A Clear Comparison of Benefits and Drawbacks for Companies and Foreign Workers (2026 Edition)
When hiring foreign workers in Japan, companies often compare two major visa categories:
- Specified Skilled Worker (SSW 1 & 2)
- Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services (E/H/I)
Which one is “better” depends entirely on:
- What the company needs, and
- What the foreign worker wants for their long‑term career.
This article breaks down the advantages and disadvantages for both sides, based on real administrative practice and common questions from employers and foreign residents.
🔵 1. Basic Differences Between SSW and E/H/I
| Visa Type | Main Target | Requirements | Typical Work | Path to Permanent Residency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSW 1 | Skilled labor / on‑site work | Skills test + Japanese test | 12 designated fields (caregiving, food service, manufacturing, etc.) | Yes (max 5 years) |
| SSW 2 | Highly skilled workers | Advanced skills in specific fields | Construction, shipbuilding, etc. | Yes (family allowed) |
| E/H/I | White‑collar professionals | University degree or 10 years’ experience | Office work, translation, IT, sales, etc. | Yes (no time limit) |
🔵 2. Pros & Cons for Companies
✅ Why SSW is advantageous for companies
- Can perform on‑site labor (not allowed under E/H/I)
- Easier to hire in labor‑shortage industries
- Workers can start contributing immediately
- Requirements are clear and standardized
❌ Disadvantages of SSW for companies
- Mandatory support plan (SSW 1)
- Workers can change jobs relatively easily → retention issues
- 5‑year limit for SSW 1
- Strict rules: no out‑of‑scope tasks allowed
✅ Why E/H/I is advantageous for companies
- Long‑term employment possible (no limit on renewals)
- No support plan obligations
- Lower risk of sudden job changes
- Wide range of allowable duties (office work, planning, translation, IT, etc.)
❌ Disadvantages of E/H/I for companies
- Strict academic/experience requirements
- Cannot perform manual labor
- Job duties must match the worker’s academic background
- Documentation is more complex than SSW
🔵 3. Pros & Cons for Foreign Workers
✅ Advantages of SSW for foreign workers
- No university degree required
- Passing the skills test opens opportunities
- Some fields allow SSW2 → family accompaniment + path to PR
❌ Disadvantages of SSW for foreign workers
- SSW1 has a 5‑year limit
- Job changes restricted by field
- Japanese language ability required
- Salary levels vary by industry and may be lower
✅ Advantages of E/H/I for foreign workers
- Can work long‑term in Japan
- Family accompaniment allowed
- Broad job flexibility
- Easier to build a professional career
- Meets PR requirements more easily
❌ Disadvantages of E/H/I for foreign workers
- Requires a university degree or 10 years’ experience
- Must work in a field related to their studies
- Higher expectations for professional skills
🔵 4. So Which Is Better? Depends on Your Goal
🏢 For companies needing on‑site labor → SSW is better
- Manufacturing
- Food service
- Agriculture
- Caregiving
- Construction
- Other labor‑shortage fields
🏢 For companies wanting long‑term development → E/H/I is better
- Office work
- Translation
- Sales
- IT
- Planning / management roles
👤 For foreign workers wanting long‑term life in Japan → E/H/I is better
- Easier path to permanent residency
- Family can join
- Career growth opportunities
👤 For foreign workers without a degree → SSW is better
- Skills test provides access
- Suitable for hands‑on work
🔵 5. Practical Conclusion from Administrative Experience
There is no “one best visa.”
The right choice depends on the company’s needs and the worker’s future goals.
- Companies should clarify what tasks they need done
- Foreign workers should consider how long they want to stay and what career they want
Choosing the correct visa from the start prevents future problems with Immigration.
📩 Support for Companies and Foreign Workers
I can assist with:
- Choosing the correct visa category
- Organizing job descriptions
- Preparing documents for SSW or E/H/I
- Company explanation materials
- Multilingual support (English / Easy Japanese)
Feel free to reach out anytime.
