From Student Visa to Specified Skilled Worker: Jobs in Japan
Specified Skilled Worker status gives international students a route into full-time work when their studies do not match an Engineer/Specialist role, or when they simply prefer hands-on work. Students from Japanese language schools and vocational schools often move into fields such as food service, accommodation, nursing care, food and beverage manufacturing and building cleaning. Part-time experience in the same kind of workplace, such as a restaurant or hotel, is a real advantage when employers compare candidates.
To change status, you generally need to pass the skills test for your chosen field and a Japanese test such as JFT-Basic or JLPT N4, and receive an offer from an employer that meets the requirements for accepting SSW staff. The employer must hire you directly in most fields and prepare a support plan. Immigration also reviews your student record, including attendance and whether your part-time hours stayed within the permitted limit. The final decision rests with the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.
A practical tip: skills tests are held in Japan on a regular schedule, but seats can fill quickly, so register as soon as you choose your field. Pick a field that matches your part-time experience and long-term plans, and ask whether that field offers SSW (ii), which can later allow longer stays and family to join. Compare employers on support, housing and training, not only on pay.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I take Specified Skilled Worker tests while I am a student?
Yes. Tests held in Japan are generally open to people living in Japan with a residence status, including students. Check the eligibility conditions and test schedule for your field on the official test organiser's website.
Can my part-time employer hire me as a Specified Skilled Worker?
Possibly, if the business is in an SSW field, the role matches that field and the employer meets the requirements. A restaurant can hire in the food-service field, for example, but convenience store work as a whole is not an SSW field.
Should I choose Specified Skilled Worker or Engineer/Specialist?
It depends on your background. Engineer/Specialist suits graduates whose studies match a specialised role. SSW suits hands-on work in eligible fields and has test-based entry. SSW (i) has a five-year total limit, while SSW (ii) in many fields allows longer stays.