Japan SSW Visa from Nepal: The Complete 2026 Guide
Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) is one of the most aspirational routes for Nepali workers. JFT-Basic, skill test, employer matching, deployment — and the path to permanent residency.
Japan's Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa, launched in 2019 and expanded to 16 sectors in 2024, has become one of the most aspirational migration routes for Nepali workers. It offers high wages, full equality with Japanese workers under Labour Standards Law, and — for those who progress to SSW (ii) — an indefinite-stay pathway. This guide covers the complete journey.
Why Japan SSW is exceptional
- Wage equality with Japanese workers under Labour Standards Law.
- 16 sectors approved as of 2024 — care, food service, manufacturing, agriculture, construction, automotive, aerospace, hospitality and more.
- 5 years on SSW (i), with possibility to upgrade to SSW (ii) for indefinite stay (currently available in 14 of 16 sectors).
- Pathway to family reunification on SSW (ii) — spouse and children can join you.
- Path to permanent residency after 10 years of residence (5 years on SSW (ii) + qualifying period).
- Strong yen + low cost of living relative to wage = substantial savings potential.
The SSW journey — 5 stages
Stage 1: Language test (JFT-Basic or JLPT N4)
Japan SSW (i) requires either:
- JFT-Basic (Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese) — most common route for SSW. A2-level Japanese.
- OR JLPT N4 — slightly broader Japanese competence test.
Test fee: NPR 6,500–8,500. Preparation: 4–6 months of structured study at NPR 35,000–80,000. Recommended institutes in Kathmandu have JLPT and JFT-Basic-aligned curricula.
Stage 2: Sector-specific skill test
After passing language, you take a skill test in your chosen sector. Each of the 16 sectors has its own competency standard:
- Care (Kaigo) — basic nursing-care competencies, mobility assistance.
- Food Service Industry — restaurant operations, food safety.
- Manufacturing — machine operation, assembly, quality check.
- Construction — site work, scaffolding, formwork.
- Agriculture, Fishery, Automotive, Aerospace, Hospitality + others — each with sector-specific tests.
Skill-test fee: NPR 8,000–15,000. Test sessions in Kathmandu several times per year.
Stage 3: Employer matching
Japanese employers (or their registered support organisations) review candidate profiles and select. Most matching happens via licensed sending organisations or agencies authorised by the Japanese embassy. Timeline from skill-test pass to employer selection: typically 3–9 months.
Stage 4: Contract signing, COE & visa
Once selected:
- Employer applies for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from Japanese immigration in Tokyo.
- COE is sent to Nepal; you apply for the SSW visa at the Japanese embassy in Kathmandu.
- Visa stamping takes 1–3 weeks.
- DOFE pre-approval and labour permit are filed in parallel.
- Pre-Departure Orientation completed.
Stage 5: Arrival in Japan
Most SSW workers fly into Tokyo (Narita / Haneda) or Osaka (Kansai). On arrival you complete:
- Residence Card issuance at the airport.
- Ward office registration (for residency address) within 14 days.
- National Health Insurance and pension enrolment.
- Bank account opening.
Your employer's registered support organisation guides you through the arrival logistics.
Total cost from start to flight
- Japanese language course: NPR 35,000–80,000
- JFT-Basic / JLPT test fee: NPR 6,500–8,500
- Skill test fee: NPR 8,000–15,000
- Document attestation, translation: NPR 10,000–15,000
- Medical examination: NPR 8,000–12,000
- DOFE + welfare fund + PDO: NPR 4,000–6,000
- Air ticket (self-paid): NPR 45,000–80,000
- Total: ~NPR 110,000–220,000
Typical salary in Japan (NPR/month)
| Sector | Salary (NPR/mo) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 200,000–300,000 | Most common. Day/night shifts. |
| Care (Kaigo) | 200,000–270,000 | Hospital / nursing home. Highest demand. |
| Food Service | 180,000–250,000 | Restaurant, takeaway, kitchen. |
| Agriculture | 180,000–240,000 | Rural locations, seasonal peaks. |
| Construction | 220,000–320,000 | Site work with overtime potential. |
SSW (i) vs SSW (ii)
- SSW (i) — 5 years maximum, no family reunification. Entry-level certification.
- SSW (ii) — indefinite renewal, family reunification (spouse + children), opens path to permanent residency. Available in 14 of 16 sectors. Requires additional skill examination after 2-3 years on SSW (i).
Worker protections in Japan
- Full Labour Standards Law applies — same as Japanese workers.
- Statutory minimum wage by prefecture (Tokyo: ~JPY 1,113/hour in 2024).
- 40-hour standard work week, mandatory daily rest, weekly rest.
- Annual paid leave: 10 days after 6 months, scaling up with tenure.
- Strong protection against unfair dismissal.
- National Health Insurance + Employment Insurance + Pension enrolment mandatory.
How to start
- Pick your sector based on background and interest.
- Enrol in JFT-Basic preparation at a reputable Kathmandu institute.
- Pass JFT-Basic or JLPT N4.
- Pass the sector-specific skill test.
- Apply for SSW vacancies via licensed sending organisations / agencies.
- Once selected: COE, visa, DOFE pre-approval, flight.
Visit our Battishputali office for free counselling on the SSW route — we'll help you choose the right sector, recommend trusted language institutes, and walk you through the application process.
Frequently asked questions
Which is harder, EPS-TOPIK (Korea) or JFT-Basic (Japan)?+
JFT-Basic is slightly harder in absolute terms — Japanese has 3 scripts (hiragana, katakana, kanji) vs Korean's single hangul. However, EPS demand is more competitive due to limited annual employer slots, so the time-to-deployment can actually be slower for Korea. For most Nepali learners, 4-6 months of intensive study suffices for either.
Can I bring my family to Japan on SSW?+
Not on SSW (i) — the entry-level visa doesn't allow family reunification. But after upgrading to SSW (ii) (typically after 2-3 years on SSW (i) + additional skill test), you can sponsor spouse and children. Family members on SSW (ii) dependent visas can study and work part-time.
How long until I can apply for Japanese permanent residency?+
Standard route: 10 years of continuous legal residence in Japan, with at least 5 years on a work visa. For SSW workers: typically 5 years SSW (i) + 5 years SSW (ii) = 10 years total. The 10-year requirement can be reduced for high-skilled workers under specific criteria.
Do I need to live where my employer assigns me?+
Yes — your initial residency is tied to the employer's location. Employer-provided accommodation is common (especially in rural agricultural / care sectors). After 6-12 months you can typically move to private accommodation while keeping the same employer.
What if my Japanese gets weaker after working in a factory all day?+
Most SSW workers actually improve their Japanese substantially on the job — daily workplace communication and Japanese colleague interaction. Many take JLPT N3 or higher within 2-3 years for SSW (ii) qualification.
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