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The Status of Residence “Specified Skilled Worker (i)” has a maximum Period of Stay, which is, in principle, within 5 years in total. As years have passed since the system’s inception, we have seen an increase in consultations regarding questions such as “How many more years can I work?” or “Do periods of maternity leave or sick leave count towards the 5 years?”
The Immigration Services Agency has published a consolidated page outlining the periods that count and those that do not count towards the total Period of Stay, as well as the provision allowing those who scored 80% or more but did not pass the Specified Skilled Worker (ii) exam to stay for up to 6 years. This article organizes this information for both foreign nationals and accepting companies’ HR professionals. The key point is that neither the non-counting periods nor the 6-year extension are “automatic”; an application within the deadline is required.
The total Period of Stay is the sum of periods spent in Japan under the “Specified Skilled Worker (i)” Status of Residence. The Immigration Services Agency states that the following periods are also included in the total Period of Stay:
| Category | Example Period | Included in 5 years? |
|---|---|---|
| Period of Stay under Specified Skilled Worker (i) | Working period | Included |
| Period of Stay under Specified Skilled Worker (i) | Non-working period, e.g., during job search | Included |
| Period spent outside Japan | Temporary return home with a Re-entry Permit or special Re-entry Permit | Included |
| Preparation period for transitioning to Specified Skilled Worker (i) | Period under Status of Residence “Designated Activities” for those wishing to transition to Specified Skilled Worker (i) | Included |
| Periods that can be excluded by application | Period during which re-entry to Japan was not possible due to unavoidable circumstances | Not included (application required) |
| Periods that can be excluded by application | Period of maternity/paternity leave | Not included (application required) |
| Periods that can be excluded by application | Period of leave due to illness or injury | Not included (application required) |
💡 Key Point: Periods of temporary return home and periods under “Designated Activities” before transitioning to Specified Skilled Worker (i) are included in the 5 years. It is important to note that “only periods worked in Japan” are not counted.
For the following three periods, the “Specified Skilled Worker (i)” Status of Residence itself continues. However, these periods are not included in the 5-year total Period of Stay. If you wish to avail of this treatment, you must submit an Application for Certificate of Eligibility, Application for Change of Status of Residence, or Application for Extension of Period of Stay, as appropriate for the period, along with supporting documents, from 3 months before the expiration of the 5-year period until its expiration. Permission will only be granted if the period can be confirmed from the supporting documents and there are reasonable grounds to permit the stay.
This applies to periods when an individual departed Japan with a Re-entry Permit (including a special Re-entry Permit) but could not return to Japan due to unavoidable circumstances, such as measures to refuse Landing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The main documents to be submitted are as follows:
This applies to the period of maternity leave (6 weeks before childbirth [14 weeks for multiple pregnancies] and 8 weeks after childbirth) based on the Labor Standards Act, and childcare leave based on the Child Care and Family Care Leave Act. Childcare leave is generally until the child reaches 1 year of age, and can be extended up to 1 year and 6 months (and further extended up to 2 years) only if the child cannot be admitted to a nursery school or similar facility. If childcare leave is taken continuously after maternity leave, the application must include documents proving that both were taken.
Leave due to illness or injury is premised on being generally 1 year or less (3 years or less in the case of illness or injury due to industrial accident). Additionally, it must be continuous leave exceeding 1 month; a few days of home recuperation or intermittent hospital visits resulting in days unable to work are not covered.
⚠️ Note: It is not easy to prove leave retroactively. It is recommended that both the company and the individual keep documents that show the start and end of the leave from the moment the leave is decided.
Among those who failed the Specified Skilled Worker (ii) exam, individuals who meet all of the following requirements are considered to have “considerable reasons to stay for more than 5 years,” and their total Period of Stay will be 6 years.
The application period is the same as other special treatments: from 3 months before the expiration of the 5-year period until its expiration. The main submitted documents are the Application for Extension of Period of Stay, the Statement regarding Stay Exceeding the Total Period of Stay (Reference Form No. 1-31), and a copy of the exam result notification that confirms a score of 80% or more of the passing score. In the Nursing Care sector, a result confirmation notice issued by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is also required.
Which exam result notifications can be used is determined by sector. The main contents listed on the Immigration Services Agency’s website are as follows:
| Sector | Exams/Tests Requiring 80% or More Score (Main Ones) | Main Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing Care | National Examination for Certified Care Workers | Check the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare website for issuance methods |
| Building Cleaning | Specified Skilled Worker (ii) Evaluation Test, or National Trade Skill Test Grade 1 | Evaluation Test is for issuance dates July 31, 2025, or later; National Trade Skill Test Grade 1 is for issuance dates March 31, 2026, or later |
| Industrial Product Manufacturing | Specified Skilled Worker (ii) Evaluation Test and Business Career Certification Grade 3, or National Trade Skill Test Grade 1 (Machine Maintenance) | National Trade Skill Test Grade 1 other than machine maintenance is under consideration |
| Construction | Specified Skilled Worker (ii) Evaluation Test | For exam dates December 1, 2025, or later. National Trade Skill Test Grade 1 is under consideration |
| Shipbuilding and Marine Industry | Specified Skilled Worker (ii) Exam | For exam dates April 2026 or later. National Trade Skill Test Grade 1 is under consideration |
| Automobile Maintenance | Specified Skilled Worker (ii) Evaluation Test | For issuance dates January 2026 or later, or exam dates April 2026 or later. Mechanic Skill Test Grade 2 is not eligible |
| Aviation | Specified Skilled Worker (ii) Evaluation Test (Airport Ground Handling) | Aircraft maintenance is currently not eligible |
| Accommodation | Specified Skilled Worker (ii) Evaluation Test | For issuance dates April 30, 2026, or later |
| Agriculture | Specified Skilled Worker (ii) Agriculture Skill Measurement Test | For exam dates before June 2025, reissued certificates are eligible |
| Fisheries | Specified Skilled Worker (ii) Fisheries Skill Measurement Test and Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (N3 or higher) | Measurement Test is for exam dates August 7, 2025, or later |
| Food and Beverage Manufacturing Industry | Specified Skilled Worker (ii) Skill Measurement Test | For issuance dates June 30, 2025, or later |
| Food Service Industry | Specified Skilled Worker (ii) Skill Measurement Test and Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (N3 or higher) | For issuance dates June 30, 2025, or later |
The Immigration Services Agency states that examinations currently designated as “not applicable” are not eligible for the 6-year extension at this time because they cannot certify a score of 80% or higher. Eligibility will be announced as soon as the examination implementing organizations are ready.
💡 Key Point: This measure is strictly for the one year to pass the Specified Skilled Worker (ii) examination. The Japanese language requirement for Specified Skilled Worker (ii) will be “B1 equivalent or higher” for Application for Certificate of Eligibility from April 1, 2027, and the handling of Application for Change of Status of Residence and Application for Extension of Period of Stay is under consideration (for details, see “Specified Skilled Worker Japanese B1 | Required from Certificate of Eligibility Application in April 2027“). It is important to prepare for both skills and Japanese language during the extended period.
Both the “periods not counted” in Chapter 3 and the 6-year handling in Chapter 4 apply to applications submitted from 3 months before the expiration of the cumulative 5-year Period of Stay until its expiration. Please prepare with the understanding that this measure cannot be requested after the expiration date. For information on how to prepare for the Application for Extension of Period of Stay itself, please refer to “When to Apply for Extension of Period of Stay? 45 Days Before is a Guideline.”
If you wish to confirm your cumulative Period of Stay, you can do so by obtaining and calculating the applicant’s immigration records. When requesting disclosure of immigration records, you are advised to write “For confirmation of cumulative Period of Stay” in the margin of the request form.
However, immigration records describe entry/exit history, Status of Residence, permission dates, etc., but do not contain the calculated result of the cumulative Period of Stay. Furthermore, local Immigration Services Bureau offices and telephone services do not accept inquiries regarding immigration records, including the calculation of the cumulative Period of Stay. The calculation must be performed by yourself, the accepting company, or a commissioned expert.
| Means of Confirmation | What can be done | Points to note |
|---|---|---|
| Request for disclosure of immigration records | Can confirm entry/exit history, Status of Residence, permission dates | Write “For confirmation of cumulative Period of Stay” in the margin. Calculation results are not included. |
| Residence Card/Passport | Can confirm current Period of Stay and entry/exit records | The total period of stay under Specified Skilled Worker (i) must be calculated by yourself. |
| Immigration office counter/phone | — | Inquiries regarding the calculation of cumulative Period of Stay are not accepted. |
For those who have been residing under Specified Skilled Worker (i) for several years
For those who have taken long leaves due to maternity/childcare leave, illness, or injury
For those who took the Specified Skilled Worker (ii) examination but failed
For the differences between Specified Skilled Worker (i) and (ii) themselves, please refer to “Differences between Specified Skilled Worker (i) and (ii) | Explanation of the latest eligible fields in 2026.”
Yes, it does. The Immigration Services Agency states that periods of unemployment while residing under “Specified Skilled Worker (i)” are included in the total Period of Stay.
Periods of departure under a Re-entry Permit (including deemed Re-entry Permit) are, in principle, included in the total Period of Stay. Only in cases where re-entry was not possible due to unavoidable circumstances, such as a denial of Landing, can such periods be excluded upon application.
It is not automatically deducted. An application must be filed with supporting documents, such as a statement regarding the period of leave (Reference Form No. 1-30) and a copy of the Maternal and Child Health Handbook, between three months before and the expiration of the 5-year Period of Stay, and permission must be obtained.
There is a possibility. However, you must have scored 80% or more in all necessary exams for transition to Specified Skilled Worker (ii), have your own pledge, and the accepting company must have the intention to continue employment and a support system. Also, please check the Immigration Services Agency’s page to confirm if your exam result notification is eligible (including conditions for issuance date and exam date).
No, you cannot. The Immigration Services Agency states that it does not accept inquiries regarding immigration records, including the calculation of the total Period of Stay, at the counters or by phone at regional Immigration Services Bureaus. It is advised to request disclosure of immigration records and calculate the period based on their contents.
💴 Cost Estimate: Support fees for Application for Extension of Period of Stay and Application for Change of Status of Residence for Specified Skilled Worker are listed in the “Fee” section.
As an Administrative Scrivener Corporation in Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture, our office assists with Status of Residence procedures, including Specified Skilled Worker.
Please feel free to use our free consultation service first.
📞 To book a phone consultation: 0985-68-0851
Before you submit, let us take a look.
Free Immigration Pre-Submission Check ›
For those who will apply for a status of residence at the Immigration Services Bureau by themselves. Before you submit, we check your application form and supporting documents and tell you about any missing documents and points to watch. We accept checks online (Google Meet, about 20 minutes) or via LINE.
・Eligible: applications for a Certificate of Eligibility, change of status of residence and extension of period of stay (applications for permanent residence are accepted only from residents of Miyazaki Prefecture). Naturalization is not covered.
・Online (Google Meet): once per application. Replies via LINE: available for the same application until you submit it.
・Our guideline for replies via LINE is, in principle, within 2 business days (we are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays; replies may take longer when we are busy).
・Please send copies of your documents by LINE or email. For your residence card, send the front side only; please do not send the side showing your My Number.
・What we tell you is our office’s opinion. It does not guarantee approval; the outcome depends on the decision of the Immigration Services Bureau.
・We only point out missing documents and points to watch. We do not prepare or rewrite your application documents for you or draft text for them, and we do not tell you whether your application is likely to be approved (if you would like to engage us, we will introduce the Self-Prep Course, the Light Plan and the Standard Plan).
・If we find that a document contains information that is not true, or that the application is not your own (or a family member’s), we will decline the check.
This article was written based on publicly available information as of October 2026. The handling of the total Period of Stay and the conditions for exams and result notifications eligible for the 6-year extension may be updated periodically on the Immigration Services Agency’s page. For actual applications, please confirm with the official information from the Immigration Services Agency or our office.
Author of this article: Administrative Scrivener Authorized to File Applications, Satoshi Nakayama
Representative, Administrative Scrivener Corporation Miyazaki International Legal Office
Location: Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture
