# Japan Caregiver Visa for Indians: SSW Requirements & Process > Japan caregiver visa for Indians explained simply: SSW Nursing Care eligibility, tests, COE, documents, timeline, costs and the full 2026 process. - Canonical page: https://www.navishr.com/articles/japan-caregiver-visa-for-indians - Published: 2026-09-02 - Last updated: 2026-09-02 (Updated Sep 2026) - Reviewed by: the NAVIS HR Japan Placement & Compliance Team Indian candidates can work in Japan's nursing-care field through the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) route if they meet the required conditions. The Japan caregiver visa for Indians is not a separate visa category. It is a status of residence called Specified Skilled Worker (i), in the Nursing Care field. You pass certain tests, get a job offer, and complete an immigration process. Here is each step, simply explained. ## Quick Answer **What visa do Indian caregivers need to work in Japan?** Indian caregivers need the Specified Skilled Worker (i) status of residence in the Nursing Care field. You pass the required skills and Japanese tests, sign a contract with an eligible Japanese employer, obtain a Certificate of Eligibility, and then apply for your visa in India before travelling. ## SSW Nursing Care requirements at a glance | Requirement | SSW Nursing Care (Specified Skilled Worker i) | | --- | --- | | Minimum age | 18 or above | | Health | Good health required | | General Japanese | JFT-Basic, or JLPT N4 or above | | Care Japanese test | Required — Nursing Care Japanese Language Evaluation Test (Unique to Nursing Care; a higher JLPT score does not replace it) | | Skills test | Required — Nursing Care Skills Evaluation Test | | Nursing degree | Not an immigration requirement (Individual employers may still prefer ANM, GNM or BSc Nursing) | | Japanese employer | Required — signed contract before the immigration process | | Certificate of Eligibility | Required before applying for the visa | | Maximum SSW (i) stay | 5 years in total | | Family accompaniment | Not permitted under SSW (i) | | Test exemption | Possible for those who satisfactorily completed Technical Intern Training (ii) | Sources: [Immigration Services Agency — Nursing Care field](https://www.ssw.go.jp/en/about/visa/nursing_care_1/) · [MOFA Japan — SSW overview](https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/ca/fna/ssw/us/overview/) Last verified: September 2026. Each row is explained in full below. For salary, job roles and daily life, read our main guide. [Caregiver Jobs in Japan for Indians – Complete 2026 Guide](https://www.navishr.com/articles/caregiver-jobs-in-japan-for-indians) ## What visa do Indian caregivers need to work in Japan? > **In short:** Indian caregivers need the Specified Skilled Worker (i) status of residence in the Nursing Care field. Japan created it for industries facing worker shortages. You cannot get it alone: you pass the required tests, sign a contract with a Japanese employer, then apply through Japan's immigration process. One point confuses many candidates. A visa and a status of residence are not the same thing. A visa is issued by a Japanese embassy in your country and lets you travel to Japan and request entry. A status of residence is granted by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan on arrival, and decides what you may do there. Source: [Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan — SSW overview](https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/ca/fna/ssw/us/overview/) ## Who is eligible for SSW Nursing Care? > **In short:** You must be at least 18 years old, be in good health, and prove your skills and Japanese ability through tests. No government rule says you must hold a nursing degree. Employers set their own preferences separately, so it helps to know which is which. ### Government requirements - Age 18 or above, and good health - Pass the required skills test and Japanese tests, explained in the next section - Hold a signed contract with an eligible Japanese employer Sources: [MOFA Japan](https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/ca/fna/ssw/us/overview/) · [Immigration Services Agency — Nursing Care field](https://www.ssw.go.jp/en/about/visa/nursing_care_1/) ### Employer-specific requirements Set by the hiring company or programme, not by immigration law. Some caregiver recruitment programmes or employers may prefer candidates with ANM, GNM, BSc Nursing, healthcare or caregiving backgrounds. Others may set an age range, fitness expectations for shift work, or their own interview standards. You can see the kind of [nursing care roles we recruit for in Japan](https://www.navishr.com/services/talent/nursing-jobs-in-abroad) to understand what employers typically look for. So a candidate who meets every government rule can still be rejected by one employer and chosen by another. ## What tests are required for the Japan caregiver visa? > **In short:** Three tests are normally required — the Nursing Care Skills Evaluation Test, either JFT-Basic or JLPT N4 or above, and the Nursing Care Japanese Language Evaluation Test. Nursing Care is the only SSW field that asks for the extra care-specific Japanese test. All three are available in India. The skills test covers basic care work — helping someone bathe, eat, move and communicate. The care Japanese test covers the Japanese used inside a facility, and a higher JLPT score does not replace it. Both run in India through Prometric for Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and dates change through the year. Test availability verified Sep 2026. One exemption: those who satisfactorily completed Technical Intern Training (ii) may be exempt from some tests. Source: [Immigration Services Agency — Nursing Care field](https://www.ssw.go.jp/en/about/visa/nursing_care_1/) Language is where most candidates lose time. For the exact level and study period, see our [language guide](https://www.navishr.com/articles/caregiver-jobs-in-japan-for-indians#language). ## What is a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)? > **In short:** A Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is a document issued by Japan's immigration authorities before you travel. It confirms that you meet the conditions for the status of residence you plan to hold. In simple words, Japan checks your case before you fly, not at the airport. Who applies? The application goes to a Regional Immigration Services Bureau in Japan, and an employee of the company hiring you may submit it for you. Why is it needed? The COE confirms that Japan's immigration authorities have reviewed your planned status of residence before your visa application. It is normally used when applying for a long-term work visa such as SSW. What next? The COE reaches you through your employer or recruiter, and you use it to apply for your visa in India. Sources: [ISA — Steps to working in Japan](https://www.ssw.go.jp/en/about/step/) · [ISA — Application and documents](https://www.ssw.go.jp/en/about/apply/) ## What is the step-by-step caregiver visa process from India to Japan? - Check eligibility — age, health, readiness for care work. - Learn Japanese — towards JFT-Basic or JLPT N4. - Pass the required tests. - Find an eligible Japanese employer. - Interview and receive a job offer — read the conditions before signing. - Prepare documents — passport, certificates, forms, medical report. - COE application is filed in Japan, usually by your employer. - Receive the COE — generally one to three months. - Apply for your visa in India — submitted through VFS Global. - Travel to Japan — carry your passport, COE and visa. - Complete arrival procedures — the required residence-card and address-registration steps after arrival. Sources: [ISA — Steps to working in Japan](https://www.ssw.go.jp/en/about/step/) · [Embassy of Japan in India](https://www.in.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/Visa.html) ## What documents are generally required? > **In short:** The Immigration Services Agency of Japan lists an application form completed with your company, a medical examination report, proof of passing the tests, and employer documents. Some listed items apply only to people already in Japan. | Category | Examples | | --- | --- | | Identity | Passport, photographs | | Application | Immigration forms, visa application form | | Employment | Signed contract, employer documents | | Immigration | Certificate of Eligibility (COE) | | Tests | Skills and Japanese test certificates | | Health | Medical examination report | Source: [Immigration Services Agency — Application and documents](https://www.ssw.go.jp/en/about/apply/) > **Note:** Required documents can vary depending on the applicant and the application route. Follow the list your employer and the embassy give you. ## How long can caregivers work in Japan under SSW? > **In short:** Under Specified Skilled Worker (i) you can work in Japan for a total of five years. Permission comes in shorter periods — four months, six months or one year — then renews. Nursing Care is not offered under Specified Skilled Worker (ii), because Japan has a separate long-term status for qualified care workers. That status is "Nursing Care" (Kaigo). Pass Japan's national Certified Care Worker examination while working as an SSW and you can apply to change to it, renewable without a total limit on your stay. Five years is the first stage, not the end of the road, and our [complete guide to caregiver jobs in Japan](https://www.navishr.com/articles/caregiver-jobs-in-japan-for-indians) covers what that longer career path looks like in practice. Sources: [ISA — SSW status overview](https://www.ssw.go.jp/en/about/visa/) · [ISA — SSW FAQ](https://www.ssw.go.jp/en/faq/) ## Can caregivers bring their family to Japan under SSW? > **In short:** No. Under Specified Skilled Worker (i), family members are basically not permitted to accompany you, and this applies to the Nursing Care field too. This can change later. If you obtain the Certified Care Worker qualification and move to the "Nursing Care" status, family accompaniment may become possible where requirements are met. It is not automatic — confirm your case with the Immigration Services Agency of Japan before making family plans. Source: [Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan — SSW overview](https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/ca/fna/ssw/us/overview/) ## How long does the Japan caregiver visa process take? > **In short:** There is no single official answer, because the timeline depends on you as much as on immigration. The one figure Japan publishes is for the COE: it generally takes one to three months. After the COE is issued, visa processing generally takes at least five working days once the application is accepted, though some applications take longer. The Embassy of Japan in India also notes that processing times can vary significantly and cannot be rushed, so apply well in advance. Sources: [ISA — Steps to working in Japan](https://www.ssw.go.jp/en/about/step/) · [MOFA — Visa processing period](https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/procedure/day.html) · [Embassy of Japan in India](https://www.in.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/Visa.html) > **Verified:** Processing periods last verified: September 2026. Confirm current timelines with the Embassy of Japan in India before booking travel. The rest of the timeline depends on your language study, test dates in India, how quickly an employer selects you, and your document readiness. For candidates starting from zero Japanese, language is the longest part. ## How much does the caregiver visa process cost? > **In short:** Costs vary from candidate to candidate, and only some are fixed government fees. - Visa fee: For Indian nationals, the Embassy of Japan in India charges INR 500 for a single or multiple-entry visa (from 1 July 2026), plus a separate VFS service fee. Last verified Sep 2026. - Examination fees: Set by the testing organisation; check before booking. Last verified Sep 2026. - Language training: Depends on the course and institute. - Medical examination, passport and photographs. - Travel: Airfare, plus travel to test and interview locations. - Recruitment-related costs: Where applicable, these must be explained in writing. Source: [Embassy of Japan in India — Visa information and fees](https://www.in.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/Visa.html) Ask for a written breakdown of anything you are asked to pay. ## How can Indian candidates avoid fake Japan job or visa offers? > **In short:** Be careful if you see any of these signs. - Anyone guaranteeing a visa, a job or a salary - Unclear employer details — no company name, address or facility information - Large deposits requested with no written explanation or receipt - Refusal to give you a written employment contract - Salary promised verbally but missing from the employment agreement Verify independently: check the employer, the recruiter, and the rules on the Immigration Services Agency of Japan website. The Embassy of Japan in India also warns applicants about visa-related fraud. Source: [Embassy of Japan in India](https://www.in.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/Visa.html) For the visa application itself, the Embassy lists the applicable visa fee plus the VFS service fee. Recruitment, training, examinations, medical checks and travel may involve separate costs depending on your situation — so ask for each one in writing. ## How NAVIS HR supports caregiver candidates NAVIS HR works with Indian candidates building a nursing-care career in Japan. Our support covers the stages where candidates most often get stuck: - Japanese-language preparation for JFT-Basic and JLPT N4, with care-sector vocabulary - Caregiver test preparation for both nursing care evaluation tests - Employer interview preparation, including Japanese workplace etiquette - Documentation support, so your paperwork is complete and consistent - Pre-departure preparation covering work culture and daily life in Japan > **Why this guidance comes from experience:** NAVIS HR is an overseas recruitment company headquartered in Bengaluru, with teams in Japan, Germany and Sri Lanka. Our Japan office works directly with employers, so candidates are supported on both ends of the placement. We have trained and placed Indian nursing-care candidates with employers in Japan, and we run our own Japanese-language programme preparing candidates for JFT-Basic and JLPT N4 alongside the two nursing-care tests. Every outcome depends on your own test results, employer selection and immigration approval. What we commit to is honest guidance and structured preparation. [Nursing Care Careers in Japan](https://www.navishr.com/services/talent/nursing-jobs-in-abroad) ## Conclusion The Japan caregiver visa for Indians follows a clear order: eligibility → Japanese → skill tests → employer → COE → visa → travel to Japan. Nothing here is instant, and nobody can guarantee the outcome — but it is a legal, government-defined pathway many workers have already used. Start with the language, because that is the longest step. For salary, job roles, qualifications and daily life, see [what caregiver work in Japan actually pays and involves](https://www.navishr.com/articles/caregiver-jobs-in-japan-for-indians). ## Frequently Asked Questions **Q: Is JLPT N4 enough for SSW Nursing Care?** A: No, not on its own. You need JFT-Basic or JLPT N4 or higher, and the Nursing Care Japanese Language Evaluation Test. Nursing Care is the only SSW field with this extra care-specific requirement. **Q: Do I need a nursing degree to apply?** A: No. Japan's official requirements are age, health and the required tests — not ANM, GNM or BSc Nursing. Individual employers may still prefer a healthcare background, so a nursing qualification can help during selection. **Q: What is a COE?** A: A document from Japan's immigration authorities confirming you meet the conditions for your planned status of residence. Your employer usually applies for it in Japan, it generally takes one to three months, and it makes your visa application smoother. **Q: Can my family come with me under SSW Nursing Care?** A: No. Under Specified Skilled Worker (i), family members are basically not permitted. If you later obtain the Certified Care Worker qualification and change to the "Nursing Care" status, family accompaniment may become possible — but it is not automatic. **Q: Can I apply for the visa without a Japanese employer?** A: No. A signed contract with an eligible Japanese employer is needed before the immigration process can begin. Tests qualify you to be hired; the employer and the COE make the visa possible. ## Related Reading - [Caregiver jobs in Japan: salary, roles and daily life](https://www.navishr.com/articles/caregiver-jobs-in-japan-for-indians) — The pillar guide this page supports — what the work pays and what a shift looks like. - [Nursing care careers in Japan with NAVIS HR](https://www.navishr.com/services/talent/nursing-jobs-in-abroad) — Current openings, training structure and how the selection process runs. ## Sources - [Immigration Services Agency of Japan — SSW Nursing Care field](https://www.ssw.go.jp/en/about/visa/nursing_care_1/) - [Immigration Services Agency of Japan — Steps to working in Japan](https://www.ssw.go.jp/en/about/step/) - [Immigration Services Agency of Japan — Application and required documents](https://www.ssw.go.jp/en/about/apply/) - [Immigration Services Agency of Japan — SSW status overview](https://www.ssw.go.jp/en/about/visa/) - [Immigration Services Agency of Japan — SSW FAQ](https://www.ssw.go.jp/en/faq/) - [Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan — SSW overview](https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/ca/fna/ssw/us/overview/) - [Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan — Visa processing period](https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/procedure/day.html) - [Embassy of Japan in India — Visa information and fees](https://www.in.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/Visa.html) - This guide explains publicly available immigration information in simple English, and was reviewed by the NAVIS HR Japan Placement & Compliance Team against the official sources listed above. Rules, fees, test schedules and processing times can change — always confirm the current position with the Immigration Services Agency of Japan and the Embassy of Japan in India before acting. ## About Written by Srinidhi V, SEO Lead at NAVIS HR. ## Take Action **Find out where you stand** To find out where you currently stand, the NAVIS HR counselling team can walk you through your options — language level, test readiness and the employer stage. - [Talk to NAVIS HR](https://www.navishr.com/contact)