[Updated October 10, 2026] The information on the “period of stay granted” (the period of stay permitted each time) for Specified Skilled Worker (i) was out of date, so we have added the current rule to the comparison table. We have also corrected the periods for Specified Skilled Worker (ii), where 2 years was missing.
What Is the Specified Skilled Worker System?
The Specified Skilled Worker system is a residence status created in April 2019 (Heisei 31) to respond to the worsening labor shortage. Through amendment of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, its purpose is to accept foreign talent with a certain level of expertise and skills as immediately effective workers.
Governing law: “Specified Skilled Worker” in Table 1-2 of the Appended Tables of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (Article 2-5 of the Immigration Control Act)
Unlike conventional work visas, a major feature is that there is no educational background requirement and it can be obtained by passing tests.
Comparison of Specified Skilled Worker (i) and (ii)
Specified Skilled Worker has two types, “(i)” and “(ii)”, and the requirements and residence conditions differ greatly between them.
| Item | Specified Skilled Worker (i) | Specified Skilled Worker (ii) |
|---|---|---|
| Skill level | Considerable knowledge or experience | Proficient skills |
| Japanese language ability | Confirmed by test, etc. (equivalent to N4 or above) | Not required (already confirmed under (i)) |
| Period of stay | Up to 5 years in total | No upper limit (renewable) |
| Period of stay granted | 1 year, 6 months, or 4 months [Updated October 10, 2026] Currently, the period is designated individually by the Minister of Justice within a range not exceeding 3 years. In our office’s practice, 2 or 3 years is most common, and 1 year is rare | 3 years, 1 year, or 6 months [Updated October 10, 2026] The correct periods are 3 years, 2 years, 1 year, or 6 months |
| Accompanying family members | Not permitted as a general rule | Permitted (spouse and children) |
| Support plan | Required | Not required |
| Application for permanent residence | Not counted toward the period of stay | Application possible if requirements are met |
| Changing jobs | Possible within the same sector | Possible within the same sector |
List of the 19 Eligible Sectors
By the Cabinet decision of January 23, 2026 (Reiwa 8), the sector-specific operational policies were laid down as Annexes 1 through 19, and the sectors eligible for Specified Skilled Worker expanded from the previous 16 to 19 sectors. The three newly added sectors are linen supply, logistics warehouse and resource circulation. Separately, by the Cabinet decision of June 2023 (Reiwa 5), the sectors eligible for Specified Skilled Worker (ii) were substantially expanded. The current eligible sectors are as follows.
| No. | Sector | (i) | (ii) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nursing care | ○ | ×(*1) |
| 2 | Building cleaning | ○ | ○ |
| 3 | Linen supply | ○ | ×(*2) |
| 4 | Manufacture of industrial products | ○ | ○ |
| 5 | Construction | ○ | ○ |
| 6 | Shipbuilding and ship machinery | ○ | ○ |
| 7 | Automobile maintenance | ○ | ○ |
| 8 | Aviation | ○ | ○ |
| 9 | Accommodation | ○ | ○ |
| 10 | Automobile transportation | ○ | ○ |
| 11 | Railways | ○ | ○ |
| 12 | Logistics warehouse | ○ | ×(*2) |
| 13 | Agriculture | ○ | ○ |
| 14 | Fishery | ○ | ○ |
| 15 | Manufacture of food and beverages | ○ | ○ |
| 16 | Food service | ○ | ○ |
| 17 | Forestry | ○ | ○ |
| 18 | Wood industry | ○ | ○ |
| 19 | Resource circulation | ○ | ×(*2) |
*1 The nursing care sector is not eligible for Specified Skilled Worker (ii) because a separate residence status of “Nursing Care” is provided. *2 For the three sectors of linen supply, logistics warehouse and resource circulation, the sector-specific operational policies adopted by the Cabinet decision of January 23, 2026 provide for Specified Skilled Worker (i) only.
Source: Immigration Services Agency, “Basic Policy, Sector-Specific Operational Policies and Operational Guidelines on the Specified Skilled Worker System” (Cabinet decision of January 23, 2026) https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/ssw/nyuukokukanri01_00132.html
The tasks covered by the three new sectors, the reset acceptance projections and the suspension of new acceptance in the food service sector are explained in Specified Skilled Worker 2026 Changes: Expansion to 19 Sectors and the Food Service Suspension.
Differences Between Specified Skilled Worker and Other Residence Statuses
| Item | Specified Skilled Worker (i) | Technical Intern Training | Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Securing talent | Skill transfer (international contribution) | Specialized work |
| Educational requirement | None | None | University graduation, etc. required |
| Changing jobs | Possible within the same sector | Not permitted as a general rule | Free |
| Period of stay | 5 years in total ((i)) | Up to 5 years | No upper limit |
| Accompanying family members | Not permitted ((i)) | Not permitted | Permitted |
| Form of acceptance | Direct employment | Through a supervising organization | Direct employment |
Flow of Using the System
There are mainly two routes to obtaining the Specified Skilled Worker residence status.
Entry from Overseas (Application for a Certificate of Eligibility)
- Pass the skills test and Japanese language test
- Conclude an employment contract with the accepting company
- Formulate a support plan for Specified Skilled Worker (i) foreign nationals
- Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau
- Issuance of the Certificate of Eligibility (screening period: roughly 1 to 3 months)
- Apply for a visa at the Japanese diplomatic mission abroad
- Enter Japan and start working
Change from Within Japan (Application for Permission to Change Status of Residence)
- Pass the skills test and Japanese language test (or be exempted through completion of Technical Intern Training (ii))
- Conclude an employment contract with the accepting company
- Formulate a support plan for Specified Skilled Worker (i) foreign nationals
- Apply for permission to change status of residence at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau
- Permission for the change (screening period: roughly 1 to 3 months)
- Start working
Reference: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, “About the Specified Skilled Worker System” https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/specifiedskilledworker.html
Our Support
For consultations regarding Specified Skilled Worker visa applications, trust Kaneko Hidetaka Administrative Scrivener Office.
- 98% approval rate
- Languages: Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese
- Free initial consultation
- Serving Chiba, Tokyo, and nationwide (online consultation available)