SSW (i) and SSW (ii) side by side
| Point | SSW (i) | SSW (ii) |
|---|---|---|
| Cumulative stay | 5 years in principle (6 years in a special case, below) | No upper limit |
| Family | Not on the list of statuses that can sponsor the Dependent status | Spouse and children can join as Dependents |
| Permanent residence | Excluded from "work status" time in the permanent residence guideline | Not excluded |
| Japanese (new rule) | Depends on the field | B1 level required for Certificate of Eligibility applications from 1 April 2027 |
The permanent residence guideline revised on 1 October 2026 explains why SSW (i) is excluded: statuses with certain limits, such as not allowing family to join, are not counted as work statuses. Technical Intern Training, Employment for Skill Development, SSW (i), Intra-company Transferee and some Designated Activities are excluded in the same way.
What counts toward the 5 years
The 5 years on SSW (i) include time when you were not working while holding SSW (i), time abroad on a re-entry permit (including a special re-entry permit), and time on the Designated Activities status granted while preparing to move to SSW (i). Some periods can be excluded if you apply:
- Maternity and childcare leave under Japanese labour law. The status continues during the leave, but the period is not counted
- Illness or injury leave of more than one continuous month, generally up to 1 year (up to 3 years for a work-related illness or injury). A few days at home or irregular hospital visits do not qualify
- Time when you could not return to Japan because of measures such as the COVID-19 entry ban
For leave periods, the application must be made from 3 months before the 5 years end, with supporting documents such as a statement of the leave period and attendance records. To check how much time you have used, the ISA suggests requesting your immigration records; it does not calculate the period for you by phone.
The 6-year rule for people close to passing
If you took the tests required for SSW (ii) in your field and failed, you may be allowed to stay up to 6 years in total on SSW (i) when all of the following apply:
- You scored 80% or more of the pass mark on all tests needed to move to SSW (ii)
- You pledge to keep studying and retake the test, to apply for SSW (ii) (or Care) quickly if you pass, and to return home if you do not pass
- Your employer intends to keep employing you and has a system to support you toward passing
You apply from 3 months before the 5 years end, with the test result notices. For the Accommodation field, result notices for the SSW (ii) Accommodation test issued on or after 30 April 2026 are accepted. Some tests are not yet covered, and the ISA lists them on the same page.
Moving to SSW (ii): the Accommodation (hotel) field as an example
Requirements differ by field. For Accommodation, the ISA lists:
| Point | SSW (i) Accommodation | SSW (ii) Accommodation |
|---|---|---|
| Work | Front desk, planning and PR, guest service, restaurant service and other accommodation services | The same services, while leading multiple staff |
| Skills test | Accommodation SSW (i) evaluation test (exempt after good completion of the related Technical Intern Training (ii)) | Accommodation SSW (ii) evaluation test |
| Experience | Not listed | Practical experience providing these services at an accommodation facility while leading multiple staff |
| Japanese | JFT-Basic or JLPT N4 or above | B1 level for applications from abroad from 1 April 2027 (see below) |
| Employment | Direct employment | Direct employment |
The employer must give you, on request, a document proving your practical experience. Ask for it early if you plan to take the SSW (ii) test. More about hotel work and statuses is in hotel jobs in Japan for foreigners: which visa fits which task.
The B1 Japanese rule: what is decided and what is not
The ISA announced that SSW (ii) will require Japanese at B1 level or above. What is decided: Certificate of Eligibility applications (people coming from abroad) from 1 April 2027 need B1. What is not yet decided: when the rule starts for change of status and renewal applications inside Japan. The ISA says it will announce this later. Workers already in Japan on SSW (i) should follow the ISA's SSW page for that announcement.
Family after the move
Once you hold SSW (ii), your spouse and children can apply for the Dependent status, if you can support them. The documents and the 28-hour work limit for dependents are covered in bringing your family to Japan: which visas allow a spouse and children.
A note on the pair hotel manager position
SSW is tied to employment in a named field with an approved employer. The recruitment on this site is different: two people run one business hotel under a management contract, not employment, with a first-year fee of ¥11.5 million or more for the pair combined (excluding tax) and a 1LDK apartment in the hotel with rent and utilities at ¥0. An SSW status does not simply carry over to it. Permanent residents, spouses of Japanese nationals or permanent residents and long-term residents can take part without a status change. Visa support: for applicants who meet the requirements of the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status, including people living outside Japan, the hiring company supports the visa application (the selection is online, with only the final interview in person). Both members of the pair are checked individually. Our recruitment service does not file visa applications, and only the immigration authorities decide, so no visa is guaranteed.