How to Apply for the SSW Visa from India: Step by Step
The SSW process has a clear order. Do these steps in sequence and you'll avoid the most common mistakes.
Step 1 — Choose your field. Pick one of the 16 SSW fields currently open, based on your background and where demand is highest (nursing care, food & beverage manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and building cleaning are among the busiest). Your skills test is field-specific, so decide before you study. Two things to know in 2026: food service (restaurants) is paused for new applicants — new applications have generally not been accepted since 13 April 2026 because the field neared its 50,000-worker cap (details and alternatives here) — and three more fields (linen supply, logistics warehousing, and resource circulation) were approved by Cabinet decision in January 2026, though their tests are still being prepared and acceptance is expected to begin around 2027 at the earliest.
Step 2 — Pass the Japanese test. Reach JFT-Basic A2 or JLPT N4. In India, JFT-Basic is delivered by Prometric at centres in Bengaluru, Gurgaon (Delhi NCR), and Guwahati; you book online and pay the fee (around ₹3,540 including GST) at registration, and you need a score of 200+ on the 10–250 scale to reach A2 for SSW. JLPT N4 is offered through the usual JLPT exam centres in India, typically twice a year. More in the JFT-Basic India guide.
Step 3 — Pass the skills test. Take the skills evaluation test for your chosen field. Here's what most guides won't tell you: as of the July–August 2026 schedules, seven fields hold their skills tests in India (Immigration Services Agency schedule) — nursing care, construction, agriculture, accommodation, building cleaning, industrial products manufacturing (machine parts, industrial machinery, electric & electronics), and automobile transportation (driving). Nursing care also requires a second Japanese test (the Nursing Care Japanese Language Evaluation Test), also bookable in India. For other fields — such as food & beverage manufacturing or automobile repair — tests currently run in Japan or in other countries, so check the ISA test page for your field before committing.
Step 4 — Find a sponsoring employer. You need a genuine job offer from a Japanese employer who will sponsor you. Use reputable channels: registered recruiters, the employer's own hiring, or government-linked matching schemes. Be cautious of "agents" promising guaranteed jobs for large upfront fees.
Step 5 — Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Your employer applies to Japanese immigration for a COE on your behalf. This is the document that confirms you meet the requirements. Processing typically takes around one to three months, though it varies with the employer's track record and immigration workload.
Step 6 — Apply for the visa. With the COE, apply for the SSW visa at the Embassy/Consulate of Japan in India (or an authorised visa application centre). Submit your passport, COE, photos, and forms.
Step 7 — Travel and settle in. Enter Japan, complete residence registration, and your employer's required support (housing help, orientation) kicks in.
Timeline: realistically a few months to over a year — mostly driven by how fast you reach N4/JFT-Basic and find an employer, plus the one-to-three-month COE stage. Watch for fraud: legitimate SSW placement does not require paying lakhs in "guarantee" fees — see what it actually costs.
Background: SSW requirements · the full guide to working in Japan from India.
This article is general information, not legal, immigration, tax, financial, or medical advice. Rules, fees, and figures change and vary by individual circumstances — verify the latest details with official sources (e.g. the Immigration Services Agency of Japan and the relevant embassy or test body) and consult a qualified professional before making decisions.