If you have heard that Japan is hiring Indian workers, the scheme people are usually talking about is the Specified Skilled Worker visa. Known in Japan as Tokutei Ginou, it was created in 2019 to bring foreign workers into industries facing serious labour shortages, from care homes and restaurants to shipyards and farms.
What makes SSW different from many overseas job schemes is that it is test-based. You do not get in because an agent knows someone. You get in by proving two things: that you can do the job and that you can communicate in basic Japanese. Once you pass, a Japanese employer can hire you directly, and you are protected by Japanese labour law in the same way as local staff.
This article explains how the SSW system works for Indian candidates, step by step, with the tests, documents, costs and timelines you should plan for.
SSW in Simple Words
Think of SSW as a work visa linked to a particular industry. You choose a field, pass the skills test for that field, show basic Japanese, and then work for a company in that field. You can change employers, but only within the same field unless you pass the test for another one.
There are two levels. SSW (i) is the entry level, valid for a maximum combined stay of five years, without family. SSW (ii) is for more experienced workers, can be renewed without a fixed upper limit and allows a spouse and children to join. Most Indians will start at level (i).
India’s Place in the System
India and Japan signed a cooperation agreement on SSW in January 2021. The agreement commits both governments to fair recruitment and information sharing, and it paved the way for Japanese skills tests to be held in India. Since then, tests in fields such as nursing care, food service and agriculture have been run in Indian cities at various times, and the Japan Foundation’s JFT-Basic language test is offered at computer-based test centres in India.
Test availability changes from year to year. A field that held exams in India last year may not schedule one this year, so check the testing body’s announcements regularly rather than relying on old information from social media.
Which Fields Can You Apply For?
The SSW field list has grown since 2019. Following the 2024 revision, the fields include:
- Nursing care
- Building cleaning
- Industrial products manufacturing
- Construction
- Shipbuilding and ship machinery
- Automobile repair and maintenance
- Aviation
- Accommodation
- Agriculture and fishery
- Food and beverage manufacturing
- Food service
- Automobile transportation, railway, forestry and wood industry (added in 2024)
Japan reviews the list periodically and further fields have been under discussion. Treat this as a guide and confirm the current position with the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.
The Two Tests You Must Pass
1. The skills evaluation test
Each field has its own skills test, run by an industry body appointed by the relevant ministry. The tests check practical knowledge of the job: hygiene and cooking processes for food service, safety and tools for construction, care techniques for nursing care, and so on. Many are computer-based, with some including practical tasks. Study materials are usually published in Japanese, and some bodies also provide English or other language versions.
2. The Japanese language test
Most fields accept either the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test at N4 level or above, or the JFT-Basic test, which checks whether you can handle everyday conversations. Nursing care also needs the Nursing Care Japanese Language Evaluation Test. JLPT is held twice a year in India, while JFT-Basic is offered more frequently, which is why many SSW candidates choose it.
Is there an exemption?
People who have successfully completed Technical Intern Training (ii) in a related job are usually exempt from both tests when moving to SSW (i) in a matching field. For a first-time candidate from India, though, plan to take both.
Step-by-Step Timeline
Here is how a typical journey looks for an Indian candidate starting from zero Japanese. Timelines differ from person to person.
| Stage | What happens | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Language study | Learn hiragana, katakana, basic kanji and conversation up to N4 / JFT-Basic level | 6 – 10 months |
| Skills test preparation | Study the official textbook for your field and practise sample questions | 1 – 3 months (overlapping) |
| Tests | Sit the language test and the skills test; wait for results | 1 – 2 months |
| Job matching | Interviews with Japanese employers, often online | 1 – 3 months |
| COE application | Employer applies to immigration in Japan for your Certificate of Eligibility | 1 – 3 months |
| Visa and travel | Visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate in India, then departure | 2 – 4 weeks |
Altogether, a well-organised candidate can expect roughly a year from starting Japanese to landing in Japan.
Finding an Employer Legally
Passing the tests does not automatically give you a job. You still need a Japanese company to hire you. Common ways Indians connect with employers include job-matching events organised under government cooperation, Japanese-language institutes in India that have placement tie-ups, and registered recruitment agencies with licences in both countries.
Under SSW rules, the hiring company must provide support to SSW (i) workers or outsource it to a registered support organisation in Japan. This support covers pre-arrival orientation, airport pickup, help finding housing, opening a bank account, registering at the city office, Japanese study opportunities and a consultation channel in a language you understand.
Pay and Working Conditions
One of the strongest features of SSW is the equal-pay rule. Employers must pay SSW workers at least what they would pay a Japanese worker doing the same job, and never below the prefecture’s minimum wage. You are also enrolled in Japanese health insurance, pension and employment insurance.
As an indicative range, SSW (i) workers often earn around ¥170,000 to ¥260,000 a month before deductions, roughly ₹97,000 to ₹1.48 lakh at about ₹0.57 per yen. Construction, shipbuilding and manufacturing tend to sit towards the higher end, especially with overtime, while cities like Tokyo and Osaka pay more but also cost more to live in. Actual pay varies by employer, region and experience.
Costs to Budget For
You will spend some money before you earn anything. Typical costs include Japanese classes, test fees for the language and skills exams, passport and document preparation, medical check-up, and visa-related expenses. Check the current fees on each official test portal, as they change. Japanese rules discourage employers or brokers from charging workers excessive fees or deposits, and the India–Japan cooperation agreement is meant to stop exploitative recruitment. If someone asks you for lakhs of rupees as a “placement fee”, walk away.
Mistakes Indian Candidates Often Make
Many applicants lose time and money because of avoidable errors. Watch out for these:
- Choosing a field at random. Picking food service because a friend did, when you have five years of welding experience, means ignoring your strongest advantage.
- Stopping Japanese study after passing N4. The test gets you a visa, but workplace conversations, safety briefings and dealing with neighbours need more. Keep studying after you land.
- Not reading the contract. Your employment conditions must be explained in a language you understand. Check basic pay, overtime rules, rent deductions and working hours before signing.
- Trusting screenshots and forwarded messages. Test dates, fields and rules change. Rely on official notices, not old WhatsApp forwards.
- Underestimating the cost of the first month. Your first salary may come four to six weeks after arrival, so carry enough savings for food, transport and a phone connection.
Moving Up to SSW (ii)
After a few years on SSW (i), you can aim for level (ii) by passing a higher skills test and, in some fields, a higher Japanese level or proof of supervisory experience. This upgrade changes your life in Japan: no five-year cap, the right to bring your family and a possible path to permanent residence later. Nursing care has its own long-term route through the national care worker qualification instead of SSW (ii).
Whatever stage you are at, confirm the latest test rules and visa requirements on official websites before applying, because the system is revised regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an age limit for SSW?
You must be at least 18. There is no fixed upper age in the rules, but employers in physical jobs may prefer younger candidates, and health must be good enough for the work.
Do I need a degree for SSW?
No. SSW is based on tests, not degrees. A Class 10 or 12 pass is enough to sit most tests, although related experience or ITI training helps.
Can I take the skills test in English?
Some fields have offered tests in other languages, but many are in Japanese. Check the testing body’s notice for each test round.
How much Japanese is enough?
N4 or JFT-Basic is the minimum. In reality, the better your Japanese, the easier your interviews, your work and your daily life will be.
Can I bring my wife on SSW (i)?
Generally no. Family accompaniment becomes possible on SSW (ii).
Wrapping Up
The SSW visa rewards preparation, not connections. Pick a field that suits your experience, take Japanese seriously, pass both tests and use only legitimate channels to find an employer. Do that, and Japan’s door is genuinely open to you.
The money figures mentioned in this guide to SSW visa Japan are indicative and based on commonly reported amounts. They change over time, so confirm current figures with the employer or the Specified Skilled Worker Support Website listed under Helpful Links.