What is the salary expectation under SSW?

SSW workers must be paid equal to or more than Japanese workers in the same role at the same employer. Typical 2026 monthly gross: construction JPY 220,000–280,000, nursing care JPY 200,000–240,000, food service JPY 195,000–230,000, food manufacturing JPY 200,000–250,000. Net after tax/social insurance/dormitory deduction typically 70–80%. Overtime and shift allowances common.

Can I bring my family to Japan?

SSW Type 1 — NO, no family reunification. Type 2 — YES, spouse and dependent children can accompany on Family Stay (家族滞在) visa. Type 2 also allows unlimited contract renewals and is a pathway to Permanent Resident after 10 years (5 if married to Japanese national).

How do I move from Type 1 to Type 2?

Complete the maximum 5 years on Type 1 + pass the higher-level sector skills test (Type 2 specific) + maintain good employment record + no immigration violations. Type 2 is sector-by-sector — as of 2026 all 16 sectors offer Type 2 progression (the 2024 reform expanded this from 2 to all 16).

Does Thailand's Apostille help SSW visa applications?

Yes. Documents required for COE submission (Thai diplomas, certificates of employment, family registration if applicable) now use Thailand Apostille (since 1 Jan 2026) instead of legacy MOFA + Embassy of Japan stamp. Time saving: 6–9 days per document. Japan is a Hague member.

What happens if I lose my job during SSW status?

You have 3 months to find a new SSW employer in the same sector. The Japanese-side RSO must help with re-employment. If unable to find new employer, you must depart Japan. SSW status cannot be converted to other visa types except by re-application from scratch.

How does iVC help Thai workers?

iVC's Bangkok SSW desk provides: (1) Japanese language partner-school enrollment with N4 prep; (2) sector skills test booking and prep materials; (3) employer matching with verified Japanese employers via our Tokyo and Osaka partner agencies (all hold Tokutei Ginō Hojin licence); (4) COE document preparation and Apostille handling; (5) embassy visa appointment booking; (6) pre-departure orientation; (7) post-arrival 6-month follow-up support. Total iVC service fee THB 35,000–55,000 (worker side, never deducted from salary).

Japan Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) Pathway

แบบฟอร์มวีซ่าญี่ปุ่นและเกาหลี พร้อมหนังสือเดินทางและปากกาบนโต๊ะไม้ — Japan and Korea visa application forms with a passport and pen on a wooden desk — บทความนี้เรียบเรียงโดยทีมที่ปรึกษา iVC ประสบการณ์มากกว่า 15 ปี หากไม่อยากเดินเรื่องเอง ทีมงานรับตรวจเอกสาร วางลำดับขั้นตอน และดำเนินการแทนได้ทั้งกระบวนการ

Answer-First (40–60 words)

Japan's SSW visa allows Thai workers to work in 16 designated sectors (construction, agriculture, nursing care, food service, lodging, etc.) for up to 5 years (SSW Type 1) or unlimited renewals with family reunification (SSW Type 2). Requirements: pass JLPT N4 (or JFT-Basic A2) + a sector-specific skills test, secure employment via a Registered Support Organisation, obtain Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from Japan, then visa from Embassy Bangkok. End-to-end timeline 4–7 months.

▸16 sectors eligible: construction, agriculture, fishery, food/beverage, nursing care, lodging, etc.
▸Japanese: JLPT N4 OR JFT-Basic A2
▸Sector skills test: passed at JNTO-approved testing centres
▸SSW Type 1: 5 years total, no family. Type 2: unlimited + family
▸TITP→SSW conversion: skip Japanese + skills test if relevant sector

AI Answer · AEO Optimized

สรุปสั้น: Japan

"Japan's Tokutei Ginō (Specified Skilled Worker, SSW) visa now covers 16 industry sectors with 820,000 worker slots through 2028. Step-by-step pathway for Thai workers: JLPT N4 + sector skills test, OTIT registered support organisation, COE, embassy visa, and conversion from Technical Intern Trainee (TITP)."

01What is the salary expectation under SSW?: SSW workers must be paid equal to or more than Japanese workers in the same role at the same employer. Typical 2026 monthly gross: construction JPY 220,000–280,000, nursing care JPY 200,000–240,000, food service JPY 195,000–230,000, food manufacturing JPY 200,000–250,000. Net after tax/social insurance/dormitory deduction typically 70–80%. Overtime and shift allowances common.
02Can I bring my family to Japan?: SSW Type 1 — NO, no family reunification. Type 2 — YES, spouse and dependent children can accompany on Family Stay (家族滞在) visa. Type 2 also allows unlimited contract renewals and is a pathway to Permanent Resident after 10 years (5 if married to Japanese national).
03How do I move from Type 1 to Type 2?: Complete the maximum 5 years on Type 1 + pass the higher-level sector skills test (Type 2 specific) + maintain good employment record + no immigration violations. Type 2 is sector-by-sector — as of 2026 all 16 sectors offer Type 2 progression (the 2024 reform expanded this from 2 to all 16).

แหล่งข้อมูล:iVC — International Visa Center · ข้อมูลปรับปรุง 2026

What is SSW and why it matters in 2026

Japan's Specified Skilled Worker visa (Tokutei Ginō, 特定技能) was launched in April 2019 to address structural labour shortage. The 2024 amendment expanded coverage from 14 to 16 sectors (adding automobile transport and railway) and raised the SSW Type 2 family-reunification eligibility to all sectors (previously construction and shipbuilding only). The Ministry of Justice has confirmed 820,000 SSW slots through fiscal year 2028. Thai citizens are one of the largest sending countries alongside Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, and Myanmar.

The 16 SSW sectors (2026)

Construction; Shipbuilding & Marine Industries; Industrial Machinery Manufacturing; Electric, Electronic & Information Industries; Aerospace; Automobile Manufacturing; Food & Beverage Manufacturing; Building Cleaning; Material Manufacturing; Agriculture; Fishery & Aquaculture; Food Service (restaurants); Lodging (hotels/ryokan); Nursing Care (Kaigo); Automobile Transport (new 2024); Railway (new 2024).

Step 1 — Japanese language qualification

Pass JLPT N4 (Japan Foundation, three test sittings per year in Bangkok at Sripatum University and Chiang Mai University) OR JFT-Basic A2 (online-style adaptive test, monthly sittings in Bangkok). N4 is recognised across all sectors. Nursing care requires the additional Japanese Language Test for Nursing Care Workers (kaigo). Preparation: 6–9 months of structured study at recognised schools (JEPA, Waseda Bangkok, Pacific Japanese Academy).

Step 2 — Sector-specific skills test

Each of the 16 sectors has its own skills test administered by an industry organisation under government supervision. Thailand testing centres run by JEED (Japan Engineering Education Development) for industrial sectors and OTAFF (Overseas Technical Assistance for Foodservice and Foodculture) for food/restaurant. Tests are usually 3-part: written multiple choice, scenario-based, practical demonstration. Pass mark typically 65%. Cost THB 1,500–3,500 per attempt. Results in 30 days.

Step 3 — Registered Support Organisation (RSO) and employer

SSW Type 1 workers must be supported by a Registered Support Organisation (Tōroku Shien Kikan) in Japan or by the employer's in-house support team meeting RSO criteria. The RSO handles: pre-departure orientation, airport pickup, residence registration, bank account, mobile phone, life-skills training, language support, complaint handling. Total RSO fee paid by employer JPY 25,000–45,000/month. Workers should never pay the RSO directly — this is a red flag for human-trafficking concerns.

Step 4 — Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and visa

Once employer + RSO are confirmed and the worker has passed language + skills tests, the employer's Japanese-side immigration lawyer (Gyōseishoshi) files for Certificate of Eligibility (在留資格認定証明書) at the regional immigration bureau covering the workplace. COE processing 1–3 months. Once issued, the COE is sent to the worker in Thailand who applies for SSW visa at Embassy of Japan Bangkok or Consulate-General Chiang Mai. Visa processing 5–7 working days. Worker enters Japan within 3 months of COE issuance.

TITP → SSW conversion (shortcut path)

Workers who completed Technical Intern Training Programme (TITP, Ginō Jisshū) for 3+ years and finish their TITP cycle in a sector overlapping with one of the 16 SSW sectors can transition to SSW Type 1 without re-taking the Japanese language or skills tests — the TITP completion is recognised as equivalent. This is currently the fastest path for Thai workers already in Japan on TITP. iVC's Thai office coordinates with the TITP sending organisation (OTIT-registered) and the Japanese-side RSO.

คำถามที่พบบ่อย

What is the salary expectation under SSW?: SSW workers must be paid equal to or more than Japanese workers in the same role at the same employer. Typical 2026 monthly gross: construction JPY 220,000–280,000, nursing care JPY 200,000–240,000, food service JPY 195,000–230,000, food manufacturing JPY 200,000–250,000. Net after tax/social insurance/dormitory deduction typically 70–80%. Overtime and shift allowances common.
Can I bring my family to Japan?: SSW Type 1 — NO, no family reunification. Type 2 — YES, spouse and dependent children can accompany on Family Stay (家族滞在) visa. Type 2 also allows unlimited contract renewals and is a pathway to Permanent Resident after 10 years (5 if married to Japanese national).
How do I move from Type 1 to Type 2?: Complete the maximum 5 years on Type 1 + pass the higher-level sector skills test (Type 2 specific) + maintain good employment record + no immigration violations. Type 2 is sector-by-sector — as of 2026 all 16 sectors offer Type 2 progression (the 2024 reform expanded this from 2 to all 16).
Does Thailand's Apostille help SSW visa applications?: Yes. Documents required for COE submission (Thai diplomas, certificates of employment, family registration if applicable) now use Thailand Apostille (since 1 Jan 2026) instead of legacy MOFA + Embassy of Japan stamp. Time saving: 6–9 days per document. Japan is a Hague member.
What happens if I lose my job during SSW status?: You have 3 months to find a new SSW employer in the same sector. The Japanese-side RSO must help with re-employment. If unable to find new employer, you must depart Japan. SSW status cannot be converted to other visa types except by re-application from scratch.
How does iVC help Thai workers?: iVC's Bangkok SSW desk provides: (1) Japanese language partner-school enrollment with N4 prep; (2) sector skills test booking and prep materials; (3) employer matching with verified Japanese employers via our Tokyo and Osaka partner agencies (all hold Tokutei Ginō Hojin licence); (4) COE document preparation and Apostille handling; (5) embassy visa appointment booking; (6) pre-departure orientation; (7) post-arrival 6-month follow-up support. Total iVC service fee THB 35,000–55,000 (worker side, never deducted from salary).

ปรึกษาเรื่องนี้กับ iVC

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ปรึกษาฟรี LINE @iVisa

เผยแพร่ 2026-07-21 · ปรับปรุง 2026-07-21 · เขียนโดย Kenji M., iVC (Japan Visa Consultant · JLPT N1 · 10+ yrs Tokyo Immigration liaison)