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How to change from student to SSW

Updated：2026/5/15

Students cannot start working under SSW just by signing a contract with a company. Start SSW work only after getting permission to change status at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau. Before applying, organize exams, school, part-time work, taxes and insurance, and country procedures.

What Students Should Check First
  • Check that you have not worked beyond the scope of your part-time work permission. In principle, the limit is 28 hours per week, or 8 hours per day during long school holidays.
  • If you have unpaid taxes, national health insurance, or national pension, check with your city office or pension office before applying. Unpaid items may make screening take longer.
  • Check school attendance, grades, expected graduation, and whether you withdrew or were removed from school. If there was a period when you did not attend school, it may hurt your residence status review.
  • Do not start SSW work until change permission is granted. Even while applying, you cannot work beyond the activities allowed under your current status of residence.
Detailed flow until change
  1. Choose a field and check the required skills and Japanese tests.
  2. Pass the exam, or check whether you meet exemption requirements such as good completion of technical intern training
  3. Find a company and read the employment terms in a language you understand
  4. Check salary, deductions, work location, dorm fees, overtime, days off, and support details, then sign the employment contract
  5. Prepare documents that may be needed from your school, such as expected graduation certificate, transcript, and attendance certificate
  6. Check payment status for resident tax, national health insurance, national pension, and other items
  7. Check country-specific procedures. Vietnam may require a recommendation list, and Indonesia or Sri Lanka may require home-country registration.
  8. Apply for permission to change status of residence at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau
  9. After approval, receive a new residence card and start working at the company
Pre-application Checklist
  • Your schedule allows you to apply before the period of stay expires
  • You can explain that your part-time work hours did not exceed 28 hours
  • Checked unpaid taxes, health insurance, and pension
  • Can prepare school documents such as expected graduation, attendance, and grades
  • Checked country guides for documents or registration needed only for your country
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