Japan Specified Skilled Worker 1

Status for work in designated industrial fields facing labour shortages, under an employment contract with a Japanese public or private organisation designated by the Minister of Justice; work needs considerable knowledge or experience in the field. ^{1 2 3}

What you must show and pay

• A fee of JPY 10,000 (≈ $63) · Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is 3 months or less; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added. ⁴
• A fee of JPY 15,000 (≈ $95) · Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is over 3 months up to 6 months; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added. ⁴
• A fee of JPY 21,000 (≈ $130) · Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is over 6 months and under 1 year; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added. ⁴
• A fee of JPY 27,000 (≈ $170) · Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is 1 year; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added. ⁴
• A fee of JPY 42,000 (≈ $260) · Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is over 1 year and under 3 years; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added. ⁴
• A fee of JPY 56,000 (≈ $350) · Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is 3 years or more and under 5 years; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added. ⁴
• A fee of JPY 65,000 (≈ $410) · Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is 5 years or more; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added. ⁴

Requirements

• The applicant is aged 18 or older. ^{2 3}
• The applicant passed the skills evaluation test for the field and a Japanese language test at CEFR A2 level, for example JFT-Basic or JLPT N4. ^{2 3}
• Both tests are waived for those who completed Technical Intern Training (ii). ^{2 3}
• The applicant has an employment contract with a Japanese organisation, with work limited to the specified industrial field. ^{1 3}
• The ISA outline of July 2026 lists 19 fields: nursing care, building cleaning management, linen supply, industrial products manufacturing. ^{1 3}
• Fields: construction, shipbuilding and ship machinery, automobile maintenance, aviation, accommodation, automobile transport, railway. ^{1 3}
• Fields: logistics warehouse, agriculture, fishery, food and beverage manufacturing, food service, forestry, wood industry and resource circulation (waste treatment). ^{1 3}
• Linen supply, logistics warehouse and resource circulation were added by the Cabinet decision of 23 January 2026; acceptance in these fields starts once the ministerial ordinances are in force. ³
• Pay is equal to or higher than what a Japanese national would receive for the same work. ²
• There is no security deposit and no penalty contract. ^{1 2}
• Total stay on this status is limited to 5 years in principle. ^{1 2}
• Accompanying family is basically not permitted. ^{1 2}

Stay

• Period set individually by the Minister of Justice, within 3 years per grant; cumulative stay on SSW (i) limited to 5 years in principle.
• First stay: up to 36 months, decided case by case.
• Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

Work

Work in the specified industrial field for the contracting organisation.

Family

Accompanying family members are basically not permitted.

Checked 2026-10-12

Official sources

1. Status of residence: Specified Skilled Worker · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-10
2. Specified Skilled Worker leaflet: requirements, exams and remuneration rule (ISA) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-10
3. Outline of Employment for Skill Development Program (Revised July 2026) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-12 · published 2026-07
4. Fees for extension of stay, change of status and permanent residence applied for online from 1 October 2026 · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-11
5. Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence (revised 24 February 2026) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2026-02-24
6. Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence (revised 1 October 2026) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-12 · published 2026-10-01
7. Naturalization: conditions and procedure (Q&A) · Civil Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Justice of Japan · checked 2026-10-12
8. Certificate of Eligibility application: standard processing period · Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11
9. Application for change of status of residence: standard processing period · Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11
10. Application for extension of period of stay: standard processing period · Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11