If you are working in Japan under the Specified Skilled Worker No. 1 (SSW1) visa in the Nursing Care (Kaigo) sector, a new special measure has been introduced. Under certain conditions, you may be allowed to extend your total stay from 5 years to 6 years.
This measure is designed for those who have not yet passed the National Care Worker Examination but have shown significant progress.
1. Extension of Total Stay to 6 Years
While the standard maximum stay for the SSW1 visa is 5 years, this special measure allows for an additional year (total of 6 years). This extra year is provided so that you can prepare for and take the National Care Worker Examination again.
2. Requirements for the 6th Year Extension
To qualify for this 1-year extension, you must meet the following criteria based on the National Care Worker Examination taken in your final (5th) year of stay:
- Take All Parts of the Exam: You must have taken all “parts” (subject groups) of the examination.
- Pass at least 1 Part: You must have passed at least one part of the exam under the new “Part-Pass” system (starting from the 38th exam).
- Minimum Score: Your total score must be at least 80% of the passing score for that year.
💡 Important Advice: Unless you are completely certain that you will pass the entire exam, we strongly recommend that you take all parts of the examination. Taking the full exam is a necessary condition for receiving this 1-year extension if you do not pass everything on the first try.
3. Required Pledges (Obligations)
To receive this extension, you must sign a pledge to fulfill the following duties:
- Take the Next Exam: You must promise to study and take the National Care Worker Examination in the following year.
- Visa Change Upon Passing: If you pass the exam, you must promptly apply to change your resident status to the “Nursing Care (Kaigo)” visa.
- Return Home if Unsuccessful: If you do not pass the next exam, you must agree to return to your home country promptly.
4. Responsibilities of the Employer (Accepting Organization)
Your employer also has specific duties to support you during this 6th year:
- Continued Employment: The company must intend to continue employing you.
- Learning Plan: The company must create a specific “Learning Plan” for you.
- Study Support: The company must provide an environment that supports your studies, such as allowing time for exam preparation or providing study materials.
5. Application Process
To apply for this extension, you must first obtain a confirmation from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW). After receiving this confirmation, you can proceed with the application for the extension of your period of stay at the Immigration Bureau.
For official details and forms, please refer to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) website: ▶ MHLW: Extension of stay for SSW1 in Nursing Care
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