🇯🇵 Japan · Employer-sponsored work
Specified Skilled Worker (i) — requirements, costs & how to apply
Who is eligible
| Job offer | Required |
| Employer sponsor | Required |
| Language level | A2 |
| Age range | 18–None |
Duration & renewal
Initial stay: 60 months. Does not lead directly to permanent residence.
Who can apply
Open to all nationalities.
How to apply
- Confirm you meet the eligibility above.
- Gather documents and apply via the official portal: https://www.ssw.go.jp/en/about/step/.
Frequently asked
Does this visa lead to permanent residence?
No — it does not lead directly to permanent residence.
Sources & verification
Every figure on this page is taken from an official government source and dated. Nothing is inferred.
“Afterward, if you sign a contract with a company, you can apply for the status of residence of Specified Skilled Worker. ... You receive various forms of support from your company.”
““Specified Skilled Worker” is a status of residence that provides opportunities to work in Japan for foreign nationals who have a certain degree of expertise and skills in specific industrial fields”
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Informational only, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change — always confirm on the official government source linked above before applying. Last verified 2026-06-24.