🇯🇵 Japan work visas for Indonesians 2026
Last verified: September 2, 2026
Indonesians moving to Japan from Indonesia have 2 main visa routes: Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) and Engineer / Specialist in Humanities. The fastest is the Engineer / Specialist in Humanities at 6–14 weeks. Every requirement below links to the official government source.
Just visiting? Do Indonesians need a visa for Japan? covers tourism, family visits, conferences and business trips.
Compare Japan visas for Indonesians: cost, processing time, and requirements
| Visa | Processing | Gov. fee | Job offer | Family | PR path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specified Skilled Worker (SSW)work | 8–16 weeks | $30 | Required | No | No |
| Engineer / Specialist in Humanitieswork | 6–14 weeks | $30 | Required | Yes | Yes |
Japan visa guides for Indonesians
Specified Skilled Worker (SSW)
workJapan's main skilled-work route for non-degree holders, covering 16 sectors including caregiving, food service, construction, agriculture and manufacturing. You must be 18 or over, pass a sector skills test and a Japanese test (JFT-Basic or JLPT N4 and above), then be sponsored by a Japanese employer. Exams run four to six times a year in Indonesia. On the Indonesian side you also need IPKOL registration and a SISKOP2MI/E-KTKLN migrant worker record — skipping this is what stops otherwise-qualified candidates at departure. Type 1 lasts up to five years with no family; Type 2 removes the cap, allows family and leads to permanent residence, but is not offered in every sector, so check before you commit to one.
Engineer / Specialist in Humanities
workThe degree-holder work visa for IT, engineering, translation, marketing and similar professional roles. You need a bachelor's degree (or ten years of documented relevant experience) in a field matching the job, and a Japanese employer who files a Certificate of Eligibility for you. Salary must match what a Japanese national would earn in the same role. Unlike SSW it allows family from day one, renews indefinitely, and counts toward permanent residence — ten years normally, or considerably faster through the Highly Skilled Professional points system.
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Check my eligibilityFrequently asked questions
- Can Indonesians work in Japan without a degree?
- Yes. The Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa is Japan's main skilled-work route for non-degree holders, across 16 sectors including caregiving, food service, construction, agriculture and manufacturing. You must be 18 or over, pass a sector skills test and a Japanese test (JFT-Basic or JLPT N4 and above), and be sponsored by a Japanese employer. The exams run four to six times a year in Indonesia.Source: Specified Skilled Worker portal (Government of Japan)
- What do Indonesians need before leaving for a job in Japan?
- On the Indonesian side you need IPKOL registration and a SISKOP2MI / E-KTKLN migrant worker record. Missing these is what stops otherwise qualified SSW candidates at departure, so arrange them while your Japanese employer handles the visa side.Source: Specified Skilled Worker portal (Government of Japan)
- Can Indonesia citizens move to Japan?
- Yes. Indonesia citizens have 2 main routes into Japan: the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) and the Engineer / Specialist in Humanities. Each has its own requirements, fees, and processing time, compared on this page.
- What is the fastest Japan visa for Indonesians?
- The Engineer / Specialist in Humanities typically processes in 6–14 weeks, the shortest of the 2 routes we track. Add time for gathering documents, translations, and apostilles.
- Can Indonesians move to Japan without a job offer?
- Every Japan route we track for Indonesians currently requires a job offer from an employer in Japan.
- What is the cheapest Japan visa for Indonesians?
- The Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) has the lowest government fee at about $30. Translations, apostilles, insurance, and courier costs come on top of every route.
- Which Japan visas let Indonesians bring family?
- The Engineer / Specialist in Humanities allows accompanying family members with additional documentation.
- Which Japan visas lead to permanent residency for Indonesians?
- The Engineer / Specialist in Humanities offers a path to permanent residency after the qualifying period.
- How much does a Japan work visa cost for Indonesians?
- Government fees for Indonesians are about $30 for the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) and $30 for the Engineer / Specialist in Humanities (USD equivalents). Translations, apostilles, medicals, insurance, and courier costs come on top of every route.
- How long does a Japan work visa take for Indonesians?
- Typical processing is 8–16 weeks for the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) and 6–14 weeks for the Engineer / Specialist in Humanities, counted from the date you apply. Add time for gathering documents.