Japan Specified Skilled Worker Visa (SSW)
Japan · Asia
Min Monthly Income
—
Application Fee
—
Processing Time
4 weeks – 12 weeks
Difficulty
Difficult
Duration
12 months
Path to Citizenship
—
Eligibility Requirements
Duration
12 months
Requirements Checklist
Valid passport with at least 6 months validity
Proof of sufficient income (bank statements, employment contract)
Health insurance covering the entire stay
Clean criminal background check
Completed application form with all required documents
Proof of accommodation in the country
Tax Information
Tax obligations vary by country and visa type. Most countries require visa holders to pay income tax on income earned within the country.
Some countries offer favorable tax regimes for remote workers and digital nomads, with reduced rates or tax exemptions for foreign-sourced income.
Consult a tax professional familiar with both your home country's laws and the host country's regulations.
Living in Japan
COL Index vs NYC
45.6
Monthly Cost (excl. rent)
$830
1BR Rent (City Center)
$532
Safety Index
77.1
Healthcare Index
80.0
Quality of Life Index
185.2
Time Zone
UTC+09:00
Capital
Tokyo
Population
125.8M
Official Languages
Japanese
Avg Internet Speed
230 Mbps
Public Transit Quality
Excellent
With a budget covering rent and living costs, you'd need roughly $1,362/mo for a comfortable single-person lifestyle in Japan.See how far your money goes →
🏙️ Best Cities in Japan for Expats
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✦ 79.1Work Permissions
Application Steps
- 1
Research
Verify all requirements for this visa type and country
- 2
Gather documents
Obtain all required documents (passport, financial statements, health insurance, etc.)
- 3
Complete application
Fill out the official application form
- 4
Submit application
Submit all documents to the appropriate consulate or online portal
- 5
Pay fees
Complete payment of application and visa fees
- 6
Attend interview
If required, attend any scheduled interviews
- 7
Wait for decision
Processing times vary from weeks to months
- 8
Travel and activate
Once approved, travel to the country and complete any activation requirements
Ready to Apply?
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At a Glance
Last verified: June 8, 2026