Working in Nursing Care in Japan: A Guide for Foreign Nationals [2026 — 4 Visa Routes]

Nursing care is a sector facing serious labour shortages in Japan, and the role of foreign nationals is growing. To work in nursing care in Japan, there are several visa routes depending on your background and goals. This guide outlines the main four routes, their requirements, permitted periods of stay and career paths.

① Routes for foreign nationals to work in nursing care

The main routes for foreign nationals to work in Japan's nursing care sector fall into the following four categories. Under any of these routes, care workers are employees subject to Japanese labour laws, and Japanese-language communication skills are considered important.

• Nursing Care residence status: work after obtaining the national qualification "Certified Care Worker (Kaigo Fukushishi)"
• Specified Skilled Worker (Nursing Care): work after passing the required exams (Type 1)
• EPA (Economic Partnership Agreement): come to Japan as a Certified Care Worker candidate under a bilateral agreement and aim to pass the national exam while working
• Technical Intern Training (Nursing Care): work under the technical intern training scheme (transition to the new Ikusei Shuro system is planned)

② Comparison of the four routes

③ Nursing Care residence status (Certified Care Worker)

This residence status was established in 2017 and allows foreign nationals who have obtained the national qualification "Certified Care Worker (Kaigo Fukushishi)" to work as nursing care professionals.

• There is no upper limit on renewals, enabling long-term employment
• Family members (spouse and children) may accompany the visa holder to Japan
• Routes to becoming a Certified Care Worker include graduating from a training facility, or completing at least 3 years of practical experience plus practical training and then passing the national examination

④ Specified Skilled Worker (Nursing Care)

This residence status allows anyone who passes the required exams to work, regardless of educational background. The nursing care sector accepts workers under Specified Skilled Worker Type 1 (there is no Specified Skilled Worker Type 2 for nursing care — long-term employment in this sector is covered by the Nursing Care residence status).

Required exams

• Nursing Care Skills Evaluation Test (nursing care skills)
• Nursing Care Japanese Evaluation Test (Japanese used in nursing care settings)
• Japanese language test: JLPT N4 or above, or JFT-Basic (Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese)
• Those who have completed Technical Intern Training Type 2 (nursing care) in good standing may be exempt from these tests in some cases

The permitted period of stay is up to 5 years in total, and family reunification is not permitted in principle. Accepting organisations are required to create and implement a support plan, which may be outsourced to a registered support organisation (→Complete Guide to the Specified Skilled Worker Visa).

⑤ Technical Intern Training and Ikusei Shuro route

There is also a nursing care pathway within Technical Intern Training, allowing workers to develop skills on the job. Those who complete Technical Intern Training Type 2 (nursing care) in good standing may in some cases be able to transition to Specified Skilled Worker (Nursing Care) with test exemptions.

Note that the 2024 legal reform decided that Technical Intern Training will transition to the Ikusei Shuro (Employment for Skill Development) system (implementation planned around 2027), with the nursing care sector expected to be included. For details on the system, see Technical Intern Training Guide & Transition to Ikusei Shuro.

⑥ EPA (Economic Partnership Agreement) route

Under the Economic Partnership Agreements with Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, foreign nationals can come to Japan as Certified Care Worker candidates and work in care facilities while studying for the national examination.

• Requirements include graduating from a nursing school or completing a care course in the home country
• Acceptance is carried out within the framework of the relevant agreement, and passing the Certified Care Worker national examination is required during the stay
• Passing the examination may open the way to long-term employment under the Nursing Care residence status or similar

⑦ Career path: long-term employment through qualification

For many routes, aiming for the Certified Care Worker qualification → Nursing Care residence status may open a path to working long-term with family, with no upper limit on the period of stay.

1. Build practical nursing care experience through Technical Intern Training, SSW, EPA or similar
2. Complete practical training, a training facility, etc., and pass the Certified Care Worker national examination
3. Transition to Nursing Care residence status (renewable, family reunification permitted)
4. If requirements are met, consider applying for permanent residence (※ an assessment of length of stay, financial means and other factors is required, and approval is not guaranteed simply by applying)

⑧ Working conditions and job searching

Care workers are employees subject to Japan's Minimum Wage Act, Labour Standards Act and other laws. If you have concerns about wages, working hours or harassment, you can consult a Labour Standards Inspection Office or the Foreign Residents Support Centre (FRESC). In recent years, efforts to improve remuneration in the sector have also been progressing.

Nursing care jobs can be found through Hello Work (→How to Use Hello Work) or job and career-change services specialising in nursing care. Be sure to check whether a workplace meets the requirements of your residence status when searching.

FAQ

What residence status do foreign nationals need to work in nursing care?The main options are four routes: the 'Nursing Care residence status (Certified Care Worker)', 'Specified Skilled Worker (Nursing Care)', 'EPA (Economic Partnership Agreement)', and 'Technical Intern Training (Nursing Care)'. The right route depends on your background, goals and existing qualifications.

What exams are needed to work as a Specified Skilled Worker in nursing care?In addition to the Nursing Care Skills Evaluation Test and the Nursing Care Japanese Evaluation Test, a Japanese language test (JLPT N4 or above, or JFT-Basic) is required. Those who have completed Technical Intern Training Type 2 (nursing care) in good standing may be exempt from these tests in some cases.

What is the difference between the Nursing Care residence status and Specified Skilled Worker (Nursing Care)?The Nursing Care residence status is for those who have obtained the national qualification 'Certified Care Worker', with no upper limit on renewals and family reunification permitted. Specified Skilled Worker (Nursing Care) allows work upon passing exams, but Type 1 is capped at 5 years in total and family reunification is not permitted in principle. In some cases, obtaining the Certified Care Worker qualification allows transition to the Nursing Care residence status.

Is it possible to continue working in nursing care in Japan long-term?Obtaining the Certified Care Worker qualification and transitioning to the Nursing Care residence status may open a path to long-term employment with family, with no upper limit on the period of stay. If requirements are met, it is also possible to consider applying for permanent residence, though an assessment is required and approval is not guaranteed.