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Specified Skilled Worker Residence Status Application Method

Updated：2026/5/10

To work in Japan under SSW, passing the tests is not enough. You also need an employment contract with the company where you will work and a residence status application. The required documents differ for people coming from overseas, people already in Japan, and people renewing their period of stay.

Required documents may be updated, so always check the latest guidance on the official page below.

Things to Check Before Applying
  • Whether you are going to enter Japan from overseas
  • Whether you are already in Japan and changing your residence status
  • Whether you are already in Japan and changing your residence status
  • Check whether the job duties match a target field of Specified Skilled Worker.
  • Whether the accepting company can prepare the required documents
  • Whether there are additional documents for each field
Type of application

1. If you come to Japan from overseas

In many cases, the accepting company or another party applies in Japan for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). After the COE is issued, you apply for a visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country.

2. If a person in Japan changes status to SSW

If an international student, technical intern trainee, or person with another residence status in Japan changes to SSW, they apply for permission to change residence status. Check the applicant's passport, residence card, photo, application form, and documents based on the list of required documents and checklist.

3. If you renew your period of stay under SSW

If you are already working under SSW and continue working with the same residence status, you apply for permission to renew the period of stay. For renewal, employment contract, support status, tax payment status, and field-specific required documents are also checked.

Things you prepare yourself and things the company prepares

The actual documents differ depending on the application type and field, but it is easy to understand the division of preparation roughly as follows.

Things to Check Before Applying

  • Items for identity confirmation, such as passport, residence card, and photo
  • Pass the Japanese Language and Skills Exams
  • For people in Japan, status of resident tax, tax payment, social insurance, and similar items
  • Past residence status and whether there were any violations of activities outside the permitted status

Things to Check Before Applying

  • Employment contract, salary amount, and treatment equal to or better than Japanese workers
  • Support plan and information if support is outsourced to a registered support organization
  • Company profile, financial statements, tax payment, and social insurance documents
  • Membership in the field-specific council and additional conditions
Check the Official Portal
Checklist before application
  • Check whether the job duties match a target field of Specified Skilled Worker.
  • Pass the Japanese Language and Skills Exams
  • I checked the salary, working hours, days off, and job content in the employment contract
  • When using a support organization, check whether it is in the official list.
  • I checked the application documents using the latest list of required documents and checklist
  • For unclear points, I checked with the accepting company, registered support organization, or regional immigration services bureau