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The Status of Residence “Specified Skilled Worker” has two categories: Specified Skilled Worker (i) and Specified Skilled Worker (ii). Although their names are similar, their practical treatment differs significantly, including the maximum Period of Stay, whether family members can be called to Japan, and whether accepting organizations have an obligation to provide support. “What happens after working for 5 years under (i)?” and “Can I bring my family if I advance to (ii)?” are among the most frequent questions we receive from foreign nationals themselves and HR professionals at accepting organizations. This article, based on primary information from the Immigration Services Agency, explains the differences between (i) and (ii) using a comparison table, covers the eligible fields (19 fields for (i) / 11 fields for (ii)), the acquisition route for (i), how to advance to (ii), and the obligations for accepting organizations, as explained by an Administrative Scrivener.
For the three new fields added to the Specified Skilled Worker program, please refer to “Three New Fields Added to Specified Skilled Worker | Linen, Logistics Warehousing, Resource Recycling,” and for the new system starting in April 2027, please see “What is the Employment for Skill Development (ESD; Japanese: Ikusei Shuro) Program? | Differences from Technical Intern Training.” Each is explained in detail.
Specified Skilled Worker is a Status of Residence established in 2019 (Heisei 31) to accept foreign nationals with a certain level of expertise and skills as immediate contributors in industrial fields facing labor shortages. It is premised on working under an employment contract with a Japanese organization designated by the Minister of Justice, based on Article 2-5 of the Immigration Control Act (Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act), among others.
According to the Immigration Services Agency’s explanation, the two categories are organized as follows:
In other words, they are not “separate systems” but rather two stages with different required skill levels. It is easy to understand if you imagine (i) as the “level at which one can work independently on-site” and (ii) as the “level of expertise where one can be entrusted with on-site operations.”
(i) and (ii) are two hierarchical stages. Most individuals will start with (i) and aim for (ii) after gaining experience and passing examinations.
First, here is a summary of the practical differences. Understanding this alone will give you the overall picture.
| Comparison Item | Specified Skilled Worker (i) | Specified Skilled Worker (ii) |
|---|---|---|
| 🎓 Required Skill Level | Skills requiring a considerable degree of knowledge or experience | Expert skills |
| ⏳ Determination of Period of Stay | Period individually designated by the Minister of Justice (not exceeding 3 years) | 3 years, 2 years, 1 year, or 6 months |
| 📅 Cumulative Limit | Generally within 5 years cumulatively | No cumulative limit is set (renewable) |
| 👨👩👧 Family Accompanying | Not permitted (with exceptions – see Chapter 5) | Permitted (Status of Residence “Dependent”) |
| 🤝 Support by Accepting Organization | Creation and implementation of a Specified Skilled Worker (i) Support Plan is required | Not subject to a support plan |
| 🏭 Eligible Fields (as of September 2026) | 19 fields | 11 fields |
| 🗾 Confirmation of Japanese proficiency | Generally, passing a Japanese language test (exemption routes available) | Based on requirements for each field |
📎 Particularly important is the cumulative 5-year limit for (i). The Immigration Services Agency states that the Period of Stay under “Specified Skilled Worker (i)” must be generally within 5 years cumulatively, and depending on the applicant’s total Period of Stay, the desired Period of Stay may not be granted. This means that if one remains under (i), the Period of Stay will eventually come to an end.
On the other hand, there is no cumulative limit for (ii). If the requirements are met and renewals can be continued, a path to working in Japan for an extended period opens up. This difference is the biggest point distinguishing (i) and (ii).
“Is my job eligible for Specified Skilled Worker?” is the first hurdle for both the individual and the company. According to Immigration Services Agency materials, there are 19 specified industrial fields as of September 2026 (Linen Supply, Logistics Warehousing and Resource Recycling were added in January 2026). The list is as follows:
Nursing Care / Building Cleaning / Linen Supply / Industrial Product Manufacturing / Construction / Shipbuilding and Marine Industry / Automobile Maintenance / Aviation / Accommodation / Automobile Transportation / Railway / Logistics Warehousing / Agriculture / Fishery / Food and Beverage Manufacturing / Food Service Industry / Forestry / Wood Industry / Resource Recycling
Building Cleaning / Industrial Product Manufacturing / Construction / Shipbuilding and Marine Industry / Automobile Maintenance / Aviation / Accommodation / Agriculture / Fishery / Food and Beverage Manufacturing / Food Service Industry
| Aspect | Content |
|---|---|
| 🔢 Difference in Number | While SSW (i) covers 19 fields, SSW (ii) covers 11 fields. There are fields covered by SSW (i) but not by SSW (ii). |
| 🧑⚕️ Treatment of Nursing Care Field | The Immigration Services Agency explains that “the Nursing Care field is not a target field for Specified Skilled Worker (ii) because there is already the Status of Residence ‘Nursing Care’ for specialized/technical fields.” The path for long-term work in nursing care is envisioned as a transition to the Status of Residence ‘Nursing Care’. |
| 🆕 Background of SSW (ii) Field Expansion | SSW (ii) originally covered only two fields: Construction and Shipbuilding and Marine Industry. However, by a Cabinet Decision on June 9, Reiwa 5 (2023), nine fields were added: Building Cleaning, Industrial Product Manufacturing (material processing, industrial machinery, electrical and electronic information related manufacturing), Automobile Maintenance, Aviation, Accommodation, Agriculture, Fishery, Food and Beverage Manufacturing, and Food Service Industry. |
| 🚚 New 3 Fields | Linen Supply is already included in the acceptable fields. Logistics Warehousing and Resource Recycling are currently in the stage of system development. |
⚠️ The specific scope of duties that can be performed in each field is stipulated in the “Separate Volume of Guidelines for Specific Fields.” It is important not to jump to conclusions like “it seems to fall under that field, so it’s fine,” but to actually confirm whether the planned duties fall under the job categories in the separate volume.
There are broadly two paths to obtaining Specified Skilled Worker (i).
Both those residing overseas and those currently residing in Japan as a Student or for other reasons can apply for SSW (i) if they pass these two exams.
The Immigration Services Agency states that “if a foreign national has successfully completed Technical Intern Training (ii), the Japanese language test is, in principle, waived regardless of the job type or work of the technical intern training. Furthermore, if relevance is recognized between the duties to be performed and the job type/work of Technical Intern Training (ii), the skills test is also waived.”
💡 For HR Professionals at Companies: It is a very common practical pattern to continue employing individuals who have been trained for three years as Technical Intern Trainees as Specified Skilled Worker (i). If relevance between job types/work is recognized, they can transition with an exam waiver, making it easier to maintain continuity in training.
The biggest difference in terms of daily life is family accompaniment.
However, some exceptions due to humanitarian considerations are also announced for SSW (i). According to the Immigration Services Agency, a change to the Status of Residence ‘Designated Activities’ may be permitted in the following cases:
📌 In both cases, this is an operation where “it may be permitted,” and it is not automatically granted. For your family’s Status of Residence, it is recommended to confirm early, taking into account individual circumstances. Furthermore, work restrictions for those residing with the ‘Dependent’ Status of Residence are explained in “Requirements and Work Restrictions for Dependent Visa“.
The biggest difference between SSW (i) and SSW (ii) from the perspective of the accepting company is support for Specified Skilled Worker (i) foreign nationals. Organizations accepting Specified Skilled Worker (i) foreign nationals are obligated to provide support for their professional, daily, and social lives in accordance with a plan. The 10 mandatory support items indicated by the Immigration Services Agency are as follows:
| # | Mandatory Support Items |
|---|---|
| 1 | Pre-departure Orientation |
| 2 | Pick-up and Drop-off at Entry/Departure |
| 3 | Assistance with Securing Housing and Necessary Living Contracts |
| 4 | Life Orientation |
| 5 | Accompanying for Public Procedures, etc. |
| 6 | Provision of Japanese Language Learning Opportunities |
| 7 | Consultation and Complaint Handling |
| 8 | Promotion of Interaction with Japanese Nationals |
| 9 | Job Change Support (in cases of downsizing, etc.) |
| 10 | Regular Interviews and Reporting to Administrative Agencies |
💰 These are mandatory support items, and the costs required for their implementation must be borne by the accepting organization. These costs cannot be imposed on the foreign national.
If it is difficult for your company to establish a support system on its own, there is an option to outsource it to a Registered Support Organization. The Immigration Services Agency explains that “if the implementation of the entire support plan is outsourced to a Registered Support Organization, the accepting organization is deemed to have met the standards for the support system.” Registration for a Registered Support Organization is valid for 5 years and requires an Application for Extension (Application Fee: 28,400 yen for new registration, 11,100 yen for registration renewal).
On the other hand, Specified Skilled Worker (ii) foreign nationals are not subject to the support plan. This is because they are positioned as having advanced skills and being capable of living independently. For businesses, transitioning to Specified Skilled Worker (ii) also has implications in terms of support costs.
To progress to Specified Skilled Worker (ii), in principle, the following two conditions must be met:
Specific requirements vary significantly by field. For example, in the construction field, practical experience as a team leader is required, meaning that “passing the test does not automatically qualify one for Specified Skilled Worker (ii).” It is important to confirm what is required in your field at an early stage and accumulate experience by working backward from that.
⏰ What is particularly important to be aware of is the time limit of a cumulative 5 years for Specified Skilled Worker (i). Within the 5-year Period of Stay, it is necessary to meet the requirements for the Specified Skilled Worker (ii) test and practical experience. To avoid situations where “only one year was left,” it is desirable for companies to design career paths.
The Employment for Skill Development (ESD) Program, which will begin in April 2027, is a system replacing Technical Intern Training, aiming for “human resource development” and “human resource securing,” and envisions a career path of ESD → Specified Skilled Worker (i) → Specified Skilled Worker (ii). For an overview of the system, please refer to “What is the ESD Program? | Differences from Technical Intern Training.”
Q1. What happens after working for 5 years under Specified Skilled Worker (i)?
A. The cumulative Period of Stay for Specified Skilled Worker (i) is generally limited to 5 years. To continue working in Japan after reaching 5 years, you would need to consider transitioning to Specified Skilled Worker (ii) or changing to another Status of Residence (such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Nursing Care, etc.) by meeting their respective requirements. If no action is taken, you cannot continue your Period of Stay.
Q2. Can I apply for Permanent Residence if I become a Specified Skilled Worker (ii)?
A. Since there is no upper limit on the cumulative Period of Stay for Specified Skilled Worker (ii), continuing your Period of Stay makes it easier to accumulate the required period of residence, which is one of the requirements for Permission for Permanent Residence. However, Permission for Permanent Residence has multiple requirements, including good conduct, independent livelihood, and conformity to national interests, so it is not automatically granted just by being a Specified Skilled Worker (ii). For details, please refer to “Administrative Scrivener Explains Requirements for Permission for Permanent Residence.”
Q3. I heard that there is no Specified Skilled Worker (ii) in the Nursing Care field. Does this mean I cannot work for a long time?
A. The Nursing Care field is not covered by Specified Skilled Worker (ii) because a separate Status of Residence, “Nursing Care,” is available for specialized and technical fields. The path envisioned is to acquire the qualification of a certified care worker and change to the Status of Residence “Nursing Care.”
Q4. Can I not bring my family to Japan while working under Specified Skilled Worker (i)?
A. As a general rule, family accompaniment is not permitted for Specified Skilled Worker (i). However, in cases of children born in Japan to two Specified Skilled Worker (i) individuals, or a Spouse or Child already residing in Japan under “Dependent” Status of Residence when changing from “Student” to Specified Skilled Worker (i), a change to “Designated Activities” may be permitted due to humanitarian considerations. Individual circumstances need to be confirmed.
Q5. Is it mandatory to outsource support to a Registered Support Organization?
A. No. If the requirements are met, the accepting organization can provide support in-house. However, it must meet the standards for the support system (e.g., appointment of a support manager and support staff, and an implementable system). If all support is outsourced to a Registered Support Organization, it is deemed to have met the standards for the support system.
Q6. Can I change jobs under Specified Skilled Worker?
A. Unlike Technical Intern Training, Specified Skilled Worker allows for job changes within the same work category. However, when changing jobs, procedures such as an Application for Change of Status of Residence are required, and you cannot change workplaces without notification. Working without following the procedures can lead to problems with your Status of Residence, so please consult us in advance.
The difference between Specified Skilled Worker (i) and Specified Skilled Worker (ii) is not merely a distinction in systems; it directly impacts your future plans, such as how long you will work in Japan and how you will live with your family. There are three key points to understand:
Furthermore, none of these three points are suitable for “hasty, last-minute responses.” Planning for exams and practical experience with Specified Skilled Worker (ii) in mind from the moment your Specified Skilled Worker (i) residence begins will expand your options five years down the line. For businesses, this is an an investment to ensure that the talent they have nurtured can contribute for a long time.
In practice, considerations tailored to individual circumstances are essential, such as determining field applicability, designing support systems, and scheduling the transition to Specified Skilled Worker (ii). If you are unsure, please consult an experienced Administrative Scrivener.
Our office provides consultations to both foreign nationals and accepting companies, based on the latest system trends.
Please feel free to use our free consultation service first.
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This article is written based on publicly available information as of July 2026. The details and operation of the system may change in the future. For actual applications, please confirm with official information from the Immigration Services Agency or our office.
Author of this article: Administrative Scrivener Satoshi Nakayama
Representative, Administrative Scrivener Corporation Miyazaki International Legal Office
Location: Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture
