This article touches on what SSW is, the benefits of transitioning to SSW No. 2, and how to transition to SSW No. 2 quickly for those who are not familiar with it or do not see many benefits.
What is Specified Skilled Worker No. 1?
The Specified Skilled Worker No. 1 visa allows individuals to work in Japan for five years in 12 fields: construction, shipbuilding/marine industries, building cleaning, machine parts and tooling, industrial machinery, electric and electronic information, automobile maintenance, aviation, hospitality, agriculture, fisheries, food and beverage manufacturing, and food service.
To obtain the visa, you must pass two tests: the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) N4 or jft-basicand a skills evaluation test in your field. If you pass and are hired by a Japanese company, you can work in Japan as a specified skilled worker.
For those who want to know about tests in each field
- Caregiving
- Building cleaning
- Machine parts and tooling, industrial machinery, electric and electronic information
- Construction
- Shipbuilding/marine industries
- Automobile maintenance
- Aviation
- Hospitality
- Agriculture
- Fisheries
- Food and beverage manufacturing
- Food service
Characteristics of Specified Skilled Worker No. 1
Family members cannot be brought to Japan.
- The period of stay is up to 5 years.
- Those who want to bring their family or work in Japan for more than 5 years need to change to another visa status.
What is Specified Skilled Worker No. 2?
Out of the 12 fields of Specified Skilled Worker No. 1, it is now possible to transition to SSW No. 2 in 11 fields, excluding caregiving. As of spring 2024, tests for transitioning to SSW No. 2 are being released by relevant organizations. This section discusses how to transition to SSW No. 2 in fields other than the welding category in construction and shipbuilding/marine industries.
- Machine parts and tooling, industrial machinery, electric and electronic information
- Skills level:
- Obtain Business Career Certification Level 3
- Pass the Manufacturing Field Specified Skilled Worker No. 2 evaluation test
- Work experience:
- More than 3 years of work experience in the manufacturing field at a company with a base in Japan
- Japanese language level:
- None
- Skills level:
- Skills level:
- Pass the Building Cleaning Field Specified Skilled Worker No. 2 evaluation test or the Building Cleaning Skills Certification Level 1 test
- Work experience:
- More than 2 years of work experience as a site manager
- Japanese language level:
- None
- Skills level:
- Pass the Automobile Maintenance Skills Certification Level 2 test
- Work experience:
- More than 3 years of work experience
- Japanese language level:
- None
- Skills level:
- Pass the Aviation Field Specified Skilled Worker No. 2 evaluation test or Aviation Worker Skills Certification
- Work experience:
- More than 3 years of work experience requiring specialized knowledge and skills
- Japanese language level:
- None
- Skills level:
- Pass the Hospitality Field Specified Skilled Worker No. 2 evaluation test
- Work experience:
- More than 2 years of work experience in guiding multiple employees in tasks such as front desk, planning & public relations, customer service, and restaurant service at accommodation facilities
- Japanese language level:
- None
- Skills level:
- Pass the Level 2 Agricultural Skills Measurement Test (General Agriculture) or the Level 2 Agricultural Skills Measurement Test (Livestock Agriculture)
- Work experience:
- General Agriculture: Pass the test and have more than 2 years of work experience as a manager guiding multiple employees in general agricultural tasks or more than 3 years of work experience in the field of general agriculture
- Livestock Agriculture: Pass the test and have more than 2 years of work experience as a manager guiding multiple employees in livestock agricultural tasks or more than 3 years of work experience in the field of livestock agriculture
- Japanese language level:
- None
- Skills level:
- Pass the Level 2 Fisheries Skills Measurement Test (Fishing) or the Level 2 Fisheries Skills Measurement Test (Aquaculture)
- Work experience:
- Fishing: More than 2 years of work experience as a person assisting in supervising fishing operations on a fishing boat or guiding workers while managing the work process
- Aquaculture: More than 2 years of work experience as a person assisting in supervising aquaculture operations or guiding workers while managing the work process
- Japanese language level:
- Japanese Language Proficiency Test (N3 or higher)
- Skills level:
- Pass the Food & Beverage Manufacturing Field Specified Skilled Worker No. 2 Skills Measurement Test
- Work experience:
- More than 2 years of work experience guiding multiple workers while managing the work process
- Japanese language level:
- None
- Skills level:
- Pass the Food Service Field Specified Skilled Worker No. 2 Skills Measurement Test
- Work experience:
- More than 2 years of work experience guiding and supervising multiple part-time workers and specified skilled foreign workers in tasks including customer service while assisting in store management (e.g., assistant manager, sub-manager)
- Japanese language level:
- Japanese Language Proficiency Test (N3 or higher)
Features and Benefits of Specified Skilled Worker No. 2
The biggest feature of SSW No. 2 is that you can bring your family to Japan and continue working in the field indefinitely as long as you renew your visa. Additionally, working under SSW No. 2 counts towards the requirements for obtaining permanent residency in Japan. Therefore, the benefits of transitioning to SSW No. 2 are significant.
How to become Specified Skilled Worker No. 2 in two years
By now, those of you who are quick-witted may have already figured it out. Depending on the field, the "trick" to transitioning from SSW No. 1 to SSW No. 2 in as little as two years is to accumulate the "work experience required for transitioning to SSW No. 2." At the same time, it is important to prepare for the exams.If you are considering becoming an SSW No. 1, inform the company you are interviewing with that you want to transition to SSW No. 2. If you are currently working as an SSW No. 1, discuss with your company about working in a position where you can gain "management and supervisory experience," depending on the field.At Peregre Works, we will continue to provide various information through supporting everyone with Specified Skilled Worker No. 1.
