--- title: "Japan Specified Skilled Worker 1 requirements 2026" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/specified-skilled-worker-1/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-12 --- Japan · Work # Japan Specified Skilled Worker 1 **First stay:** 3 yrs Specified Skilled Worker (i) (特定技能1号) Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) - **First stay:** 3 yrs (Period set individually by the Minister of Justice, within 3 years per grant; cumulative stay on SSW (i) limited to 5 years in principle.) - **Who can apply:** Any passport - **Family:** Family can't join (Accompanying family members are basically not permitted.) - **Tax angle:** Tax relief (Non-permanent resident foreign-source income treatment: Non-permanent residents are taxed in Japan on Japan-source income and on foreign-source income paid in or remitted to Japan; foreign-source income paid and kept abroad is outside the Japanese tax base.) ## Key facts Specified Skilled Worker 1 is a work route for Japan. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source. - **Government fees:** ¥10k ≈ $63 · +6 more - **Processing:** 1–3 months - **First stay:** 3 yrs ## Cost, time and long term To apply: 7 government fees listed below; decision: 1–3 months. No lawyer or agent fee is included. **Government fees: ¥10k ≈ $63 · +6 more** - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. **Renewal: Renewable, 5 years max** Granted for up to 3 years at a time; total time on this status is limited to 5 years in principle. [Immigration Services Agency of Japan](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/specifiedskilledworker.html) **Permanent residence: After 10 years of residence** Years on this status count toward the 10 years in Japan but not toward the 5 years that must be on a work or residence status, and the status is capped at 5 years in total. Moving to Specified Skilled Worker (ii) removes the cap. Under the guideline revised on 1 October 2026 the ministry also looks at whether you hold the longest period of stay allowed for your status (a 3-year period counts as the longest for applications filed up to 31 March 2027), and an absence from Japan of 6 months or more in one trip, or 2 years 6 months in total, in the last 10 years without good reason counts against the application. [Immigration Services Agency of Japan](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/resources/nyukan_nyukan50.html) **Citizenship: After 10 years of residence** The Nationality Act (Article 5) sets a minimum of 5 consecutive years of lawful residence in Japan, plus conduct, livelihood and other conditions. The Ministry of Justice's naturalisation Q&A adds that integration into Japanese society is required, such as 10 years or more of residence and Japanese good enough for daily life (speaking, reading and writing). Meeting the conditions does not guarantee permission. [Civil Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Justice of Japan](https://www.moj.go.jp/MINJI/minji78.html) **Processing: 1–3 months** Standard processing: 1 to 3 months for a Certificate of Eligibility, 1 to 2 months for a change of status inside Japan and 2 weeks to 1 month for an extension. [Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Ministry of Justice](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/16-1.html) **Where to apply: Abroad or in-country** Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility through the sponsoring organisation in Japan and then the visa abroad, or change status inside Japan. [Immigration Services Agency of Japan](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/specifiedskilledworker.html) ## Why this route may not fit Check this before you apply. - Time on this route is capped at 5 years in total - Needs a job offer from an employer in Japan - Family members can't join on this route ### What you'll need #### Who can apply - The applicant is aged 18 or older. - 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. - Both tests are waived for those who completed Technical Intern Training (ii). - The applicant has an employment contract with a Japanese organisation, with work limited to the specified industrial field. - The ISA outline of July 2026 lists 19 fields: nursing care, building cleaning management, linen supply, industrial products manufacturing. - Fields: construction, shipbuilding and ship machinery, automobile maintenance, aviation, accommodation, automobile transport, railway. - Fields: logistics warehouse, agriculture, fishery, food and beverage manufacturing, food service, forestry, wood industry and resource circulation (waste treatment). - 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. #### What you must show - Pay is equal to or higher than what a Japanese national would receive for the same work. - There is no security deposit and no penalty contract. #### After you arrive - Total stay on this status is limited to 5 years in principle. - Accompanying family is basically not permitted. ## When you become tax resident How Japan decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records. - **Stay on this route:** **Up to 5 years in total** - **Tax residence:** Resident individuals are domiciled in Japan or have continuous residence of 1 year or more. - **Foreign-source income:** **Remittance basis** Non-permanent residents are taxed in Japan on Japan-source income and on foreign-source income paid in or remitted to Japan; foreign-source income paid and kept abroad is outside the Japanese tax base. - **Special regime:** **Non-permanent resident foreign-source income treatment** · Tax relief [All tax rules for Japan](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/tax/) Tax records checked 11 Oct 2026 **Full official text** 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. (sources 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. (source 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. (source 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. (source 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. (source 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. (source 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. (source 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. (source 4) #### Requirements - The applicant is aged 18 or older. (sources 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. (sources 2, 3) - Both tests are waived for those who completed Technical Intern Training (ii). (sources 2, 3) - The applicant has an employment contract with a Japanese organisation, with work limited to the specified industrial field. (sources 1, 3) - The ISA outline of July 2026 lists 19 fields: nursing care, building cleaning management, linen supply, industrial products manufacturing. (sources 1, 3) - Fields: construction, shipbuilding and ship machinery, automobile maintenance, aviation, accommodation, automobile transport, railway. (sources 1, 3) - Fields: logistics warehouse, agriculture, fishery, food and beverage manufacturing, food service, forestry, wood industry and resource circulation (waste treatment). (sources 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. (source 3) - Pay is equal to or higher than what a Japanese national would receive for the same work. (source 2) - There is no security deposit and no penalty contract. (sources 1, 2) - Total stay on this status is limited to 5 years in principle. (sources 1, 2) - Accompanying family is basically not permitted. (sources 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](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/specifiedskilledworker.html) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-10 2. [Specified Skilled Worker leaflet: requirements, exams and remuneration rule (ISA)](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/930005373.pdf) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-10 3. [Outline of Employment for Skill Development Program (Revised July 2026)](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001438365.pdf) · 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](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/11_00107.html) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-11 5. [Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence (revised 24 February 2026)](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/resources/nyukan_nyukan50.html) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2026-02-24 6. [Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence (revised 1 October 2026)](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/10_00279.html) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-12 · published 2026-10-01 7. [Naturalization: conditions and procedure (Q&A)](https://www.moj.go.jp/MINJI/minji78.html) · Civil Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Justice of Japan · checked 2026-10-12 8. [Certificate of Eligibility application: standard processing period](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/16-1.html) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11 9. [Application for change of status of residence: standard processing period](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/16-2.html) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11 10. [Application for extension of period of stay: standard processing period](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/16-3.html) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11 ## Specified Skilled Worker 1 and its alternatives | Route | Money needed | Stay | Work | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Specified Skilled Worker 1 | – | 3 yr, renewable | – | | [Engineer/Specialist visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/engineer-specialist/) | – | 5 yr, renewable | Limited | | [Highly Skilled Professional](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/highly-skilled-professional/) | – | 5 yr, renewable | Limited | | [Instructor visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/instructor/) | – | 5 yr, renewable | Limited | | [Intra-company transfer](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/intra-company-transferee/) | – | 5 yr, renewable | – | ## Questions people ask ### How much money do I need for the Specified Skilled Worker 1? 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. 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. 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. 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. ### How long can I stay on the Specified Skilled Worker 1? Period set individually by the Minister of Justice, within 3 years per grant; cumulative stay on SSW (i) limited to 5 years in principle. ### How long does the Specified Skilled Worker 1 take to process? Standard processing: 1 to 3 months for a Certificate of Eligibility, 1 to 2 months for a change of status inside Japan and 2 weeks to 1 month for an extension. ### Can I work on the Specified Skilled Worker 1? Work in the specified industrial field for the contracting organisation. ### Can I bring my family on the Specified Skilled Worker 1? Accompanying family members are basically not permitted. ### Does the Specified Skilled Worker 1 lead to permanent residence in Japan? Time on the Specified Skilled Worker 1 counts toward permanent residence in Japan, which the rules allow after 10 years of residence. Time on the Specified Skilled Worker 1 counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 10 years of residence. ### Is there a tax break for Specified Skilled Worker 1 holders in Japan? Non-permanent resident foreign-source income treatment: Non-permanent residents are taxed in Japan on Japan-source income and on foreign-source income paid in or remitted to Japan; foreign-source income paid and kept abroad is outside the Japanese tax base. It's separate from the visa and has its own conditions. ## Tax Special regime ### [Non-permanent resident foreign-source income treatment](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/tax/#tax-jp-non-permanent-resident-remittance-basis) Tax relief Foreign-source income: Remittance basis **Details** - Who: Resident: domicile or continuous residence in Japan for one year or more Non-permanent residents are taxed in Japan on Japan-source income and on foreign-source income paid in or remitted to Japan; foreign-source income paid and kept abroad is outside the Japanese tax base. #### Taxed on Income tax on all Japan-source income plus foreign-source income that is paid in Japan or remitted to Japan from abroad, at the progressive national rates of 5% to 45%. #### Who it applies to - Resident: domicile or continuous residence in Japan for one year or more. - Non-Japanese nationality. - Domicile or residence in Japan for an aggregate of five years or less within the preceding ten years. #### Exclusions - Japan-source income, including pay for work performed in Japan, is taxed in full. - Residents who are not non-permanent residents are taxed on worldwide income. #### Tax residence Resident = domicile, or continuous residence of one year or more. Non-permanent resident = non-Japanese national resident for an aggregate of five years or less in the preceding ten years. Based on facts, not visa type. #### Visas No visa grants this treatment; it follows tax residence and nationality. #### Other taxes Consumption tax: standard rate 10% (7.8% national plus 2.2% local) and reduced rate 8% (6.24% national plus 1.76% local). Local inhabitant tax and social insurance are separate. Checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/tax/) ## More in Japan [J-Find](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/j-find/) [Working Holiday](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/working-holiday/) [Digital nomad visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/designated-activities-digital-nomad/) [Business Manager](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/business-manager/) [Startup visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/startup-designated-activities/) [Legal/Accounting visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/legal-accounting/) [Medical Services visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/medical-services/) [Nursing Care visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/nursing-care/) ## Work visas elsewhere [🇹🇭 LTR · Highly Skilled](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/thailand/ltr-highly-skilled-professional/) [🇮🇩 Special talent visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/indonesia/e33a-special-talent-sponsored/) [🇦🇪 Golden · Senior specialist](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-arab-emirates/golden-specialised-professional/) [🇸🇬 Employment Pass](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/singapore/employment-pass/) [🇲🇾 Residence Pass-Talent](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/malaysia/rp-t/) [🇰🇷 K-STAR to F-2](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/south-korea/kstar-f2-talent-track/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated. ## How this was checked **Checked on 2026-10-12 against 10 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources. Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out. 1. [Status of residence: Specified Skilled Worker](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/specifiedskilledworker.html) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-10 2. [Specified Skilled Worker leaflet: requirements, exams and remuneration rule (ISA)](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/930005373.pdf) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-10 3. [Outline of Employment for Skill Development Program (Revised July 2026)](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001438365.pdf) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-12 4. [Fees for extension of stay, change of status and permanent residence applied for online from 1 October 2026](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/11_00107.html) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-11 5. [Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence (revised 24 February 2026)](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/resources/nyukan_nyukan50.html) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-11 6. [Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence (revised 1 October 2026)](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/10_00279.html) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-12 7. [Naturalization: conditions and procedure (Q&A)](https://www.moj.go.jp/MINJI/minji78.html) · Civil Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Justice of Japan · checked 2026-10-12 8. [Certificate of Eligibility application: standard processing period](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/16-1.html) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11 9. [Application for change of status of residence: standard processing period](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/16-2.html) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11 10. [Application for extension of period of stay: standard processing period](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/16-3.html) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11 Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.