1) SSW Tokuteigino visa introduction 

The Specified Skill Worker visa (a.k.a Tokuteigino no. 2) aims to accept foreign nationals with expertise and skills in industrial fields where it's hard to find enough domestic human resources. It was established in 2018 and started accepting applications in April 2019.

2)Two Types of ‘Specified Skills’

[SSW (Specified Skilled Worker - Tokuteigino) No. 1]

This is a status of residence for foreign nationals engaged in work that requires considerable knowledge or experience in a specific industrial field.

[SSW (Specified Skilled Worker - Tokuteigino) No. 2]

A status of residence for foreign nationals engaged in work that requires high-level  skills in a specific industrial field. This is considered as the continuation of the tokuteigino no. 1. 

In this way, SSW (Specified Skilled Worker - Tokuteigino) No. 2  is a status of residence to engage in work with skilled skills. 

“Skilled skill” refers to a level of skill that allows one to lead, direct, and supervise on-site workers, and to perform highly specialized and technical work based on one's own judgment.

In addition, the “No. 2” status allows for long-term employment and the ability to bring family members to Japan, and is said to have many advantages for foreign nationals with specified skills. It is also advantageous for the company accepting the foreigner, since the obligatory support that is required for Type 1 is no longer necessary.

◎Addition of Fields Covered by SSW (Specified Skilled Worker-Tokuteigino) No. 2

 On June 9, 2023, all of the following 9 fields and all work categories other than welding in the shipbuilding and marine equipment industry became subject to the new SSW (Specified Skilled Worker-Tokuteigino) No. 2: 

1. Construction

2. Manufacturing

3. Building cleaning

4. Automobile repair maintenance, 

5. Shipbuilding & Ship Marine Industries

6. Aviation Industry

7. Accomodation Infustry

8. Agriculture Industry

9. Fishery and Aquaculture Industries

10. Food and beverage manufacturing Industries

11.  Food service industry. 

As a result, all of the 12 specified industrial fields of SSW (Specified Skilled Worker-Tokuteigino) No. 1, except for the nursing care field (Note 1), are now eligible to accept SSW (Specified Skilled Worker-Tokuteigino) .

(Note 1) The nursing care sector (kaigo) is not included in the specified skills II category because the current professional/technical field of residence status “nursing care” is already in place.

Reference: Immigration and Residence Management Agency, “Addition of Fields of Designated Technical Skills II (Cabinet Decision on June 9, 2023)”.

3)How to Obtain SSW (Specified Skilled Worker-Tokuteigino) No. 2

〇In order to obtainthe SSW (Specified Skilled Worker-Tokuteigino) No. 2 visa, applicants are required to pass the skill test and to have work experience in the field.

〇Passing skill tests prepared and administered by the ministry or agency with jurisdiction over the field and various existing tests

The following is a detailed explanation of the requirements for each field. Some fields have not yet been announced, but we will update this page as soon as they are announced.

1)Construction Industry(a.k.a Kensetsu)

2)Manufacturing(a.k.a Seizogyou)

3)Building Cleaning Management(a.k.a Birukuri-ningu)

4)Automobile Repair and Maintenance(a.k.aJidoushaseibi)

5)Shipbuilding ＆Ship Marine Industries(a.k.aJidoushaseibi)

6)Aviation Industry(a.k.a Kouku)

7)Accomodation Industry(a.k.a Shukuhaku)

8)Aguriculture Industry(a.k.a Nougyou)

9)Fishery and Aquaculture Industry(a.k.a Gyogyou)

10)Food and Beverage Manufacturing Industries(a.k.a Inshokuryouhin-seizougyou)

11)Food Service Industry(a.k.a Gaishokugyou)