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Specified Skilled Worker in Japan | Practical Guide for Employers and Foreign Nationals
Specified Skilled Worker, or SSW, is a status of residence for accepting foreign workers with verified skills in designated labor-shortage industries in Japan.
As of 2026, SSW Type 1 covers 16 industry fields. At the same time, screening and compliance requirements are becoming more practical and detailed, especially regarding job duties, employment conditions, support obligations, filings, and industry-specific rules.
Current overview of the SSW system
SSW is not simply a “labor shortage visa.” It is a compliance-heavy status of residence that requires consistency among the worker’s skills, the job duties, the industry field, employment conditions, support structure, and supporting documents.
The SSW system was introduced in 2019. It now covers 16 designated industry fields for SSW Type 1. In practice, employers must carefully check the worker’s exam background, previous training or work history, the scope of permitted duties, and company-side support arrangements.
Some fields are strongly affected by intake ceilings, exam availability, and government announcements. Food service, in particular, has an important operational restriction for applications accepted on or after April 13, 2026.
In the food service field, due to the operation of the intake ceiling, the Immigration Services Agency announced that COE applications for SSW Type 1 accepted on or after April 13, 2026 will not be issued, and change of status applications will generally be denied. Exceptions and transitional handling may apply, so employers and applicants in the food service field should confirm the latest official information before filing.
SSW Type 1 and SSW Type 2
| Item | SSW Type 1 | SSW Type 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Target worker | Foreign workers with a considerable degree of knowledge or experience in a designated field | Foreign workers with proficient skills in a designated field |
| Period of stay | Up to 5 years in total | Renewable with no total upper limit |
| Japanese language | Japanese ability is generally confirmed | Japanese test confirmation is generally not required |
| Family accompaniment | Generally not permitted | Spouse and children may accompany the worker if requirements are met |
| Support plan | Support plan for SSW Type 1 is required | Not subject to the SSW Type 1 support plan system |
| Eligible fields | 16 industry fields | Available only in certain fields among the 16 fields |
16 industry fields for SSW Type 1
As of 2026, SSW Type 1 covers the following 16 designated industry fields. The applicable job scope, exams, council membership, and required documents differ by field.
Practical points for accepting organizations
In SSW cases, Immigration checks not only the foreign worker’s eligibility, but also the accepting organization’s conditions and support system.
Employers must review the employment contract, salary level, job duties, work location, support structure, pre-arrival guidance, life orientation, consultation system, regular interviews, and periodic filings.
The required preparation may differ depending on whether the company provides support internally or outsources support to a Registered Support Organization.
Equal or better treatment
Salary, working hours, job duties, workplace, and contract terms must be checked carefully.
Practical support structure
The company must be able to conduct guidance, orientation, consultation, regular interviews, and other support obligations.
Consistency with industry scope
The actual job duties must fall within the permitted scope of the relevant SSW industry field.
Typical procedure flow
We check the industry field, job duties, employment terms, company-side structure, and the worker’s exam or background.
We clarify whether the company will provide support internally or outsource it to a Registered Support Organization.
We review worker-side documents, employment documents, company documents, field-specific documents, and council-related matters.
Depending on the case, we consider COE application, change of status, extension, or other residence procedures.
Ongoing management may include regular interviews, consultation records, periodic filings, renewal applications, and job-change handling.
For companies considering SSW acceptance
Accepting Specified Skilled Workers is not only a recruitment matter. Employers must confirm eligibility before acceptance, prepare the immigration application, design the support system, and manage ongoing filings and support after acceptance.
Tommy’s Legal Service can assist with immigration procedures as a Gyoseishoshi office and can also provide practical consultation related to Registered Support Organization services.
When contacting us, please tell us the expected industry field, number of workers, work location, nationality of candidates, whether the candidates are in Japan or overseas, and whether your company plans to provide support internally or outsource support.