Overview
SSW-2 is an abbreviation for Specified Skilled Worker (ii), which is the second (more advanced) residency status in Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker program. The Specified Skilled Worker program (特定技能, Tokutei Ginō) was introduced in 2019 to attract foreign workers to industries facing severe labor shortages. It created two levels of work visa status: Category (i), often called SSW-1, for entry-level skilled workers, and Category (ii), called SSW-2, for those with higher skill and experience. Skilled Worker Visa SSW-2 refers to the latter category. An individual with SSW-2 status is allowed to work in Japan with significantly fewer restrictions than SSW-1 holders: notably, SSW-2 has no limit on the total length of stay and allows the worker to be accompanied by eligible family members (spouse and children) . By design, SSW-2 is intended for workers who have proven their expertise and wish to continue working in Japan on a long-term or potentially permanent basis.
Progression and Eligibility
When the Specified Skilled Worker scheme began, foreign workers could initially only obtain the SSW-1 status. After gaining sufficient experience (generally, completing the full five years on an SSW-1 visa or equivalent) and passing designated skill level tests, a worker becomes eligible for SSW-2 in certain industries. In other words, SSW-2 is typically a promotion or upgrade from SSW-1: it requires a demonstration of higher professional skill in the job. For example, a foreign construction worker under SSW-1 can move to SSW-2 if they pass advanced trade tests in construction management or techniques after several years of work.
Originally, SSW-2 was restricted to only two industries: construction and shipbuilding/marine industry. These were sectors where Japan especially wanted to retain skilled foreign workers for the long term. However, Japan’s government indicated early on that if the SSW-1 program was successful, they would consider expanding SSW-2 to other fields. In 2022–2023, steps were taken to broaden the SSW-2 eligibility. By mid-2023, the government approved plans to add nine more industries to those eligible for SSW-2 , including sectors like agriculture, aviation, lodging, food service, manufacturing, and others that were part of SSW-1. Once these changes are implemented, a total of 11 industries will offer an SSW-2 path, mirroring many of the SSW-1 sectors . This expansion aims to allow experienced foreign workers in those fields to continue contributing to Japan’s economy beyond the 5-year limit and help alleviate ongoing labor shortages .
To obtain SSW-2, a candidate usually must: (1) Have completed an SSW-1 period (generally 5 years of work in Japan under SSW-1), and (2) Pass a Specified Skilled Worker (ii) exam in their industry (these exams test higher-level skills and sometimes supervisory knowledge). Notably, unlike SSW-1, there is no Japanese language test requirement for SSW-2 – by the time a worker reaches this level, they are expected to have acquired sufficient language ability through experience (SSW-1 had a language requirement). When these conditions are met, the worker can apply to change their status from SSW-1 to SSW-2 with the Immigration Services Agency. Employers may favor SSW-2 candidates because it means the worker can stay indefinitely, making it worth investing in their training.
Privileges and Significance
The SSW-2 visa category offers significantly enhanced privileges, reflecting its status as a long-term skilled work visa. First and foremost, an SSW-2 holder can renew their visa indefinitely in renewable increments (typically 1 year or 3 years at a time), whereas SSW-1 holders are strictly limited to a total of 5 years with no extensions . In effect, SSW-2 can lead to a de facto permanent working opportunity in Japan, subject only to periodic renewal conditions (like continuing employment). Secondly, SSW-2 allows for family unity – SSW-2 workers can bring their spouse and minor children to live in Japan under dependent visas , something prohibited under SSW-1. This makes SSW-2 much more attractive for skilled foreigners who wish to settle or at least live long-term in Japan, as they do not have to remain separated from their family.
Moreover, time spent under SSW-2 counts toward the requirements for applying for permanent residency in Japan. Many SSW-2 workers may become eligible to apply for permanent residence after meeting the usual criteria (which include 10 years of residence in many cases, although having SSW-2 status might shorten this if the government treats it favorably). By contrast, time on SSW-1 alone does not count for permanent residency since it’s a temporary non-renewable status. Thus, SSW-2 can be a stepping stone to even more secure status in Japan (e.g., permanent resident or eventually naturalized citizen).
From a policy perspective, SSW-2 represents Japan’s shift towards accepting certain foreign workers as part of the longer-term workforce. Historically, Japan’s immigration policy for blue-collar work was very restrictive (e.g., the Technical Intern Training Program allowed unskilled workers but with strict rotations and no long stay). The SSW-1/2 scheme is a new avenue acknowledging that Japan needs mid-level workers in sectors like caregiving, construction, and services. SSW-2 is particularly significant because it essentially acknowledges that some foreign workers will stay in Japan and continue working indefinitely, effectively becoming part of the resident population . This is a considerable policy evolution for a country that, until recently, did not offer long-term prospects to most categories of foreign labor.
For employers in Japan, the SSW-2 visa is highly beneficial when available. It means they can retain talented foreign employees without the disruption of a 5-year cutoff. Companies can promote SSW-1 workers to more responsible roles once they obtain SSW-2, since those workers are expected to have higher skill (and possibly take on supervisory duties). It also reduces turnover – an SSW-2 worker might stay with the company for many years, becoming deeply experienced. On the other hand, employers have a role in facilitating the transition: they often have to support the worker’s exam preparation and file paperwork for the status change.
For the workers themselves, achieving SSW-2 status is a major milestone. It offers them stability – they can plan a life in Japan, bring their family, and no longer worry about a fixed end-date to their stay. They are likely to receive pay and opportunities commensurate with their higher skill level too. SSW-2 holders essentially enjoy conditions similar to those of other long-term work visa holders (like engineers or professionals under different visa types), including the possibility to change employers within the same field if desired, or to eventually move to other visas.
In summary, the Skilled Worker Visa SSW-2 is the gateway for skilled foreign workers in select industries to live and work in Japan on a long-term basis. It is earned through experience and skill verification, and in return grants broad rights – indefinite renewal, family accompaniment, and a path to permanent residence . As Japan expands this category to more industries, SSW-2 is poised to become an important mechanism for addressing labor shortages and integrating experienced foreign workers into the Japanese economy and society.
Sources: Immigration Services Agency – Specified Skilled Worker (ii) Status overview ; Fragomen (Apr 2024) – Japan to Expand SSW-2 Industries ; JITCO – Specified Skilled Worker program details .
