Skilled & Professional

Who is this for

The Skilled and Professional Pathway is designed for individuals who want to work legally and build a stable career in Japan. Whether you are applying under the Specified Skilled Worker Visa for hands-on industries, a standard professional work visa, or the Highly Skilled Professional Visa for degree holders and executives, we guide you through every stage of the process.

From eligibility assessment and document preparation to application strategy and renewals, this pathway ensures your move to Japan is structured, compliant, and aligned with your long-term goals. It is ideal for workers, engineers, IT professionals, managers, and skilled specialists ready to advance their careers internationally.

Our Process

  • Two people sit at a beige table, one typing on a laptop and the other taking notes in a notebook, with a glass of water, a vase with two calla lilies, and a small white vase on the table, against a beige wall with a wooden panel.

    01

    We begin with a full review of your background, including education, work experience, and career goals. We determine whether you qualify under the Specified Skilled Worker Visa, a standard professional work visa, or the Highly Skilled Professional Visa.

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    For most Skilled and Professional visas (including the Highly Skilled Professional), you need a Japanese employer and a valid job offer that meets immigration rules. If applying under the HSP Business Management category, you must set up or run a qualifying company in Japan that will sponsor you.

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    03

    We prepare and review all required documents, including employment contracts, academic credentials, tax documents, and supporting materials. For HSP applicants, we ensure your salary and qualifications meet the necessary point threshold.

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    04

    Your employer or sponsoring entity submits the COE application to Japanese Immigration. This step verifies that both you and the sponsoring company meet visa requirements

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    05

    Once your COE is approved, we guide and oversee your visa application submission to the Japanese embassy. We ensure accuracy and completeness at every stage.

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    After visa approval, you can enter Japan and begin working. We also provide guidance for renewals, status changes, and long-term planning such as Permanent Residency.

Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) – FAQ

  • The Specified Skilled Worker Visa is a work visa designed for foreign nationals who have skills in specific labor industries such as caregiving, food service, hospitality, construction, agriculture, and manufacturing.

    • Caregiving (Care worker in elderly homes, nursing care assistant, rehabilitation support staff)

    • Food Service& Restaurant Industry (Kitchen staff, line cook, restaurant service crew, fast food staff, food processing worker)

    • Hospitality (Hotel front desk assistant, housekeeping staff, resort service worker, ryokan support staff)

    • Construction (Carpenter, steel reinforcement worker, scaffolding worker, plumbing assistant, interior finishing worker)

    • Agriculture (Farm worker, vegetable cultivation staff, livestock care worker, greenhouse assistant)

    • Manufacturing (Factory machine operator, assembly line worker, metal processing technician, industrial parts manufacturing staff)

    • Shipbuilding & Marine Industry (Ship assembly worker, welding technician, marine equipment installation staff)

    • Building Cleaning (Commercial building cleaner, facility maintenance cleaning staff)

    • Aviation Ground Handling (Airport baggage handler, aircraft ground service staff)

  • Yes. A confirmed job offer from a registered Japanese employer is required. The employer must be approved to hire under the SSW program and will act as your sponsor.

  • Yes. Most applicants must pass both a skills test related to their industry and a Japanese language test, unless they qualify for exemptions through prior training programs.

  • Applicants generally need basic conversational Japanese ability, usually equivalent to JLPT N4 level or passing the JFT-Basic language test.

  • Yes. If applying from overseas, a Certificate of Eligibility must be processed through your sponsoring employer before you apply at the Japanese embassy. If you are already in Japan, you may apply for a Change of Status.

  • Under Specified Skilled Worker Type 1, you can stay for up to 5 years in total. Some industries may allow transition to Type 2, which offers longer-term residency options.

  • Under SSW Type 1, dependents are generally not allowed. Under Type 2 (available only in certain industries), family sponsorship may be possible.

  • Yes. Depending on your qualifications and experience, you may later qualify for a standard professional work visa or other long-term residence options.

Highly Skilled Professional Visa – FAQ

  • The Highly Skilled Professional Visa is a points-based residence status for professionals with advanced education, strong work experience, and competitive salaries. It offers benefits such as longer visa periods and a faster pathway to Permanent Residency.

  • You must score at least 70 points under Japan’s official immigration criteria. Points are calculated based on your education, professional experience, salary, age, and additional achievements. (Point Calculation Form)

  • Yes. In most cases, you must have a valid job offer from a Japanese employer. The company acts as your sponsoring entity. If applying under the business management category, you must establish or manage a qualified company in Japan.

  • If you are applying from outside Japan, a Certificate of Eligibility is required and must be submitted through your sponsoring employer or company. If you are already in Japan, you may apply for a Change of Status instead.

  • The HSP visa offers a 5-year residency period, faster eligibility for Permanent Residency, the ability to sponsor family members more easily, and in certain cases, permission to engage in multiple professional activities.

  • Yes. Spouses and children can apply for dependent visas. In certain cases, parents and domestic helpers may also be eligible depending on income and circumstances.

  • Processing times vary, but the Certificate of Eligibility stage typically takes 1 to 3 months, followed by embassy visa issuance.

  • If you do not meet the 70-point requirement, we can assess whether you qualify under a standard professional work visa and plan a strategy to upgrade to HSP later.