Japan's foreign worker policy has evolved rapidly in recent years: the Specified Skilled Worker system was created in 2019, Specified Skilled Worker (ii) fields were expanded in 2024, and the Ikusei-Shuro (Skill-Development Employment) system is scheduled for April 2027. This article explains the realistic path to permanent residency through these systems, based on 2026 current operations.
Current State of Specified Skilled Worker System (2026)
Specified Skilled Worker (i) vs. (ii)
| Category | Specified Skilled Worker (i) | Specified Skilled Worker (ii) |
|---|---|---|
| Period of stay | Total 5 years (renewable) | Unlimited renewal |
| Family accompaniment | Not permitted | Permitted (spouse, children) |
| Target fields | 16 fields | 11 fields (after 2024 expansion) |
| Skill level | Considerable knowledge/experience | Skilled trades |
| Examination | Specified Skilled Worker test + JLPT N4 etc. | Specified Skilled Worker (ii) test + practical experience |
| Path to PR | Not directly | Possible |
2024 Specified Skilled Worker (ii) Major Expansion
In April 2024, Specified Skilled Worker (ii) target fields expanded from 2 fields (shipbuilding/marine industry, construction) to 11 fields.
Newly added fields (9): 1. Building cleaning 2. Material processing 3. Industrial machinery manufacturing 4. Electric/electronic information industry 5. Automobile repair 6. Aviation 7. Accommodation 8. Agriculture 9. Fisheries 10. Food and beverage manufacturing 11. Food service
Note: Care work uses the "Care Work" status (via Certified Care Worker qualification) and is not within Specified Skilled Worker (ii).
Basic Permanent Residency Requirements
General PR Requirements
Per Article 22 of the Immigration Act and PR Permission Guidelines:
- Continuous residence of 10+ years (5+ years in working/residency status)
- Good conduct — no criminal record, proper tax/social insurance payment
- Independent livelihood — stable and sufficient income
- Public interest — consistent with Japan's interests
- Guarantor secured
Special Measures
- Highly Skilled Professional (i): 1 year (PR eligibility at year 3 with high points)
- Spouse of Japanese National: 3 years
- Parent of Special Permanent Resident: 1 year
- No special measure for Specified Skilled Worker or Ikusei-Shuro alone (general requirements apply)
Free Tool Related to This Article
Contract Risk Checker
Try our free simulator related to this topic.
Try for free →Long-Term Path: Ikusei-Shuro → Specified Skilled Worker (ii) → Permanent Residency
Planned Career Model
[Year 0] Entry (Ikusei-Shuro)
↓ 3 years work, reach JLPT N4
[Year 3] Transition to Specified Skilled Worker (i) (same field)
↓ 5 years work, skill advancement
[Year 8] Transition to Specified Skilled Worker (ii) (11 expanded fields)
Family accompaniment begins (bring spouse/children)
↓ Approaching "continuous 10 years" PR requirement
[Year 10] PR application (general)
↓ Examination 6-12 months
[Year 11] PR granted
Timing for PR Application
- Begin document preparation just before reaching 10 years (full tax/social insurance certificates, income statements, residence registration history)
- Most recent 3 years of resident tax certificates are most critical
- Examination from application to result: 6-12 months (longer during congestion)
Practical Application Considerations
1. "Continuous 10 Years" Counting
- 10 consecutive years from entry required (interruption disqualifying)
- Overseas travel: single trip < 90 days, total < 150 days is safe
- No gaps in status renewal or change
2. Tax/Social Insurance Payment Continuity
After the June 2025 PR revocation expansion, the past 5 years of payment status is heavily scrutinized:
| Item | Required documents |
|---|---|
| Resident tax | 3 most recent years of tax certificates (No. 2, including income certificate) |
| National Health Insurance / Pension | 2 most recent years of insurance payment status certificate (issued by city/ward + pension office) |
| Income tax | 5 most recent years of tax certificates (No. 2) |
👉 Even one day of delinquency is detrimental (remedy possible but examination extended).
3. Independent Livelihood
- Annual income ¥3M+ baseline (no dependents)
- With dependents, add ¥700K-1M/person guideline
- Stability evidence: past 5 years income certificates, employment contract, tenure
4. Good Conduct
- Traffic violations: safer with 3 or fewer in past 5 years
- Even minor accumulated violations may cause issues
- Criminal records are major negatives (including suspended sentences)
Employer Practical Response
Significance of Specified Skilled Worker (ii) Employment
For employers, Specified Skilled Worker (ii) employment offers:
- Long-term employment — unlimited renewal enables retention
- Family accompaniment strengthens life base — reduced turnover
- Skilled talent securing — 1 year + 2 year veteran-track
- Stable post-PR employment — reduced status change risk
Employer Cooperation Obligations
- Proper tax/social insurance withholding: salary deduction for source tax and social insurance
- Status change cooperation: issue employment contract and income certificate
- Notification duties: notify Immigration upon employment changes or dismissal
- Living support: Continue (i) period support plan (generally not required for (ii))
Case Studies
Case 1: Vietnamese Engineer's PR Path
Background: 2018 entry as technical intern (machinery), 2021 transition to Specified Skilled Worker (i), 2024 field expansion to Specified Skilled Worker (ii) (electric/electronic information). Brought spouse and one child in 2024.
- 2028: 10 years from entry, PR application
- Requirements check:
- - ✅ 10 consecutive years (technical training 3 + Specified Skilled Worker (i) 3 + Specified Skilled Worker (ii) 4)
- - ✅ 5+ years working status (Specified Skilled Worker for 7 years)
- - ✅ Full tax/social insurance payment (employer cooperation)
- - ✅ Annual income ¥4.5M (suitable for 2 dependents)
- Determination: General examination acceptance, permit expected in 6-12 months
Case 2: Filipino Care Worker's Path Choice
Background: 2020 technical training (care), 2023 passed Certified Care Worker national exam, transitioned to "Care Work" status.
- Care work is outside Specified Skilled Worker (ii) but "Care Work" is an independent PR path
- "Care Work" status renewed 3→1→3→5 years sequence, stable
- 2030: 10 years passed, PR application possible
- Advantages: Holds Care Worker national qualification, stable duties, PR requirement easier to meet
Case 3: Planned Path via Ikusei-Shuro (2027 onward)
Anticipated path after Ikusei-Shuro takes effect in April 2027:
April 2027: Entry via Ikusei-Shuro (agriculture)
April 2030: Transition to Specified Skilled Worker (i) (same field)
April 2035: Transition to Specified Skilled Worker (ii) (8 years passed, family accompaniment begins)
April 2037: 10 years from entry, PR application
Conclusion
The 11-field expansion of Specified Skilled Worker (ii) has made the PR path significantly more realistic for foreign workers. The Ikusei-Shuro → Specified Skilled Worker (i) → (ii) long-term career path is institutionally established, enabling planned PR eligibility.
Critical practical points: - After June 2025 PR revocation expansion, proper tax/social insurance payment is consistently critical from pre-grant through post-grant - Maintain status continuity (zero interruption) - Employer cooperation (proper tax/social insurance withholding, document issuance)
Immediate actions (Specified Skilled Worker holders): - Preserve each year's tax certificates and social insurance payment certificates - Renew status with margin (begin preparation 2-3 months before deadline) - Prepare for family accompaniment (spouse status, children's education) - Early consultation with lawyer/scrivener (3 years before PR application)
For Specified Skilled Worker (ii), permanent residency, and residence status matters in general, consult an immigration lawyer.
