When care facilities and providers accept foreign workers under the Specified Skilled Worker “Nursing Care” category, it is important to review together the job duties, eligibility of the receiving establishment, employment contract, examination and Japanese-language requirements, council procedures, and support plan. Imai Administrative Scrivener Office accepts consultations nationwide from companies about recruitment and hiring. Consultations on residence status from foreign nationals are also available nationwide.
Check eligible duties and facilities first
The official name of the Specified Skilled Worker field is “Nursing Care.” The core duties are physical care, such as bathing, eating, and toileting assistance tailored to the user’s physical and mental condition, and support duties such as recreational activities and assistance with functional training. Before hiring, check whether the actual duties and accepting business office meet the eligible-facility and field-specific standards set out by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. This system does not automatically allow workers to be assigned duties unrelated to nursing care.
Check candidates’ test and Japanese-language requirements
In general, candidates must pass the Nursing Care Specified Skilled Worker Evaluation Test (skills and nursing care Japanese) and also meet the requirement of either the Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese or JLPT N4 or above. Exemptions apply to some candidates, including those who have satisfactorily completed Technical Intern Training (ii) in the nursing care occupation. We carefully review each candidate’s background and certificates. Passing the tests alone does not guarantee permission for a Status of Residence; the application is reviewed together with the employment contract and application documents.
Prepare the job posting and check the accepting company’s requirements
Set out the job duties, work location, working hours, wages, whether night shifts are required, and opportunities for training and Japanese-language study clearly in the job posting and employment terms. Specified Skilled Worker “Nursing Care” requires direct employment. At each business office, the number of Specified Skilled Worker (i) workers accepted is subject to a limit based on the number of full-time care workers, including Japanese workers. Before acceptance, also check council membership, the membership certificate, written undertakings, and filing deadlines.
Clarify the SSW (i) support plan and outsourcing scope
For Specified Skilled Worker (i), prepare a Support Plan that includes pre-departure guidance, support with housing and daily-life contracts, daily-life orientation, consultation services, and regular interviews, and submit it when applying for a Status of Residence. Depending on your organization’s resources, consider whether to provide support in-house or outsource all or part of it to a Registered Support Organization. Even when outsourcing all support, check the provider’s current registration, languages supported, scope, and fees. A Registered Support Organization cannot subcontract the services it has accepted. Keep this role distinct from support with Status of Residence procedures provided by an administrative scrivener.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tests does a candidate need to take?
In general, candidates need to pass the Nursing Care Specified Skilled Worker Evaluation Test (skills and nursing care Japanese) and meet the requirement of JFT-Basic or JLPT N4 or above. Exemptions apply to some candidates, including those who have satisfactorily completed Technical Intern Training (ii) in the nursing care occupation. We assess each candidate individually based on their background, Status of Residence, and certificates.
Can they also work in home-visit services such as home-visit care?
It is possible subject to certain conditions. From April 21, 2025, Specified Skilled Workers have been permitted to work in home-visit services, but they must complete initial caregiver training or equivalent, generally have at least one year of practical experience, and meet requirements for advance reporting, explanations to users and their families, accompanied training, and emergency response arrangements. Home-visit care is not treated the same as facility-based care.
Can I also request candidate placement when consulting about recruitment?
Consulting about recruitment and job postings is separate from providing employment placement or referrals to candidates. The latter requires checking the paid employment placement licence and its scope. It is also separate from application filing and document preparation support for Status of Residence provided by an administrative scrivener. Confirm whether placement is available, as well as fees and contract terms, before making a request.
Official Resources and Related Consultation Services
Systems and public consultation services may change. Please check the latest official information when proceeding with an application. Public consultation services are separate from our office.
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We accept inquiries from companies nationwide about hiring foreign workers, job openings, and checking statuses of residence. We do not guarantee successful recruitment or approval of a status of residence.
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