Does the Specified Skilled Worker Visa Need Sponsorship? costs, Timeline & Employer Obligations.

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What Employers Need to Know

Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) Visa requires employer sponsorship, allowing companies to bring in foreign workers for hands-on jobs in key industries like construction, caregiving, and manufacturing. To do this, employers need to become registered sponsors, offer fair employment contracts, and help workers settle in by providing housing and support with daily life. The whole process usually takes between 3 to 6 months, and companies are expected to cover the visa costs. There are two types of visas: Type 1 lasts up to five years but doesn’t allow dependents, while Type 2 is for longer stays and lets workers bring their families.

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What is the Specified Skilled Worker Visa?

The Specified Skilled Worker Visa is a Japanese work visa for foreign nationals with proven technical or practical expertise in industries facing labor shortages. Applicants must pass both skills and Japanese language proficiency tests. The visa provides a legal path for foreign workers to live and work in Japan while supporting economic sectors that need labor urgently.

Common Job Roles Sponsored Under This Visa

Healthcare & Nursing (Caregiver, Nursing Assistant)
Construction (Scaffolding Worker, Civil Engineer Assistant, Equipment Operator)
Manufacturing (Factory Worker, Metal Press Operator, Welding Technician)
Agriculture & Fisheries (Crop Farmer, Livestock Worker, Fishery Operator)
Food & Beverage (Food Processing Worker, Industrial Cook, Restaurant Staff)
Hospitality & Cleaning (Hotel Housekeeper, Building Cleaner)

Employer Sponsorship Requirements for the Specified Skilled Worker Visa

To sponsor a worker under the Specified Skilled Worker Visa, employers must:

Be a registered and approved organization under Japan’s Immigration Services Agency.
Offer employment in one of the designated industries.
Ensure the worker passes the required skill and language tests.
Provide support for housing, orientation, and integration as mandated by law.
Guarantee fair wages and working conditions equivalent to Japanese workers.
Report employment status and changes to the authorities regularly.

How Much Does It Cost To Sponsor the Specified Skilled Worker Visa?

Typical costs include:

Cost Component	Estimated Amount (JPY)
Employer application and registration fees	¥28,000–¥40,000
Visa application fee	¥4,000–¥6,000
Certificate of Eligibility (COE) processing	Varies
Agency or recruitment intermediary fees	Optional, varies by provider

Employers often cover most of these costs to ensure compliance and smooth onboarding.

Estimated Timeline for Sponsoring the Specified Skilled Worker Visa

Processing times depend on occupation and immigration office workload. Typical timelines include:

Certificate of Eligibility (COE): 1–3 months
Visa issuance (after COE): 1–4 weeks
Total estimated timeline: 2–4 months

Delays can occur if documentation is incomplete or verification takes longer.

Alternative Hiring Solutions That Don't Require Visa Sponsorship

Sponsoring a Specified Skilled Worker Visa is often costly, slow, and administratively heavy. Employers must handle documentation, compliance, and relocation logistics, which can take months. For teams scaling quickly, relocating workers to Japan may not always be practical.

Instead, companies can hire globally without relocation, allowing skilled workers to stay in their home countries while contributing internationally. With Playroll’s Employer of Record model, businesses can skip visa sponsorship entirely. Playroll enables compliant onboarding in 180+ countries, managing contracts, payroll, taxes, and benefits per local labor laws. This approach is faster, affordable, and legally secure, helping global teams grow without relocation costs or delays.