Visa & residencyVisas and renewals
Specified skilled worker Japan rules: 19 fields, a skills test plus JFT-Basic or JLPT N4, 5 years max on (i), family only on (ii), and how to change jobs.
As of October 2026, Specified Skilled Worker (特定技能) has two levels. Type (i) covers 19 fields, needs a field skills test plus the JFT-Basic or JLPT N4 Japanese test, allows 5 years in total and no family. Type (ii) covers 11 fields, has no renewal limit and allows a spouse and children. Changing employer needs a change of status application. Employment for Skill Development (育成就労) replaces technical intern training from April 1, 2027.
To work as a specified skilled worker Japan requires the status of residence Specified Skilled Worker (特定技能), for hands-on jobs in fields with labor shortages. Type (i) covers 19 fields, needs a skills test plus the JFT-Basic or JLPT N4 Japanese test, and allows 5 years in total without family. Type (ii) covers 11 fields, has no renewal limit and allows a spouse and children. This is the position as of October 2026, from the Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁, ISA).
| Type (i) (特定技能1号) | Type (ii) (特定技能2号) | |
|---|---|---|
| Skill level | Considerable knowledge or experience | Skilled (熟練した技能) |
| Fields | 19 | 11 |
| Period of stay | Up to 3 years per grant | 3 years, 2 years, 1 year or 6 months |
| Total limit | 5 years (6 with good reason) | No limit on renewals |
| Japanese | A2.2 level by test | B1 level by test, planned from April 1, 2027 |
| Family | Basically not allowed | Spouse and children, if requirements are met |
| Support from employer | Required | Not required |
Source: ISA explanatory materials updated September 29, 2026. As of end of June 2026, 425,961 people held type (i) and 18,295 held type (ii) (preliminary figures).
ISA lists 19 fields for type (i):
Automobile transport, railway, forestry and wood industry were added in March 2024. Linen supply, logistics warehousing and resource circulation were added in January 2026. ISA says logistics warehousing and resource circulation start operating once preparations are complete, so check the field page before you plan around them.
For type (i) you need two tests:
Nursing care also requires the Nursing Care Japanese Language Evaluation Test. Automobile transport (taxi and bus) and railway (station staff) have extra Japanese requirements.
Test exemption
Technical intern training (ii)
If you completed technical intern training (ii) in good standing, you are exempt from the skills and Japanese tests (ISA).
You must also be 18 or older, and not already have spent 5 years in total on type (i). Nobody may take a deposit from you or make you sign a contract with penalties.
ISA’s published average for type (i) certificates of eligibility issued in August 2026 was 62.7 days, and 60.7 days for a change of status (food service excluded). See our certificate of eligibility guide for the steps.
For type (i), the employer must make a support plan and carry it out, or hand some or all of it to a registered support organization (登録支援機関). The plan covers 10 items, including:
The employer can’t charge you for this support, directly or indirectly. Type (ii) has no support duty.
Yes. You can change jobs within the same work category, or between categories where a test has confirmed the skills are shared.
ISA says a specified skilled worker who changes employer must apply for a change of status permission (在留資格変更許可申請). The new employer also has to meet ISA’s standards and, for type (i), provide support. See change of status for fees and timing.
On type (i), basically no. On type (ii), your spouse and children can join you if you meet the requirements. They use the dependent visa, which lists type (ii), but not type (i), as a sponsor status.
Employment for Skill Development (育成就労) replaces technical intern training. ISA’s materials say it starts operation on April 1, 2027.
After 育成就労, the intended path is type (i), then type (ii).
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For type (i), a skills test for your field and a Japanese test: the Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese (JFT-Basic) or JLPT N4 or higher. Nursing care also needs its own Japanese test. If you completed technical intern training (ii), both tests are waived.
On type (i), basically no. On type (ii), your spouse and children can join you if you meet the requirements, using the Dependent status.
Yes, within the same work category or between categories where ISA has confirmed the skills overlap. You must apply for a change of status permission for the new employer.
Up to 5 years in total, or 6 years if there is a good reason. Time you couldn't work because of pregnancy, childbirth or childcare doesn't count. Type (ii) has no limit on renewals.
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