Key Takeaways

• Since Japan's March 2025 test policy, applications for SSW-related tests must come directly from the applicant. Brokers who charge fees to apply for you are meant to be excluded.
• Both JFT-Basic and the field skills tests are applied for online, in your own name, with your own email and passport details.
• Typical cost in the Philippines is about PHP 3,000 per test, paid to the official test provider. There is no "slot fee," "priority fee," or "processing fee."
• Passing a test never guarantees a visa or a job. It only makes you eligible.
• Keep your own login, your own result certificate, and your own copies. Never hand your account to someone else.

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Why Japan changed the rules

For years, "fixers" in the Philippines and other countries built a business around SSW tests. They would register applicants in bulk, hold the login details, charge a markup on the test fee, and sometimes sell test slots that were meant to be free to book. Some also promised "guaranteed pass" packages.

In March 2025, Japan's government issued a policy for the SSW tests that closes most of those doors. The main points:

• Test applications must come directly from the applicant.
• Brokers who charge fees for applying are to be excluded from the process.
• Passing a test does not guarantee a visa.
• Minimum age to take the tests is 17.
• Results show your score and the pass mark.
• Japanese used in the skills tests has furigana, so the skills test is not a hidden Japanese test.

The practical effect for you: you are expected to do the registration yourself. That is good news. It is not hard, and it protects you.

What you need before you start

Gather these before you open the registration site:

• A valid passport (the name on your test account must match your passport exactly)
• Your own email address that you check regularly
• A mobile number
• A clear photo of yourself if the test requires one
• A way to pay online or at an authorized payment partner (varies by test)
• A calendar with your agency deadlines, if you already have an agency

Do not use an agency's email or a fixer's phone number. Results, reschedule notices, and certificates go to the email on the account. If it is not yours, you do not control your own result.

Step by step: JFT-Basic

JFT-Basic is run by the Japan Foundation and delivered as a computer-based test through an authorized test delivery company. As of 2026 the general flow in the Philippines is:

1. Go to the official JFT-Basic page on the Japan Foundation website and follow the link to the test delivery partner's registration site. Type the address yourself. Do not click links from Facebook groups.
2. Create an account in your own name. Use your passport name, your email, your phone.
3. Choose a test center and date. Manila has the most dates; some regional cities also have centers. Sessions fill up, so check early.
4. Pay the test fee. Typical fee is around PHP 3,000. Confirm the current amount on the official page. Pay only through the method shown on the official site.
5. Save the confirmation email and your test ID. Print it or keep a screenshot.
6. On test day, bring your passport and the confirmation. Arrive early. The test is about 60 minutes.
7. Results appear in your account, usually within a few weeks. Download the result sheet. It shows your score and the pass mark.

If you fail, there is a waiting period before you can retake. Book your first attempt with enough buffer.

Step by step: the skills test for your field

Each SSW field has its own test, run by a Japanese industry body designated for that field (for example, caregiving, food service, agriculture, construction, and others). The test level is Trade Skill Test grade 3 equivalent. The flow is similar:

1. Find your field's official test page. The Immigration Services Agency of Japan lists the SSW fields and the organizations that run each test. Start there, not from a search-engine ad.
2. Read the test guide for your field. It tells you the format (written, practical, or both), the language, the number of questions, and the pass mark. The Japanese in the questions has furigana.
3. Register in your own name through the official registration system. Many fields use the same test delivery company as JFT-Basic, so your account may work for both. Check.
4. Choose date and center. Some fields hold tests in the Philippines only a few times a year. Missing a date can cost months.
5. Pay the fee to the official provider. Again, typically about PHP 3,000. No extra fees.
6. Prepare with the official study materials. Most field bodies publish free study texts and sample questions in English and Japanese.
7. Take the test, download the result. Your result certificate is what the employer will attach to your COE application.

See /tests for a field-by-field overview.

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What fixers say, and what is true

"I can get you a slot faster." Slots are booked first come, first served on the official site. Nobody has a back door. If they do, it is against the rules and your registration can be cancelled.

"The fee is PHP 8,000 including processing." The fee is what the official site says. Anything above that is going into someone's pocket.

"Give me your login and I will handle it." Then they own your result. They can hold it hostage, use it to pressure you into a specific agency, or sell it. Never share your login.

"Guaranteed pass." No one can guarantee a test result. This phrase alone should end the conversation.

"You need to apply through an agency." You need a DMW-licensed agency for deployment. You do not need any agency to register for a test. Those are two different things.

"If you pass, the visa is automatic." Passing a test never guarantees a visa. The employer applies for your COE, immigration decides, then the embassy issues the visa, then the DMW issues your OEC.

If you are already with an agency

A legitimate agency may help you by telling you which test to take and when the deadlines are. It may even sit with you while you register. That is fine. What it should not do is register on your behalf using its own contact details, charge you above the official fee, or keep your result certificate. Ask the agency to confirm in writing that you register in your own name and keep your own account. Use /check for more questions to ask.

Keep your own records

Make a folder, physical or on your phone, with:

• Registration confirmation for each test
• Payment receipt from the official provider
• Result sheet showing score and pass mark
• Screenshots of the official fee page on the date you paid

If a dispute ever comes up with an agency or a fixer, these documents are your evidence. If someone illegally collected fees for a test application, you can report it to the DMW. Referring or advertising jobs abroad without a DMW license, and collecting unauthorized fees, are illegal recruitment under Philippine law. See /scam.

The bottom line

Registering yourself takes an hour and costs the official fee. Letting a fixer do it costs more money and hands them control over your future. Japan's rules now expect you to do it yourself. Do it yourself.

Sources

• Immigration Services Agency of Japan / Ministry of Justice: March 2025 policy on SSW tests, list of SSW fields and designated test organizations
• Japan Foundation: JFT-Basic registration and test guide
• JLPT
• Department of Migrant Workers (DMW): reporting illegal recruitment, licensed agency verification
• Philippine Labor Code Art. 13(b); RA 8042 as amended by RA 10022
• Hanapon: /tests, /check, /scam

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Key Takeaways

• Every SSW (i) worker must receive support from either the employer directly or a registered support organization (toroku shien kikan) approved by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.
• The support plan covers pre-arrival orientation, airport pickup, housing, city hall registration, bank account, Japanese learning, complaints, and a check-in interview at least every 3 months.
• Roughly 1,800 registered support organizations list Tagalog as a language they can support in. You can ask for one that does.
• The support organization must never charge you. Their fee is paid by the employer.
• If support is missing or you are being charged, you can report it, and the organization can lose its registration.

More guides on Life in Japan at hanapon.org. Free, no job ads, no agency fees.

Why this system exists

Japan learned from TITP. Under the old training program, many workers had nobody to turn to when a problem came up: a contract that did not match reality, a landlord who would not rent to foreigners, a payslip they could not read. So when SSW was created, Japan required that every SSW (i) worker be supported by someone whose job is to make daily life work.

An employer can do this itself if it meets certain conditions. Most do not, so they contract a registered support organization, which is registered with and monitored by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan. It must have staff who can communicate in a language you understand, and it must follow a written support plan submitted with your Certificate of Eligibility application. Your support plan is part of your immigration paperwork. It is not a favor. It is a condition of your status.

What the support plan must include

The Immigration Services Agency lists ten areas of required support. In plain language:

1. Pre-arrival orientation. Before you leave the Philippines, they must explain your work conditions, what you can and cannot do in Japan, how to get to your workplace, and what daily life will cost. This can be online. It must be in a language you understand.

2. Airport pickup and send-off. They meet you at the airport when you arrive and take you to your housing. When you leave Japan at the end of your contract, they see you off as well.

3. Housing and life setup. They help you secure housing (acting as guarantor or providing company housing if needed), open a bank account, get a mobile phone contract, and set up utilities.

4. Life orientation after arrival. How to use the trains, separate garbage, handle emergencies, use the clinic, and what the local rules are.

5. Accompanying you to government offices. City hall for resident registration and health insurance, the pension office, tax office. They go with you if you need it.

6. Japanese language learning opportunities. They must give you information about classes or materials, and help you access them. They do not have to pay for a private school, but they cannot leave you without options.

7. Handling consultations and complaints. If you have a problem at work or in daily life, you can bring it to them. They must respond in a language you understand and take appropriate action, including contacting the relevant authorities.

8. Promoting interaction with Japanese people. Local events and community groups. Isolation is one of the biggest reasons workers give up.

9. Support for changing jobs if your contract ends through no fault of yours. If the company closes or lays you off, they must help you find a new employer in the same field.

10. Regular check-in interviews. At least once every 3 months, they must meet you and your supervisor face to face and confirm that your working conditions match your contract. If they find a problem, such as a labor law violation, they are required to report it.

The 3-month check-in: what to expect

This is the part of the system that gives you real protection, so use it.

Every three months, a staff member sits down with you and asks about your hours, pay, housing, relationships at work, and health. They also speak with your supervisor separately. This is not a performance review. The purpose is to catch problems early.

Be honest. If your payslip shows a deduction you do not understand, bring the payslip. If overtime is not being paid, say so. The staff are required to act, and if they do not, you can go over their heads to the immigration office or the Labor Standards Inspection Office.

If your support organization is not holding these interviews, or is holding them with the boss in the room and no chance to speak privately, that is a failure on their side. Write down the dates.

The rule that cannot be broken: you pay nothing

A registered support organization is paid by the employer. The law says the cost of support must not be charged to the worker, directly or indirectly. That means:

• No monthly "support fee" from your salary
• No "registration fee" when you arrive
• No charge for the airport pickup, the orientation, or the interviews
• No "translation fee" for helping you at city hall
• No fee hidden inside a housing charge that is far above local rent

This rule is the same in spirit as the placement fee rule on the Philippine side. On the Philippine side, Japan-bound workers pay no placement fee. On the Japanese side, workers pay nothing for support. If money is flowing from you to anyone for the privilege of working in Japan, something is wrong.

Housing rent and utilities that are stated in your contract at a reasonable amount are not support fees. That is the one legitimate line. Everything else is not.

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Asking for Tagalog

As of 2026, roughly 1,800 registered support organizations list Tagalog among the languages they can support in. When you are matched with an employer, ask which support organization they use and whether it has Tagalog-speaking staff. If not, ask whether the employer can choose one that does. This is a fair request. A support organization that relies on machine translation for a 3-month interview is not what the system intends. Push for a real interpreter.

Signs of a good one, and a bad one

Good: staff contact you before you leave the Philippines, someone is actually at the airport, your first-week checklist gets done (city hall, bank, phone), they answer their phone, and interviews happen on schedule with time alone with the staff.

Bad: you cannot name your support organization, "support" is one message and then silence, the interview is a form you sign without a conversation, any money request for any reason, or they discourage you from contacting the immigration office or a labor office.

What to do if support is failing

1. Write down what is missing and when. Dates and screenshots.
2. Raise it with the support organization in writing first.
3. If nothing changes, contact the Immigration Services Agency of Japan. The agency can inspect and deregister support organizations that fail their duties.
4. For labor issues (unpaid wages, illegal deductions, dangerous conditions), contact the Labor Standards Inspection Office. They handle complaints from foreign workers.
5. For serious situations, contact the Philippine Embassy or the MWO in Tokyo or Osaka. OWWA services are available to you as a member.

You do not need permission from your employer to do any of these.

Before you sign, ask three questions

• Which registered support organization will support me, and what is its registration number?
• Does it have Tagalog-speaking staff?
• Can I see the support plan that will be submitted with my COE?

Those three questions will tell you a lot about the employer. Add them to your list at /check. No one can promise you a visa or a job, but once you are in Japan under SSW, the support plan is something you are entitled to. Use it.

Sources

• Immigration Services Agency of Japan / Ministry of Justice: registered support organization system, required support plan items, list of registered support organizations by language
• Department of Migrant Workers (DMW): Migrant Workers Office (MWO) Tokyo and Osaka
• OWWA: welfare services for members abroad
• Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: Labor Standards Inspection Office consultation for foreign workers
• Philippine Labor Code Art. 13(b); RA 8042 as amended by RA 10022
• Hanapon: /check, /routes, /money

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Key Takeaways

• There are three labels you will hear: TITP (Technical Intern Training), SSW (Specified Skilled Worker), and Ikusei Shuro (Employment for Skill Development). They are not the same thing.
• TITP is the old training route. It is being phased out and replaced by Ikusei Shuro, which starts in 2027.
• SSW is for people who can already pass a skills test and a Japanese test. It pays as a regular job and, at SSW (ii), can lead to long-term stay with family.
• Ikusei Shuro is designed as a 3-year on-ramp that ends in SSW. Unlike TITP, it allows changing employer after a set period.
• Whichever route you take from the Philippines, you still need a DMW-licensed agency, a COE, a visa, and an OEC.

More guides on Work Visas & SSW at hanapon.org. Free, no job ads, no agency fees.

Why there are three names

For about 30 years, the main door for Filipinos without a college degree was TITP, the Technical Intern Training Program. In 2019 Japan opened SSW for people who could prove their skill directly. Japan has since passed a law to replace TITP with a new system called Ikusei Shuro, scheduled to begin in 2027.

So as of 2026, all three names are in circulation. Some agencies still say "trainee" out of habit, and some Japanese companies still have TITP workers under the old rules, while new applicants are pointed toward SSW or told to wait for Ikusei Shuro. This post sorts it out. For a visual map, see /routes.

TITP: the old training route

What it is. TITP was officially a training program, not a job. The idea was that you learn a skill in Japan and bring it home. In reality most participants worked full shifts in factories, farms, food processing, or construction.

Structure. TITP No. 1 was the first year. TITP No. 2 was years two and three, after passing a basic skills test. TITP No. 3 allowed up to two more years in some cases.

Main weaknesses. You could not change employer except in narrow circumstances. That trapped some workers in bad situations. Family could not join. And because it was labeled "training," pay was often at the minimum wage level.

Why it still matters in 2026. If you completed TITP No. 2 in good standing, you can move to SSW in the same field without taking the skills test or the Japanese test. That is a real advantage for former trainees. Also, workers already in Japan under TITP will continue under TITP rules until their program ends, even after 2027.

Should a new applicant choose TITP now? In most cases, no. The program is closing to new entrants as Ikusei Shuro starts. If an agency in 2026 is still pushing a "trainee" contract, ask exactly which status of residence you will receive and when the program ends. Get it in writing.

SSW: the direct route for people with skills

What it is. SSW is a work status, not training. You are hired as a regular employee under Japanese labor law, and your pay should be at the level of a Japanese worker doing the same job.

What you need. A passing score on the skills test for your field (set at Trade Skill Test grade 3 equivalent) plus JFT-Basic at A2 or JLPT N4 or higher. Minimum age is 17. Tests are applied for by you directly; brokers charging fees for test applications are to be excluded under Japan's March 2025 policy. See /tests.

Two levels. SSW (i) allows up to 5 years total, no family. SSW (ii) has no limit on stay and allows family. Not every field has an SSW (ii) path yet, so check your field.

Money. Typical gross salary for SSW (i) as of 2026 is in the range of JPY 180,000 to 250,000 per month, depending on field and region. After deductions for health insurance, pension, employment insurance, income tax, and housing, take-home is lower. We cover this in the salary post and at /money.

Support. Every SSW (i) worker gets support from the employer or a registered support organization: help with housing, paperwork, and a check-in interview every 3 months. This support must be free to you.

Who it fits. Someone who can study Japanese to A2 in the Philippines, pass the skills test, and wants to be paid as a worker from day one. It also fits former TITP No. 2 completers who want to return without tests.

Ikusei Shuro: the new on-ramp starting 2027

What it is. Ikusei Shuro, often translated as "Employment for Skill Development," is the replacement for TITP. Japan designed it to fix the biggest complaints about TITP while still giving people with lower starting skills a way in.

Structure, as announced. You spend 3 years in Ikusei Shuro, then transition to SSW (i). You take a Japanese test before departure. You take a basic skills test at around the 1-year mark and a grade-3 level skills test by the end of year 3. Passing those puts you on the same footing as someone who entered SSW directly.

The big change. Employer change is allowed after a set period, under conditions. This is the single most important difference from TITP. It means you are not locked into one company for three years no matter what happens.

What we do not know yet. As of 2026, details such as the exact waiting period before transfer and the final list of fields are still being finalized. Anyone who tells you the "final" Ikusei Shuro rules today is guessing. Confirm on the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, OTIT, and DMW websites.

Who it fits. Someone with little work experience or lower Japanese ability who wants a structured path and can wait until 2027.

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Side-by-side comparison

How to decide

Ask yourself three questions.

1. Can I reach JFT-Basic A2 in the Philippines? If yes, SSW is usually the faster and better-paid route. If you are far from A2, Ikusei Shuro may fit better once it opens.

2. Do I have relevant experience? SSW skills tests assume you know the basics of the field. Caregiving, food service, and agriculture tests are passed by many first-timers who study, but you need to prepare. If you have no experience at all and no time to prepare, the Ikusei Shuro design is meant for you.

3. Am I a former TITP No. 2 completer? If yes, you can go straight to SSW without tests. Do not let anyone make you retake tests or pay for "conversion."

The parts that do not change

Whatever route you choose, from the Philippines the process still requires:

• A DMW-licensed agency (you cannot self-deploy)
• A Japanese employer registered with the DMW through the MWO in Tokyo or Osaka
• A Certificate of Eligibility applied for by the employer
• A visa from the Embassy of Japan (fee waived for Filipinos)
• An OEC from the DMW, shown at the airport
• No placement fee. None.

Passing a test never guarantees a visa, and no agency can promise you a job. What a good agency can do is match you with a registered employer and process your papers legally. Use /check before you commit to anyone.

Sources

• Immigration Services Agency of Japan / Ministry of Justice: Specified Skilled Worker, Ikusei Shuro (Employment for Skill Development) legislation, March 2025 test policy
• OTIT (Organization for Technical Intern Training): TITP rules and transition to SSW
• Department of Migrant Workers (DMW): licensed agencies, MWO Tokyo and Osaka, OEC
• OWWA: PDOS
• Japan Foundation: JFT-Basic
• JLPT
• Philippine Labor Code Art. 13(b); RA 8042 as amended by RA 10022
• Hanapon: /routes, /tests, /check, /money

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Key Takeaways

• JFT-Basic is a computer-based Japanese test run by the Japan Foundation. Passing at A2 satisfies the Japanese requirement for SSW. JLPT N4 or higher is the alternative.
• A2 means you can handle simple, everyday situations: greetings, shopping, directions, short workplace instructions. It does not mean fluent.
• The test has four sections: script and vocabulary, conversation and expression, listening, and reading. Results show your score and the pass mark.
• You apply yourself, directly, through the official test provider. Do not pay a broker to apply for you.
• Passing JFT-Basic makes you eligible to be hired for SSW. It does not guarantee a job or a visa.

More guides on Tests & Japanese at hanapon.org. Free, no job ads, no agency fees.

What JFT-Basic is

JFT-Basic stands for Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese. The Japan Foundation is the Japanese government's cultural body, and it built this test specifically for people planning to work in Japan under SSW. That is why it focuses on practical daily and workplace Japanese rather than grammar theory.

Key facts as of 2026:

• Computer-based test (CBT), taken at an authorized test center
• Offered in the Philippines many times a year, in Manila and some regional cities (check the official site for current locations)
• About 60 minutes of testing time
• Results are usually available within a few weeks; the result sheet shows your score and the pass mark
• Minimum age to take Japan's SSW-related tests is 17

The pass mark is set at the A2 level of the Japanese standard based on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). If you reach it, you have met the Japanese language requirement for SSW. See /tests for how JFT-Basic fits with the skills test.

What "A2" actually means

People get scared by the letter and number. Do not be. A2 is the second of six CEFR levels, and it is described as "basic user." In practice, an A2 speaker can:

• Introduce themselves and answer simple questions about work, family, and daily life
• Understand short, clear instructions like "please put this in the refrigerator" or "the meeting starts at 3"
• Read simple signs, menus, schedules, and short messages
• Ask for help, prices, times, and directions
• Handle routine exchanges at a store, station, or clinic

An A2 speaker cannot follow a fast conversation between two Japanese people, read a newspaper, or write a formal email. That is fine. SSW workers learn on the job. What Japan wants to know is whether you can stay safe and follow basic instructions from your first day.

To compare with the JLPT, A2 is roughly at the level of JLPT N4. If you already have N4 or higher, you do not need JFT-Basic.

The four sections

1. Script and vocabulary. Reading hiragana, katakana, and basic kanji, and knowing everyday words. Expect questions where you match a word to a picture or pick the correct reading. You need all of hiragana and katakana solid, plus roughly 200 to 300 common kanji at recognition level. The test uses furigana in many places, so recognizing is more important than writing.

2. Conversation and expression. Choosing the right phrase for a situation. For example, what do you say when you arrive at work, when you leave early, when you did not understand. This section rewards people who have practiced set phrases out loud.

3. Listening. Short audio clips of announcements, instructions, and simple dialogues. You listen and choose the correct answer on screen. Audio plays at a natural but not fast speed. Many Filipinos find this the hardest section because study apps do not train the ear enough.

4. Reading. Short texts: a notice on a wall, a text message, a schedule, a simple product label. You answer what it says or what you should do.

How the test is scored

The result shows your total score and the pass mark, so you will know exactly how close you were. Results are reported on a scale; the official site publishes the current pass mark. If you fail, you can take the test again. There is a waiting period between attempts, so plan your first attempt with enough buffer before any agency deadline.

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A realistic study plan

Most Filipino adults studying part time need somewhere between 6 and 12 months to reach A2 from zero. People who already know some Japanese from anime or a previous job can be faster. Here is a plan that has worked for many self-learners.

Month 1: scripts. Learn hiragana and katakana until you can read them without thinking. Use flashcards and write each character by hand. Do not move on until reading is automatic.

Months 2 to 4: core grammar and vocabulary. Work through a beginner textbook (the Japan Foundation publishes its own "Irodori" materials, which are free and match the test content). Learn the polite forms first, since that is what you will use at work. Aim for 800 to 1,000 words.

Months 3 to 6: listening every day. Twenty minutes a day of listening to beginner Japanese with a transcript. Listen, then read, then listen again. This is the part most people skip and the reason they fail the listening section.

Months 5 to 8: practice tests and workplace phrases. The Japan Foundation publishes sample questions. Do them under time pressure. Learn the standard phrases for your target field, such as caregiving or food service, since the skills test uses them too.

Final month: review weak areas. Take a full sample test, find your lowest section, and spend most of your time there.

If you can afford a class, a good one gives you speaking practice and a schedule. If you cannot, the free materials plus discipline are enough for A2. Do not pay for a "guaranteed pass" course. Nobody can guarantee a test result, and the phrase itself is a warning sign.

Applying for the test

You must apply yourself, in your own name, directly through the official test provider's registration system. Japan's March 2025 test policy says applications must come from the applicant, and brokers who charge fees to apply for you are to be excluded. Typical cost in the Philippines is about PHP 3,000, paid to the test provider. If anyone offers to "reserve a slot" for an extra fee, walk away. We have a step-by-step guide on applying without fixers.

Common mistakes

• Cramming vocabulary lists without listening. You will know the words on paper and freeze when you hear them.
• Studying only romaji. The test is in Japanese script. Romaji will slow you down.
• Skipping katakana. Many workplace words (machine names, food names, chemicals) are written in katakana.
• Treating the pass as the finish line. The skills test also uses Japanese. The better your Japanese, the easier that test is, and the easier your first months in Japan will be.

After you pass

A JFT-Basic pass makes you eligible on the language side. You still need the skills test for your field, a DMW-licensed agency, a registered Japanese employer, a COE, a visa, and an OEC. Passing does not guarantee any of those. What it does guarantee is that you have done the part that is fully within your own control. That is worth something. Kaya mo 'yan.

Sources

• Japan Foundation: JFT-Basic official test guide, sample questions, and "Irodori" learning materials
• JLPT (Japan Foundation and JEES): N4 level description
• Immigration Services Agency of Japan / Ministry of Justice: Japanese language requirement for SSW, March 2025 test policy
• Department of Migrant Workers (DMW): deployment requirements for Japan
• Hanapon: /tests, /check, /scam

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Key Takeaways

• SSW (Specified Skilled Worker, or Tokutei Ginou) needs two things from you: a passing skills test in your field and a Japanese test (JFT-Basic A2 or JLPT N4 or higher).
• Filipinos cannot apply directly to a Japanese company. The employer must be registered with the DMW through the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Tokyo or Osaka, and you must go through a DMW-licensed agency.
• The paper trail runs in this order: skills test and Japanese test, job match, Certificate of Eligibility (COE) applied for by the employer, visa from the Embassy of Japan, then your OEC from the DMW.
• SSW (i) is limited to 5 years total and you cannot bring family. SSW (ii) has no limit and allows family.
• Japan-bound workers pay no placement fee. Legitimate pre-departure costs are small and mostly paid to government offices or test centers.

More guides on Work Visas & SSW at hanapon.org. Free, no job ads, no agency fees.

What SSW is, in one paragraph

SSW is a Japanese work status for people who already have a usable level of skill in a specific field, such as caregiving, food service, construction, agriculture, or manufacturing. It is not a training program. You are hired as a regular worker under Japanese labor law, which is why Japan asks you to prove your skill with a test before you arrive.

There are two levels. SSW (i) is the entry level for most Filipinos: a maximum of 5 years in total, and family cannot join you. SSW (ii) is for higher, proven skill: no upper limit on stay, and your spouse and children can come. Most people start with SSW (i) and move up later if their field allows it.

Requirement 1: the two tests

Skills test in your field. Each SSW field has its own test, set at the level of Japan's "Trade Skill Test grade 3 equivalent." The test is written and, for some fields, practical. The Japanese used in the questions has furigana (small reading aids above kanji), so you do not need to read advanced kanji. Results show your score and the pass mark. See /tests for how the fields are organized.

Japanese test. You need either JFT-Basic at A2 level or JLPT N4 or higher. Both are accepted. JFT-Basic is computer-based and offered more often in the Philippines, which is why many Filipinos choose it. We explain it in detail in our JFT-Basic guide.

Two important rules from Japan's March 2025 test policy:

• You must apply for tests yourself. Applications submitted by a broker who charges you a fee are meant to be excluded.
• Passing a test never guarantees a visa. It only makes you eligible to be hired.

The minimum age to take the tests is 17. Typical test fees in the Philippines are around PHP 3,000 each, but confirm the exact amount on the official test website before you pay.

One shortcut: if you completed TITP No. 2 (the three-year technical intern program) in good standing, you can move to SSW in the same field without taking either test. Ask the immigration office or your former supervising organization for the exact conditions.

Requirement 2: a DMW-licensed agency and a registered employer

Under Philippine law, you cannot be deployed to Japan as an SSW worker on your own. You must go through a recruitment agency licensed by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). On the Japanese side, the employer must register with the DMW through the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Tokyo or Osaka before it can hire Filipinos through a licensed agency.

What this means in practice:

• If a Japanese company contacts you directly on social media and says "no agency needed," that is not a legal route for an SSW hire from the Philippines.
• If a Philippine "consultant" offers to refer you to a Japanese job but has no DMW license, that is illegal recruitment under Philippine law. Referring or advertising jobs abroad without a DMW license is an offense under RA 8042 as amended by RA 10022.
• You can check whether an agency is licensed on the DMW website. Do this before you send any document.

Hanapon does not refer applicants to any agency and does not post job offers. We only explain the process. Use /check to see the questions you should ask any agency.

Requirement 3: the Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

Once an employer decides to hire you, the employer, not you, applies to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan for your Certificate of Eligibility. The COE is Japan's pre-approval that your status of residence (SSW) is appropriate. Processing time varies; as of 2026, a few months is typical, but it depends on the immigration office and the completeness of the paperwork.

You will be asked to supply documents for the COE application, usually:

• Passport copy
• Test result certificates (skills test and Japanese test)
• Employment contract and conditions of employment
• Medical exam results from a DMW-accredited clinic
• Sometimes a resume and photos

Read your employment contract before you sign it: salary, working hours, housing, and who pays the airfare. Airfare is often covered by the employer, but get it in writing.

Requirement 4: the visa

With the COE in hand, you apply for the visa at the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, usually through the agency or an accredited travel agency. Good news: the visa fee is waived for Filipino nationals. If anyone charges you a "visa fee" for Japan, ask them to show the official fee schedule.

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Requirement 5: the OEC

The Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) is issued by the DMW. It proves you were processed legally and it is your exit clearance. You show it at the airport when you leave the Philippines. Without it, immigration officers at NAIA or Clark can stop you from boarding. Do not let anyone tell you the OEC is optional or that a "tourist visa first, work later" plan will work. It will not, and it can get you barred from Japan. We wrote a separate post on why you cannot skip the OEC.

Before the OEC you will also attend PDOS (Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar) and PEOS (Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar). Both are free.

What you pay, and what you do not

Legitimate pre-departure costs are small. As of 2026, a typical list looks like this:

• Passport (DFA fee)
• Skills test and Japanese test, about PHP 3,000 each
• Medical exam at a DMW-accredited clinic
• NBI clearance
• PDOS and PEOS: free
• Visa fee: waived for Filipinos

You do not pay a placement fee. Japan-bound workers are exempt, and Philippine rules do not allow agencies to collect one. If an agency asks for a "processing fee," "training fee," or a "guarantee deposit" of tens of thousands of pesos, stop and read our placement fee post before you pay anything. See /scam for the most common tricks.

After arrival: your support organization

Every SSW (i) worker in Japan must have support from either the employer or a registered support organization. Roughly 1,800 of these organizations list Tagalog as a supported language. They help with housing and paperwork and must hold a check-in interview with you at least every 3 months. They are not allowed to charge you for this. If they ask for money, report it.

A realistic timeline

Every case is different, but a typical path looks like this: study Japanese and pass JFT-Basic (often 6 to 12 months of study), pass the skills test, apply through a DMW-licensed agency to a DMW-registered employer, sign a contract you have read, wait for the COE (typically a few months), then visa, PDOS/PEOS, medical, OEC, and fly.

Nobody can promise you a visa or a job. Anyone who does is selling something. What you can control is the tests, the documents, and choosing a licensed agency.

Sources

• Immigration Services Agency of Japan / Ministry of Justice: Specified Skilled Worker system, Certificate of Eligibility procedures, March 2025 test policy
• Department of Migrant Workers (DMW): licensed agency list, OEC, Migrant Workers Office (MWO) Tokyo and Osaka
• OWWA: PDOS and membership
• Japan Foundation: JFT-Basic
• JLPT (Japan Foundation and JEES)
• OTIT: Technical Intern Training and transition to SSW
• Philippine Labor Code Art. 13(b); RA 8042 as amended by RA 10022
• Hanapon: /check, /routes, /tests, /money, /scam

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Key Takeaways

• Typical SSW gross salary as of 2026 is roughly JPY 180,000 to 250,000 per month, depending on field and region. Confirm your own figure in your contract.
• Standard deductions are health insurance, pension, employment insurance, income tax, and often housing. Residence tax starts from your second year.
• Expect take-home to be noticeably lower than gross. Plan your remittance on the net figure, not the gross.
• Part of your pension contributions can be claimed as a lump-sum withdrawal within 2 years after leaving Japan.
• Residence tax bills can arrive after you leave. Appoint a tax representative before you go home.

More guides on Money & Remittance at hanapon.org. Free, no job ads, no agency fees.

Start with the right number

Recruiters like to talk about gross salary because it is the bigger number, and your family will plan around whatever number you tell them. So before you promise anyone a monthly remittance, understand what your Japanese payslip will actually look like.

As of 2026, a typical SSW (i) contract shows a gross monthly salary somewhere between JPY 180,000 and 250,000. Caregiving and construction in big cities tend to be at the higher end. Agriculture and food processing in rural areas tend to be lower. Overtime, night shifts, and bonuses can add to this, but do not count on them until you see them on a payslip. Your contract must state the base salary, and it must be equal to what a Japanese worker doing the same job would receive.

See /money for how to read a Japanese payslip line by line.

The deductions, one by one

Japan's system is different from the Philippines. Several things are deducted at source by your employer, by law, before the money reaches your bank account. These are not scams. They are the same deductions every Japanese worker pays.

Health insurance (kenko hoken). Covers about 70 percent of your medical costs at any clinic or hospital in Japan. You pay the other 30 percent when you visit. The premium is split with your employer; your share is calculated as a percentage of your salary and varies by prefecture.

Pension (kosei nenkin). Japan's employee pension. Also split with your employer. Your share is a fixed percentage of your standardized monthly salary. This is the one people resent most because they think they will never see it again. Keep reading; part of it comes back.

Employment insurance (koyo hoken). A small percentage. It funds unemployment benefits if you lose your job through no fault of your own.

Income tax (shotokuzei). Withheld monthly based on your salary and dependents. For an SSW-level salary, it is usually a modest amount. Your employer does a year-end adjustment in December.

Residence tax (juminzei). Local tax based on your previous year's income. Because it is based on the previous year, you pay nothing in your first year in Japan. From your second year it is deducted monthly, and it is often the deduction that surprises people the most. Budget for a drop in take-home in year two.

Housing. Many employers provide a room or apartment and deduct rent from salary. This must be stated in your contract with the amount. It is legal, but it should be reasonable and not a hidden way to recover recruitment costs.

Utilities and other agreed items. Electricity, water, gas, sometimes internet, if the employer arranges them. Again, only what is in writing.

What must never be deducted: recruitment or placement costs, "support organization fees," test fees, visa costs, or any kind of penalty for wanting to leave. If you see these on a payslip, talk to your registered support organization, and if they are the problem, talk to the Labor Standards Inspection Office.

A rough picture of take-home

We will not give you a fake exact number, because your real number depends on your prefecture, age, salary, and dependents. But here is the shape of it.

For a single worker with a gross salary in the typical SSW range, the combined social insurance deductions (health, pension, employment) usually come to a meaningful share of gross, in the general range of 14 to 16 percent as of 2026. Income tax adds a small amount on top. In year two, residence tax adds more. Then housing, if provided.

So a worker who was told "JPY 200,000" might see a first-year net after insurance and income tax that is noticeably lower, and then rent taken from that. In year two, take-home dips again when residence tax begins. This is normal. It is not the employer cheating you. But you need to know it before you tell your family a number.

Ask your agency or employer for a sample payslip for someone in the same job before you sign. A good employer will show you. Confirm the current rates on the official pension and health insurance websites.

Cost of living is the other half

Deductions leave before you get paid. Living costs leave after. Food, phone, and transport in Japan are typically higher than in the Philippines, though employer housing near the workplace keeps transport low. Your first two months are the most expensive because of setup costs. Plan for that gap before your first remittance.

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Getting money home

Use a licensed remittance service or bank transfer. Compare the exchange rate and the fee together. Never hand cash to an informal courier or let anyone "hold" your ATM card. Set a fixed monthly amount based on your net pay after a couple of real payslips, not on the gross figure. /money has a comparison method.

The pension refund: do not leave it behind

Here is the part that most people never hear about until it is too late.

When you leave Japan for good, you can claim a lump-sum withdrawal of part of your pension contributions. You must apply within 2 years after leaving Japan. The amount depends on how long you contributed and your salary, and it is capped at a set number of months of contributions. For an SSW (i) worker who stayed several years, it can be a significant sum.

Practical steps:

1. Before you leave Japan, get the lump-sum withdrawal claim form from the Japan Pension Service website or your city office.
2. Keep your pension handbook or your basic pension number.
3. Notify your city office that you are moving out of Japan.
4. After you are back in the Philippines, submit the claim with your bank details.
5. A portion of the payment is withheld as tax. You can claim part of that back too, but only if you appointed a tax representative in Japan before leaving.

Set a reminder for the 2-year deadline the day you land in Manila.

Residence tax after you leave

Residence tax is billed based on the previous year's income, so a bill can arrive after you have already gone home. If nobody in Japan handles it, it stays unpaid, and that can cause problems if you ever return to Japan under SSW (ii) or another status.

The fix is simple: before leaving, appoint a tax representative (nozei kanrinin) at your city office. This can be your employer, your support organization, or a trusted person in Japan. They receive the bill and you arrange payment. Many employers will settle the remaining residence tax from your final salary if you ask. Get that in writing too.

What to check before you sign

• Base salary amount and the statement that it matches Japanese workers in the same role
• Every deduction, with amounts, especially housing and utilities
• Whether airfare is covered (it often is, per contract, but confirm in writing)
• Overtime rate and how it is calculated
• Who your registered support organization is and that they charge you nothing

Use /check to walk through the contract. Nobody can promise you a specific take-home. What you can do is read the contract and ask for a sample payslip. That one request tells you a lot about the employer.

Sources

• Immigration Services Agency of Japan / Ministry of Justice: SSW employment conditions and equal treatment requirement
• Japan Pension Service: lump-sum withdrawal payment, 2-year claim window
• Japanese municipal residence tax and tax representative (nozei kanrinin) procedures
• Department of Migrant Workers (DMW): contract verification for Japan
• OWWA: pre-departure financial orientation
• Hanapon: /money, /check

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Key Takeaways

• The OEC (Overseas Employment Certificate) is issued by the DMW. It proves you were processed through the legal system and it is your exit clearance at the airport.
• No OEC, no boarding. Immigration officers at NAIA and Clark check it for departing workers.
• To get an OEC for Japan you need a DMW-licensed agency, a DMW-registered employer, a valid work visa, and completed PDOS and PEOS.
• "Go on a tourist visa, we will fix your papers in Japan" is not a shortcut. It is illegal recruitment, and it can get you barred from Japan.
• The OEC also connects you to OWWA membership and protection while you are abroad.

More guides on Scam Alerts at hanapon.org. Free, no job ads, no agency fees.

What the OEC is

The Overseas Employment Certificate is a document issued by the Department of Migrant Workers to a Filipino who is leaving the country to work abroad through the legal process. It says, in effect: this person has a real contract, with a verified employer, through a licensed agency, and has completed the required orientation.

It does two jobs at once.

It is your proof of legal deployment. The DMW only issues it after your contract and employer have been checked. For Japan, that means the employer registered through the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Tokyo or Osaka and your agency is licensed.

It is your exit clearance. When you leave the Philippines to start a job abroad, immigration officers at the airport ask for it. Without it, they can stop you from boarding, even if you have a valid Japanese visa in your passport.

The OEC also exempts you from the travel tax and airport terminal fee, and it is tied to your OWWA membership, which is what gives you access to OWWA welfare services abroad.

Where the OEC fits in the Japan process

The order matters. Here is the SSW path from the Philippine side, and where the OEC sits:

1. You pass the skills test and JFT-Basic (or JLPT N4+).
2. A DMW-licensed agency matches you with a Japanese employer registered with the DMW through the MWO.
3. You sign a contract. The agency submits it to the DMW for verification.
4. The employer applies to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan for your Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
5. With the COE, you get your visa from the Embassy of Japan. The visa fee is waived for Filipinos.
6. You complete PEOS and PDOS (both free), and your medical exam at an accredited clinic.
7. The DMW issues your OEC.
8. You show the OEC at the airport and fly.

Notice the OEC is near the end. It cannot be issued before you have a visa, and it cannot be issued without a verified contract. That is exactly why it is such a good scam detector: if someone tells you they can get you an OEC without those steps, they cannot.

See /routes for the whole map.

How you actually get it

For a first-time worker going through an agency, the agency usually processes your OEC as part of your deployment documents. You will need to appear in person for some steps and present:

• Passport with the valid work visa
• Verified employment contract
• PDOS certificate (from OWWA)
• PEOS certificate (from DMW)
• Medical certificate from a DMW-accredited clinic
• OWWA membership and other DMW-required payments (small, per the official schedule)

Processing is done through the DMW's online system and its offices. As of 2026, the online system is the normal route, and your agency will guide you. Fees are small and paid to government, with official receipts. If the agency quotes a large "OEC fee," ask them to show you the DMW schedule.

Returning workers (balik-manggagawa) with the same employer can usually get their OEC online themselves without an agency. That does not apply to a first deployment.

The "tourist visa first" trap

This is the most common way Filipinos end up in Japan illegally, and it usually starts with someone who sounds helpful.

The pitch goes like this: "Japan is hard, the agency process takes too long. Go on a tourist visa. Once you are there, our partner company will hire you and change your status." Sometimes they add: "many people do this."

Here is what actually happens.

At NAIA or Clark. Immigration officers are trained to spot workers traveling as tourists. If they suspect you are going to work, they can offload you. You lose the ticket, and you may be flagged for future travel.

In Japan. A temporary visitor status does not allow work. Changing from tourist to SSW inside Japan is not the normal route, and the "partner company" is usually either not registered with the DMW or does not exist. If you work on a tourist visa and are caught, you can be detained, deported, and banned from re-entering Japan for years. Your record follows you.

Back home. Because you left without an OEC, you were never in the DMW system. You have no OWWA coverage, no verified contract, and no legal standing to complain about unpaid wages.

And the person who sent you? Referring or advertising jobs abroad without a DMW license is illegal recruitment under Article 13(b) of the Labor Code and RA 8042 as amended by RA 10022. Encouraging you to leave without an OEC is part of that offense. They are not helping you. They are committing a crime with your money.

Everything about the "tourist first" plan is designed to skip the OEC because the OEC is exactly the check they cannot pass.

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Other ways people are told to skip it

• "Student visa, then work." Studying in Japan is a real route, and students can work limited part-time hours under a separate permission. But a language school that promises "full-time work while studying" is lying, and using a student visa mainly to work can lead to loss of status. If you go as a student, go to study.
• "Direct hire, no OEC needed." Direct hire is possible only in narrow categories approved by the DMW, and even then the DMW still issues an OEC. SSW from the Philippines requires a licensed agency.
• "Just say you are visiting relatives." Lying to immigration is a separate problem on top of everything above.

Why the OEC protects you, not just the government

It is easy to see the OEC as one more piece of paper. But think about what it gives you:

• Your contract was checked by someone whose job is to catch bad contracts.
• Your employer exists and is registered in Japan.
• You are an OWWA member, so if something goes wrong abroad, there is an office that can help you and a fund behind it.
• You are exempt from travel tax and terminal fees.
• You have a paper trail if you ever need to claim unpaid wages or pension refunds.

A worker without an OEC has none of that. That is the real cost of skipping it.

Quick checklist before you go to the airport

• Passport with work visa (fee waived for Filipinos)
• OEC, printed and on your phone
• PDOS and PEOS certificates
• Copy of your verified contract
• Contact details of your registered support organization in Japan
• Airfare: confirm in writing who paid it

If any of these is missing, do not go to the airport hoping. Fix it first. See /check and /scam.

Sources

• Department of Migrant Workers (DMW): OEC issuance, contract verification, Migrant Workers Office (MWO) Tokyo and Osaka, illegal recruitment complaints
• OWWA: membership and PDOS
• Immigration Services Agency of Japan / Ministry of Justice: temporary visitor status, SSW status, Certificate of Eligibility
• Embassy of Japan in the Philippines: visa procedures and fee waiver
• Philippine Labor Code Art. 13(b); RA 8042 as amended by RA 10022
• Hanapon: /routes, /check, /scam

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Key Takeaways

• Filipino workers going to Japan are not charged a placement fee. Not by the agency, not by the employer, not by a "consultant."
• Legitimate pre-departure costs are small: passport, tests (about PHP 3,000 each), medical exam at an accredited clinic, NBI clearance. PDOS and PEOS are free. The Japan visa fee is waived for Filipinos.
• "Processing fee," "training fee," "guarantee deposit," "reservation fee," and "visa assistance fee" are the usual names for illegal charges.
• Collecting unauthorized fees, or referring or advertising jobs abroad without a DMW license, is illegal recruitment under Philippine law.
• If you already paid, keep every receipt and message. You can report to the DMW.

More guides on Scam Alerts at hanapon.org. Free, no job ads, no agency fees.

The rule in one sentence

If you are being deployed to Japan through the legal process, nobody is allowed to charge you a placement fee. The DMW rules exempt Japan-bound workers, and on the Japanese side the employer covers recruitment costs. If someone asks you for tens of thousands of pesos to "get you to Japan," the correct answer is no, and the correct next step is to check their license at the DMW.

This is not a gray area. It is the single most important fact on this site. See /scam for the wider list of tricks.

Why people still get charged

Because the amount of money feels reasonable compared to the prize. A Japanese salary of JPY 180,000 to 250,000 a month is life-changing for many families. So when someone says "PHP 150,000 and you are on the plane in six months," a lot of people borrow the money. Scammers know this. So do some licensed agencies that break the rules quietly, and some unlicensed "consultants" who call themselves language schools or training centers.

The scam works because the victim does not know two things: that the placement fee is prohibited, and that the real costs are small. Now you know both.

The legitimate costs, as of 2026

Here is the complete list of what a Filipino SSW applicant typically pays out of pocket. Confirm the exact amounts on the official sites, because fees change.

That is it. Everything on this list is paid to a government office, an accredited clinic, or an official test provider, and you get an official receipt. Nothing on this list goes to an agency's cash box.

Japanese language classes are a real cost if you choose to take them, but they are a choice, not a requirement, and you choose the school. A school that says "our class is required for this job" is bundling.

The illegal fees, by name

Scammers rarely say "placement fee" any more, because people have heard that word. They use other names. Watch for:

• Processing fee. For "processing your documents." Document processing is the agency's job, paid by the employer.
• Training fee. For a "mandatory" course before departure. Unless it is a school you chose freely, this is a placement fee with a different label.
• Guarantee deposit / bond. "Refundable when you finish your contract." Illegal, and rarely refunded.
• Reservation or slot fee. To "hold your place" with an employer. Employers do not sell slots.
• Visa assistance fee. The Japan visa is free for Filipinos.
• COE fee. The employer applies for the COE and pays any cost.
• Test application fee above the official test fee. Japan's March 2025 policy says test applications must come from you; brokers charging for this are to be excluded.
• Support organization fee. In Japan, registered support organizations must not charge the worker. Ever.
• Salary deduction for recruitment after you arrive. Check your payslip. Deductions should be only the legal ones: insurance, pension, tax, and agreed housing.

What is not a scam, but still needs care

Some things are legal but need a written agreement:

• Airfare. Often covered by the employer per contract. If the contract says you pay, that is not illegal, but it should be in the contract you signed, not a surprise at the airport.
• Housing deposit in Japan. Some employers deduct a housing cost from salary. That should be in the contract with the amount stated.
• Language school tuition you chose yourself.

The test is simple: is it in the written contract, with an amount, and is it something the law allows? If not, do not pay.

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How to check an agency

1. Go to the DMW website and search the list of licensed agencies. Check the license is valid, not suspended or cancelled.
2. Confirm the agency has a job order for Japan. A license alone does not mean they have real employers.
3. Ask how the Japanese employer registered with the DMW. The answer should mention the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Tokyo or Osaka.
4. Ask for the fee list in writing. A legitimate answer for Japan is short.
5. Ask who applies for the COE. The answer is the employer.

Use /check for the full question list. Hanapon does not recommend agencies and does not take money from any of them. We only give you the questions.

If someone is asking you to pay right now

• Do not pay in cash. Do not pay through a personal GCash or bank account.
• Ask for the official receipt template and the DMW license number before any payment.
• Take screenshots of every message that mentions money.
• Tell them you will confirm with the DMW first. Watch their reaction. A legitimate agency will say "of course." A scammer will create urgency: "slot closes tonight," "the employer is waiting," "everyone else already paid."

Urgency is the tell. Real Japanese employers move slowly. COE processing alone takes months.

If you already paid

You are not stupid, and you are not alone. Many careful people have paid. Do this:

1. Gather all receipts, screenshots, chat logs, and the names and account numbers you paid to.
2. File a complaint with the DMW. Collecting unauthorized fees is a violation, and referring or advertising overseas jobs without a DMW license is illegal recruitment under Article 13(b) of the Labor Code and RA 8042 as amended by RA 10022.
3. If the person is unlicensed, you can also report to the PNP or NBI anti-illegal recruitment units.
4. Do not pay more to "release" your documents. Your passport is yours. Withholding it is another violation.

Remember the shape of the real process

Tests you apply for yourself. A DMW-licensed agency. A Japanese employer registered through the MWO. A COE applied for by the employer. A free visa. Free PDOS and PEOS. An OEC. Airfare usually on the employer. No placement fee.

Anything that does not fit that shape is not the real process. Huwag magbayad. Don't pay.

Sources

• Department of Migrant Workers (DMW): rules on placement fees for Japan-bound workers, licensed agency list, complaint procedures
• OWWA: PDOS
• Immigration Services Agency of Japan / Ministry of Justice: SSW system, Certificate of Eligibility, March 2025 test policy
• Embassy of Japan in the Philippines: visa fee exemption for Filipino nationals
• Japan Foundation: JFT-Basic fees
• Philippine Labor Code Art. 13(b); RA 8042 as amended by RA 10022
• Hanapon: /scam, /check, /money

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