Specified Skilled Worker Program (SSW)

The Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

What is Specified Skilled Worker Program (SSW)

Specified Skilled Worker is a status of residence created to give foreign nationals more opportunities to work in Japan. There are two types of Specified Skilled Worker status of residence: type (i) and type (ii). The type (ii) status of residence requires more specialized skills than type (i). Source - www.ssw.go.jp

16 Employment Fields Covered by Specified Skilled Worker (i)

1. Nursing care
2. Building Cleaning
3. Industrial manufacturing
4. Construction
5. Shipbuilding and Marine Industry
6. Automobile Maintenance
7. Aviation
8. Accommodation
9. Automobile transport industry
10. Railway
11. Agriculture
12. Fisheries
13. Food and beverage manufacturing
14. Food service
15. Forestry
16. Timber Industry
For more details : www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/ssw/10_00179.html

11 Employment Fields Covered by Specified Skilled Worker (ii)

1.Building Cleaning
2.Industrial manufacturing
3.Construction
4.Shipbuilding and Marine Industry
5.Automobile Maintenance
6.Aviation
7.Accommodation
8.Agriculture
9.Fisheries
10.Food and beverage manufacturing
11.Food service
For more details : www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/ssw/10_00180.html

Technical Intern Training (TITP) is a status of residence for receiving training, but Specified Skilled Worker is a status of residence for working.

The Specified Skilled Worker (i) Status of Residence

  • You can work in Japan for a total of five years.
  • You cannot bring your family to Japan.
  • You receive the same salary as Japanese workers.
  • You receive Japanese language training.
  • You receive various forms of support from your company.

The Specified Skilled Worker (ii) Status of Residence

  • No duration restrictions
  • You can bring your family to Japan.

Guide to Specified Skilled Worker

How to apply

The general process for working as a SSW in Japan is as follows.

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People who are outside Japan
  1. Pass a Japanese language test and a skills proficiency test. (People who have satisfactorily completed Technical Intern Training do not need to take any tests.)
    Proficiency Tests
  2. Sign a contract with a company.
  3. Submit a status of residence application to Immigration.
    Required Documents
For further information, click here

Signing a Contract with a Company

In order to sign a contract with a company, you need to take and pass an employment interview. If you are not in Japan, the employment interview can be conducted directly with the company or through an employment placement company. If you are in Japan, there is a government agency called Hello Work that provides employment placement services in Japan. Please contact Hello Work if you want to find a new job. You can contact any Hello Work location.

Locations of the Employment Service Center for Foreigners (facilities that provide comprehensive services for foreign nationals) (Japanese only)

Hello Work locations with interpretation services (Japanese only)

All Hello Work locations in Japan (Japanese only)

If you have job-related problems or there is something you don’t understand, you can also contact the Foreign Workers Consultation Service (Advisor for Foreign Workers).

Foreign Workers Consultation Service (Advisor for Foreign Workers)

How to register for the Exams

Registered Support Organizations

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)