Specified Skilled Worker 1 (Tokutei Ginou 1)

Japan•Asia

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Specified Skilled Worker 1 (Tokutei Ginou 1)

Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

1–3 months

Estimated Cost

¥20,500 JPY

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

5 years

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

No dependents

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote not required

Apply Now Official Information

Living in Japan

Cost of Living

25% cheaper than United States

Avg Salary¥4,800,000

Quality of Life

161/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

Work visa for skilled workers in 16 designated industries requiring Japanese language and skills tests.

The Specified Skilled Worker (i) visa lets workers fill labor shortages in 16 designated Japanese industries — including nursing care, construction, agriculture, food service, and shipbuilding — without a university degree. Applicants must pass an industry skills test and show Japanese at JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic A2.

The visa allows a cumulative stay of up to 5 years via renewable 1-year periods; no family accompaniment is permitted. Employers must meet strict labor-condition standards and provide worker support. Holders can convert to SSW(ii) or Engineer/Specialist status, but the visa does not lead to permanent residence.

This visa is ideal for skilled tradespeople who can communicate in basic Japanese and want hands-on employment in Japan without a degree requirement.

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Cost Breakdown

Single-entry visa fee¥3,000 JPY

Multiple-entry visa fee¥6,000 JPY

In-person change of status or extension fee¥6,000 JPY

Online change of status or extension fee¥5,500 JPY

Total¥20,500 JPY

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

5 years

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

jp-ssw2 — Specified Skilled Worker 2 (SSW2)

Japan

jp-ssw2 — Specified Skilled Worker 2 (SSW2)

ValidityIndefinite

Processing1–4 months

View Visa Details

Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services

Japan

Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services

Validity5 years

Processing1–3 months

View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Age 18 or older

Skills proficiency test in the specified industry field (or completion of Technical Intern Training (ii))

Japanese language proficiency test (JLPT N4 or higher, or JFT-Basic) (or completion of Technical Intern Training (ii))

Employment contract with a Japanese company (employer sponsorship)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

16 industries covered
Growing program
Can change employers within sector

Worth Knowing

5-year maximum (SSW1)
Language test required
No family initially

Verified Claims (23)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Application Steps

—

ssw.go.jp

Fee Breakdown

Single-entry visa fee: 3000 JPY; Multiple-entry visa fee: 6000 JPY; In-person change of status or ex…

mofa.go.jp

Fees

¥3,000 (single-entry visa) / ¥6,000 (multiple-entry visa) / ¥6,000 (in-person residence status chang…

mofa.go.jp

Forms

—

ssw.go.jp

Included Nationalities

—

ssw.go.jp

Job Offer Required

true

ssw.go.jp

Language Req

Japanese (JLPT N4+ or JFT-Basic A2)

ssw.go.jp

Application Portal

https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/online/onlineshinsei.html

moj.go.jp

Apply Now Official Information

Living in Japan

Cost of Living

25% cheaper than United States

Avg Salary¥4,800,000

Quality of Life

161/200

Full Country Guide

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Overview

Work visa for skilled workers in 16 designated industries requiring Japanese language and skills tests.

This visa is ideal for skilled tradespeople who can communicate in basic Japanese and want hands-on employment in Japan without a degree requirement.

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Age 18 or older

Skills proficiency test in the specified industry field (or completion of Technical Intern Training (ii))

Japanese language proficiency test (JLPT N4 or higher, or JFT-Basic) (or completion of Technical Intern Training (ii))

Employment contract with a Japanese company (employer sponsorship)