Japan Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) for Vietnamese citizens

Overview

Japan's main route for skilled non-degree work, open across 16 sectors including caregiving, construction, food service, agriculture and manufacturing. You pass a sector skills test plus a Japanese test (JFT-Basic or JLPT N4 or above), then an employer sponsors you. Type 1 runs up to five years without family; Type 2 removes the renewal cap, allows family and opens permanent residence, so the sector's Type 2 availability matters for your long-term plan. Vietnamese applicants must also obtain a DOLAB recommendation certificate — applications get rejected without it. Note the Technical Intern Training Program ends on 1 April 2027 and is replaced by Ikusei Shuro, which will feed into this route.

This page covers Vietnamese citizens. For every nationality we track, see the Japan Specified Skilled Worker Visa (SSW) overview.

Requirements for Vietnamese citizens

Processing time & costs

Typical processing takes 8–16 weeks after applying. The government fee is approximately $30. Difficulty: 3/5.

Documents you'll need

• Choose your sector and check Type 2 availabilitySixteen sectors are open, but not all offer a Type 2 upgrade.
• Study for and pass the Japanese language testJFT-Basic or JLPT N4 or above; caregiving has an additional sector-specific Japanese test.
• Pass the sector-specific skills evaluation testHeld in Vietnam and Japan on a published schedule; tests practical competence in your chosen sector.
• Register with a DOLAB-licensed sending organisationVietnam requires this; verify the agency's licence with DOLAB directly.
• Find a Japanese employer and sign the employment contractPay must equal a Japanese national's in the same role; the support organisation provides orientation.
• Obtain your DOLAB recommendation certificateMandatory for Vietnamese nationals, including those switching from Technical Intern Training.
• Employer applies for the Certificate of Eligibility (CoE)Filed by your employer or support organisation at the regional immigration bureau in Japan.
• Apply for the visa at the Japanese Embassy in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh CityNeeds the original CoE, passport, photo and form; fee roughly ¥3,000–6,000, issued in about five working days.
• Complete pre-departure orientationRequired by your sending organisation; covers workplace norms, your rights and consultation channels.
• Arrive and receive your residence card at the airportIssued on arrival at major airports; it is your legal identity document in Japan.
• Register your address at the city office within 14 daysDone at your municipal office; also enrols you in national health insurance and pension.
• Plan your SSW Type 2 upgradeType 2 needs more experience and a higher-level skills test; removes the five-year cap and allows family.

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

Frequently asked questions

How long does the Japan Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) take for Vietnamese citizens?

Typical processing time is 8–16 weeks after applying, plus the time needed to gather documents.

What does the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) cost?

The government fee is approximately $30. Additional costs (translations, apostilles, insurance) vary by case.

Do Vietnamese citizens need a job offer for the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW)?

Yes. A job offer from an employer in Japan is required before applying.

Can I bring my family on the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW)?

This visa does not directly cover accompanying family members.

Other Japan visas for Vietnamese citizens

• Engineer / Specialist in Humanities

Japan visas for other nationalities

• 🇮🇳 Indians
• 🇮🇩 Indonesians
• 🇵🇭 Filipinos