- Written and reviewed by the Inochi Global Education counselling team
- Last updated:
- 5 min read
Side-by-side comparison
| Student (留学) | SSW-1 (特定技能1号) | Engineer/Specialist (技人国) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who qualifies | HSC+ with N5 | 18+ with JFT-Basic/N4 + sector skills test | Bachelor's degree (or senmon diploma) + job offer |
| Upfront cost from BD | 9–11 lakh BDT | Language + test + processing, typically 2–4 lakh BDT; no tuition | Minimal if employer sponsors; travel + documents |
| Income | Part-time only, ¥120k–150k/month | Full-time, ¥180k–250k/month + overtime | Full-time, ¥220k–350k/month |
| Duration | Course length (max ~2 years at language school) | Max 5 years total; then SSW-2 (unlimited) if you pass the higher test | 1/3/5-year renewable, no cap |
| Family | No (language school); yes at university | No (SSW-1); yes (SSW-2) | Yes — spouse and children |
| Change jobs | n/a | Within the same sector only | Yes, within related fields |
Frequently asked questions
Is SSW better than a student visa for going to Japan from Bangladesh?
Neither is 'better' — SSW is cheaper and pays a full salary immediately but is capped at 5 years (SSW-1) with no family; the student route costs more up front but leads to degrees, an uncapped work visa, family and permanent residency. Choose by age, budget and 5-year goal.
Can a student visa be changed to a work visa in Japan?
Yes. After graduating from a senmon gakko or university with a job offer you apply for a Change of Status to Engineer/Specialist; language-school graduates can change to SSW after passing the tests. You apply inside Japan without returning home.
Can I bring my family on an SSW visa?
Not on SSW-1. SSW-2, available in most sectors after passing an advanced skills test, allows a spouse and children and has no time limit.
How much does the SSW process cost from Bangladesh?
Far less than study: Japanese and skills-test preparation, exam fees (JFT-Basic about ¥7,000 equivalent; skills tests vary), medical, passport and documents — typically 2–4 lakh BDT in total. The employer pays no salary deductions for recruitment under Japanese law; avoid agents demanding 10+ lakh.
Official sources
Rules and fees change — always confirm with the official source or an Inochi counsellor before you act.
- Specified Skilled Worker — official portal (sectors, tests, SSW-2)
- Immigration Services Agency — Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services
- Japan Foundation — JFT-Basic test for SSW
- Immigration Services Agency — Points-based Highly Skilled Professional system
- Prometric — skills evaluation tests in Bangladesh
Student, SSW or work visa — let's map it to your profile
Inochi prepares both routes: JLPT classes for students and JFT-Basic tracks for SSW candidates, with honest advice on which one your age, budget and goal support.
This guide is general information based on official Japanese government and institutional sources at the time of writing. It is not legal or immigration advice. Immigration rules, fees and exchange rates change; confirm the latest requirements with the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh, the school, or an Inochi counsellor.