Japan's Specified Skilled Worker (SSW / 特定技能) status permits eligible foreign nationals to work in designated fields. Applicants still need to meet the relevant language, skills, employer and immigration requirements; completing a language course or test does not guarantee a job, Certificate of Eligibility or visa.
Launched in 2019, SSW covers designated fields. SSW-1 is generally limited to a total of five years and requires accepted Japanese-language evidence plus the relevant sector skills test. Official guidance says comparable remuneration must be at least equal to that of Japanese workers. SSW-2 has different field, stay and family rules. Check the current Immigration Services Agency SSW guidance for the intended field.
| JLPT N4 | JFT-Basic | |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | Japan Foundation / JEES | Japan Foundation |
| Format | Paper-based; session, city and level availability vary | Computer-based; dates and locations vary |
| Tests | Language knowledge, reading and listening | Script and vocabulary, conversation and expression, listening and reading; A2 reference |
| Planning point | Confirm that the route accepts the level and that a suitable local session is available | Confirm current country availability, booking rules and route acceptance before relying on a test date |
Either test may satisfy the general SSW-1 language condition; applicants normally need only the evidence required for their field. See ssw.go.jp, jlpt.jp and the relevant field page for current conditions. Caregiving applicants have an additional Japanese evaluation.
The programme now spans 16 fields, including:
Each sector has its own skills requirements. Test availability varies by field and country; check the current official field and test schedule.
Japan's official guidance describes TITP as a skills-acquisition status and SSW as a work status. Duration, employer changes, transition options and family rules are programme-specific. Compare the official conditions and the actual contract rather than assuming one route is always better.
There is no universal SSW salary or savings figure. The official rule concerns comparable remuneration; actual gross and take-home pay depend on the employer, field, prefecture, hours, allowances, tax, insurance, pension and housing. Read every deduction and support item in the written offer, compare it with current local costs, and use the official SSW FAQ for the programme rule.
Language preparation is only one part of the process. Skills-test schedules, employer matching, the Certificate of Eligibility and visa review can each affect timing, so no course provider can promise an eight-month route or approval. Explore DIFL's Japanese course, check your current level with the Japanese quiz, and verify every immigration step on the official SSW and consular sites. Counsellors: +91 99295 15151.
The official SSW guidance generally accepts JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic for SSW-1 alongside the relevant sector skills test. Caregiving has an additional Japanese evaluation. Confirm the current field-specific rule before applying.
Japan's official guidance describes TITP as a skills-acquisition status and SSW as a work status. SSW conditions, permitted employer changes, length of stay and family rules depend on whether the person holds SSW-1 or SSW-2 and on the current field rules.
There is no official universal salary figure. Japan's SSW guidance says remuneration must be equal to or greater than that of a Japanese worker doing comparable work. Sector, region, hours, allowances, tax, insurance and housing all affect take-home pay, so verify the written contract.
Official guidance says SSW-1 is limited to a total of five years and generally does not allow family accompaniment, while SSW-2 has no upper stay limit and can permit family accompaniment. Eligibility and field coverage must be checked at the time of application.