Japan SSW Visa: 16 Occupations Open to Foreign Workers Under Skilled Worker Programme

Japan Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi. CVredit: AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, Pool

Japan has published the list of occupational fields available to foreign nationals under its Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa programme, opening work opportunities across 16 sectors ranging from nursing care and agriculture to aviation, railway and shipbuilding.

The programme provides a structured route for foreign workers who have the skills required for jobs facing labour shortages in Japan.

Unlike some immigration routes that are heavily dependent on university qualifications, the SSW system focuses on whether applicants have the skills and language ability required for their chosen occupation.

For prospective workers outside Japan, however, meeting the general requirements does not automatically guarantee eligibility. Each occupational field has its own conditions, tests and applicable rules.

Japan’s 16 occupations eligible for the SSW visa

The Japanese government has designated 16 occupational fields under the Specified Skilled Worker programme.

They are:

Nursing care
Building cleaning management
Manufacture of industrial products
Construction
Shipbuilding and ship machinery
Automobile repair and maintenance
Aviation
Accommodation
Agriculture
Fishery and aquaculture
Manufacture of food and beverages
Food service
Automobile transportation
Railway
Forestry
Wood industry

The list covers jobs in healthcare support, manufacturing, construction, hospitality, transport, agriculture and other industries.

This means applicants with different professional and technical backgrounds can potentially explore the programme rather than being restricted to a single type of occupation.

What is Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker visa?

The Specified Skilled Worker system was created to allow foreign nationals with specific skills to work in designated industries in Japan.

The programme is linked to labour shortages in sectors where employers require workers with practical skills.

Applicants generally need to demonstrate that they can perform the duties associated with their chosen field.

The requirements are not identical across all 16 sectors, so someone applying for an agricultural position may face different occupational requirements from an applicant seeking work in construction, nursing care or aviation.

Do SSW applicants need to speak Japanese?

Japanese language ability is an important part of the SSW application process.

Applicants are generally required to demonstrate Japanese language proficiency, alongside the skills required for their selected occupation.

The exact testing requirements can depend on the field and the applicant’s circumstances.

This means prospective applicants should identify their preferred occupation first and then determine which language and skills examinations apply to that specific field.

Passing a language test alone does not make someone eligible for an SSW visa.

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Do applicants need a university degree?

The SSW route is primarily skills-based rather than being designed exclusively for university graduates.

Applicants are assessed according to the skills required for their selected occupational field.

This can make the programme relevant to workers who have practical or vocational experience and are seeking employment opportunities abroad.

However, applicants still have to satisfy the specific requirements attached to the relevant SSW category and meet Japan’s immigration conditions.

What are the requirements for Japan’s SSW programme?

Requirements vary depending on the occupational field, but prospective applicants should expect to demonstrate relevant skills and Japanese-language ability.

Applicants may need to pass a skills test for their chosen sector and a Japanese language examination.

They also need to secure employment that falls within an eligible SSW field and satisfy the immigration requirements applicable to their application.

The availability of a particular occupation can also depend on arrangements between Japan and the applicant’s country.

Prospective workers should check the latest requirements for their nationality and chosen occupation before paying an agent, taking a test or accepting an employment offer.

Can Nigerians apply for Japan’s SSW visa?

Nigerian workers can explore the Specified Skilled Worker route, but eligibility depends on the specific occupation, testing requirements, employment arrangements and applicable procedures for applicants from Nigeria.

Workers should also verify whether the relevant sector is open to applicants from their country and whether any required sending-country arrangements apply.

This is especially important because the SSW programme is divided into occupational categories rather than operating as a single unrestricted work visa.

Which sectors could foreign workers enter through SSW?

The 16 fields include several areas where Japan requires workers with practical skills.

Agriculture and forestry provide opportunities outside Japan’s major urban centres, while manufacturing and construction cover technical and industrial work.

The programme also includes service industries such as accommodation and food service.

Transport-related occupations have expanded the range further, with automobile transportation and railway included alongside aviation.

Nursing care is another major category, reflecting the need for workers in Japan’s care sector.

Applicants should focus on the occupation that matches their existing skills and then check its individual eligibility requirements.

Japan SSW visa FAQs

What is the SSW visa in Japan?

The Specified Skilled Worker visa is a Japanese work route for foreign nationals with skills needed in designated industries.

How many occupations are covered by Japan’s SSW programme?

Japan’s current list covers 16 occupational fields, including nursing care, agriculture, construction, manufacturing, aviation, accommodation and food service.

Can Nigerians apply for the Japan SSW visa?

Nigerian applicants can explore the SSW route, subject to the requirements applying to their chosen occupation and nationality.

Do SSW applicants need Japanese language skills?

Generally, applicants must demonstrate Japanese-language ability as part of the SSW process, with specific requirements depending on the circumstances and occupational field.

Does the SSW visa require a university degree?

The SSW programme is skills-focused and is not limited to applicants with university degrees. Applicants must still meet the requirements for their selected field.

Can SSW workers work in agriculture?

Yes. Agriculture is one of the 16 occupational fields covered by Japan’s SSW programme.

Is food service included in the SSW programme?

Yes. Food service is one of the designated occupational fields available under the programme.