Find visa optionsFind visas
Menu

Japan · work sponsored

Specified Skilled Worker Type 1 (SSW-1 / 特定技能1号)

By · Last reviewed:

Source check: all 8 official citations reconfirmed 13 September 2026

Work visa for skilled workers in designated industries — requires passing a skills test and Japanese language test (JLPT N4+).

Requires sponsorshipDoes not lead to permanent residencyUp to 5 years total (not renewable beyond 5 years — must transition to SSW-2 or another status).In flux
Processing time
2–6 weeks for COE.
Government fees
COE: free; visa fee varies; skills-test fee ¥6,000–¥8,000.
Typical duration
Up to 5 years total (not renewable beyond 5 years — must transition to SSW-2 or another status).
Sponsorship required
Yes
Leads to permanent residency
No
Reviewed Immigration Services Agency (ISA) ↗

In short

As of 8 July 2026, the Specified Skilled Worker Type 1 (SSW-1 / 特定技能1号) for Japan is a sponsor-led Japan immigration route. Sources: official Japan government pages, reviewed 8 July 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/japan/specified-skilled-worker-1#answer

What is the Specified Skilled Worker Type 1 (SSW-1 / 特定技能1号) in Japan?

Specified Skilled Worker Type 1 (SSW-1 / 特定技能1号) is a sponsor-led Japan route. Indicative government fees are COE: free; visa fee varies; skills-test fee ¥6,000–¥8,000; indicative processing time is 2–6 weeks for COE; typical duration is Up to 5 years total (not renewable beyond 5 years — must transition to SSW-2 or another status). This route does not lead to permanent residence.

Verified against Immigration Services Agency (ISA) on 22 June 2026.

Overview

The Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) Type 1 visa was introduced in 2019 and has been expanded across 19 employment fields including nursing care, building cleaning, construction, manufacturing, food services, agriculture, fisheries, accommodation, transport and other shortage sectors. Applicants generally must pass an industry-specific skills test and a Japanese language test (JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic), unless exempt through qualifying technical-intern training. SSW-1 does not lead directly to permanent residence and is limited to 5 years. However, holders can transition to SSW-2 in eligible sectors, which has no overall stay limit and permits family accompaniment.

Guidance by nationality

Specific information for applicants from these countries. Don’t see yours? The general eligibility criteria above apply to everyone.

Additional sources

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Pass the skills and language tests

    Take the industry-specific skills test (held in Japan and some partner countries) and the JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic.

  2. Secure a job offer

    The employer must be in a designated industry and submit a support plan.

  3. Apply for COE and visa

    Employer applies for COE; you apply for visa at consulate.

  4. Work for up to 5 years

    SSW-1 allows up to 5 years in total. To stay longer, transition to SSW-2 (if available in your sector) or another visa status.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Specified Skilled Worker Type 1 (SSW-1 / 特定技能1号), use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Agree the lawful start date and onboarding with the employer or sponsor. Check whether the permission names an employer, role or activity before changing the arrangement.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Official Specified Skilled Worker Type 1 (SSW-1 / 特定技能1号) instructionsBuild my moving plan for this routeMoving to Japan

Plan the practical side of your stay

Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Japan. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. ChecklistApplicant + sponsor
    Check SSW required documents ↗

    Worker and accepting organisation confirm test certificates, support-plan evidence, and COE documents for SSW status.

    Immigration Services Agency (ISA) · verified

  2. Official guidanceApplicant
    Apply for visa with COE ↗

    Applicant uses the COE to file the entry visa application at the competent Japanese embassy or consulate.

    Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) · verified

Matches these professions

NurseDoctorCare workerEngineer

Also explored by

Vietnamese Filipino Indonesian

Compare Japan with

Related routes

Frequently asked questions

Can SSW-1 lead to permanent residence?+

SSW-1 itself does not lead to PR and is limited to 5 years. However, some sectors now offer SSW-2, which does lead to PR. The 2024 expansion significantly broadened SSW-2 eligibility across more industries. Check the ISA website for the current list of SSW-2-eligible sectors.

Do I need to be from a country with an SSW memorandum of cooperation?+

No. ISA guidance says a bilateral memorandum of cooperation is not mandatory for SSW status. Applicants still need the required skills and language evidence, job contract, and supporting documents for their sector.

Can I bring my family on SSW-1?+

No. SSW-1 holders cannot bring family members. SSW-2 holders can bring spouses and children. This is one of the key differences between the two tiers.

Does the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW-1) visa lead to permanent residence in Japan?+

No. SSW-1 itself does not lead to permanent residence and is limited to 5 years total, not renewable beyond that — you must transition to SSW-2 or another status to stay longer. Some sectors offer SSW-2, which does lead to PR. Check the current SSW-2-eligible sectors on the Immigration Services Agency website.

Do I need to speak Japanese for the SSW-1 visa?+

Yes. You must pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test at N4 level or above (or the JFT-Basic test), in addition to passing the industry-specific skills test for your designated industry; failing the language or skills test is a common blocker. Confirm the current requirements with the Immigration Services Agency.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

Find a regulated advisor in Japan

How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: Immigration Services Agency (ISA)

Last checked: 22 June 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology

CompareFind visa options