work
Specified Skilled Worker (i)
For foreign workers in designated industries facing labor shortages (entry-level skilled work). See fields below.
Duration & Rights
Period of Stay:
Renewable up to 5 years total (in increments of 6 months to 1 year)
Work Rights:
Work only in the specific industry and job role of sponsorship
Processing Time:
1-3 months for COE/visa (varies by country and scheme)
Quick Stats
Difficulty
3/5
Popularity
3/5
Requirements
- Pass the designated skills exam for the industry
- Basic Japanese proficiency (typically JFT or JLPT N4 level)
- Job offer in one of the specified sectors
Key Documents
- Skills test certificate or result
- Employment contract from a licensed company in Japan
- Japanese language test certificate
FAQs
Which industries are covered by SSW (i)?
See the "fields" list for the full, current set of eligible industries.
Can I bring my spouse or children on SSW (i)?
No. SSW (i) does not permit dependents.
Upgrade Paths
- Specified Skilled Worker (ii) in fields where available
- Change to other work visa if eligible