SSW (ii) turns the Specified Skilled Worker route into a genuine settlement path — unlimited renewals, spouse and children allowed, and residence years that count toward permanent residency. The price of entry is a substantially harder field exam, usually plus supervisory experience.
Key facts
- Renewals
- Unlimited
- Family
- Spouse & children permitted
- Counts toward PR
- Yes
- Requirement
- Advanced field exam (+ experience)
- Support plan
- No longer required
What actually changes at (ii)
Everything that makes SSW (i) feel temporary disappears: the 5-year cap, the family ban, the short renewal cycles. What remains is the field restriction — you still work within your designated industry, at a more senior level.
| SSW (i) | SSW (ii) | |
|---|---|---|
| Time | 5 years total | Unlimited renewals |
| Family | No | Spouse & children |
| PR path | No | Yes |
| Employer support plan | Mandatory | Not required |
Who realistically gets there
The typical profile: 3–4 years into SSW (i), N3-or-better Japanese, informal team-lead duties already on site. Employers increasingly co-fund exam prep because retaining a proven worker beats recruiting an unknown one. If your employer resists supporting the upgrade, that is useful information — see changing jobs.
Planning notes
- Field list first. Coverage has expanded over the years but is not identical to (i) — nursing care routes through the separate Caregiver status instead.
- Book exams early. Seats in Japan fill quickly; some fields run exams only a few times a year.
- Think in PR terms. From day one of (ii), your clock toward permanent residency is running. Keep taxes and pension payments spotless — they are audited at PR time.
Common mistakes & warnings
- Field coverage differs from SSW (i) — nursing care is not an SSW (ii) field because it has its own dedicated "Caregiver" status route instead. Check the current field list before planning.
- Advanced exams often require documented site experience (for example, supervisory or team-leader experience) — pure test-taking is usually not enough.
- Family members you sponsor arrive on Dependent visas with their own rules; their work is capped like other dependents.
Frequently asked questions
How hard is the jump from SSW (i) to (ii)?
Substantial. Pass rates vary by field, but the exams test practical leadership-level competence, and several fields require verified work experience in Japan. Treat it as a 1–2 year preparation project.
Does SSW (ii) itself lead to permanent residency?
Years on SSW (ii) count toward the 10-year residence requirement (with 5 years of work-type stay). Combined with your SSW (i) years counting as residence, many workers reach PR eligibility during SSW (ii).
Is my Japanese tested again?
Some fields add a higher Japanese requirement for (ii); most rely on the field exam itself. In practice, supervisory work rarely functions below N3 — see jobs by Japanese level.
Official sources
- Immigration Services Agency — SSW portal (2026-07-16)
This page provides general information only and is not legal advice. Immigration rules change; always confirm details with the official sources listed above before making decisions.