Cabinet sets 2026 operating policy for SSW and Training Employment
In force
Labour
In force 23 Jan 2026
The Cabinet adopted operating policies for the Specified Skilled Worker and Training Employment systems on 23 January 2026. SSW remains sector-specific, with Type 1 limited in duration and Type 2 offering renewable residence and family eligibility in covered fields; applicants and employers must use the current field rules, test requirements and document lists.
Who it affects
Workers and employers in Japan’s specified labour-shortage fields.
Related changes in Japan
More recent updates
In force 24 Feb 2026
In force
Residency
The February 2026 guidelines retain the general good-conduct, independent-livelihood and national-interest tests, with proper fulfilment of public obligations. The usual residence rule has statutory and policy exceptions, including accelerated paths for qualifying highly skilled professionals; points, period, status and payment history must be evidenced rather than inferred from a visa label.
Who it affects: Long-term residents and highly skilled professionals planning permanent residence.
Immigration Services Agency — Permanent Residence guidelines ↗
· verified 2026-08-02
In force 5 Jan 2026
In force
Visa & immigration
The renewed online residence-application system supports Special Highly Skilled Professional applications using J-Skip and Future Creation Individual applications using J-Find. J-Skip is an alternative high-income and qualification or experience test within Highly Skilled Professional status; J-Find permits eligible recent graduates of listed universities to conduct job-search or entrepreneurship-preparation activity for up to two years.
Who it affects: Top-tier professionals and recent graduates of eligible global universities.
Immigration Services Agency — J-Skip/J-Find online applications ↗
· verified 2026-08-02
In force 16 Oct 2025
In force
Visa & immigration
Revised landing criteria effective 16 October 2025 require a qualifying Japanese business with at least ¥30 million of business assets or capital, at least one qualifying full-time employee, an appropriate office, an expert-reviewed business plan, and sufficient Japanese ability held by the manager or a full-time employee. Existing holders have transitional treatment, so renewal facts must be checked against the official guidance.
Who it affects: Foreign founders, business managers and existing holders approaching renewal.
Immigration Services Agency — Business Manager criteria ↗ · JETRO — business setup cost model ↗
· verified 2026-08-02
In force 1 Jan 2025
In force
Visa & immigration
The Startup Visa programmes were consolidated and the maximum preparation period was extended to two years. Applicants first pass a business-plan review by an approved Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Organization and then an immigration examination; the route provides time to prepare before meeting Business Manager criteria.
Who it affects: Foreign entrepreneurs who cannot yet satisfy the full Business Manager landing criteria.
METI — Startup Visa ↗
· verified 2026-08-02
In force 31 Mar 2024
In force
Visa & immigration
Japan’s Digital Nomad designated activity permits eligible remote workers to stay for six months without extension. The principal applicant must show annual income of at least ¥10 million and medical coverage of at least ¥10 million; nationality or residence eligibility and the activity limits must be checked before applying.
Who it affects: Remote workers serving organisations or clients outside Japan.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Digital Nomad visa ↗
· verified 2026-08-02