Specified Skilled Worker Visa (Type 1 & 2) - Application Service
A residence status covering 16 fields with serious labor shortages. We organize the points companies need to grasp—the two-tier structure of Type 1 (5 years cumulative) and Type 2 (renewable, family eligible), field-specific exams, coordination with registered support organizations. We also handle the new acceptance suspension for the food service field starting April 13, 2026.
What is Specified Skilled Worker - A two-tier path to long-term employment
Overview
Specified Skilled Worker is a relatively new residence status established in 2019, designed to "accept foreign nationals with certain expertise and skills as immediately ready workers in fields with severe labor shortages." Unlike Technical Intern Training, it allows job changes (within the same field), family accompaniment (Type 2 only), and a clear path to long-term employment (effective connection to permanent residence via Type 2).
As of 2026, 16 fields are covered, and operational practices are well-established in fields like construction and nursing care. Meanwhile, the system is being adjusted in detail—for example, the suspension of new acceptance for the food service field starting April 13, 2026.
Differences between Type 1 and Type 2
Compare
| Item | Specified Skilled Worker Type 1 | Specified Skilled Worker Type 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Period of stay | 5 years cumulative max (renewed annually) | Renewable, no upper limit |
| Skill level | Certain expertise | Refined skills |
| Japanese requirement | N4 equivalent or higher (varies by field) | Conversation skills as needed for work |
| Family accompaniment | Not allowed | Allowed (spouse, children) |
| Target fields | 16 fields | 11 fields (expanding) |
| Exam | Specified Skilled Worker exam + Japanese exam | Type 2 exam or work experience |
| Connection to permanent residence | Not direct (via Type 1 → Type 2) | Possible |
Basic requirements for Specified Skilled Worker Type 1 (6 points)
Requirements
Acquisition of Specified Skilled Worker Type 1 has the following 6 basic requirements. Meeting all of them is the standard for landing permission.
18 years or older (at the time of entry)
Good health (submission of personal health examination card required)
Considerable level of skills (exam route or Technical Intern Training route)
Japanese language proficiency level (requirements vary by field)
Cooperative nationality for deportation order (Iranian nationals not eligible)
Cumulative period of stay less than 5 years (up to 6 years for special circumstances)
Exam route
Pass the field-specific Specified Skilled Worker exam and submit the certificate of passing. The content of the skills exam is determined by each field's council.
Technical Intern Training route
Complete Technical Intern Training Type 2 for 2 years and 10 months or more, and pass the practical exam of Skill Test Level 3 (or equivalent specialized level of the Technical Intern evaluation exam). If the practical exam is not passed, an evaluation document prepared by the implementing party may serve as a substitute (with conditions).
Japanese language proficiency level (by field)
- ・Nursing care: N4 level + Japanese for Nursing Care exam (Technical Intern Type 2 successful completers also not exempted)
- ・Automobile transport / Railways: N3 level
- ・Other fields: N4 level as a rule
- ・Technical Intern Type 2 successful completers: generally exempted (additional exams for nursing care/automobile transport/railways are separate)
The 16 fields and key practical points for each
16 Fields
Specified industrial fields defined by the standards ministerial ordinance (per Immigration practice). 4 fields—automobile transport, railways, forestry, wood industry—were added in 2024.
Both N4 and Japanese for Nursing Care exam
Many acceptance records
Consolidates former materials/industrial machinery/electrical-electronics
Type 2 well established; long-term employment design possible
Concentrated regionally
Connection to Class 2 Mechanic certification
Mainly ground operations
Demand growing with inbound recovery
Added 2024 / Drivers require N3
Added 2024 / Transport staff require N3
Dispatch arrangements partially allowed
Dispatch arrangements partially allowed
Food processing factories
New acceptance suspended from April 13, 2026
Added 2024
Added 2024
April 13, 2026 onwards - Suspension of new acceptance for the Food Service field (Important)
Important Update
On April 13, 2026, the Specified Skilled Worker "Food service" field's new acceptance was suspended (due to reaching the annual acceptance limit). This suspension affects the following cases:
- New Specified Skilled Worker Type 1 application in food service (Certificate of Eligibility application): not accepted
- Status change application from other fields/residence statuses: subject to work content review
- Renewal for food service Specified Skilled Worker holders already in Japan: no impact
The suspension is set on an annual basis, and the revival of the 2026 fiscal year acceptance quota is uncertain. For companies considering food service, we propose switching to Training Employment (scheduled for implementation in 2027) or reconsidering other fields (food/beverage manufacturing, etc.).
Role allocation with registered support organizations, employment form rules, and field-specific councils
Support Organization
Role allocation with registered support organizations
Specified Skilled Worker Type 1 accepting companies are obligated to develop and implement support plans through registered support organizations (companies meeting standards to provide self-support are exceptions). Registered support organizations handle life support, language support, and emergency response, while administrative scriveners handle document preparation—this role allocation is well established in practice.
Due to the 2026 amendment of the Administrative Scrivener Act, document preparation related to residence status applications became the exclusive business of administrative scriveners. If your company already has a contracted registered support organization, we proceed with the application service in cooperation with that organization.
Employment form principles (key points for hiring design)
- Full-time direct employment is the rule (direct employment by the Specified Skilled Worker affiliated organization)
- Dispatch arrangements partially allowed by field (agriculture, fishery, etc.)
- Employment with multiple organizations generally not allowed (within-field secondment-style assignment is an exception)
- Disguised contracting is strictly monitored (substantive review when working at other organizations' offices)
Joining the field-specific council (mandatory procedure before application)
Each field has a council established, and Specified Skilled Worker Type 1 accepting companies must join the council of the relevant field. At application, a certificate of being a council member is required to be submitted.
Standard flow for new certification of Specified Skilled Worker Type 1
Flow
- 01
Confirm candidate's passing of Specified Skilled Worker exam and Japanese exam
- 02
Prepare employment contract (incorporating field-specific conditions)
- 03
Develop support plan with registered support organization
- 04
Apply for Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
- 05
Review (1-3 months)
- 06
COE issued → visa application overseas → arrival in Japan
- 07
Post-entry notifications, start of support plan implementation
Jeepney's scope: ② ~ ⑤ (document preparation, application service), ⑦ (notification representation). The party-side practical work in ① and ③ is handled by your company / the registered support organization; Jeepney plays an advisory role.
Processing time for Specified Skilled Worker visa (Immigration Bureau published values)
Processing
January 2026 approvals, nationwide average
| Application type | Type 1 | Type 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Eligibility (COE) | 73.5 days | 69.6 days |
| Status change | 63.8 days | 50.4 days |
| Period extension | 45.8 days | 41.2 days |
Source: Immigration Services Agency - Residence Examination Processing Time
Specified Skilled Worker Visa Fees (Standard-tier focus)
Pricing
For corporate clients, the Standard plan is the main offering.
| Application type (Type 1) | Light | Standard | Full Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Eligibility (COE) | ¥55,000 | ¥99,000 | ¥132,000 |
| Status change (from other visa) | ¥55,000 | ¥99,000 | ¥132,000 |
| Period extension (with job change) | ¥55,000 | ¥99,000 | ¥132,000 |
| Period extension (no job change) | ¥27,500 | ¥44,000 | ¥55,000 |
- ・Tax included. Type 2 documents are more complex; custom quote
- ・Type 2 reference: status change (Type 1 → Type 2) ¥110,000-150,000, extension ¥55,000-88,000
- ・Re-application after denial: +¥27,500
- ・Out-of-pocket costs (revenue stamps, translation, postage, etc.) charged separately
- ・Retainer agreement clients qualify for application fee discounts
Frequently Asked Questions about Specified Skilled Worker
FAQ
Q. Do we need to arrange the candidate's Japanese and Specified Skilled Worker exams?+
A. As a rule, candidates take the exams themselves and obtain certificates of passing. Your company gets involved from the post-exam employment contract and application stages. There are also services to introduce overseas exam organizations (within the scope of registered support organizations).
Q. Can Jeepney introduce a registered support organization?+
A. We can introduce multiple candidates. Jeepney Co., Ltd. (a registered support organization), a group company operated as a separate corporation by the representative, is one of the candidates we can introduce, but we recommend comparing with other organizations.
Q. How difficult is changing from Type 1 to Type 2?+
A. It requires passing the Type 2 exam and, depending on the field, meeting work experience requirements. It is important to prepare systematically during the 5 years on Type 1. With a retainer agreement, we propose a Type 2 transition exam preparation schedule.
Q. When will food service acceptance resume?+
A. The 2026 fiscal year acceptance quota has already been used up, and the 2027 fiscal year policy is undetermined. As things are unclear at present, switching to Training Employment (scheduled for implementation in 2027) is also being considered as an alternative.
Q. What about fees when hiring multiple people simultaneously?+
A. There are progressive discounts for 5 or more people simultaneously. For large-scale hiring of 10 or more people, please consult on unit prices.
Q. I heard Specified Skilled Worker Type 1 is 5 years cumulative—does this include leave periods?+
A. Leave periods due to pregnancy, childbirth, childcare, illness, or injury (including work-related) are not included in cumulative period of stay (per Immigration practice). However, periods of temporary departure under re-entry permit and periods of unemployment when not actually working are generally included in cumulative calculation.
Q. Can a single foreign worker be assigned tasks across multiple fields?+
A. It is possible. By stating the primary and secondary fields in the application, the worker can engage in multiple field tasks. However, the skill level and Japanese language proficiency must meet the criteria of each field, and designation by the Minister of Justice is required.
Q. Can we accept Specified Skilled Worker foreigners from a dispatch company?+
A. As a rule, direct employment is required (full-time is basic). However, dispatch arrangements are recognized in some fields like agriculture and fishery. Employment contracts with multiple organizations are generally not recognized; within-field secondment-style assignment is permitted as an exception under certain requirements.
Latest updates: Specified Skilled Worker articles
Blog
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Hiring Specified Skilled Workers? Let's discuss
We will hear about the field, candidate profile, and existing registered support organization contract status, then propose how to proceed with the application. Please consult even if you do not yet have a contract with a registered support organization.