How to get an SSW (特定技能) job in Japan from Nepal: step by step

SSW means Specified Skilled Worker. In Japanese it is 特定技能 (tokutei ginou). Japan started this visa system in April 2019 so that foreign workers with the right skills can work in fields that need people. This guide is for young Nepali job seekers who want to understand the full path, from the first Japanese class to the first day in Japan.

Quick answer

SSW is a work visa system for skilled workers. You must pass tests and have an employer in Japan.
For SSW (i), you usually need a skills test for your job field and a Japanese test. Most fields accept JFT-Basic or JLPT N4 or higher, but some jobs need a higher level (for example, bus and taxi drivers and some railway jobs require JLPT N3). Check the requirement for your field.
Your employer in Japan applies for your Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Then you apply for the visa following the Embassy of Japan in Nepal’s current instructions.
Pay and conditions must be at least equal to a Japanese worker doing the same job.
You should not pay for the employer’s support plan, and no deposit or penalty contract is allowed. Be careful with anyone who asks for big money.

SSW (i) vs SSW (ii)

There are two types.

	SSW (i) / 特定技能1号	SSW (ii) / 特定技能2号
For whom	Workers with basic skills in a field	More skilled workers in certain fields
Stay	Up to 5 years in total	Can be renewed
Family	Generally cannot join you	Your spouse and children can join you (as dependents), if they meet the requirements. Parents and other relatives are not covered.

Most new applicants start with SSW (i). This guide mainly follows that path.

Step 1: Learn Japanese

What to do

Start studying early. Japanese is needed for the test, for your interview and for daily life.
Learn hiragana and katakana first. Then learn simple words for work, shopping, travel and health.
Practise listening and speaking, not only reading.
Choose your target: JFT-Basic (Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese) or JLPT N4 or higher. Some jobs need a higher level, so check the requirement for your field.

Watch out for

Do not trust anyone who says you can skip Japanese. Employers and tests expect it.
Cheap or free study material is fine. You do not need to pay a large amount to an “agent” for classes.

Step 2: Pass the Japanese test

For SSW (i), most fields accept one of these:

Test	What it is
JFT-Basic	Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese. Computer-based.
JLPT N4 or higher	Japanese-Language Proficiency Test. N4 is the usual minimum level.

Some jobs need a higher level. For example, bus and taxi drivers and some railway jobs require JLPT N3. Check the requirement for your field.

JFT-Basic is a computer-based test run through Prometric. Test sessions are held in Nepal.

What to do

Check the official JFT-Basic website for the current schedule and how to book.
Practise on the sample questions before the real test.

Watch out for

Book only on the official site. Do not pay anyone who says they can “arrange” your result.

Step 3: Pass the skills test for your job field

Each SSW job field has its own skills test. You take the test for the field you want to work in.

Many of these tests are computer-based and run through Prometric, including test sessions in Nepal.

Some special cases:

If you completed Technical Intern Training (ii) satisfactorily, you are usually exempt from the Japanese test (in any field).
You are exempt from the skills test only when your new SSW job is in a field related to your training.
The nursing care field also needs the Nursing Care Japanese Evaluation Test.

What to do

Pick one field that fits your experience and interest.
Find the official test information for that field. Check the language and date of the test.
Study the real test topics. Ask people who already passed.

Watch out for

Rules for each field can change. Always confirm on official pages.

Step 4: Find an employer in Japan

You can find an employer directly or through a licensed recruitment agency.

What to do

Search job sites, and ask your Japanese school or alumni for real leads.
If you use an agency, check its licence (see the section on fake agents below).
Prepare your documents: passport, test results, and your Japanese resume.
Prepare for an interview, often online. Practise a short self-introduction in Japanese.

Watch out for

Ask clearly about the job, work place, hours, pay, housing and who pays for what.
A real employer will explain these things in writing.

Prepare your Japanese resume (履歴書)

Employers in Japan usually ask for a 履歴書 (rirekisho), which is a standard Japanese resume. Many also ask for a 職務経歴書 (shokumu keirekisho), which is a work history that explains your jobs and tasks in more detail.

Rireksho turns your details, written in English, into a Japanese 履歴書 PDF.

Tips:

Keep your facts correct and the same as your passport and certificates.
Use a clear, recent photo.
Write short, honest lines about your work experience.
Ask a Japanese speaker to read it once before you send it.

Step 5: Sign an employment contract

When an employer wants to hire you, you sign an employment contract.

What to do

Read it fully. Ask for a copy in a language you understand.
Check that pay and conditions are at least equal to a Japanese worker doing the same job.
Keep a copy of everything you sign.

Watch out for

Costs of the support plan must not be charged to you.
Contracts that take a deposit, or fix a penalty if you leave, are not allowed.
If the contract looks different from the job offer, stop and ask questions.

Step 6: Employer applies for your COE

COE means Certificate of Eligibility (在留資格認定証明書). Your employer applies for it in Japan, at the immigration office. You do not apply for it from Nepal yourself.

What to do

Send the documents your employer asks for, on time and correct.
Ask the employer to tell you when the COE is issued.

Watch out for

Do not quit your current job or pay for a flight before you know the COE result.

Step 7: Apply for the visa

After the COE is issued, you apply for the visa in Nepal. Follow the Embassy of Japan in Nepal’s current instructions. Applications are usually submitted through the designated Japan visa application centre, not directly at the embassy.

What to do

Check the Embassy of Japan in Nepal website for the required documents and how to apply.
Usually you need your passport, the COE, and the visa application form.
Fill in every form carefully. Wrong details can cause delay.

Watch out for

Visa fees and application steps can change. Use only the official embassy information.

Step 8: Get your labour permit from DoFE

Nepal’s Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) gives the labour permit for working abroad. You need it before you leave.

What to do

Ask DoFE or check its official website for the current process.
Keep your contract, visa and other papers ready.

Watch out for

Do not leave Nepal without the proper permit. Never go on a tourist visa to work.

Step 9: Fly to Japan

When your visa and permit are ready, book your flight with your employer’s guidance on the arrival date.

Royal Route Travel helps with Nepal–Japan flights.

What to do

Check that your passport, visa, and papers are in your hand luggage.
Save your employer’s phone number and address in Japan.
Know how you will reach your housing from the airport.

Watch out for

Do not give your passport to anyone to hold.

Step 10: Support after you arrive

After you arrive, your employer or its registered support organization (登録支援機関) supports your life setup. This can include help with housing, procedures at the city office, and understanding life in Japan.

Registered support organizations are listed in a public register by the Immigration Services Agency. Remember that you must not be charged for the support plan.

How to spot a fake agent or broker

Be careful if someone:

Asks for big cash fees, or a deposit.
Has no licence number.
Promises a “guaranteed” visa or job. Nobody can guarantee this.
Tells you to enter Japan on a tourist visa and then work.
Keeps your passport.

How to check

Licensed recruitment agencies in Japan have a licence number from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Ask for it and check it.
Registered support organizations are in the public register of the Immigration Services Agency.
Ask the Embassy of Japan in Nepal or DoFE if you are unsure.
Pay only by traceable methods and always ask for a receipt.

After you arrive

Here are the common first tasks. Your employer or support organization can help.

Residence card (在留カード). Carry it always. It is your ID in Japan.
Register your address. Go to the city office within 14 days of moving in.
Health insurance and pension. Join them. Ask your employer how they work.
Bank account. Needed for salary. Bring your passport and residence card.
Phone SIM. Get a Japanese number so employer and offices can reach you.

Learn the emergency number and keep your own documents safe.

FAQ

Can I go to Japan with SSW without knowing Japanese? For SSW (i) you usually need to pass JFT-Basic or JLPT N4 or higher. Some jobs need a higher level (for example, JLPT N3 for bus and taxi drivers), so check your field. If you completed Technical Intern Training (ii) satisfactorily, you are usually exempt from the Japanese test in any field. You are exempt from the skills test only if the new SSW job is in a field related to your training.

Can my family come with me? With SSW (i), family generally cannot join. With SSW (ii), your spouse and children can join you (as dependents), if they meet the requirements. Parents and other relatives are not covered.

How long can I stay? SSW (i) allows up to 5 years in total. SSW (ii) can be renewed.

Do I have to pay the employer for support? No. The costs of the support plan must not be charged to the worker.

Can I take the tests in Nepal? Many SSW skills tests and JFT-Basic are computer-based tests run through Prometric, including test sessions in Nepal. Check the official test sites for dates.

Will my pay be lower than a Japanese worker’s? It must not be. Pay and conditions must be at least equal to a Japanese worker doing the same job.

This guide is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Rules change; check the Immigration Services Agency of Japan and the Embassy of Japan in Nepal for the latest.