

After approval, you’ll receive a residence card upon arrival and can start work under contract.

💼 Salary Expectations in Japan (2025)

Salaries vary by region, employer, and level of experience.

🏠 Living Costs in Japan

Total average living cost: ¥90,000 – ¥140,000/month ($600 – $950 USD)

📝 Benefits of the SSW Visa

• No degree required
• Work for up to 5 years
• Switch jobs within the same sector
• Some sectors allow transition to SSW2, with family visa options
• Transparent testing and hiring process
• High potential for long-term residence

✈️ Can You Bring Your Family?

• SSW Type 1: Family sponsorship is not allowed
• SSW Type 2: After progressing, you can bring dependents and apply for permanent residency in future

🌐 Useful Resources

• Japan SSW Official Site
• JLPT Official Site
• JFT-Basic Language Test
• Jobs in Japan – SSW Listings

Key Takeaways

• The Japan SSW visa is a promising gateway for skilled foreign workers in 2025
• It covers 12 growing industries with strong labor demand
• You don’t need a university degree, only a skills test and basic Japanese proficiency
• Salaries are competitive, and cost of living is manageable
• You can work in Japan legally for up to 5 years, with a pathway to extend and upgrade your visa

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Pro Tip: For the best visa sponsorship jobs and insurance options for immigrants, explore our Visa Sponsorship section and Insurance category.

Written by our team of international travel and visa experts based in Canada. Read more helpful guides like this here.