What is the Specified Skilled Worker ii (特定技能2号) visa?
The unrestricted upgrade of the Specified Skilled Worker program. Unlike SSW1, SSW2 has no cumulative stay cap, allows family members on dependent visas, opens the path to permanent residence, and removes the employer support-plan obligation. The bar is a higher-level sector skill test plus supervisory or practical experience.
Which sectors are eligible for SSW2?
11 sectors as of 2024: building cleaning, manufacturing of industrial products, construction, shipbuilding & ship machinery, automobile maintenance, aviation, accommodation, agriculture, fishery, food/beverage manufacturing, and food service. Caregiving (介護) does NOT have an SSW2 track. Caregivers transition to the dedicated 介護 visa instead. The four sectors added in 2024 do not yet have SSW2.
How is SSW2 different from SSW1?
Key differences: (1) NO 5-year stay cap. Renewable indefinitely; (2) family members allowed on dependent visas; (3) PR pathway open; (4) NO employer support-plan / RSO obligation, saving ¥20-40k/month per worker; (5) NO Japanese language test requirement; (6) higher-level skill test with supervisory/practical-experience component.
Can SSW2 holders bring their family?
Yes. Spouses and children can apply for the standard dependent visa (家族滞在). Spouses can work up to 28 hours per week with 資格外活動 permission. This is the single biggest practical advantage of SSW2 over SSW1.
Does SSW2 lead to permanent residence?
Yes. Time on SSW2 counts toward the standard 10-year PR residency requirement (5 working years). For workers who built up time on SSW1 first, the SSW1 portion typically does NOT count, but SSW2 time onward does. Workers who reach 70+ points on the 高度専門職 track can apply for PR after just 1 or 3 years.
Do I need a Japanese language test for SSW2?
No. SSW2 has no statutory language test requirement (in contrast to SSW1's JLPT N4 / JFT-Basic baseline). The assumption is that SSW2 candidates have already demonstrated working Japanese during their SSW1 tenure or comparable experience.
What does the SSW2 skill test look like?
Each of the 11 SSW2-eligible sectors administers its own SSW2 test, distinct from and harder than the SSW1 test. The test typically covers expert-level technical knowledge plus supervisory competence (e.g. site management for construction, food safety oversight for food service). Pass rates are notably lower than SSW1.
Do I need supervisory experience for SSW2?
Most sectors require demonstrable practical experience that includes some supervisory or training role. Typically 2+ years working in the sector under SSW1 (or equivalent). Construction in particular looks for evidence of site coordination experience.
Can I switch employers on SSW2?
Yes, within the same sector, with a 14-day notification to Immigration. Switching to a different sector is NOT a simple change. It requires passing the new sector's SSW2 test and a fresh status application.
What is the renewal cycle?
SSW2 is granted in 6 months, 1 year, or 3 years, renewable indefinitely with no cumulative cap. Most established SSW2 workers receive 3-year renewals. File 2-3 months before the current status expires.
What is the salary requirement?
Same as SSW1: per Article 2-5 of the Specified Skilled Worker law, compensation must be equal to or higher than what a Japanese national would earn for equivalent work. Below-parity wages are an automatic rejection cause.
Does SSW2 still require an RSO?
No. The mandatory employer support-plan obligation (and the RSO contract that typically fulfills it) is unique to SSW1. SSW2 employers have no such obligation, eliminating ¥20-40k/month per worker in support fees. This is a major economic advantage of SSW2 over SSW1.
What if my SSW2 application is rejected?
Most SSW2 rejections trace to (1) the sector not yet being on the SSW2 list, (2) failing to demonstrate supervisory / practical experience, or (3) employer compliance issues. There is no formal appeal. Fix the gap and re-file. For experience-evidence rejections, a 行政書士 specializing in SSW filings is the most efficient remedy.