Specified Skilled Worker Visa Support for Foreign Workers in Japan
Passing a skills test or Japanese language test does not automatically guarantee approval for a Specified Skilled Worker visa. Your background, employer, job duties, employment conditions, documents, field-specific rules and past immigration history must be reviewed carefully.
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Who this page is for
This page is for foreign nationals who want to work in Japan under the Specified Skilled Worker visa system.
Applicants outside Japan
If you are outside Japan, a Certificate of Eligibility, or COE, is usually the first issue to check.
Applicants already in Japan
If you are in Japan as a student, technical intern or designated activities holder, your current status and period of stay must be checked.
SSW job change cases
Changing jobs under SSW requires confirmation of the new employer, job duties, field and immigration procedure.
Past immigration concerns
If you have a past refusal, overstay, deportation history or immigration issue in another country, the facts and explanation strategy should be reviewed carefully.
Passing the test does not automatically mean visa approval
For SSW applications, immigration authorities review not only the applicant’s skills and Japanese language ability, but also the employer’s acceptance system, employment conditions, support plan, consistency of documents and field-specific requirements. It is important to confirm not only whether you passed the test, but also which company will employ you, what job you will perform and which SSW field applies.
Four key checks for SSW applications
Applicant
Skills test, Japanese test, technical intern training record, education, work history, immigration history and past applications.
Employer
Business activities, job duties, employment conditions, salary, social insurance, support system and field council requirements.
Documents
Test certificates, employment contract, support plan, company documents, field-specific documents and applicant documents.
Examination trends
Field-specific intake limits, additional documents, operational guidelines, document lists and recent handling by immigration authorities.
Common situations we handle
Applying from outside Japan
If you are outside Japan, we usually need to review the COE application route, test certificates, employment contract, employer, field-specific documents and your personal background.
Changing from Student status to SSW
We check your current status of residence, period of stay, school situation, part-time work history, test results and the job duties of your prospective employer.
Changing from Technical Intern Training to SSW
Some technical interns may be able to change to SSW. However, job category, completed training, evaluation documents and consistency with the new SSW field must be reviewed.
Changing jobs under SSW
Under SSW, changing jobs is not simply a matter of moving to another company. The new employer, job duties, field, employment conditions and necessary immigration procedure must be confirmed.
Delayed COE or pending application
Examination time varies depending on the case, field, documents and questions from immigration. We first organize the filing date, application content, documents, employer and applicable field.
Past refusal, overstay or deportation history
A past immigration issue does not always mean that an application is impossible. However, the background, return history, time elapsed, current documents and explanation strategy should be reviewed carefully.
Fields that require special attention
SSW requirements differ by field. Job scope, tests, documents, intake limits, councils and start dates may vary depending on the industry. The field name alone is not enough. Actual job duties and the application route must be reviewed.
Some fields, including Food Service, may be affected by intake limits or temporary restrictions. Before filing, always check the latest official information and your individual circumstances.
Documents to prepare before consultation
To review your case accurately, please prepare as many of the following documents as possible.
- Passport
- Residence card, if you are already in Japan
- Current status of residence and period of stay
- Skills test and Japanese test certificates
- Resume / CV
- Work history and technical intern training history
- Employment contract or job offer letter
- Employer name, address and job description
- Past application documents or refusal notice
- For pending COE cases, filing date and application details
How Tommy’s Legal Service can support you
COE application
Support for Certificate of Eligibility applications for overseas applicants who plan to work in Japan under SSW.
Change of Status
Review and support for changing from Student, Technical Intern Training, Designated Activities or another status to SSW.
Job change review
Confirmation of the new employer, job duties, field and immigration procedure when changing jobs under SSW.
Check your situation before filing an SSW application
Passing a test alone is not enough to judge an SSW application. Your personal background, employer, documents, field-specific requirements and immigration history should be reviewed before filing.
Tommy’s Legal Service
102, THE HUB Yokohama Motomachi, 1-13-2 Ishikawa, Naka-ward, Yokohama-city, 231-0868 Japan
TEL: 045-550-5135