Specified Skilled Worker (ii) — Japan

Specified Skilled Worker (ii) is for experienced foreign workers who have advanced skills in designated industries. It builds on Specified Skilled Worker (i) and offers broader stay options and more stability for you and, in some cases, your family.

Who the status is for

Specified Skilled Worker (ii) is meant for foreign nationals who have gone beyond the entry-level stage of Specified Skilled Worker (i) and can show higher technical ability in an eligible field.

You typically qualify if you:

• Hold or previously held Specified Skilled Worker (i) status in the same field, or
• Pass the required advanced skill exam for a designated industry, and
• Meet Japanese language requirements set for that field, and
• Secure a contract with a Japanese employer.

The Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) reviews your eligibility during your Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) Application or change of status application.

This status is separate from categories like:

• Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (professional or academic roles)
• Technical Intern Training (training-based, limited scope)
• Highly Skilled Professional (points-based system)
• Long-term Resident (based on personal or family circumstances)

You’re limited to working within the authorized industry and role approved by ISA.

Key characteristics

Specified Skilled Worker (ii) provides greater stability than Specified Skilled Worker (i). It’s designed for workers who can operate with a high level of independence and responsibility.

Key features include:

• Employment in an approved designated industry
• Ability to renew your period of stay without the fixed maximum applied to Specified Skilled Worker (i)
• Eligibility, where permitted, to bring qualifying family members
• Continued employer sponsorship and compliance obligations

Your employer must maintain proper labor conditions and follow reporting rules required by ISA.

Below is a practical comparison:

You must still complete a Form CoE Application (if applying from abroad) and a Form Visa Application at a Japanese embassy or consulate, or apply for a change of status if you’re already in Japan.

ISA makes the final decision on your status grant and period of stay.

Quick timeline note

Japan introduced Specified Skilled Worker (ii) after launching Specified Skilled Worker (i) to address long-term labor needs in certain industries.

The government later expanded the scope of industries eligible for Specified Skilled Worker (ii). The exact industries and current requirements are determined by regulation and administered by ISA.

You should confirm the current designated fields and testing standards through ISA materials before you begin your CoE Application or Visa Application. Policies can change, and eligibility depends on the rules in effect at the time you apply.

If your status permits you to bring family members, each person must complete a separate immigration process. Long‑term stays require advance approval from ISA and careful coordination with the Japanese consulate.

Who can accompany the worker

Your ability to bring family depends on the specific residence status you hold.

ISA determines eligibility based on your approved status, such as Specified Skilled Worker (i), Specified Skilled Worker (ii), Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Highly Skilled Professional, or Long-term Resident. Each category has different rules, and you must confirm your eligibility directly with ISA guidance before starting any application.

If your status allows dependents, each family member must qualify individually for a dependent or other appropriate residence status. They cannot enter Japan long term based solely on your visa sticker.

Prior participation in Technical Intern Training or another status does not automatically permit family sponsorship. ISA reviews the current approved status, not your immigration history.

Always verify current criteria with the Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁).

Long-term visa requirements for dependents

Family members who plan to stay in Japan long term must first obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE).

This step is mandatory for work, study, and dependent residence statuses. Skipping the CoE often leads to refusal at the visa stage.

The process typically follows these steps:

1. Submit a Form CoE Application to ISA in Japan.

2. Wait for ISA to issue the Certificate of Eligibility.

3. File a Form Visa Application at the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence.

A visa alone does not guarantee entry. Immigration officers at the airport or seaport make the final decision.

Your family members should carry:

• Return or onward travel details
• Accommodation information in Japan
• Proof of sufficient financial support

Officers may request these documents at inspection.

Consular timing for family applicants

Apply at the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence at least 2–3 weeks before your planned travel date.

Standard processing is usually about 5 business days, but delays occur during peak seasons. Plan conservatively if your family intends to travel during busy periods.

Each dependent must submit a separate Visa Application after receiving their CoE. Consulates will not issue long‑term visas without a valid Certificate of Eligibility issued by ISA.

Coordinate travel carefully. Even with an approved visa, entry remains subject to inspection at the port of arrival. Prepare complete documentation and avoid last‑minute travel plans that leave no margin for processing delays.

You can move from a temporary work status to permanent residence if you maintain lawful stay and meet ISA requirements. Most applicants first hold another work status before qualifying for Specified Skilled Worker (ii) and then permanent residence.

Typical preceding status

You often reach Specified Skilled Worker (ii) after holding one of these:

• Specified Skilled Worker (i)
• Technical Intern Training
• Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services
• Highly Skilled Professional
• Long-term Resident

Many workers begin under Specified Skilled Worker (i) and later qualify for (ii) after meeting skill and experience requirements set by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA).

Others change from Technical Intern Training if they meet the criteria for a skilled role in an eligible field.

If you hold Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, you may switch statuses when your job aligns with an approved Specified Skilled Worker field.

The same applies if you currently hold Highly Skilled Professional or Long-term Resident, provided you satisfy the category requirements.

To change status inside Japan, you file a status change application with the ISA.

If you apply from abroad, your employer first obtains a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE), then you submit your Form Visa Application at a Japanese embassy or consulate.

Common next steps

After obtaining Specified Skilled Worker (ii), you can work without the renewal limits that apply to (i).

This long-term stability often positions you to pursue permanent residence (PR).

You apply for PR directly with the Immigration Services Agency (ISA) while residing in Japan under a valid status.

You must maintain lawful residence and comply with the conditions of your current status at the time of filing.

The process typically involves:

1. Preparing required supporting documents.

2. Filing a permanent residence application with the ISA.

3. Waiting for review while maintaining your valid status.

If you later change employers, you may need to update your status details with the ISA.

If you leave Japan and re-enter, ensure your residence status remains valid.

Your status of residence controls what you can do in Japan and whether you can stay if your job changes.

You must separate three issues: your legal status granted by the Immigration Services Agency (ISA), your admissibility at entry, and the consulate’s independent visa decision.

Visa vs entry control

A visa and a status of residence are not the same.

The visa is issued by a Japanese consulate abroad.

The status of residence, such as Specified Skilled Worker (i) or Specified Skilled Worker (ii), is granted by the Immigration Services Agency (ISA) when you land in Japan or when you change status inside Japan.

Under Specified Skilled Worker (ii), you hold a work-based status.

It differs from categories such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Technical Intern Training, Long-term Resident, or Highly Skilled Professional.

Each status limits the type of activities you can perform.

If you change employers, your status must still match your actual work.

ISA evaluates whether your activities remain within the scope of Specified Skilled Worker (ii).

Your visa sticker alone does not control your right to stay.

When admissibility issues matter

You must remain admissible at every stage: visa issuance, landing, and status changes.

Admissibility concerns become critical if you have:

• A criminal record
• Prior overstays or status violations in Japan
• Previous deportation or departure orders

Even if ISA approves your Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) Application, problems in your history can still affect the outcome later.

A CoE reflects ISA’s assessment of your eligibility for a specific status, not a final clearance of all entry risks.

If you previously held Technical Intern Training or Specified Skilled Worker (i) status and violated conditions, that history can affect future screening.

You must disclose prior issues accurately.

Inconsistent or incomplete information can lead to denial.

Consular decision vs CoE

A Certificate of Eligibility is not a visa.

ISA issues the CoE in Japan after reviewing your sponsor and eligibility for Specified Skilled Worker (ii).

You then submit a Form Visa Application at a Japanese consulate abroad using that CoE.

The consulate makes its own decision.

A valid CoE does not obligate the consulate to issue a visa.

The consular officer assesses your background and admissibility independently.

If the consulate refuses your visa due to criminal history or past immigration violations, the CoE does not override that refusal.

You must resolve the underlying issue before reapplying.

You must qualify under a defined pathway and follow the rules that apply to that category.

The Immigration Services Agency of Japan (出入国在留管理庁) (ISA) reviews your status, prior residence history, and supporting documents before approving a Certificate of Eligibility (Form CoE Application) and subsequent Form Visa Application.

Check specific eligibility categories

Japan grants Specified Skilled Worker (ii) status only if you fit within an approved framework.

You must confirm which pathway applies to you before you prepare any forms.

Common status backgrounds that affect eligibility include:

• Specified Skilled Worker (i)
• Technical Intern Training
• Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services
• Highly Skilled Professional
• Long-term Resident

Your current or previous residence status determines what evidence ISA expects.

You cannot assume that eligibility rules transfer automatically from one status to another.

Use this comparison to organize your review:

ISA evaluates your case based on the category you select in your CoE Application or change-of-status filing.

Review the official instructions for your specific category before you submit anything.

Documents tied to qualification rules

ISA asks for documents that directly support the qualification standards for your chosen category. You’ll need to submit evidence that matches the specific rules tied to your status.

Prepare documents such as:

• Proof of your current residence status in Japan
• Records connected to your prior status (if changing from Specified Skilled Worker (i), Technical Intern Training, or another status)
• Employer-issued documents supporting your job role
• Materials required for the CoE Application
• Documents required for the Visa Application, if applying from outside Japan

Your documents must fit the exact qualification pathway you’re claiming. If you’re relying on prior status history, include records that show continuity and compliance.

ISA reviews your file for completeness and consistency. Missing documents or mismatched categories can delay or block approval, regardless of eligibility.

Most rejections come from mismatched information and missing documents. The Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) checks your Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) application and Form Visa Application side by side. Even small discrepancies can cause refusal.

Inconsistent application information

ISA compares your Form CoE Application with your later Visa Application. If names, dates, salary, or job details differ, the case can be seen as unreliable.

You’ll need to make sure the following details match exactly across all filings:

• Full name (spelling, order, and format as shown in your passport)
• Date and place of birth
• Passport number
• Employer name and work location
• Job title and employment terms
• Salary amount and payment structure
• Contract start date

Even small differences—like abbreviating your employer’s name in one form but not the other—can raise concerns.

This crops up often when applicants previously held Specified Skilled Worker (i), Technical Intern Training, Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Long-term Resident, or Highly Skilled Professional status and reuse older information without checking current terms. Always make sure your current employment contract matches what’s in your CoE record before submitting the Visa Application.

Check both applications side by side before submitting.

Incomplete evidence and documentation gaps

ISA may refuse your application if forms have missing answers or inconsistent entries. Blank fields, unexplained gaps in employment history, or mismatched dates hurt credibility.

Use your passport and official documents when filling out every field. Don’t rely on memory.

Focus on:

• Providing complete employment details
• Using exact passport information
• Ensuring all dates follow a consistent timeline
• Checking that attached documents back up every claim in the form

If you’ve previously changed status—from Technical Intern Training or Specified Skilled Worker (i) to Specified Skilled Worker (ii)—make sure the transition details show up clearly in your paperwork.

Before filing:

1. Review each page for unanswered questions.

2. Confirm consistency across all forms.

3. Verify that supporting documents match the written information.

ISA looks at the entire record as a single file, not as separate documents.

Photo, embassy, and passport errors

Technical mistakes can slow or derail your Visa Application even after CoE approval. Incorrect photos, outdated passports, or picking the wrong embassy or consulate create avoidable problems.

Check the following before submitting:

• Your passport is valid and matches the number on all forms.
• Your photo meets current application standards.
• You apply at the correct Japanese embassy or consulate for your residence.

If you renew your passport after CoE issuance, make sure the new passport details align with your Visa Application. Discrepancies between the CoE record and your updated passport can cause confusion if not handled properly.

Document accuracy matters as much as eligibility. Administrative errors frequently result in rejection, even when you otherwise qualify for Specified Skilled Worker (ii).