SSW

SSW Visa From Nepal

The Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa is a residency status introduced by Japan government in April 2019 to address labor shortages in specific industries by allowing foreign nationals with relevant skills to work in the country.

There are two types of SSW visas:

1. SSW-1 Visa (特定技能1号 / Tokutei Ginou 1-gou)

For individuals engaged in jobs requiring considerable knowledge or experience in specified industry fields. This visa is valid for up to five years, does not permit bringing family members, and requires passing both a Japanese language proficiency test and a skills proficiency test.

2. SSW-2 Visa (特定技能2号 / Tokutei Ginou 2-gou)

For individuals performing jobs that demand proficient skills in specified industry fields. This visa has no limit on the period of stay, allows for family accompaniment, and requires a higher level of skill proficiency, typically demonstrated through relevant examinations.

For most foreign workers from Nepal, only the SSW-1 Visa (Tokutei Ginou 1-gou) is currently available and applicable. Therefore, Shine Education Services Pvt.Ltd. mainly focus on providing information, training, and support related to SSW-1 we are not talking about SSW-2 Visa (特定技能2号 / Tokutei Ginou 2-gou)

SSW-1 stands for Specified Skilled Worker Type 1.

It is a Japanese work visa designed for foreign workers with basic skills in certain job fields where there is a labor shortage in Japan. This is great opportunity for Nepalese labor markets who are looking to work in Japan.

📝 Key Features of SSW-1 Visa

  1. 🛠️ For semi-skilled workers
  2. 🗓️ Valid for up to 5 years
  3. 🧑‍🔧 Can work in 14 approved industries (like caregiving, construction, food service, agriculture, etc.)
  4. Requires basic Japanese language skills (JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic A2)
  5. 📄 Requires passing a skill test for the specific job field
  6. 🏠 No family members can accompany under SSW-1
  7. Renewal: After 5 years, you can potentially transition to the SSW-2 Visa, which allows for family reunification.
  8. 💼 Workers are treated the same as Japanese workers in terms of salary and work conditions

  1. Skills Test: You must pass a Skills Proficiency Test (技能試験) in the specific industry.
  2. Japanese Language Ability:
    • Pass JLPT N4 or higher,
    • Pass the JFT-Basic test (Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese).
  3. Age: Generally 18 years or older.
  4. Health: Must be physically and mentally fit to work.
  5. Contract with a Japanese Employer: Must have a job offer from a Japanese company.
  6. Support System: The employer must provide support for life in Japan (e.g., housing, translation help).

Yes, Nepalese citizens can apply for the SSW-1 Visa to work in Japan.

To apply for an SSW-1 Visa from Nepal, you must follow these general steps:

  1. Check Eligibility:
    • Age: Must be at least 18 years old.
    • Japanese Language Skills: You need to pass the JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic A2 language test.
    • Skills Test: You need to pass the relevant skills proficiency test for the job field you want to work in (such as construction, caregiving, food service, etc.).
  2. Find a Job in Japan:
    • Secure a job offer from a Japanese company or organization that is authorized to sponsor SSW workers.
    • The employer will provide the necessary documents, including the Certificate of Eligibility (COE), required for the visa application.
  3. Submit Your Application:
    • Submit your visa application to the Japanese Embassy in Kathmandu along with the following documents:
      • Passport
      • Job offer letter from the employer
      • Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
      • Proof of Japanese language skills (JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic)
      • Skills proficiency test certificate (for the specific job)
      • Any additional required documents, such as a health check or police clearance.
  4. Wait for Approval:
    • Once the application is submitted, you’ll need to wait for the visa processing. This can take several weeks depending on the situation.
  5. Visa Issuance:
    • If your application is successful, you will be issued the SSW-1 Visa, and you can travel to Japan to start working.

Industries/Categories under SSW-1 (as of 2025)

Industries under the SSW-1 Visa

  1. Nursing Care (介護 – Kaigo)
    • Care for elderly and disabled individuals in hospitals, nursing homes, or private care facilities.
  2. Building Cleaning Management (ビルクリーニング)
    • Cleaning and maintaining office buildings, hotels, and other facilities.
  3. Material Processing Industry (素形材産業 – Sokeizai Sangyo)
    • Working in manufacturing and processing materials like metal, plastic, or wood.
  4. Industrial Machinery Industry (産業機械製造業 – Sangyo Kikai Seizo)
    • Manufacturing and maintaining industrial machines and equipment.
  5. Electric, Electronics, and Information Industries (電気・電子情報関連産業 – Denki Denshi Joho Kankei Sangyo)
    • Work related to electronics, electrical machinery, and IT sectors.
  6. Construction Industry (建設業 – Kensetsu-gyo)
    • Workers involved in construction projects, such as building roads, bridges, or residential buildings.
  7. Shipbuilding and Ship Machinery Industry (造船・舶用工業 – Zosen Hakuyo Kogyo)
    • Work related to shipbuilding, repairing ships, and maintaining ship machinery.
  8. Automobile Maintenance Industry (自動車整備業 – Jidosha Seibi-gyo)
    • Maintenance and repair of vehicles, including cars, trucks, and buses.
  9. Aviation Industry (航空業 – Koko-gyo)
    • Jobs in airport services, aircraft maintenance, or aviation-related operations.
  10. Accommodation Industry (宿泊業 – Shukuhaku-gyo)
  • Work in hotels, inns, and other lodging establishments.
  1. Agriculture (農業 – Nogyo)
  • Jobs in farming, such as cultivating crops, fruit picking, or livestock management.
  1. Fishery and Aquaculture (漁業 – Gyogyo)
  • Work in fishing, aquaculture, and seafood-related industries.
  1. Food and Beverage Manufacturing (飲食料品製造業 – Inshokuryo Hinn Seizo-gyo)
  • Jobs in the production, processing, and packaging of food and beverages.
  1. Food Service Industry (外食業 – Gaishoku-gyo)
  • Working in restaurants, cafes, and other food service establishments.

Though Japan government has introduced above 14 industries under SSW-1 categories, you can not apply all of 14 industries from Nepal. As of 2025 April, following industries for SSW Skill examinations are available in Nepal.

  • Nursing Care (介護 – Kaigo)
  • Building Cleaning Management (ビルクリーニング)
  • Construction Industry (建設業 – Kensetsu-gyo)
  • Aviation Industry (航空業 – Koko-gyo)
  • Accommodation Industry (宿泊業 – Shukuhaku-gyo)
  • Agriculture (農業 – Nogyo)
  • Food Service Industry (外食業 – Gaishoku-gyo)

But it does not mean that you can not apply in another industry rather than above industries. You can apply if you have passed from Japan or any other host countries. (SSW Skill examinations which does not held in Nepal)

Expected Salaries (Approximately) Under SSW -1 Visa category

Salaries under SSW-1 vary by industry, location, and company, but they are generally equal to or higher than Japanese workers in the same job. Below are average monthly salaries:

SSW Type 1 Visa – Monthly Salaries by Industry (Approximate)

Industry Monthly Salary (Approx.) Comments
Nursing Care (介護 – Kaigo) ¥180,000 – ¥220,000 For those working in hospitals or elderly care.
Building Cleaning (ビルクリーニング) ¥180,000 – ¥210,000 Cleaning services for buildings and facilities.
Construction (建設業) ¥200,000 – ¥300,000 For those in construction and building industries.
Aviation (航空業) ¥230,000 – ¥280,000 Maintenance and ground support in aviation sector.
Accommodation (宿泊業) ¥180,000 – ¥220,000 Hotels, inns, and similar accommodation businesses.
Agriculture (農業) ¥180,000 – ¥220,000 For farming and related agricultural work.
Food Service (外食業) ¥180,000 – ¥230,000 Restaurants, cafes, and other food-related services.