What is SSW

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Our process

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Agriculture 2
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What is SSW?

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Caregiver
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SSW Sectors

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SSW Process

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What is SSW?

"Visa" and "Status of Residence"

As a general rule, foreign national who intend to entry into Japan must acquire a “visa” at the embassy of Japan (an organization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the headquarters for Japanese Government representatives serving) in a foreign country, but this does not mean that you are guaranteed entry into Japan if obtaining a visa. When you arrive in Japan, you need to undergo the necessary examination by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan at the airport and aquire a “Status of Residence” according to the activity you are trying to conduct in Japan. In light of this, acquisition of “visa” and “Status of Residence” are separate procedures that fall under the jurisdiction of different organizations. The SSW introduced on this page is a type of newly established “Status of Residence”.

Features of SSW

Those who can work in Japan as a SSW must be over 18 years old in a good health, have the necessary occupational skills and Japanese language ability to work immediately without receiving any particular training. Skills and Japanese proficiency will be confirmed by a unified test conducted by Japan. In principle, you can work for up to 5 years in total, but you cannot bring your family. In addition, the major difference from other status of residence to work in Japan is a support system. You can receive a wide range of support for life and work from your employer while you are in Japan, from the time you arrive to leave for your home country. There is another program called "Technical Intern Training", which aims toward providing international contributions by having workers share skills and knowledge that they acquired through on-the-job training in Japan throughout their home country after returning. Those who have satisfactory completed Technical Intern Training are able to switch their status of residence to SSW in the same field without taking occupational skill exams and Japanese proficiency tests.
Specified Skilled Worker (i)
This is a status of residence applicable to foreign nationals who work in jobs that require a considerable knowledge of or experience in Specified Industry Fields.
Period of StayRenewed every 1 year, 6 months or 4 months, up to 5 years in total
Skill StandardsConfirmed by exams, etc. (those who have completed Technical Intern Training (ii) are exempted from exams, etc.)
Japanese Language LevelProficiency in Japanese language required in daily life and at the workplace needs to be confirmed by exams, etc.
Accompanied by family membersbasically not permitted
Eligible for support by Accepting Organizations or Registered Support Organizations

*Specified Skilled Worker (ii) is a status of residence for foreign nationals to engage in jobs that require proficient skills in specified industry fields.