Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) Visa for Philippines citizens

Overview

For designated sectors — caregiving, food service, construction, agriculture and more. Requires a sector skills test (offered at Philippine test sites) plus JFT-Basic or JLPT N4 Japanese; caregiving adds its own nursing-care language test. Type 1 allows up to 5 years without family; Type 2 renews indefinitely with family and a PR pathway. Pay must match Japanese workers in the role.

Requirements

Processing time & costs

Typical processing takes 8–20 weeks after applying. The government fee is approximately $20. Difficulty: 3/5.

Documents you'll need

• Pass the Japanese language test
• Pass your sector's skills evaluation test
• Employment contract via a DMW-accredited route
• Employer obtains the Certificate of Eligibility
• Visa at the Japanese embassy/consulate in the Philippines
• DMW processing & Overseas Employment Certificate
• Travel — residence card at the airport
• Track your path to Type 2

The full ordered checklist — with timing, dependencies, apostille and translation flags, and personalized due dates — is part of the paid plan.