特定技能（1号）

Specified Skilled Worker (i)

WorkContent reviewed on 2026-10-23

What it allows

Work in industry fields the government has designated because of labor shortages (19 fields), for people who pass the skills test and a Japanese-language test. Family members generally cannot come with you on this status. Certificates for the food service field are currently limited, so check the official source.

Period of stay

Set individually by the Minister of Justice, up to 3 years each time; up to 5 years in total in principle (6 where justified).

Requirements

Age 18 or over
Pass the skills test for your field, or complete Technical Intern Training (ii) in a related field · Confirm with the official source
Japanese ability: JLPT N4 or higher or the JFT-Basic test (not required if you completed Technical Intern Training (ii)); nursing care and some transport jobs need more
A contract with an accepting organization in the field

Where this can lead

Specified Skilled Worker (ii)

Related rulebook entries

What it is

Under Enforcement Regulation Appended Table 4 (Article 6-2), the proxy who may file a COE for most work statuses is a staff member of the Japanese organisation that contracts with the foreign national or that the person is transferring to; for Business Manager it is staff of the business office, or the entrusted person when a new office is being set up.
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則別表第四（第六条の二関係）（出入国在留管理庁掲載の抄録）別表第四（第6条の2関係） · Checked on 2026-10-22
Under Article 7-2(3) to (5), when the ministry in charge of a specified industrial field judges that the needed workforce has been secured it asks the Minister of Justice to suspend COE issuance temporarily, the Minister then suspends issuance, and issuance can be resumed the same way if workers become short.
出入国管理及び難民認定法（e-Gov法令検索）第7条の2第3項〜第5項 · Checked on 2026-10-22
In the October 2026 guideline, 'work-purpose status' excludes Technical Intern Training, Employment for Skill Development, Specified Skilled Worker (i), Intra-company Transferee and some Designated Activities, so time in those statuses does not count toward the 5-year work-status period.
永住許可に関するガイドライン（令和８年１０月１日改定）第2の4(2)注２ · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
In the February 2026 guideline only Technical Intern Training and Specified Skilled Worker (i) are carved out of the work-status years counted toward the 5-year work-or-residence-status requirement.
永住許可に関するガイドライン（令和８年２月２４日改訂） 1(3)ア · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-02-24
The system aims to train workers through three years of work to the skill level of Specified Skilled Worker (i) while securing labor in the designated sectors.
育成就労制度の概要（令和８年７月改訂） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
Specified Skilled Worker (i) is the status of residence for foreigners doing work in a designated industrial field that requires considerable knowledge or experience.
制度説明資料「外国人労働者に関する制度概要」（出入国在留管理庁） slide 6 · Checked on 2026-10-22

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The two statuses were created to take in workers with some expertise and immediate usability, only in fields that still cannot secure staff after productivity and domestic-hiring efforts; implementation began in April 2019.
制度説明資料「外国人労働者に関する制度概要」（出入国在留管理庁） slide 6 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2019-04-01
Field-specific operating policies for both Specified Skilled Worker and the new Employment for Skill Development system were decided by Cabinet on 23 January 2026 and replaced the earlier field-specific policies.
特定技能制度に係る制度の運用に関する基本方針・分野別運用方針・運用要領 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-01-23
The five-year cap on SSW1 is measured as total stay: the count includes time in SSW1 status without working, time abroad on a re-entry permit, and any time in the 'Designated Activities' status used to prepare for a switch to SSW1; only limited periods (unavoidable inability to re-enter, maternity or childcare leave, sick or injury leave) are left out, and only when approved on application.
通算在留期間（特定技能制度） · Checked on 2026-10-22
Time spent job-hunting after losing a job or on a temporary visit home still counts toward the five-year limit, according to the information accepting organisations must give workers who quit.
特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（令和8年10月、2026-10-19改正）第7章第4節受入れ困難時の届出 · Checked on 2026-10-22
'Satisfactorily completed Technical Intern Training (ii)' means finishing at least two years and ten months and either passing the grade-3 skill test (or the equivalent practical exam), or, without passing it, being recognised as satisfactorily completed through the host company's written evaluation.
特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（令和8年10月、2026-10-19改正）第4章第1節（3）技能水準留意事項 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Skill and Japanese levels required at the end of Employment for Skill Development are the same as those required for Specified Skilled Worker (i), so completers move on with matching standards.
制度説明資料「外国人労働者に関する制度概要」（出入国在留管理庁） slide 8 · Checked on 2026-10-22
The support plan consists of ten support items set by ministerial ordinance, including pre-departure guidance, airport transfers, housing, orientation, Japanese study, consultation, social exchange and job-change help.
制度説明資料「外国人労働者に関する制度概要」（出入国在留管理庁） slide 12 · Checked on 2026-10-22
As of end of June 2026 there were 11,456 registered support organisations, and as of December 2025 there were 62,996 accepting organisations.
制度説明資料「外国人労働者に関する制度概要」（出入国在留管理庁） slide 23 · Checked on 2026-10-22
At end of June 2026 there were 425,961 Specified Skilled Worker (i) residents and 18,295 Specified Skilled Worker (ii) residents, 444,256 in total (preliminary).
制度説明資料「外国人労働者に関する制度概要」（出入国在留管理庁） slides 6, 23 · Checked on 2026-10-22
The Immigration Control Act lets the Minister of Justice temporarily stop issuing certificates for a field once the responsible ministry asks, based on the field policy, when enough workers have been secured.
出入国管理及び難民認定法第7条の2第3項・第4項 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
Bilateral memoranda of cooperation aimed at keeping out malicious brokers have been signed with 17 countries.
制度説明資料「外国人労働者に関する制度概要」（出入国在留管理庁） slide 19 · Checked on 2026-10-22
The MHLW nursing-care specified skills test (skills) is a computer-based test of 45 questions in 60 minutes (40 written, 5 practical-style), sat in the local language and held in principle every month; candidates must be 17 or older.
「介護特定技能評価試験(技能)」試験実施要領（厚生労働省） · Checked on 2026-10-22
The nursing-care skills test result notice is valid for ten years from the test date, and the pass line is not a fixed percentage: MHLW sets it after adjusting for question difficulty on advice of care experts; the test is held in MOC countries where the JFT-Basic environment is ready, and in Japan.
「介護特定技能評価試験(技能)」試験実施要領（厚生労働省） · Checked on 2026-10-22
A deposit means any money or property of the worker or relatives being held under any name, and a penalty contract means any contract fixing damages for breach or other unjust transfer of money, such as fees for resigning, consulting a labour office or going out without permission; the rule covers brokers at home and abroad and relatives or close contacts.
運用要領別冊１号特定技能外国人支援に関する運用要領（法務省）第2（1）【留意事項】 · Checked on 2026-10-22
ISA sets no cap on fees paid to overseas agencies; instead the worker must understand and agree to the amount and itemised breakdown paid to a foreign intermediary or for preparation abroad, and the employer is encouraged to bear all or part of sending costs such as pre-departure training and fares in line with the sending country’s rules.
運用要領別冊１号特定技能外国人支援に関する運用要領（法務省）第2（1） · Checked on 2026-10-22
Aviation skills tests for both SSW1 and SSW2 are run under MLIT Civil Aviation Bureau implementation guidelines (ground handling: one guideline for both; aircraft maintenance: separate SSW1 and SSW2 guidelines), with test information published by the Japan Aeronautical Engineers' Association; the SSW2 tests need an extra form at application (a skills-progress sheet for ground handling, a pledge for aircraft maintenance).
特定技能制度（航空分野）（国土交通省航空局） · Checked on 2026-10-22
Shipbuilding and marine industry SSW1 and SSW2 tests follow MLIT implementation guidelines (the SSW2 one last revised in August 2024), and the schedule and application information is posted by the Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK).
特定技能制度（造船・舶用工業分野）（国土交通省海事局） · Checked on 2026-10-22
Forestry's Specified Skilled Worker skills test is the forestry skills measurement test (forestry specified skills evaluation test), run under the Forestry Agency's implementation guideline of October 2024; application method and schedule are on the page of the test operator, the Forestry Skills Improvement Center, and the page's all-fields Japanese test link points to the Japan Foundation basic-level test.
林業分野における外国人材の受入れ（特定技能・育成就労）（林野庁） · Checked on 2026-10-22

Who qualifies

To move on to Specified Skilled Worker type 1, a 育成就労 worker must pass a skills test (trade test grade 3 or the SSW1 evaluation test) and a Japanese test at A2.2 or higher.
育成就労制度Q＆A（出入国在留管理庁） Q74 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
Moving to Specified Skilled Worker type 1 partway through 育成就労 is planned to be allowed only after a certain length of service with the current employer, in addition to passing the tests.
育成就労制度Q＆A（出入国在留管理庁） Q75 · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2027-04-01
Even after the launch, for the time being a technical intern who completed stage 2 well and whose new work is related to the stage 2 trade can move to Specified Skilled Worker type 1.
育成就労制度Q＆A（出入国在留管理庁） Q79 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
A person who completed the technical intern training status well before the technical intern law took effect (1 November 2017), or the designated-activities technical intern status that existed before the training status was created (1 July 2010), must pass both a skill test and a Japanese test to move to Specified Skilled Worker type 1 when permission is given on or after 1 April 2027, even with good completion.
技能実習法施行以前の「技能実習」等を修了した者が「特定技能１号」に移行しようとする場合の取扱いについて（出入国在留管理庁） · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2027-04-01
Moving from 育成就労 to Specified Skilled Worker type 1 requires passing a skill test (national skill test grade 3 or an SSW type 1 evaluation test) and a Japanese test at A2.2 or higher (for example JFT-Basic A2.2 or JLPT N4); unlike the current exemption for technical interns who completed stage 2 well, there is no exemption.
育成就労制度Q＆A（出入国在留管理庁） Q74 · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2027-04-01
Work experience gained only as a technical intern or Specified Skilled Worker is not counted as the "practical experience" required by the landing standard for the Engineer/Specialist status.
就労資格の在留諸申請に関連してお問い合わせの多い事項について（Ｑ＆Ａ）令和８年７月Ｑ４１ · Checked on 2026-10-22

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MHLW states that holders of Nursing Care status who are certified care workers were already allowed to work in home-visit services, while technical interns and Specified Skilled Workers were not at that time.
外国人介護人材の訪問系サービスへの従事について（報告）（社保審ー介護給付費分科会第245回令和7年3月24日資料3）現行の取扱い · Checked on 2026-10-22
An EPA care-worker candidate who has worked and trained properly for four years is exempt from the skills test and the Japanese test when moving to Specified Skilled Worker (type 1), which is the feeder path for candidates who do not pass the national examination.
外国人介護人材の受入れの現状と今後の方向性について（厚生労働省、介護分野における特定技能協議会運営委員会令和７年３月28日）外国人介護人材受入れの仕組み（注２） · Checked on 2026-10-22
Sick or injury leave is excluded from the five-year count only if it lasts more than one continuous month and is in principle one year or less (up to three years for work-related injuries), during which no Specified Skilled Worker (i) activity was possible.
通算在留期間（特定技能制度） · Checked on 2026-10-23
Maternity and childcare leave are excluded from the five-year count; maternity leave is six weeks before birth (14 for multiples) and eight weeks after, and childcare leave runs until the child is one year old (extendable).
通算在留期間（特定技能制度） · Checked on 2026-10-23
A worker who failed a Specified Skilled Worker (ii) evaluation exam can stay for a total of six years if they scored at least 80% of the pass mark on every required exam, promise to keep studying and to leave if they fail again, and the employer will keep them and support exam preparation.
通算在留期間（特定技能制度） · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2025-09-30
A person who stayed abroad on a re-entry permit but could not return because of unavoidable circumstances can have that period excluded; the manual says to apply around three months before the five-year limit.
特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（令和8年10月、2026-10-19改正）第4章第1節（6）通算在留期間 · Checked on 2026-10-23
For Specified Skilled Worker (i), the Japanese-language standard is a level that allows some everyday conversation without difficulty plus the Japanese needed for the specific job, proven by an exam or another evaluation method set for each field.
特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（令和8年10月、2026-10-19改正）第4章第1節（4）日本語能力 · Checked on 2026-10-22
An ISA notice says a JFT-Basic pass at A2.2 or A1 satisfies the Japanese requirement of applications for Specified Skilled Worker (i) or Employment for Skill Development in place of JLPT N4 or N5, and the test is normally held several times a month at 11 places in Japan.
JLPT（N4・N5）受験申込みを検討中の方へ JFT-Basicの活用をお勧めします · Checked on 2026-10-23
The skill level for Specified Skilled Worker (i) is checked by a field-specific skill exam, and Technical Intern Training (ii) completers are exempt from the exam.
制度説明資料「外国人労働者に関する制度概要」（出入国在留管理庁） slide 6 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Specified Skilled Worker (ii) cannot be reached automatically after (i); it requires passing the skill evaluation, but a person who passes can obtain (ii) without first holding (i).
特定技能制度に関するよくある質問（Q&A） Q12 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Nursing care requires an additional nursing-care Japanese evaluation test even for most technical-intern completers; only those who completed nursing-care technical training are exempt.
特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（令和8年10月、2026-10-19改正）第4章第1節（4）日本語能力 · Checked on 2026-10-22
No educational background is required for Specified Skilled Worker (i), according to the operating manual.
特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（令和8年10月、2026-10-19改正）第4章第1節（1）年齢留意事項 · Checked on 2026-10-22
The passport must be issued by a government that cooperates in enforcing deportation orders; Iran is the only government currently excluded under the notice.
特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（令和8年10月、2026-10-19改正）第4章第1節（5）退去強制令書 · Checked on 2026-10-22
A technical intern who finishes Technical Intern Training (ii) satisfactorily and whose skills relate to the new work is exempt from the skill and Japanese tests.
出入国管理及び難民認定法第七条第一項第二号の基準を定める省令（上陸基準省令）第1号ただし書 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-04-01
A person still in the middle of a technical internship plan generally cannot change to Specified Skilled Worker; only completers (or those with unavoidable circumstances, after consulting the immigration bureau) can.
特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（令和8年10月、2026-10-19改正）第4章第3節（4）留意事項 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Switching jobs is allowed within the same work category or between categories whose skill levels are confirmed as common by exams.
特定技能制度に関するよくある質問（Q&A） Q13 · Checked on 2026-10-22
The employer and its officers must not have committed improper acts concerning immigration or labour laws within five years before signing the contract.
出入国管理及び難民認定法第2条の5第4項 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
Employers cannot charge foreign workers deposit, key-money, agency, renewal or early-cancellation fees for rented housing; the rent charged (management fees included) may not exceed the rent divided by the number of Specified Skilled Workers living there.
特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（令和8年10月、2026-10-19改正）第4章第1節（8）費用負担 · Checked on 2026-10-22
There is no headcount cap per employer for Specified Skilled Worker (i), except in nursing care and construction.
制度説明資料「外国人労働者に関する制度概要」（出入国在留管理庁） slide 9 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Dispatch employment is allowed only in agriculture and fishery, and employee-on-loan transfers only in aviation and railways.
制度説明資料「外国人労働者に関する制度概要」（出入国在留管理庁） slide 8 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Accepting organisations must join their field's council before filing residence applications.
特定技能制度に関するよくある質問（Q&A） Q14 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Family members may accompany a Specified Skilled Worker (ii) as dependants, but not a Specified Skilled Worker (i).
特定技能制度に関するよくある質問（Q&A） Q9 · Checked on 2026-10-22
As an exception, a spouse or child already in Japan in dependant status (for example of a student who becomes an SSW1) or a child born in Japan to two SSW1 holders may be allowed to switch to 'Designated Activities'.
特定技能制度に関するよくある質問（Q&A） Q9 · Checked on 2026-10-23
Time as a Specified Skilled Worker (ii) counts toward the work-status years needed for permanent residence, but time as SSW1 or technical intern does not.
特定技能制度に関するよくある質問（Q&A） Q10 · Checked on 2026-10-23
If an accepting organisation outsources the entire support plan to a registered support organisation, it is deemed to meet the support-system requirement; the registered organisation cannot subcontract the work again.
制度説明資料「外国人労働者に関する制度概要」（出入国在留管理庁） slide 12 · Checked on 2026-10-22
The contract must set the foreign worker's scheduled working hours equal to those of regular employees of the employer.
特定技能雇用契約及び一号特定技能外国人支援計画の基準等を定める省令第1条第2号 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
The employer must not treat the worker differently because of nationality in pay, training or use of welfare facilities.
特定技能雇用契約及び一号特定技能外国人支援計画の基準等を定める省令第1条第4号 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
The 'Designated Activities' bridging status for moving to Specified Skilled Worker (i) is not available to people whose cumulative SSW1 stay already exceeds four years and six months.
特定技能関係の特定活動（「特定技能１号」への移行を希望する場合） · Checked on 2026-10-22
Nursing care has one work category (personal care such as bathing, meal and toileting assistance). SSW1 applicants must pass the nursing-care specified skills evaluation test (skills) or an equivalent, show Japanese at level A2.2 or above of the Japanese-language reference framework, and pass the separate nursing-care Japanese evaluation test; employment must be direct.
分野別運用方針（令和8年1月23日閣議決定）別紙1 介護分野 · Checked on 2026-10-23
In nursing care, SSW1 workers may be assigned to home-visit services only if they completed the beginner care-worker training and, as a rule, have at least one year of experience at a care facility; exceptions below one year require Japanese around JLPT N2 and a long accompanied-visit period.
運用要領別冊特定の分野に係る特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（介護分野） · Checked on 2026-10-22
Building cleaning has one work category (interior cleaning of buildings other than homes). SSW1 needs the building-cleaning SSW1 evaluation test; SSW2 needs the SSW2 test or Grade-1 skills certification plus at least two years as a site-managing supervisor of several cleaners; the employing business office must hold a prefectural building-cleaning registration.
運用要領別冊特定の分野に係る特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（ビルクリーニング分野） · Checked on 2026-10-22
Linen supply (added January 2026) has one work category and only an SSW1 test; the accepting facility must be certified under an industry hygiene standard, and SSW2 is not available in this field.
運用要領別冊特定の分野に係る特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（リネンサプライ分野） · Checked on 2026-10-22
Construction has three work categories (civil engineering, building, lifeline and equipment); SSW1 is proved by the construction SSW1 test for the category or Grade-3 trade tests, SSW2 by the SSW2 test or Grade-1 trade tests plus experience as a team leader directing other construction workers; the employer needs a Construction Business Act licence.
分野別運用方針（令和8年1月23日閣議決定）別紙5 建設分野 · Checked on 2026-10-23
Construction employers must register themselves and each SSW1 worker in the Construction Career Up System (CCUS), obtain MLIT certification of a construction SSW1 acceptance plan with planned pay, safety and skills training, join the designated contractors body, pay at least the pay of Japanese workers of equal skill with raises, and have no construction-law supervisory sanction in the five years before applying.
分野別運用方針（令和8年1月23日閣議決定）別紙5 建設分野 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Shipbuilding and marine industry has three work categories (shipbuilding, marine machinery, marine electrical and electronic equipment), each with its own SSW1 test or Grade-3 trade tests; SSW2 needs the matching SSW2 test or Grade-1 tests plus experience as a supervisor directing several workers.
分野別運用方針（令和8年1月23日閣議決定）別紙6 造船・舶用工業分野 · Checked on 2026-10-23
Automobile maintenance has two work categories (vehicle maintenance, body repair); SSW1 uses the category SSW1 test or the Grade-3 mechanic certification, SSW2 uses the SSW2 test or Grade-2 mechanic certification plus experience at a certified garage (holders of the Grade-2 or body and electronic-control mechanic certificates are exempt from the experience requirement); the employer itself must be a certified garage under the Road Transport Vehicle Act.
分野別運用方針（令和8年1月23日閣議決定）別紙7 自動車整備分野 · Checked on 2026-10-23
Aviation has two work categories (airport ground handling, aircraft maintenance), each with its own aviation SSW1 evaluation test; the SSW2 skill level is the aviation SSW2 test for each category, and for aircraft maintenance the table also lists aviation mechanic licences (first- or second-class aircraft or line maintenance mechanic, aircraft workshop mechanic).
分野別運用方針（令和8年1月23日閣議決定）別紙8 航空分野 · Checked on 2026-10-23
Accommodation has one work category (front desk, planning and publicity, guest service, restaurant service); SSW1 and SSW2 each need the accommodation evaluation test, SSW2 also needs experience supervising staff, and the employer must hold a hotel or inn licence under the Inns and Hotels Act and must not use workers at establishments covered by the entertainment-business law or for hostess-type service.
分野別運用方針（令和8年1月23日閣議決定）別紙9 宿泊分野 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Road transport has three SSW1-only work categories (truck, taxi, bus driver); each needs the category SSW1 test plus a Japanese driving licence (first class for trucks, second class for taxi and bus), and taxi and bus drivers must also complete new-driver training; there is no SSW2.
運用要領別冊特定の分野に係る特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（自動車運送業分野） · Checked on 2026-10-23
Road transport employers must run a road-transport or freight-forwarding business, hold a driver-workplace environment certification (or, for trucking, a safety-excellence rating), join the MLIT council, and, for taxi and bus, give the new-driver training themselves.
分野別運用方針（令和8年1月23日閣議決定）別紙10 自動車運送業分野 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Railways has six SSW1-only work categories (track maintenance, electrical equipment maintenance, rolling-stock maintenance, rolling-stock manufacturing, station and transport staff, station and train cleaning), each with its own railway SSW1 test; Japanese is A2.2 except for station and transport staff, which needs B1.
分野別運用方針（令和8年1月23日閣議決定）別紙11 鉄道分野 · Checked on 2026-10-23
Logistics warehouse (added January 2026, operation starting when ready) has one work category, in-warehouse receiving, storage and similar tasks; applicants need the warehouse SSW1 test and A2.2 Japanese, and the employer must be a registered warehouse operator, a contractor working in such an operator's warehouse, or a licensed freight carrier doing warehouse work, and must use a system covering receiving, inventory and shipping management.
分野別運用方針（令和8年1月23日閣議決定）別紙12 物流倉庫分野 · Checked on 2026-10-23
Agriculture has two work categories (crop farming, livestock farming), each with an agriculture SSW1 test; SSW2 needs the matching SSW2 test and either foreman experience directing staff or other farm work experience; direct hire and worker dispatch are both allowed, and a direct-hire employer needs six months of experience employing workers (or equivalent).
分野別運用方針（令和8年1月23日閣議決定）別紙13 農業分野 · Checked on 2026-10-23
Fishery has two work categories (fishing, aquaculture), each with its own SSW1 and SSW2 test; SSW2 needs experience as a deputy to the operation leader or as a supervisor on a registered fishing vessel or at an aquaculture site; direct hire and dispatch (including seafarer dispatch through approved intermediaries) are allowed.
分野別運用方針（令和8年1月23日閣議決定）別紙14 漁業分野 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Food and beverage manufacturing (alcohol excluded) has two work categories, food and beverage manufacturing and seafood processing, each with its own SSW1 and SSW2 test; SSW2 needs experience managing the process while directing several employees, and employers must give the worker a written career-plan image before the contract.
分野別運用方針（令和8年1月23日閣議決定）別紙15 飲食料品製造業分野 · Checked on 2026-10-23
Food service has one work category (cooking, customer service and store management); SSW1 needs the food-service SSW1 test (or the medical/welfare facility meal-production specialist exam), SSW2 needs the SSW2 test and recent experience as a sub-manager directing part-timers at a licensed restaurant; employers may not use workers at businesses under the entertainment-business law (except licensed hotels and inns), at sex-related businesses, or for hostess-type service.
分野別運用方針（令和8年1月23日閣議決定）別紙16 外食業分野 · Checked on 2026-10-23
Forestry has one work category (afforestation and timber production) and an SSW1 route through either the forestry specified skills evaluation test or the Grade-3 forestry skills test; there is no SSW2 in this field.
分野別運用方針（令和8年1月23日閣議決定）別紙17 林業分野 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Wood industry has one work category (sawmilling, plywood and laminated timber processing) tested by the wood industry SSW1 evaluation test, with A2.2 Japanese; the field policy sets requirements for SSW1 only, with no Specified Skilled Worker (ii) route, and the worksite must carry on certain industries of the Japan Standard Industrial Classification.
分野別運用方針（令和8年1月23日閣議決定）別紙18 木材産業分野 · Checked on 2026-10-23
Resource recycling (added January 2026, operation starting when ready) has one work category, intermediate treatment of waste, tested by the resource recycling SSW1 evaluation test with A2.2 Japanese; employers must fall under the listed waste-disposal business types and join the Minister of the Environment's council; no Specified Skilled Worker (ii) route exists.
分野別運用方針（令和8年1月23日閣議決定）別紙19 資源循環分野 · Checked on 2026-10-23
A TITP No. 2 completer whose training occupation is not related to the intended SSW1 work (no counterpart in the mapping table) must pass the skills test of the new field, while the Japanese-language proof is still treated as satisfied by the completion itself.
特定技能制度に関するＱ＆Ａ（出入国在留管理庁） Q50 · Checked on 2026-10-23
Because a TITP No. 3 completer has spent about five years in Japan (a No. 2 completer about three), the pay for a specified skilled worker coming from TITP must be set above the pay at TITP completion and be comparable with Japanese workers who have roughly five (or three) years of experience.
特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（出入国在留管理庁）第5章第1節第1（3）【留意事項】 · Checked on 2026-10-23
The accepting organisation must not have dismissed workers who did the same kind of work as the foreign worker in the year before signing the employment contract, nor afterwards; exempt cases are retirement at the mandatory age, dismissal for the worker’s own serious fault, a fixed-term contract not renewed for justified reasons, and voluntary resignation.
特定技能雇用契約及び一号特定技能外国人支援計画の基準等を定める省令第2条第1項第2号 · Checked on 2026-10-22
The employer must not have caused a foreign worker to go missing through its own fault, such as unpaid wages or a failure to carry out the support plan, in the year before the contract or at any time after it; a single case is enough to fail the standard, and missing technical interns are counted too.
特定技能雇用契約及び一号特定技能外国人支援計画の基準等を定める省令第2条第1項第3号 · Checked on 2026-10-22
If the foreign worker cannot afford the trip home after the employment contract ends, the employer must pay the travel cost and arrange a smooth departure; the manual adds that the employer may not build up a return-fare fund by deducting from wages.
特定技能雇用契約及び一号特定技能外国人支援計画の基準等を定める省令第1条第2項第1号 · Checked on 2026-10-22
When a foreign worker wants to go home temporarily, the employment contract must provide the necessary paid leave, and the manual treats refusing or penalising such leave as a possible breach of the standard unless the business truly cannot spare the worker.
特定技能雇用契約及び一号特定技能外国人支援計画の基準等を定める省令第1条第1項第5号 · Checked on 2026-10-22
The organisation must obey labour, social insurance and tax laws, which in practice means paying labour insurance, health and pension insurance (or national health insurance and pension for sole proprietors) and national and local taxes; arrears can be cured by paying on ISA guidance, and arrears of resident tax withheld from the worker do not count as compliance.
特定技能雇用契約及び一号特定技能外国人支援計画の基準等を定める省令第2条第1項第1号 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Transport support covers picking the worker up at the airport or port on arrival and taking them to the workplace or home, and on departure going all the way to the security checkpoint and confirming the worker enters; the actual cost of this transport is an employer cost, and temporary home visits are not covered.
運用要領別冊１号特定技能外国人支援に関する運用要領（法務省）第2（2） · Checked on 2026-10-22
An organisation may run the support itself only if it has either handled mid- to long-term residents in work-type statuses properly in the past two years or has staff with two years of life-counselling experience, and names a support manager and a support officer per workplace who are neutral (not the worker’s supervisor) and have no disqualifying record; the officer must be able to use a language the worker understands.
特定技能雇用契約及び一号特定技能外国人支援計画の基準等を定める省令第2条第2項第1号 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Domestic skills and Japanese tests can be taken by foreigners who hold a residence status in Japan, including short-term visitors, but not by overstayers or by nationals of countries that do not cooperate in executing deportation orders; passing a test does not guarantee the status or a visa, and people may sit tests in a neighbouring country if their own country has none.
特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（出入国在留管理庁）第4章第1節（3）・（4） · Checked on 2026-10-22
In nursing care, graduates of certified care-worker training schools are exempt from the skills test, the Japanese test and the nursing-care Japanese test, as are EPA care-worker candidates who completed at least 3 years 10 months of the 4-year programme and scored at least half the pass mark on the latest national exam in every subject group.
運用要領別冊特定の分野に係る特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（介護分野） · Checked on 2026-10-22
An ISA notice says that applicants for Specified Skilled Worker (i) or Employment for Skill Development who were planning to sit JLPT N4 or N5 can meet the Japanese-language requirement with a JFT-Basic pass at A2.2 or A1 instead.
JLPT（N4・N5）の受験申込みを考えている方、受入れ機関の皆様へ（JFT-Basicの活用） · Checked on 2026-10-23
Partly confirmed: The Q&A sets no end date or review date for the 'for the time being' arrangement that lets a technical intern who completed stage 2 well move to Specified Skilled Worker type 1 after the launch.
育成就労制度Q＆A（出入国在留管理庁） Q79 · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2027-04-01
Partly confirmed: A 育成就労 worker may move to Specified Skilled Worker type 1 partway through only after working at the current employer for a certain length of time, but neither the Q&A nor the operating manual gives the required length, so it is not yet public.
育成就労制度Q＆A（出入国在留管理庁） Q75 · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2027-04-01

Numbers and tests

The acceptance caps through the end of March 2029 total 1,231,900 people: 805,700 Specified Skilled Worker (i) and 426,200 for the new employment system.
分野別運用方針の主要な記載事項主要な記載事項① 2 · Checked on 2026-10-22
In the food service sector the Specified Skilled Worker (i) cap is 50,000 and about 46,000 workers were already resident at the end of February 2026, which led the agency to plan a suspension.
特定技能「外食業分野」における受入れ上限の運用について · Checked on 2026-10-22
As of the end of July 2026 (provisional figures), the caps and resident numbers for Specified Skilled Worker (i) stood at 805,700 and 432,016 overall, and the food service sector had reached 49,290 of its 50,000 cap.
特定技能１号の受入れ見込数及び在留者数について（令和８年７月末時点・速報値） · Checked on 2026-10-22
For certificate of eligibility applications filed from 1 April 2027, the Japanese requirement for the bus and taxi driver categories in road transport and the station-staff category in rail under Specified Skilled Worker (i) rises from JLPT N3 to B1-equivalent; the date for change-of-status and extension applications is still under review.
日本語能力水準「Ｂ１相当以上」の確認開始時期について · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The total time spent in Specified Skilled Worker (i) status must in principle not reach five years, or six years where there is a reasonable ground to stay beyond five.
出入国管理及び難民認定法第七条第一項第二号の基準を定める省令（上陸基準省令）第1号第1号ヘ · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-04-01
The general Japanese level for Specified Skilled Worker (i) is A2.2 or above on the Japanese-language reference framework, confirmed by exam; completers of Technical Intern Training (ii) are exempt, and nursing care, bus/taxi driving and railway station staff have separate requirements.
制度説明資料「外国人労働者に関する制度概要」（出入国在留管理庁） slide 6 · Checked on 2026-10-22

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The applicant must be at least 18 years old; those under 18 may apply for the certificate of eligibility but must be 18 on landing.
特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（令和8年10月、2026-10-19改正）第4章第1節（1）年齢 · Checked on 2026-10-22
The pay for a Specified Skilled Worker must be equal to or higher than what a Japanese person doing the same work would be paid.
特定技能雇用契約及び一号特定技能外国人支援計画の基準等を定める省令第1条第3号 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
Support staff must meet with the foreign worker and his or her supervisor at least once every three months.
特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（令和8年10月、2026-10-19改正）第5章第2節第2（6）面談 · Checked on 2026-10-22
The Cabinet set the overall acceptance forecast (planned intake figure) for Specified Skilled Worker (i) at 805,700 people for the period through the end of March 2029.
特定技能１号の分野ごとの受入れ見込数や在留者数等（令和８年７月末時点・速報値） · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2026-01-23
The per-field acceptance caps include 126,900 for nursing care, 199,500 for industrial products manufacturing, 133,500 for food and beverage manufacturing and 50,000 for food service.
特定技能１号の分野ごとの受入れ見込数や在留者数等（令和８年７月末時点・速報値） · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2026-01-23
A renewal application is treated as having no reasonable ground when the applicant's cumulative Specified Skilled Worker (i) stay has already reached five years (or six years where justified).
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則第21条の2 · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2026-10-01
In nursing care the number of SSW1 workers at a workplace cannot exceed the number of full-time care staff who are Japanese or equivalent (care-worker EPA graduates, Nursing-care status holders, permanent residents and similar); technical interns, EPA candidates and students are not counted.
運用要領別冊特定の分野に係る特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（介護分野） · Checked on 2026-10-22
In construction the total number of SSW1 workers cannot exceed the employer’s number of full-time regular staff, counting neither SSW1 workers nor technical interns; and the pay must be a monthly salary system so that it does not vary with the construction season.
運用要領別冊特定の分野に係る特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（建設分野） · Checked on 2026-10-22
In road transport the Japanese standard is A2.2 for truck drivers but B1 for taxi and bus drivers (JLPT N3 counts only if judged as CEFR B1 or above); A2.2 is accepted for taxi and bus only if the work is not chartered bus driving, a learning plan towards B1 is made and a Japanese supporter rides along (single crewing is allowed on island or peninsula bus routes with municipal consent).
運用要領別冊特定の分野に係る特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（自動車運送業分野） · Checked on 2026-10-23
The foreign worker’s scheduled hours must equal those of the organisation’s regular full-time employees, where full time means in principle five or more working days a week, at least 217 days a year and at least 30 hours a week; part-timers and casual workers are not the comparison group.
特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（出入国在留管理庁）第5章第1節第1（2） · Checked on 2026-10-22
Pre-contract guidance, given in person or by video call in a language the worker understands (mail or e-mail alone is not enough), needs about three hours in practice, and a session under one hour is not considered properly done even when a technical intern stays with the same employer.
運用要領別冊１号特定技能外国人支援に関する運用要領（法務省）第2（1） · Checked on 2026-10-22
The life orientation after arrival or after a status change should take at least eight hours so the worker really understands daily life, procedures, consultation contacts, medical care, disaster and crime prevention and legal protection; a shorter session is acceptable only for people whose living environment has not changed.
運用要領別冊１号特定技能外国人支援に関する運用要領（法務省）第2（4） · Checked on 2026-10-22
Permanent residence in general needs ten years of continuous stay including at least five years in a work or resident status, but technical intern and SSW1 time do not count as work status and SSW1 lasts five years at most, so PR from SSW1 is hard; time in SSW2 does count, so PR becomes possible from SSW2.
特定技能制度に関するＱ＆Ａ（出入国在留管理庁） Q10 · Checked on 2026-10-22
The second-class driving licence needed for taxi and bus work requires the applicant to be 21 or older with three or more years of qualifying licence holding (overseas driving history counts), and converting a foreign licence needs proof of at least three months’ stay in the issuing country after obtaining it.
運用要領別冊特定の分野に係る特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（自動車運送業分野） · Checked on 2026-10-22
At the end of July 2026 only food service was close to its SSW1 cap (98.6% of 50,000); the next highest fill rates were food and beverage manufacturing at 76.3%, construction 68.9%, nursing care 64.2%, agriculture 61.3%, aviation 57.6% and automobile maintenance 56.7%, with the overall total at 53.6% of 805,700.
特定技能１号の受入れ見込数及び在留者数について（令和８年７月末時点・速報値） · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2026-07-31

Periods

For COEs approved in August 2026 Business Manager took by far the longest at an average of 226.7 days, Specified Skilled Worker (i) took 62.7 days (food-service applications excluded from the figure), Specified Skilled Worker (ii) 58.3, Highly Skilled Professional (i)(a) 24.3 and (i)(c) 37.8.
在留審査処理期間（令和8年8月許可分）（出入国在留管理庁）在留資格認定証明書交付処分（交付）までの日数 · Checked on 2026-10-22
If a worker fails the exams needed to move to Specified Skilled Worker type 1 after three years, ISA plans to allow staying on for up to one more year.
育成就労制度Q＆A（出入国在留管理庁） Q10 · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2027-04-01
ISA contrasts the periods: 育成就労 is capped at three years, Specified Skilled Worker type 1 at five years, and type 2 has no cap.
育成就労制度Q＆A（出入国在留管理庁） Q9 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The five-year cap on SSW type 1 stay is counted from the date SSW type 1 permission is granted, and time in the specified-activity status used to prepare for a move to SSW type 1 counts.
特定技能制度に関するＱ＆Ａ（出入国在留管理庁） Q51 · Checked on 2026-10-23
Under the Immigration Control Act enforcement regulation, a Specified Skilled Worker (i) is granted a period of stay designated individually by the Minister of Justice within a maximum of three years.
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則別表第二特定技能の項第一号 · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2026-10-01
A registered support organisation's registration is valid for five years and must be renewed.
出入国管理及び難民認定法第19条の23第2項 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01

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A worker who cannot gather documents in time can get a 6-month 'Designated Activities' status that allows work at the future employer; it can be renewed once only for unavoidable reasons and counts toward the five-year limit.
特定技能関係の特定活動（「特定技能１号」への移行を希望する場合） · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2024-01-09
Workers who lost their job for unavoidable reasons can get a one-year 'Designated Activities' (work-support) status until they pass the tests, renewable up to twice in certain cases.
やむを得ない事情により活動継続が困難な場合（「特定活動」（就労継続支援）） · Checked on 2026-10-22
For Specified Skilled Worker (i), ISA gives no fixed list of stay lengths: the Minister of Justice designates a period for each person individually, up to three years (Specified Skilled Worker (ii), by contrast, has the fixed set of three years, two years, one year or six months).
在留資格「特定技能」（出入国在留管理庁） · Checked on 2026-10-23
Because Specified Skilled Worker (i) stay is in principle limited to five years in total, the period actually granted depends on the applicant's cumulative stay, so the period requested may not be granted.
在留資格「特定技能」（出入国在留管理庁） (注2) · Checked on 2026-10-23
Monitoring items for the memoranda: Nepal and Myanmar renewed for five years from 1 April 2024, while Indonesia’s memorandum was renewed for only six months from 25 June 2026, so its next expiry or renewal falls around late December 2026.
特定技能に関する二国間の協力覚書（出入国在留管理庁） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-06-25
Road transport applicants who still need a Japanese licence or taxi/bus new-driver training can enter and stay under Designated Activities, for up to 6 months for trucks and 1 year for taxis and buses, and this period is not counted in the cumulative stay of Specified Skilled Worker (i).
分野別運用方針（令和8年1月23日閣議決定）別紙10 自動車運送業分野 · Checked on 2026-10-23

Deadlines

Holders of Researcher, Engineer/Specialist, Nursing Care, Skilled Labor or Specified Skilled Worker status, Entertainers working under a contract, and some Highly Skilled Professional types must notify the agency within 14 days when the contracting organization changes its name or address, ceases to exist, ends the contract, or when a new contract is signed.
出入国管理及び難民認定法別表第一第十九条の十六第二号 · Checked on 2026-10-22
A worker who stays without doing the Specified Skilled Worker activity for three months or more without good reason can have the status revoked.
特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（令和8年10月、2026-10-19改正）第7章第4節 · Checked on 2026-10-22
The worker must also report the end of an employment contract to ISA within 14 days.
特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（令和8年10月、2026-10-19改正）第7章第4節 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Employers file the annual notification on acceptance, activities and support by 31 May each year, covering the period from 1 April of the previous year to 31 March of the filing year.
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則第19条の18第3項 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
Renewal applications are to be filed from the first day of the month six months before expiry through the end of the month four months before expiry.
特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（令和8年10月、2026-10-19改正）第9章第1節第2（1） · Checked on 2026-10-22
Once the cumulative SSW1 stay reaches five years, further stay is in principle refused whatever time remains on the employment contract or the residence card, so the date the five-year count ends overrides both.
特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（出入国在留管理庁）第4章第1節（6） · Checked on 2026-10-22

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An extension of stay can be filed up to the expiry date, and from three months before expiry when the current stay is six months or longer; earlier filing is accepted only in truly exceptional circumstances after consulting the immigration office.
在留期間更新許可申請（出入国在留管理庁） · Checked on 2026-10-22
The accepting organisation must file a notification within 14 days of the date when a trigger occurs, namely a material change to the employment contract, its termination, signing of a new contract, a material change to the support plan, conclusion, change or end of a support-entrustment contract, or a situation making acceptance difficult or a standard no longer met.
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則第19条の17第2項・第6項 · Checked on 2026-10-22
The worker personally must also notify ISA within 14 days when the employment contract ends and when a new contract is signed after changing jobs, through the electronic notification system, in person or by registered-type post, and no supporting documents are needed for the online route.
所属（契約）機関に関する届出（出入国在留管理庁） · Checked on 2026-10-22

Fees

Registering as a support organisation costs 28,400 yen and renewal costs 11,100 yen.
特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（令和8年10月、2026-10-19改正）第9章第1節（2）申請手数料 · Checked on 2026-10-23
Applying for a certificate of eligibility is free of charge.
特定技能制度に関するよくある質問（Q&A） Q23 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Before 1 October 2026 the fee was 6,000 yen by revenue stamp for counter applications and 5,500 yen for online applications; applications received by 30 September 2026 still pay the old amount.
特定技能制度に関するよくある質問（Q&A） Q23 · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2026-09-30
From 1 October 2026 the fee for a status change or extension granting a stay of up to three months is 10,000 yen at the counter and 10,000 yen online.
令和８年１０月１日付け在留許可手数料の額の改定等について（英語ポスター） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
From 1 October 2026 the fee for a status change or extension granting a stay of more than three but not more than six months is 18,000 yen at the counter and 15,000 yen online.
令和８年１０月１日付け在留許可手数料の額の改定等について（英語ポスター） · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2026-10-01
From 1 October 2026 the fee for a status change or extension granting a stay of more than six months but less than one year is 25,000 yen at the counter and 21,000 yen online.
令和８年１０月１日付け在留許可手数料の額の改定等について（英語ポスター） · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2026-10-01

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From 1 October 2026 the fee for a status change or extension granting a one-year stay is 33,000 yen at the counter and 27,000 yen online.
令和８年１０月１日付け在留許可手数料の額の改定等について（英語ポスター） · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2026-10-01
From 1 October 2026 the fee for a status change or extension granting a stay of more than one year but less than three years is 48,000 yen at the counter and 42,000 yen online.
令和８年１０月１日付け在留許可手数料の額の改定等について（英語ポスター） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
From 1 October 2026 the fee for a status change or extension granting a stay of three years or more but less than five years is 64,000 yen at the counter and 56,000 yen online.
令和８年１０月１日付け在留許可手数料の額の改定等について（英語ポスター） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
The fee can be reduced to as little as 10,000 yen for a person granted more than three months who is both in hardship close to that of people needing public assistance and in need of humanitarian consideration.
令和８年１０月１日付け在留許可手数料の額の改定等に関するQ&A · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2026-10-01
A re-entry permit costs 4,000 yen for a single trip and 7,000 yen for multiple trips at the counter (3,500 and 6,500 yen when applied online); these amounts date from 1 April 2025 and the page shows no change on 1 October 2026.
再入国許可申請（出入国在留管理庁） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2025-04-01
The permanent-residence permission fee rises from 10,000 yen to 200,000 yen from 1 October 2026, applies to applications received from that date, and online payers also pay a separate transaction fee on top of the stated amount.
在留許可手数料の改定ポスター（日本語版）（出入国在留管理庁） · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2026-10-01
The reduced-fee scheme from 1 October 2026 lowers the actual payment to 10,000 yen for a status change or extension granting more than three months, and to 20,000 yen for permanent residence, for people living at about welfare-recipient level who also merit humanitarian consideration; permanent-residence reduction is limited to spouses and children of Japanese, permanent residents and special permanent residents.
令和８年１０月１日付け在留許可手数料の額の改定等に関するＱ＆Ａ · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
The period-based fee table from 1 October 2026 applies to status changes and extensions in general, with no status-specific rate, so a dependant of a Specified Skilled Worker (ii) pays the same fee for the length of stay granted; applications received up to 30 September 2026 keep the old fee even if approved later.
令和８年１０月１日付け在留許可手数料の額の改定等について · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2026-10-01
No official price list exists for registered support organisations: the entrustment fee varies with the number of workers, offices and locations, so the employer should get several quotes, the organisation must show the fee and its breakdown in the contract, and none of it may be charged to the worker.
運用要領別冊１号特定技能外国人支援に関する運用要領（法務省）第1 · Checked on 2026-10-22

How it works

A registered support organization registered before 1 April 2027 whose registration ends by 31 July 2027 can renew on the old requirements if it files before the start date; any new registrant filing before the start date is judged on the old rules but must meet the new ones at renewal.
１号特定技能外国人への支援体制に係る要件の改正について（令和９年４月１日施行）（出入国在留管理庁） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
If admissions are expected to exceed a sector cap, certificate of eligibility issuance for Specified Skilled Worker (i) is suspended and approval of training plans for the new system is suspended.
育成就労制度Ｑ＆Ａ Q21 · Checked on 2026-10-22
To have leave periods or a failed Specified Skilled Worker (ii) exam excluded or extended, the worker must file the relevant application with supporting documents from three months before the five-year period ends until it ends.
通算在留期間（特定技能制度） · Checked on 2026-10-22
A new entrant needs a medical check by a doctor within three months before applying; someone already in Japan switching status can use a check from a Japanese medical institution within one year before the application.
特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（令和8年10月、2026-10-19改正）第4章第1節（2）健康状態 · Checked on 2026-10-23
Interns who want to switch are asked to file the change-of-status application at least two months before the planned start of work, because interns cannot work after their plan ends even while the application is pending.
技能実習生が「特定技能」に在留資格変更許可申請を行った後、稼働ができなくなるケースが発生しています！ · Checked on 2026-10-22
A Specified Skilled Worker who changes the accepting organisation or the designated field must obtain permission to change status of residence under the Immigration Control Act.
出入国管理及び難民認定法第20条第1項 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01

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While a change-of-status application is pending, working at the new employer is not permitted.
特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（令和8年10月、2026-10-19改正）第3章第1節留意事項 · Checked on 2026-10-22
When first accepting a Specified Skilled Worker, the employer submits a 'cooperation confirmation' to the municipality of the work site and housing after signing the contract and before applying for a certificate or change of status.
制度説明資料「外国人労働者に関する制度概要」（出入国在留管理庁） slide 14 · Checked on 2026-10-22
An accepting organisation must support a Specified Skilled Worker (i) according to a support plan, which can be fully or partly outsourced.
出入国管理及び難民認定法第19条の22第1項・第2項 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
A certificate of eligibility is valid for three months from issue.
特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（令和8年10月、2026-10-19改正）第4章第1節（1）年齢留意事項 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Standard processing times are one to three months for a certificate of eligibility, one to two months for a change of status and two weeks to one month for an extension.
特定技能制度に関するよくある質問（Q&A） Q24 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Postal applications are not accepted: change and extension applications must normally be filed in person at the immigration office or online.
特定技能制度に関するよくある質問（Q&A） Q22 · Checked on 2026-10-22
A certificate-of-eligibility application is filed by a staff member of the employer as agent, whereas change-of-status and extension applications are filed in person by the worker or an authorised agent (or online).
特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（令和8年10月、2026-10-19改正）第2章第3節 · Checked on 2026-10-22
A job offer may be made before the exams are passed and the exams may be taken after signing the contract, but permission is granted only once all required exams are passed.
特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（令和8年10月、2026-10-19改正）第2章第3節 · Checked on 2026-10-22
A TITP No. 2 completer who did not pass the Grade-3 trade test or the equivalent technical-intern specialist-level practical test can still count as satisfactory if the former host company certifies in writing attendance, skill acquisition and conduct (Form 1-2 evaluation record); an unreachable former host needs a statement of reasons and alternative evidence assessed case by case.
特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（出入国在留管理庁）第4章第1節（3） · Checked on 2026-10-22
If the SSW1 employer is the same company that hosted the technical intern, and it received no improvement order under the Technical Intern Training Act in the past year, the Grade-3 certificate and evaluation record can be left out of the application.
特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（出入国在留管理庁）第4章第1節（3）【留意事項】 · Checked on 2026-10-23
The medical check uses the health check form (Form 1-3 with the examinee’s declaration annex): a new entrant needs a doctor’s diagnosis within three months of applying, a person in Japan switching status may use a diagnosis from a Japanese medical institution within one year, and an abnormal chest X-ray requires a sputum test to rule out active tuberculosis.
特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（出入国在留管理庁）第4章第1節（2） · Checked on 2026-10-22
Pay must be made by transfer to a bank account the worker designates, or by another method that lets the amount actually received be verified; any other method needs objective proof of payment submitted to ISA, in practice with the annual notification.
特定技能雇用契約及び一号特定技能外国人支援計画の基準等を定める省令第2条第1項第12号 · Checked on 2026-10-22
The organisation must keep records of the foreign worker’s activities, including a roster, the work place and duties, employment status, insurance coverage, costs of acceptance and support, leave and any administrative guidance, at the workplace, and the support records must be kept for at least one year after the employment contract ends.
特定技能雇用契約及び一号特定技能外国人支援計画の基準等を定める省令第2条 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Entrusting the whole support plan to a registered support organisation is optional but then the employer is treated as meeting the support-implementation standard, a single employer cannot split full entrustment among several organisations, and the organisation entrusted cannot sub-contract the support; interpreters may only assist.
特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（出入国在留管理庁）第6章第4節 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Moving to a new accepting organisation, or to a different field, requires permission to change status of residence, not just a notification; working for the new employer is not allowed until the new residence card is received, while a change of work category inside the same field and employer is handled by a contract-change notification with the new skills test certificate.
特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（出入国在留管理庁）第5章第1節第1（1）／第3章 · Checked on 2026-10-22
When a worker changes jobs and moves to Specified Skilled Worker (i) status with a different accepting organisation, the new organisation must carry out the pre-contract guidance again.
運用要領別冊１号特定技能外国人支援に関する運用要領（法務省）第2（1）【留意事項】 · Checked on 2026-10-23
When a worker’s employer cannot continue to accept them (dismissal notice for business reasons, company dissolution, standard breach, missing worker, a month without starting or doing work, or leaving Japan without re-entry permit), the employer must report within 14 days and, if the worker wants to continue, help with job search through public employment offices or private agencies, telling them that a change of status is needed.
特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（出入国在留管理庁）第7章第4節 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Candidates book the nursing-care skills test on the dedicated website designated by MHLW, see the result on screen at the end of the test and can download a result notice with photo, score and pass status within about five business days.
「介護特定技能評価試験(技能)」試験実施要領（厚生労働省） · Checked on 2026-10-22
Some partner countries require their own document with the Japanese application: Cambodia a registration certificate (from 5 August 2019), Thailand an employment contract certified by the Thai embassy's labour attache office for Thai nationals in Japan who completed TITP No. 2 or 3 and apply to switch to SSW1 (from 27 July 2020), and Vietnam an approved recommendation list (from 15 February 2021).
特定技能に関する二国間の協力覚書（出入国在留管理庁） · Checked on 2026-10-23
In Vietnam the employer must sign a labour-supply contract with an accredited sending organisation and obtain approval of the recommendation list (form 1 from DOLAB for new entrants, form 2 from the Vietnamese embassy in Japan for status changes); since 27 June 2024 people already in Japan need the list only if they are TITP No. 2 or 3 completers or students with at least two years of study.
特定技能に関する二国間の協力覚書（出入国在留管理庁） · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2024-06-27
The Philippine side requires the employer to register with the Migrant Workers Office in Tokyo or Osaka and the Department of Migrant Workers, and the worker to obtain an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) to leave the Philippines; the former POEA has merged into the DMW, and ISA lists no fee amounts for these steps.
特定技能に関する二国間の協力覚書（出入国在留管理庁） · Checked on 2026-10-22
Indonesia: employers are urged to register on the national job-matching system IPKOL, a worker with a certificate must register on SISKOP2MI before applying for the visa and receives an E-PMI migrant worker card after pre-departure orientation, registration is free, and using a licensed P3MI agency is optional.
特定技能に関する二国間の協力覚書（出入国在留管理庁） · Checked on 2026-10-22
Other partner-country steps listed by ISA include Nepal’s overseas labour permit and Myanmar’s Overseas Worker Identification Card for workers, a bilateral recruitment contract with GOLWS for Mongolia, employer demand-letter attestation and an emigration clearance card for Bangladesh, embassy approval and protector-of-emigrants registration for Pakistan, mandatory accredited agencies for Laos, and optional accredited agencies for Kyrgyzstan, Thailand and Bangladesh.
特定技能に関する二国間の協力覚書（出入国在留管理庁）各国における手続 · Checked on 2026-10-22
In nursing care every certificate-of-eligibility or status application since 15 June 2024 must include a certificate of membership of the nursing-care specified skilled worker council, even when the employer is accepting a first SSW1 worker; if the SSW1 worker's workplace changes later, a notification of change to the employment contract is required with the workplace summary form attached.
運用要領別冊特定の分野に係る特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（介護分野） · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2024-06-15

Penalties

Neither the worker nor his or her family may be made to pay a deposit or sign a contract with a penalty for breach of the employment contract.
出入国管理及び難民認定法第七条第一項第二号の基準を定める省令（上陸基準省令）第1号二 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-04-01
Failing to file or filing false notifications is subject to penalties for accepting organisations; ISA can also order improvements.
制度説明資料「外国人労働者に関する制度概要」（出入国在留管理庁） slide 16 · Checked on 2026-10-22
The Commissioner of ISA can order an accepting organisation to take corrective measures within a set time when the required standards are not being kept.
出入国管理及び難民認定法第19条の21 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
The organisation must bear all mandatory support costs itself and must not pass them on to the foreign worker directly or indirectly, including the fee for an entrusted support organisation, interpreter costs and airport transport; only actual costs such as housing rent may be charged to the worker within what is necessary.
特定技能雇用契約及び一号特定技能外国人支援計画の基準等を定める省令第2条第1項第8号 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Signing an employment contract and accepting a worker while aware that the worker or relatives have been charged a deposit, had their assets managed or been put under a penalty-for-breach contract counts as an improper act, which bars the organisation from accepting workers for five years; the employer must check this carefully at contract signing.
特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（出入国在留管理庁）第5章第2節第1（10） · Checked on 2026-10-23
If a registered support organisation that is carrying out entrusted support has its registration cancelled, the foreign worker may lose the eligibility of the status, and the cancelled organisation cannot be registered again for five years from the cancellation date.
特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（出入国在留管理庁）第9章第3節第1 · Checked on 2026-10-22

Lists and tables

There are 19 specified industrial fields for Specified Skilled Worker but only 17 for 育成就労; the difference is that automobile transport and aviation are SSW-only.
特定技能の在留資格に係る制度の運用に関する方針及び育成就労に係る制度の運用に関する方針（分野別運用方針）の主要な記載事項 1 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
Examples of tests accepted for the SSW type 1 Japanese requirement are JFT-Basic at A2.2 level and JLPT N4 or equivalent; passing both a skill test and a Japanese test is the condition for moving from 育成就労 to SSW type 1.
育成就労制度Q＆A（出入国在留管理庁） Q74 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The Specified Skilled Worker type 1 caps in the same table, per field, sum to 805,700; nursing care 126,900 and industrial product manufacturing 199,500 and food and beverage manufacturing 133,500 are the largest, and the 育成就労 and SSW caps together are 1,231,900.
分野別運用方針の主要な記載事項 2 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
From 1 April 2027 the SSW type 1 support structure must have a support manager and support staff chosen from full-time officers or employees at each office, only they may do the support work, support staff headcount must exceed the number of employers divided by 10 and the number of workers divided by 50, and the manager must take a training course (not required for the time being).
１号特定技能外国人への支援体制に係る要件の改正について（令和９年４月１日施行）（出入国在留管理庁） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The sector policies cover 19 sectors for Specified Skilled Worker and 17 for the new system; road transport and aviation are Specified Skilled Worker only.
分野別運用方針の主要な記載事項主要な記載事項① 1 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Holders of Highly Skilled Professional 1(a)/(b) and 2(a)/(b), Researcher, Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Nursing Care, Entertainer (when working under a contract with a domestic organization), Skilled Labor and Specified Skilled Worker status report changes of their contracting organization (group B).
所属機関等に関する届出・所属機関による届出Ｑ＆Ａ（出入国在留管理庁） Bグループ · Checked on 2026-10-22

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The Immigration Services Agency lists these statuses as work-permitted: Professor, Artist, Religious Activities, Journalist, Highly Skilled Professional, Business Manager, Legal/Accounting, Medical, Researcher, Instructor, Engineer/Specialist, Intra-company Transferee, Nursing Care, Entertainer, Skilled Labor, Specified Skilled Worker and Technical Intern Training.
就労資格の在留諸申請に関連してお問い合わせの多い事項について（Ｑ＆Ａ）令和８年７月Ｑ１就労資格 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Specified Skilled Worker (i) currently covers 19 designated fields: nursing care, building cleaning, linen supply, industrial products manufacturing, construction, shipbuilding and marine industry, automobile maintenance, aviation, accommodation, road transport, railways, logistics warehouses, agriculture, fishery, food and beverage manufacturing, food service, forestry, wood industry and resource recycling.
制度説明資料「外国人労働者に関する制度概要」（出入国在留管理庁） slide 6 · Checked on 2026-10-22
For Specified Skilled Worker (i), the Japanese-language test is either the Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese (JFT-Basic) or the JLPT at N4 or above.
制度説明資料「外国人労働者に関する制度概要」（出入国在留管理庁） slide 11 · Checked on 2026-10-23
By nationality, Vietnam (176,915), Indonesia (108,367), Myanmar (53,441), the Philippines (38,630), China (23,524), Nepal (15,646), Cambodia (9,816) and Thailand (7,116) lead among residents at end of June 2026.
制度説明資料「外国人労働者に関する制度概要」（出入国在留管理庁） slide 23 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Industrial products manufacturing has 17 SSW1 work categories, each with its own manufacturing SSW1 evaluation test (machine and metal processing, electrical and electronic equipment assembly, metal surface treatment, paper and corrugated box, concrete products, RPF, ceramics, printing and bookbinding, textiles, sewing, wire and cable, prefab housing parts, furniture, refractories, ready-mixed concrete, rubber, bags); employers must belong to the sector body for accepting foreign workers.
分野別運用方針（令和8年1月23日閣議決定）別紙4 工業製品製造業分野 · Checked on 2026-10-23
As of 1 June 2026 ISA maps the TITP No. 2 transfer occupations to SSW1 fields and work categories in a five-page table: agriculture and forestry 3 occupations, fishery 2, construction 22, food 11, textile and clothing 14, machinery and metal 17, others 22 (91 occupations in total), plus two in-house-test occupations.
技能実習２号移行対象職種と特定技能１号における分野（業務区分）との関係について（令和８年６月１日時点） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-06-01
In the TITP-to-SSW1 table one training occupation often maps to several SSW1 categories (for example machining maps to machine and metal processing, electrical and electronic assembly, prefabricated housing and ship machinery), and food-related training maps to food and beverage manufacturing and seafood processing, while institutional meal production maps to food service.
技能実習２号移行対象職種と特定技能１号における分野（業務区分）との関係について（令和８年６月１日時点） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-06-01
ISA publishes a document checklist for each SSW application (certificate of eligibility, change of status, extension), made of Table 1 for the applicant, Table 2 for the accepting organisation and Table 3 for field-specific documents (18 field sheets for SSW1, 11 for SSW2); an extension needs only Table 1 and Table 3.
在留資格「特定技能」（出入国在留管理庁） · Checked on 2026-10-22
The accepting-organisation documents are split into Table 2-1 (organisations that may omit parts: listed companies, mutual insurers, innovation firms, firms with high withholding tax, or three years of acceptance record without insolvency), Table 2-2 for corporations and Table 2-3 for sole proprietors, and an organisation that has already accepted an SSW worker in the same fiscal year need not resubmit them.
在留資格「特定技能」（出入国在留管理庁） · Checked on 2026-10-22
Core reference forms in an SSW1 application include the employment contract (Form 1-5), the conditions statement (1-6), the pay explanation (1-4), the medical check form (1-3), the employment-process statement (1-16), the organisation summary (1-11-1), the support plan (1-17) and, for entrusted support, the support-entrustment explanation (1-25); the contract and conditions forms must be drafted in a language the worker fully understands and signed with that understanding.
特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（出入国在留管理庁）第5章 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Compliance proof for the accepting organisation covers labour insurance (premium-paid certificate), 24 months of health and pension insurance receipts or a payment-status reply, and national and local tax payment certificates (corporate: withholding tax, corporate tax, consumption tax, corporate inhabitant tax); sole proprietors submit the personal-business equivalents.
特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（出入国在留管理庁）第5章第2節第1（1） · Checked on 2026-10-22
The ministerial ordinance lists ten mandatory support items: pre-contract guidance, transport on entry and exit, housing guarantor and daily-life contract help (bank account, mobile phone), post-arrival orientation, accompaniment to public procedures, Japanese-learning opportunities, consultation and complaints handling, exchange with Japanese people, job-change help if dismissed through no fault of the worker, and regular interviews with reporting of law violations.
特定技能雇用契約及び一号特定技能外国人支援計画の基準等を定める省令第3条第1項第1号イ〜ヌ · Checked on 2026-10-22
ISA lists memoranda of cooperation on SSW with 17 countries: the Philippines, Cambodia, Nepal, Myanmar, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Thailand, India, Malaysia, Laos, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan; people from other countries can still be accepted.
特定技能に関する二国間の協力覚書（出入国在留管理庁） · Checked on 2026-10-22

Recent changes

In automobile maintenance and food and beverage manufacturing, new business categories were split from the old ones, with a transition allowing the old categories until 31 March 2027.
育成就労制度の概要（令和８年７月改訂） p.4 注記 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-03-31
The 2024 amending Act (effective 1 April 2027) also limits outsourcing of SSW type 1 support to registered support organizations, and raises the maximum penalty for promoting illegal work from 3 years or 3 million yen to 5 years or 5 million yen.
改正法の概要（育成就労制度の創設等）（出入国在留管理庁）特定技能の適正化・不法就労助長罪の厳罰化 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
From 1 April 2027 the support set-up for Specified Skilled Worker type 1 must include a named support manager and support staff chosen from full-time officers or employees at each office that gives support, and only those people may do the support work.
１号特定技能外国人への支援体制に係る要件の改正について（令和９年４月１日施行）（出入国在留管理庁） · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2027-04-01
A cabinet decision on 23 January 2026 set unified sector-specific operational policies for both systems, replacing the earlier Specified Skilled Worker sector policies.
育成就労制度に係る制度の運用に関する基本方針・分野別運用方針 · Checked on 2026-10-22
The Specified Skilled Worker (i) cap was revised downward from the 820,000 set in March 2024 to 805,700, after the estimates were re-examined on the assumption of further productivity and domestic hiring efforts.
分野別運用方針の主要な記載事項主要な記載事項① 2 · Checked on 2026-10-22
On 13 April 2026 the agency suspended issuance of certificates of eligibility for the food service sector, and applications received from that day onward are not approved.
特定技能「外食業分野」における在留資格認定証明書交付の一時停止措置について · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-04-13

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From 1 April 2027, employers and registered support organizations must appoint at least one full-time support supervisor and one support officer per office, and only these people may carry out support work.
１号特定技能外国人への支援体制に係る要件の改正について（令和９年４月１日施行） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
For landing permissions and similar decisions on or after 1 April 2027, people who satisfactorily completed technical intern training before the Technical Intern Training Act took effect (1 November 2017), or the earlier designated-activity (technical intern) training before the status was created in July 2010, must pass both the skills test and the Japanese test to move to Specified Skilled Worker (i).
技能実習法施行以前の「技能実習」等を修了した者が「特定技能１号」に移行しようとする場合の取扱いについて · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The amended Immigration Control Act that creates the employment-for-skill-development system limits the outsourcing of Specified Skilled Worker (i) support to registered support organizations only.
改正法の概要（育成就労制度の創設等）入管法改正 2. · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
From April 2025 an MHLW notice lets technical interns and Specified Skilled Workers in care work in some home-visit services, in principle only with one or more years of care-facility experience and the employer meeting training, accompaniment, career, harassment and ICT conditions.
外国人介護人材の訪問系サービス従事における留意点について本文・四① · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2025-04-01
Road transport, railways, forestry and wood industry were added as fields in March 2024, and linen supply, logistics warehouse and resource recycling were added in January 2026.
制度説明資料「外国人労働者に関する制度概要」（出入国在留管理庁） slide 6 · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2026-01-23
The logistics warehouse and resource recycling fields have been added but will start operating only once preparations are ready, and neither had any residents at the end of June 2026.
制度説明資料「外国人労働者に関する制度概要」（出入国在留管理庁） slide 6 · Checked on 2026-10-22
On 5 October 2026 ISA urged people to use JFT-Basic because the December 2026 JLPT filled up for every level N1 to N5 before the application window closed.
JLPT（N4・N5）受験申込みを検討中の方へ JFT-Basicの活用をお勧めします · Checked on 2026-10-22
From 1 April 2027, certificate applications for bus and taxi driving and railway station staff in Specified Skilled Worker (i) require Japanese at B1 or above instead of JLPT N3; timing for in-country applications is undecided.
日本語能力水準「Ｂ１相当以上」の確認開始時期について · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
From 1 April 2027, people who completed technical intern training before 1 November 2017 or the old 'Designated Activities (technical training)' status that existed before 1 July 2010 will have to pass both the skill and Japanese tests to move to Specified Skilled Worker (i), with no exemption.
技能実習法施行以前の「技能実習」等を修了した者が「特定技能１号」に移行しようとする場合の取扱いについて · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2027-04-01
The amended Immigration Control Act and Technical Intern Training Act (Act No. 60 of 2024), which sets up the Employment for Skill Development system, takes effect on 1 April 2027.
技能実習法施行以前の「技能実習」等を修了した者が「特定技能１号」に移行しようとする場合の取扱いについて · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2027-04-01
From 1 April 2027, a support officer and a support staff member (may be the same person) must be appointed from full-time staff at each workplace (for registered organisations, each office) and only they may do support work.
１号特定技能外国人への支援体制に係る要件の改正について（令和９年４月１日施行） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
From 1 April 2027, a registered support organisation needs more support staff than its number of contracted accepting organisations divided by 10 and more than its number of supported SSW1 workers divided by 50.
１号特定技能外国人への支援体制に係る要件の改正について（令和９年４月１日施行） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
From 1 April 2027 the person responsible for the support plan must complete the training course every three years, but the obligation is suspended for the time being by a transitional measure (support staff are only encouraged to take it).
特定技能制度における養成講習について · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2027-04-01
From 1 October 2026, status-change and extension fees depend on the length of the stay granted, ranging from 10,000 yen for up to three months to 75,000 yen for five years or more at the counter.
令和８年１０月１日付け在留許可手数料の額の改定等について（英語ポスター） · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2026-10-01
On 13 April 2026, at the request of the Minister of Agriculture, ISA temporarily stopped issuing certificates of eligibility for the food service field; applications received from that day are not issued.
特定技能「外食業分野」における在留資格認定証明書交付の一時停止措置について · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-04-13
As of 19 October 2026, food service certificates are being issued in order of receipt and only for applications received up to 6 February 2026, while change-of-status applications are prioritised.
特定技能１号（外食業分野）の在留諸申請の審査状況（2026年10月19日掲載） · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2026-10-19
Support organisations registered before 1 April 2027 whose registration expires by 31 July 2027 can renew under the old requirements only if they apply before 1 April 2027; later renewals must meet the new rules.
１号特定技能外国人への支援体制に係る要件の改正について（令和９年４月１日施行） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
A common exam policy for Specified Skilled Worker and Employment for Skill Development was decided on 11 March 2025 and replaced the earlier SSW-only exam policy.
試験関係（特定技能制度） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2025-03-11
An operating booklet for the logistics warehouse field was established on 18 September 2026 and one for linen supply on 1 June 2026, giving field-specific rules for those new fields.
特定技能制度（出入国在留管理庁）更新情報 · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2026-09-18
The exemption from skills and Japanese tests for related TITP No. 2 completers continues after 1 April 2027 "for the time being", and for unrelated completers the Japanese test stays waived while the skills test is still required.
運用要領別冊特定の分野に係る特定技能外国人受入れに関する運用要領（ビルクリーニング分野） · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2027-04-01
For people who completed TITP before 1 November 2017 or the old Designated Activities training that existed before 1 July 2010, the rule changes for anyone granted landing or status permission on or after 1 April 2027: before, related work needed no tests and unrelated work needed only the skills test; afterwards both the skills test and the Japanese test must be passed.
技能実習法施行以前の「技能実習」等を修了した者が「特定技能１号」に移行しようとする場合の取扱いについて · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2027-04-01
Since 2025 the ISA operating manual was revised on 1 April 2025, 1 June 2025, 30 September 2025, 24 March 2026, 1 April 2026, 20 August 2026 and 19 October 2026, each with an old-and-new comparison table published on the ISA page.
特定技能運用要領（出入国在留管理庁） · Checked on 2026-10-23
ISA's 2026 update list shows operating booklets (field-specific manuals) revised for industrial products manufacturing (25 June), aviation (17 July), building cleaning, railways and food and beverage manufacturing (28 August), road transport (9 October) and fishery (15 October).
特定技能制度（出入国在留管理庁）更新情報 · Checked on 2026-10-23
The Cabinet decision of 11 March 2025 changed three existing fields: nursing care now allows specified skilled workers in home-visit services, industrial products manufacturing makes membership of a private body for orderly acceptance a condition, and food service allows full food-and-drink service in licensed hotels and inns covered by the entertainment-business law.
特定技能制度に係る既存の分野別運用方針の改正について（令和７年３月１１日閣議決定） · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2025-03-11
The building-cleaning SSW1 evaluation test moved to computer-based testing from 10 March 2025.
ビルクリーニング分野における特定技能制度（厚生労働省） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2025-03-10
ISA's 2026 update list shows the field-specific criteria notices ('standards set in view of circumstances specific to the field') revised for railways (1 April), road transport (10 April), food and beverage manufacturing (15 April), accommodation (22 April), forestry (23 April), industrial products manufacturing (8 May), automobile maintenance (22 May), construction (23 June) and shipbuilding (2 July).
特定技能制度（出入国在留管理庁）更新情報 · Checked on 2026-10-23

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Information only. Not legal advice and not an official service. Check the official source and consult the Immigration Services Agency or a licensed administrative scrivener (行政書士) before you decide.