I’m the representative of Kisaragi Immigration Support Office.
In my twenties, I lived in several countries, working in agriculture and the tourism industry, and had many opportunities to connect with people from diverse backgrounds. These experiences inspired me to support foreign nationals taking on new challenges in Japan, which led me to become a certified immigration legal specialist (Gyoseishoshi).
I am a registered member of the Aichi Prefecture Administrative Scriveners Association (Registration No. 22200630).
Japan’s immigration system is built upon multiple layers of official documentation, including laws, government ordinances, ministerial orders, guidelines, and bilateral agreement documents with other countries.
As a result, understanding the complete picture requires reviewing a wide range of materials, and many people find themselves wondering “Where can I find the correct information?”
This article provides a comprehensive summary of primary source URLs and key points from various documents related to the Specified Skilled Worker “Nursing Care” visa, spanning multiple administrative agencies and related organizations.
This resource will be valuable for facility managers considering hiring foreign workers in the nursing care field, foreign nationals navigating residence procedures, and staff at registered support organizations and educational institutions involved in supporting foreign workers.
Table of Contents
Primary Sources for the Specified Skilled Worker “Nursing Care” System
This section introduces the content and URLs of primary sources regarding the overview of the Specified Skilled Worker system in the nursing care field.
These resources contain essential information that should be understood when operating recruitment services and registered support organizations in the nursing care sector for accepting foreign workers under the Specified Skilled Worker program.
Based on the basic policies decided by the Cabinet in the Inter-Ministerial Meeting, the ministers of relevant government agencies jointly establish sector-specific operational policies.
The operational policy for the nursing care sector outlines key areas including “labor shortage situation in the nursing care field,” “projected number of foreign workers to be accepted under the Specified Skilled Worker program,” “required skill and Japanese language proficiency levels,” and “job duties under the Specified Skilled Worker ‘Nursing Care’ category.”
While the sector-specific operational policies are not extensive in volume, they provide concise summaries of labor shortage situations in each sector, making them essential documents that should be reviewed at least once.
The sector-specific operational guidelines are essential documents that define how the Specified Skilled Worker system should be implemented in each sector, taking into account immigration laws, Specified Skilled Worker standards ministerial ordinances, and sector-specific policies.
The operational guidelines for the nursing care sector provide specific interpretations by relevant government agencies regarding various laws and regulations related to the Specified Skilled Worker “Nursing Care” category.
The sector-specific operational guidelines are among the most important resources for understanding the unique rules governing each sector of the Specified Skilled Worker program.
For those seeking a comprehensive understanding of the Specified Skilled Worker system in the nursing care field, these guidelines should be the first document to review.
Specific Requirements for Home-Visit Care Services
To work in home-visit care services under the Specified Skilled Worker visa status, numerous additional requirements must be met.
In addition to at least one year of work experience as a general rule (with exceptions for those with JLPT N2 equivalent proficiency), various additional regulations have been established, including the development of career advancement plans, implementation of accompanied visits, and establishment of harassment prevention measures.
In April 2025, foreign workers under the Specified Skilled Worker program were permitted to engage in home-visit care services. However, due to the relatively strict requirements, acceptance has not progressed significantly as of July 2025.
Nevertheless, there is substantial possibility that the system may be relaxed in the future, making it necessary to pay close attention to the latest developments.
While the basic screening criteria for Specified Skilled Worker visa applications are common across all industrial sectors, some required documents may differ due to sector-specific requirements.
From this point forward, we will provide detailed explanations of the various procedures necessary to obtain residence permits.
Immigration Applications
Residence permit applications processed at Immigration Services Bureaus include “Certificate of Eligibility applications,” “Period of Stay extension applications,” and “Change of Status of Residence applications.”
While the legal basis for required documents spans multiple laws and regulations including the Immigration Control Act, Immigration Control Act enforcement regulations, and operational guidelines, the Immigration Services Agency website provides organized lists of documents to be submitted.
Although Specified Skilled Worker applications require a wide range of documents, frequent system revisions make it essential to always verify the latest required documents on the Immigration Services Agency’s official website when filing applications.
In immigration applications, even if incorrect documents are submitted, the review process will begin as long as formal requirements are met. This means that filing applications without understanding accurate information could result in unexpected disadvantages.
Additionally, since submitted application documents are generally not returned, it is crucial to keep copies on hand when preparing documents.
Employers accepting Specified Skilled Workers must join the council prior to accepting foreign workers.
The council for the nursing care sector is operated by the “Japan International Corporation of Welfare Services (JICWELS),” a public interest incorporated foundation commissioned by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
Note that in the nursing care sector, registered support organizations are not required to join the council.
Employers hiring Specified Skilled Workers must complete their council membership before filing visa applications with immigration services.
Since the process takes approximately two weeks, it is advisable to apply for membership well in advance.
The “Council Membership Certificate” required for immigration applications has a validity period: one year for the initial period, and four years after renewal.
Companies employing Specified Skilled Workers must submit regular reports to the Immigration Services Agency once annually.
Additionally, they are obligated to file occasional reports in various situations, such as changes to employment contracts or suspension of worker acceptance.
While violations of reporting obligations may result in penalties, the preparation of report documents cannot be delegated to registered support organizations under the current system.
Furthermore, since registered support organizations have no obligation to assist with reporting duties, employers accepting foreign workers must properly understand the system requirements themselves.
Primary Sources Related to Japanese Language Tests for Nursing Care
To obtain the Specified Skilled Worker “Nursing Care” visa status, applicants must meet specified Japanese language proficiency standards.
Specifically, candidates must pass the “Care Worker Japanese Language Evaluation Test” and either the “Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N4 or higher” or the “Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese (JFT-Basic).”
Here, we introduce an overview of each test along with links to their official websites.
Care Worker Japanese Language Evaluation Test
The Care Worker Japanese Language Evaluation Test is designed to verify whether candidates possess the Japanese language proficiency required for working in the nursing care field under the Specified Skilled Worker program.
The test is administered using a computer-based testing (CBT) format, with examination fees varying by country.
Please note that if candidates fail this test, they cannot retake it for 45 days.
Additionally, those who have successfully completed the Technical Intern Training Program Level 2 in “Care Work” are exempt from taking the Care Worker Japanese Language Evaluation Test when transitioning to the Specified Skilled Worker program.
The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N4 is an examination designed to assess whether candidates “can understand basic Japanese.”
The test is administered twice annually in July and December, and is held in numerous cities both domestically and internationally.
Within Japan, the test can be taken in all 47 prefectures.
Foreign nationals who have successfully completed Technical Intern Training Level 2 are exempt from passing the JLPT (N4) or JFT-Basic tests, regardless of the specific occupation or work category they completed.
Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese (JFT-Basic)
The Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese (JFT-Basic) is an examination designed to measure the Japanese language proficiency of foreign nationals entering Japan for employment purposes.
The test aims to determine whether candidates possess “the ability to engage in daily conversation to some extent and function in daily life without significant difficulty.”
The examination is administered using a computer-based testing (CBT) format, with results provided immediately upon test completion.
While this test is offered in fewer cities compared to the JLPT (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test), it is administered more frequently.
Additionally, as a CBT-format examination that allows candidates to select any date within a designated period, it offers the advantage of flexible scheduling arrangements.
Primary Sources Related to Skills Tests for Nursing Care
To obtain residence permits for the Specified Skilled Worker “Nursing Care” category, candidates must pass the Care Worker Skills Evaluation Test.
Here, we introduce an overview of the skills test for the nursing care field along with links to related primary information sources.
Care Worker Skills Evaluation Test
The Care Worker Skills Evaluation Test is an examination designed to verify the skill level required to obtain the Specified Skilled Worker “Nursing Care” visa status.
The test covers knowledge and technical skills related to nursing care work, consisting of a total of 45 questions.
The examination is administered using a computer-based testing (CBT) format and can be taken at venues both domestically and internationally.
Those who have successfully completed Technical Intern Training Level 2 in “Care Work” are exempt from taking the Care Worker Skills Evaluation Test when transitioning to the Specified Skilled Worker program.
Primary Sources Common to All Specified Skilled Worker Sectors
The Specified Skilled Worker system operates based on multiple laws and regulations.
Here, we introduce the major laws and regulations that relate to the overall system.
This information will be particularly valuable for staff at registered support organizations and educational institutions, as well as anyone seeking to learn more about immigration law.
Immigration Laws and Regulations
Immigration laws and regulations constitute extremely important rules that define the foundation of foreign worker acceptance systems, including the Specified Skilled Worker program.
When issues arise in application procedures or residence management, understanding the laws that form the basis of these systems is essential for assessing the magnitude of risks and determining appropriate responses.
This section explains the regulatory content of each law and regulation, along with their respective levels of importance.
Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (Immigration Control Act)
The Immigration Control Act is the fundamental law governing Japan’s foreign worker acceptance system, establishing regulations for foreign nationals’ entry, status of residence, various application procedures, deportation, and penalties.
The basic framework of systems such as the Specified Skilled Worker status of residence and registered support organizations is established based on this Immigration Control Act.
The Immigration Control Act is the most important law for understanding the overall picture of Japan’s foreign worker acceptance system.
However, since the legal provisions alone are often difficult to understand, those seeking to learn about the system should consider utilizing supplementary resources such as explanatory guides.
The Immigration Control Act Enforcement Order establishes regulations for application procedure fees, immigration officer rankings, and delegation of authority to administrative agencies.
However, there are not many opportunities to directly reference the enforcement order in foreign worker acceptance procedures.
The Immigration Control Act Enforcement Order is rarely used in practical application work.
When application fees are increased, this government ordinance is amended.
The Immigration Control Act Enforcement Regulations are Ministry of Justice ordinances that establish detailed provisions of the Immigration Control Act, covering specific content of application procedures, required documents, periods of stay, representatives, and the application agency system.
The Immigration Control Act Enforcement Regulations are essential ministerial ordinances that cannot be avoided when understanding Immigration Control Act rules, as they establish required documents and application agency rules for each status of residence.
For anyone involved in immigration applications, these regulations contain numerous essential provisions that must be understood.
The Landing Standards Ministerial Ordinance is a ministerial ordinance that establishes additional criteria for each status of residence that foreign nationals must meet when landing in Japan.
For the Specified Skilled Worker category, this ordinance stipulates rules regarding age, health status, skill level, Japanese language proficiency level, and fee collection.
The Landing Standards Ministerial Ordinance originally establishes criteria that foreign nationals should meet when newly entering Japan.
However, in practice, it also applies when foreign nationals residing in Japan apply for changes of status of residence or extensions of period of stay, making it an extremely important ministerial ordinance.
Understanding the Landing Standards Ministerial Ordinance enables specific comprehension of what becomes subject to review in immigration applications.
e-GOV Legal Search | Ministerial Ordinance Establishing Standards under Article 7, Paragraph 1, Item 2 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
(URL: https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/402M50000010016/)
Specified Skilled Worker System (All Sectors)
From this point forward, we will explain the rules common to all sectors of the Specified Skilled Worker program.
This content is extremely important for those seeking to understand the overall picture of the Specified Skilled Worker system and for those operating foreign worker recruitment services and registered support organizations.
The Specified Skilled Worker Standards Ministerial Ordinance is a Ministry of Justice ordinance that establishes specific rules regarding the Specified Skilled Worker program, stipulating employment contract standards, standards for accepting companies, and standards for support plan content.
The content of mandatory support and the handling of disqualification periods for accepting companies are also defined in this ministerial ordinance.
Understanding the content of this ordinance enables comprehension of what constitutes fundamental elements of the system, such as “Specified Skilled Worker employment contracts” and “Specified Skilled Worker support plans.” It contains essential content that must be understood when operating registered support organizations or Specified Skilled Worker recruitment services.
e-GOV Legal Search | Ministerial Ordinance Establishing Standards for Specified Skilled Worker Employment Contracts and Type 1 Specified Skilled Worker Support Plans
(URL: https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/431M60000010005/)
Official Notice Designating Specific Industrial Sectors
The industrial sectors eligible for acceptance under the Specified Skilled Worker program are designated by this official notice.
When sectors are added, this notice is amended, and system operations begin from the effective date.
While this is an important notice that designates eligible sectors for acceptance, there is no particular need to read it due to its limited information content.
Immigration Services Agency | Official Notice Designating Specific Industrial Sectors Based on Provisions of the Ministerial Ordinance Establishing Standards under Article 7, Paragraph 1, Item 2 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the Ministerial Ordinance Establishing Standards for Specified Skilled Worker Employment Contracts and Type 1 Specified Skilled Worker Support Plans
(URL: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001425330.pdf)
Cabinet Decision on Specified Skilled Worker (Inter-Ministerial Meeting)
The basic policies for the Specified Skilled Worker system are established through Cabinet decisions.
Based on these basic policies, relevant government agencies for each sector develop their respective sector-specific operational policies.
An overview of labor shortage situations by sector and projected acceptance numbers are indicated through these sector-specific operational policies.
The sector-specific policies are convenient resources that summarize labor shortage situations in each sector. Since these are low-volume materials, there is no need to read them repeatedly.
Bilateral cooperation memorandums are agreement documents exchanged between the Japanese government and sending country governments regarding the Specified Skilled Worker system.
Since the acceptance of foreign workers must comply with the legal systems of both Japan and the sending countries, these memorandums are concluded to coordinate differences in systems and operations between countries.
For example, whether the use of sending organizations is mandatory is determined by bilateral cooperation memorandums with each country.
These are essential documents that must be reviewed when contracting with sending organizations or proceeding with actual acceptance procedures. Read the necessary country’s memorandum at the appropriate timing.
Specified Skilled Worker Operational Guidelines and Foreign Worker Support Guidelines
The Specified Skilled Worker Operational Guidelines are documents that consolidate the complex Specified Skilled Worker system spanning various laws and regulations, providing guidance on legal interpretations by the Immigration Services Agency and relevant sectoral government agencies.
The Foreign Worker Support Guidelines present the Immigration Services Agency’s interpretations regarding legal support rules for Specified Skilled Workers.
For those seeking to understand the overall picture of the Specified Skilled Worker system, we recommend first reviewing the “Specified Skilled Worker Operational Guidelines.” These operational guidelines are among the most important resources in the Specified Skilled Worker system and are indispensable for understanding the system.
Those seeking to learn more deeply about the system will find that repeated reading will further deepen their understanding.
Immigration law systems undergo frequent legal revisions and are inherently difficult to understand, making it extremely challenging to find highly accurate secondary sources.
Since primary sources such as legal provisions and information disseminated by the Immigration Services Agency are often complex, there may be a temptation to rely on secondary sources that are expressed in simpler terms.
However, because application procedures are critical decisions that significantly impact foreign nationals’ lives, we strongly recommend always reviewing primary sources or consulting with trusted specialists when making final decisions.
This article is a translation of the original Japanese version.
This section introduces the content and URLs of primary sources regarding the overview of the Specified Skilled Worker system in the nursing care field.
While the basic screening criteria for Specified Skilled Worker visa applications are common across all industrial sectors, some required documents may differ due to sector-specific requirements.
To obtain the Specified Skilled Worker “Nursing Care” visa status, applicants must meet specified Japanese language proficiency standards.
To obtain residence permits for the Specified Skilled Worker “Nursing Care” category, candidates must pass the Care Worker Skills Evaluation Test.
The Specified Skilled Worker system operates based on multiple laws and regulations.
