SSW Visa Japan From Nepal – Your Complete 2026 Guide

Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker (SSW / Tokutei Ginou ) visa, launched in April 2019, is the clearest legal route for Nepali citizens to work in Japan with full labor rights, competitive pay and a pathway to long-term residency.

This guide covers everything specific to applying from Nepal – the official document checklist, realistic costs in NRs, salary by sector, the SSW 2 upgrade path and how to protect yourself from recruitment scams.

Note: This guide reflects 2025-2026 requirements from Japan Embassy Kathmandu and Nepal’s Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE). Always confirm details with official sources before submitting your application.

Also Helpful: Romania Working Visa From Nepal – Complete Guide 2026

What Is The SSW Visa? SSW 1 Vs. SSW 2 Explained

The SSW visa is a purpose-built employment visa, not a student or tourist visa. Japan officially divides it into two categories with very different rights and timelines.

Feature	SSW Type 1 (SSW 1-Entry Level)	SSW Type 2 (SSW 2-Advanced)
Stay Duration	Up to 5 years total (renewable annually)	No limit – renewable indefinitely
Family in Japan	Not allowed	Spouse and children allowed
Available Sectors	All 15 designated industries	11 sectors (expanding – see below)
Language Test	JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic required	No mandatory test (experience assumed)
Skill Test	Sector skills evaluation test	Advanced SSW 2 skills evaluation test
Employer Support	Required (life support plan)	Not required
PR Pathway	Not direct; must upgrade to SSW 2	Counts toward Permanent Residency

Almost all Nepali applicants start with SSW Type 1 (SSW 1). No university degree is needed – what matters is basic Japanese proficiency and a sector-specific skills test. SSW 2 is the long-term goal for those who wish to settle in Japan permanently.

Which Industries Can You Work Under The SSW Visa?

Japan officially recognizes 15 labour-shortage sectors for SSW visa holders. As a nepali applicant – you can choose any one sector that matches your skills, interest and available training programs.

S.N.	Sector	Demand Level for Nepali Workers
1	Construction	Very High
2	Shipbuilding / Marine Machinery	Moderate
3	Agriculture (Crop & Livestock)	Very High
4	Fisheries & Aquaculture	Moderate
5	Food & Beverage Manufacturing	High
6	Food Service / Restaurants	Very High
7	Automobile Maintenance	Moderate
8	Aviation Industry	Low To Moderate
9	Accommodation (Hotels)	Hign
10	Building Cleaning Management	High
11	Industrial Manufacturing	High
12	Nursing Care	Very High
13	Automobile Transportation	Moderate
14	Railway	Low
15	Forestry / Wood Industry	Low

Top Recommendation For Nepali Workers: Nursing Care, Food Service, Agriculture and Construction consistently offer the most job openings, competitive salaries and supportive Nepali communities in Japan.

SSW Visa Requirements From Nepal – Full Checklist

This visa also called SSW 1 visa.

Basic Eligibility

• Age: 18 years minimum (skills test allowed at 17 in Nepal).
• Health: Fit for work – medical examination certificate required.
• Criminal Record: Must be clean – Nepal Police clearance certificate required.
• Valid Nepali passport with at least one blank page.

Language Test – Choose One

Test	Schedule In Nepal	Results	Best For
JLPT N4	July & December	Approx. 2 months after	Globally recognized certificate
JFT-Basic (A2)	6 times per year	Same day (CBT)	Faster results, practical focus

Sector Skills Test

• Every SSW applicant must also pass a sector-specific skills evaluation test in their chosen industry.
• Tests are held multiple times per year in Nepal, available in Nepali, English and Japanese (CBT format).
• TITP graduates (Level 2/3 with 3+ years in the same sector) are exempt from this test.

Official Document Checklist – Japan Embassy Kathmandu

All photocopies must be A4 size. Submit originals alongside copies. Do not staple, pin or tape documents.

Documents Required By All SSW Applicants

• Visa Application Form – printed both sides – one form per applicant including children.
• Valid Passport – minimum one blank page – 3 copies of bio-data page.
• Photograph – 45×45mm or 45×35mm or 2″×2″ – white background, taken within 6 months.
• Certificate of Eligibility (COE) – original + copy – applied by your Japanese employer.

Additional SSW-Specific Documents

• SSW Skills Test certificate (official result).
• Language test certificate – JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic.
• Employment contract from Japanese employer (Nepali/English + Japanese).
• Medical examination certificate from approved clinic.
• Nepal Police clearance certificate.
• Educational certificates (SEE, +2, diploma, or degree).
• DoFE Labor Permit / Overseas Employment Approval – Nepal government requirement.
• Pre-departure orientation completion certificate.
• Documents related to pension, health insurance and taxes.

Nepal-Specific: The DoFE Labor Permit is mandatory under Nepali law Before you apply at the Japanese Embassy. Skipping this step is illegal and can result in visa rejection and legal penalties back in Nepal.

Step By Step – How To Apply For SSW Visa Japan From Nepal

Step	Action	Timeline
1	Choose your target sector from the different SSW industries and enroll in Japanese language training immediately	Month 1
2	Sit JLPT N4 (July/Dec) or JFT-Basic. Simultaneously prepare for sector skills test	Month 3-7
3	Pass both tests (Language Test And Sector-Specific Skill Test). Contact a DoFE-registered manpower agency to find a registered Japanese employer	Month 5-9
4	Sign employment contract. Employer files COE application with Japan Immigration Bureau on your behalf	Month 6-10
5	Obtain Nepal DoFE Labor Permit and complete mandatory pre-departure orientation	Month 8-11
6	Book VFS Global / Japan Embassy appointment. Submit all documents. Standard processing: 6 working days	Month 10-12
7	Visa approved. Attend remaining pre-departure briefings. Fly to Japan	Month 11-13

Realistic total timeline from first day of preparation to arriving in Japan: 9 to 15 months. The language training phase is always the longest step – start immediately.

SSW Visa Japan From Nepal – Complete Cost In Nrs (2025-2026)

Cost Item	Estimated NRs	Notes
Japanese Language Training (3-6 months)	NRs. 30,000 – 60,000	Varies by school
Sector Skills Training	NRs. 15,000 – 50,000	Industry-dependent
JFT-Basic or JLPT Exam Fee	NRs. 4,000 – 7,000	Approx. USD 30–50
Skills Evaluation Test Fee	NRs. 5,000 – 10,000	Per sector
Medical Examination Certificate	NRs. 5,000 – 12,000	Approved clinic
Nepal Police Clearance	NRs. 500 – 1,500	Online application
DoFE Labor Permit + Welfare Fund	NRs. 3,000 – 8,000	Government fees
Japan Visa Fee (Single Entry)	Approx. NRs. 2,700	Embassy rate
VFS Global Service Fee	Approx. NRs. 2,083	Current rate
Document Translation / Notary	NRs. 3,000 – 10,000	If required
Licensed Agency / Consultation Fee	NRs. 20,000 – 80,000	Have little variation
Airfare (Kathmandu to Japan)	NRs. 50,000 – 100,000	Seasonal variation
Estimated Total (Exclude Airfare)	Nrs. 1.5 Lakhs To 3.5 Lakhs	Legal Channels Only

Red Flag: Any agency demanding NRs. 5 lakhs Plus upfront without official receipts is operating outside the law. Licensed agencies cannot charge post-selection fees. Always verify at dofe.gov.np before paying anyone.

SSW Visa Japan Salary For Nepali Workers

Japan’s labor law guarantees that SSW workers receive exactly the same pay as Japanese nationals in equivalent roles. Below are realistic monthly salaries by sector for 2025-2026, including both JPY and approximate NPR conversions.

Sector	Monthly (JPY)	Monthly (NPR approx.)	Common Benefits
Nursing Care (Kaigo)	¥170,000 – ¥220,000	NRs. 1.50L – 1.91L	Night shift allowance
Construction	¥190,000 – ¥270,000	NRs. 1.65L – 2.35L	Overtime pay
Food Service / Restaurant	¥175,000 – ¥250,000	NRs. 1.52L – 2.18L	Tips, bonus
Agriculture	¥160,000 – ¥200,000	NRs. 1.39L – 1.74L	Housing often included
Food & Beverage Manufacturing	¥165,000 – ¥210,000	NRs. 1.43L – 1.83L	Production bonus
Accommodation (Hotels)	¥170,000 – ¥220,000	NPR 1.48L – 1.91L	Meals, housing
Factory / Manufacturing	¥180,000 – ¥300,000	NPR 1.57L – 2.61L	Performance bonus

All SSW Workers Also Receive

• National Health Insurance – covers 70% of medical costs.
• National Pension (Nenkin) – claimable as a lump sum when returning to Nepal.
• Paid annual leave – minimum 10 days/year, increasing with tenure.
• Regulated hours – 8 hrs/day, 40 hrs/week; overtime is separately compensated.
• Transportation allowance – commonly paid by employer.

SSW 2 Visa – The Upgrade Path To Permanent Residency In Japan

SSW 2 is the most significant long-term immigration milestone under this program. The full SSW 2 visa guidance for Nepali workers.

SSW 2 Eligible Sectors (2026 Expansion)

When SSW launched in 2019, SSW 2 was only available for construction and shipbuilding. In 2024-2024, Japan expanded SSW 2 to 11 sectors in 2025 and as of 2026, the following industries offer an SSW 2 Pathway.

S.N.	Sector	SSW 2 Available?	Language Requirement
1	Construction	Yes (original)	No mandatory test
2	Shipbuilding / Marine Machinery	Yes (original)	No mandatory test
3	Agriculture (Crop & Livestock)	Yes (expanded)	No mandatory test
4	Fisheries & Aquaculture	Yes (expanded)	JLPT N3 required
5	Food & Beverage Manufacturing	Yes (expanded)	No mandatory test
6	Food Service / Restaurants	Yes (expanded)	JLPT N3 required
7	Automobile Maintenance	Yes (expanded)	No mandatory test
8	Aviation Industry	Yes (expanded)	No mandatory test
9	Accommodation (Hotels)	Yes (expanded)	No mandatory test
10	Building Cleaning Management	Yes (expanded)	No mandatory test
11	Industrial Manufacturing	Yes (expanded)	No mandatory test
12	Nursing Care	Not yet available	N/A – separate pathway exists
13	Automobile Transportation	Not yet available	N/A
14	Railway	Not yet available	N/A
15	Forestry / Wood Industry	Not yet available	N/A

How To Qualify For SSW 2

SSW 2 requires demonstrating higher, supervisory-level skills. The core requirements across all sectors are.

• Age: Minimum 18 years old.
• Skills: Pass the SSW 2 sector-specific Skills Evaluation Test OR hold a Japan National Skills Certificate Level 1 in the relevant trade.
• Work Experience: Typically 2-3 years of supervisory experience (managing multiple workers at a worksite), Construction requires 3+ years (~645 workdays), Agriculture, Cleaning, Accommodation and F&B require 2+ years
• Health: Medical certificate confirming fitness to work in Japan.
• Language: No mandatory test for most sectors – Fisheries and Food Service require JLPT N3.
• Passport: Valid passport from Nepal government.
• No deposit/penalty clauses from employer.

Key Insight: You do NOT need to first hold SSW 1 to apply for SSW 2. Workers with the required experience and skills from TITP or other programs can apply for SSW 2 directly. However, in practice, most Nepali workers progress via SSW 1 first.

What SSW 2 Gives You That SSW 1 Cannot

• Unlimited renewable stay in Japan – no 5-year cutoff.
• Bring your spouse and children to Japan on dependent visas.
• Time on SSW 2 counts toward Japan Permanent Residency (PR) eligibility.
• No mandatory employer life-support plan required (more independence).
• Higher pay commensurate with supervisory role.
• Ability to change employers within the same sector.

TITP To SSW Transition – What Existing Japan Workers Must Know

If you are already in Japan under the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) and have completed Level 2 or Level 3 (3+ years in the same sector).

• You can transition to SSW 1 without retaking the skills test.
• You may also be exempt from the language test if you already hold JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic.
• You gain the right to change employers under SSW – not possible under TITP.
• You receive stronger labor rights and legal protections.
• After gaining sufficient supervisory experience, you can apply for SSW 2 for indefinite stay.

TITP graduates transitioning to SSW 2 directly (skipping SSW 1) is possible if they meet the supervisory experience and advanced skills test requirements. This is increasingly common in construction and agriculture.

Protecting Yourself From SSW Recruitment Scams In Nepal

Red Flag – Avoid	Safe Practice
Agency not DoFE-registered	Verify license at dofe.gov.np before paying anything
Demands NRs. 5+ lakhs upfront with no receipts	Insist on official receipts for every payment
Guarantees Japan job without you sitting any test	All SSW positions require passing official language + skills tests first
Employer not registered as SSW employer in Japan	Verify employer at ssw.go.jp or ask them to show their registered status
Contract only in Japanese with no translation	Demand bilingual contract (Nepali/English + Japanese)
No pre-departure orientation offered	DoFE orientation is legally required – it is not optional

Important Note: Working in Japan without a valid visa or through unauthorized channels, results in immediate deportation and a permanent entry ban to Japan. The legal process exists to protect you.

Final Takeaway – Is The SSW Visa Japan Right For You?

For Nepali workers willing to invest in Japanese language learning and skills preparation, the SSW visa Japan from Nepal offers one of the most transparent, legally protected and financially rewarding routes to international employment available today.

Monthly take-home of NRs. 1.5-2.5 lakhs, full labor law protection and a clear upgrade path to SSW 2 and permanent residency make this program stand apart.

Start with these actions today.

• Begin Japanese language training immediately – this is your longest preparation step.
• Choose your sector from the 15 options based on your existing skills and the salary table above.
• Contact only DoFE-registered agencies – verify their license before any payment.
• Do not skip the DoFE labor permit – it is a legal requirement under Nepali law.
• Set a realistic budget of NRs. 2-3 lakhs for preparation costs.
• Set your long-term goal – SSW 1 now, supervisory experience, SSW 2 and then Permanent Residency.