SSW-1 vs SSW-2 Visa: Path to Japan Permanent Residence

Choosing between the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) 1 and SSW 2 visas is the first step to building a life in Japan. The SSW 1 is ideal for those starting their journey with less experience, offering up to five years of work with guaranteed support. The SSW 2 is designed for experts who want to stay in Japan indefinitely and bring their families. Understanding these key differences ensures you select the visa that matches your long-term plans.

SSW 1 and SSW 2: What’s the Difference?

The main difference between these two visa categories lies in the level of skill required and the long-term privileges granted. According to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, the SSW 1 visa is a “job-ready” status meant for immediate employment in fields facing labor shortages, but it has a strict 5-year time limit. The SSW 2 visa is for highly skilled professionals who can work as supervisors, offering a pathway to permanent residence. While SSW 1 allows you to work in all 16 designated industrial fields, SSW 2 is currently available in 11 of those fields.

Comparison of SSW 1 and SSW 2

Skill Level

For SSW 1, you must demonstrate “considerable knowledge or experience” by passing a field-specific skills exam and a Japanese language test (JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic A2). According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, those who completed Technical Intern Training (ii) are exempt from these exams. For SSW 2, you need “proficient skills” that allow you to supervise others, proven by passing a more advanced Grade 2 skills exam and possessing practical work experience.

Period of Stay and Renewal

The SSW 1 is a temporary working period. You can renew your visa in increments of 1 year, 6 months, or 4 months, but the total stay cannot exceed 5 years. After reaching this limit, you must return home or qualify for a different visa. The SSW 2 offers long-term stability with indefinite renewals (every 3 years, 1 year, or 6 months), which opens the door to Permanent Residence after 10 continuous years in Japan.

Life Support: SSW 1

A unique benefit of the SSW 1 visa is the mandatory support system. The hiring company is legally required to help you with pre-arrival orientation, airport pickup, housing assistance, bank accounts and mobile phones, life orientation, Japanese learning opportunities, and a consultation service in your native language. You do not pay for this support; all expenses are covered by the employer. SSW 2 workers do not receive mandatory support because they are considered skilled enough to live independently.

Bringing Your Family to Japan: SSW 2

Under SSW 1, you generally cannot bring family members to Japan. The SSW 2 solves this problem: once you upgrade, you can sponsor visas for your spouse and children. Combined with unlimited renewals, SSW 2 creates a realistic foundation for building a permanent life in Japan. Note that this applies to legal spouses and children, not parents or siblings.

Test Availability

For SSW 1, exams for skills and Japanese language are held frequently both in Japan and in countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, and Nepal. The Japanese test used is usually the JFT-Basic or JLPT (N4 level), and skill exams are specific to the industry. SSW 2 exams are more specialized and harder to find. They are advanced tests that confirm supervisory-level skills. Currently, these exams are available for 11 sectors. Check the official SSW test information page or Prometric for the latest test schedules.

For more information on the SSW 1 tests themselves, please check this guide here:

▶︎ A Comprehensive Guide to Japan’s SSW Skills Tests

SSW 1: Creating a Foundation

The SSW 1 visa is the most common starting point for foreign nationals entering Japan’s workforce. It is designed to fill immediate labor shortages by welcoming workers who are ready to perform tasks with a certain level of independence. While it does not offer a direct permanent stay option on its own, it provides up to five years of valuable experience, income, and government-mandated support.

Overview

The SSW 1 allows you to work in one of 16 designated industrial fields, including Nursing Care, Construction, Agriculture, and Food Service. The maximum stay is 5 years total, and you cannot bring family members. To qualify, you must be at least 18 years old, in good health, and able to prove you are “job-ready” by passing a skills exam and Japanese language test.

Get Your Foot in the Door

Entering through SSW 1 is straightforward compared to other visa categories that require university degrees. The primary requirement is passing two exams: a skills evaluation test and a Japanese language test (JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic A2). Some fields like Nursing Care require an additional nursing-specific Japanese test. According to the Immigration Services Agency, if you completed Technical Intern Training (ii) in the same field, you are exempt from both exams. Once you have your test results, you must sign a direct employment contract guaranteeing your salary is equal to or higher than a Japanese worker in the same role.

Detailed Look at Support

By law, the company hiring you must create a Support Plan to ensure your professional and personal life in Japan goes smoothly. Here is what you will receive:

•   Pre-arrival Guidance: Information about your job, life in Japan, and entry requirements in a language you understand

•   Arrival and Departure: Airport pickup when you arrive and drop-off when you leave

•   Housing and Contracts: Help finding housing, serving as guarantor, and setting up bank accounts, mobile phones, and utilities

•   Life Orientation: Training on Japanese rules like garbage separation, public transportation, and emergency procedures

•   Government Procedures: Help with paperwork at city hall such as address registration and taxes

•   Consultation Service: Access to someone who speaks your native language for problems at work or in daily life

Crucially, you do not pay for this support. All expenses for these mandatory support services must be paid by the employer.

SSW 2: Thriving as an Expert

The SSW 2 visa is the advanced counterpart to SSW 1, designed for highly skilled professionals who are ready to take on leadership roles. It removes the 5-year limit and offers a genuine path to settling in Japan permanently with your family.

Overview

The SSW 2 is for foreign nationals with “proficient skills” in specific industries. Unlike SSW 1, it has no limit on stay duration and allows you to bring your spouse and children. Currently available in 11 industrial fields, candidates must pass a high-level skills exam (Category 2) and often need practical supervisory experience.

Higher Skills, Longer Stay

While SSW 1 focuses on operational tasks, SSW 2 requires supervisory-level skills. You typically need to pass a Grade 1 or Grade 2 skills exam and show proof of practical leadership experience. The reward is stability: the SSW 2 visa can be renewed indefinitely with no 5-year limit, opening the door to Permanent Residence after 10 continuous years in Japan.

Perks Unique to the SSW 2

The most significant benefit is the ability to bring your family. SSW 2 workers can sponsor visas for their legal spouse and children. Another difference is independence: SSW 2 workers handle their own housing, bank accounts, and administrative procedures without mandatory employer assistance. Since SSW 2 roles involve supervision and advanced skills, they also command higher salaries.

Approved Industries

The SSW program covers 16 designated industrial fields. For most industries, you can start with SSW 1 and upgrade to SSW 2. However, some fields are limited to SSW 1 or have unique pathways for permanent residence.

Available Industries: Mostly the Same

According to the Immigration Services Agency, as of 2025, 11 industries are approved for both SSW 1 and SSW 2:

•   Construction (Civil engineering, architecture, lifelines)

•   Shipbuilding and Ship Machinery

•   Automobile Repair and Maintenance

•   Aviation

•   Accommodation

•   Agriculture

•   Fishery

•   Food and Beverage Manufacturing

•   Food Service

•   Building Cleaning Management

•   Manufacture of Industrial Products

Exclusive Fields

There are 5 industries currently available only for SSW 1:

1. Nursing Care: A unique case. While there is no SSW 2 for nursing, caregivers can switch to the “Nursing Care (Kaigo) visa” by passing the national Certified Care Worker exam. This visa allows indefinite renewal and family sponsorship.

2. Automobile Transportation: Drivers for trucks, buses, and taxis

3. Railway: Track maintenance, train operation, and electrical maintenance

4. Forestry: Logging and forest management

5. Wood Industry: Lumber processing

💬 The last four fields were newly added in 2024. Workers in these fields generally must return home after 5 years unless new legislation is passed to expand the system.

Future Outlook

The SSW system is evolving rapidly. Originally, only two fields (Construction and Shipbuilding) allowed for SSW 2 status. In 2023, the government expanded this to the current list of 11 fields. Given this trend and the recent addition of transport and forestry sectors in 2024, it is highly possible that SSW 2 pathways will be created for these new industries in the future.

Requirements and Needed Skills

Differences in Skill Level and Experience

SSW 1 requires “considerable knowledge or experience,” proven by passing a Category 1 skills test or completing 3 years of Technical Intern Training (ii). SSW 2 requires “proficient skills” to supervise others and manage worksites. You need to pass the Category 2 skills exam or hold a Grade 1 National Trade Skill Certificate, plus proof of practical experience as a team leader (such as 3 years as a foreman in Construction).

Differences in Language Expectations

The table below summarizes the language requirements for each visa type:

Salary and Working Conditions

Differences in Salary

The salary difference reflects the gap between “entry-level” and “management” roles. According to the Immigration Services Agency, SSW 1 workers typically earn approximately ¥211,200/month ($1,351 USD), comparable to entry-level Japanese workers. In the nursing care field, entry-level caregivers earn ¥3,000,000-¥3,300,000/year. SSW 2 holders command higher pay as supervisors: in construction, experienced workers earn ¥300,000-¥400,000/month ($1,920-$2,560 USD), and Certified Care Workers earn ¥3,500,000-¥4,500,000/year.

You can learn more about the salaries for different sectors by checking out our article on the topic here:

▶︎ SSW Visa Salary in Japan – Complete Overview

Exchange rate used: 1 USD = 156.39 JPY (as of November 28, 2025)

All salaries listed above are estimates based on market trends and vary by employer.

Similarities in Work Conditions: Equal Treatment

Both visas share fundamental legal protections. According to Article 3 of Japan’s Labour Standards Law, employers shall not discriminate against workers based on nationality with respect to wages or working conditions. Both SSW 1 and SSW 2 workers are fully covered by Japanese labor rights:

•   Social Insurance: Same health insurance and pension systems as Japanese citizens (70% of medical costs covered)

•   Paid Leave: Typically 10 days after six months of employment

•   Overtime Pay: 25% higher than base hourly wage

Transition from SSW 1 to 2: The Long Term Plan

Upgrading from SSW 1 to SSW 2 transforms a temporary five-year stint into a potential lifelong career. However, this transition requires deliberate planning to meet higher skill standards.

Applicable Fields

Currently, 11 out of 16 industrial fields allow workers to upgrade to SSW 2 status. Fields without an SSW 2 pathway are: Automobile Transportation, Railway, Forestry, and Wood Industry. Workers in these fields must generally leave Japan after their 5-year SSW 1 period. The Nursing Care field does not have SSW 2 but offers an alternative: caregivers can transition to the “Nursing Care” (Kaigo) visa by passing the national Certified Care Worker exam, which provides indefinite renewal and family sponsorship.

How to Transition

Upgrading to SSW 2 is merit-based. You can transition as soon as you meet these requirements:

1. Pass the Level 2 Skills Exam: Pass the Category 2 skills evaluation test for your industry (harder than Category 1), or hold a Grade 1 National Trade Skill Certificate.

2. Prove Supervisory Experience: Show proof of practical experience as a manager or team leader (e.g., 3 years as a foreman in Construction, or 2 years managing a cleaning crew in Building Cleaning).

3. Secure an SSW 2 Job Offer: Get an employment contract that hires you specifically as an SSW 2 worker.

Once these conditions are met, apply for a Change of Status of Residence at the Immigration Bureau.

FAQ

Q. Can I change jobs or industries while on an SSW visa?

A. According to the official SSW FAQ, yes, you can change employers within the same industry as long as you notify the Immigration Bureau. If you wish to switch to a completely different industry, you must pass the specific skills examination for that new field before you can change your visa status.

Q. Do I need a university degree to apply for an SSW visa?

A. No, a university degree is generally not required. The primary requirements are that you must be at least 18 years old and pass both the relevant skills exam and the Japanese language test (JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic). This makes it more accessible than many other working visas that require higher education.

Q. Can I bring my family to Japan if I am an SSW 1 holder?

A. Generally, no. Family members are not permitted to accompany workers under the SSW 1 visa. However, if you upgrade to SSW 2 after gaining experience and passing the advanced exams, you will then be allowed to sponsor visas for your spouse and children.

Conclusion

Choosing between SSW 1 and SSW 2 defines your future in Japan. SSW 1 provides an accessible entry point with essential support for up to five years. SSW 2 offers the freedom to live indefinitely and reunite with family. The path is designed as a journey: begin with SSW 1, build your skills and language proficiency, then upgrade to SSW 2 when ready. Japan’s industries are actively seeking talent, and there is a visa category built to support your goals.