VPVisaPathways
Browse visa routes

Visa route dossier

Sri Lanka to Japan Work visa

Back to visa routes

This guide explains the Sri Lanka to Japan Work visa route, including eligibility, documents, official sources, estimated costs, process steps, risks, and next actions.

Compare requirements, documents, costs, application process, warnings, and arrival readiness for this visa route.

View visa documentsCheck visa costsCompare visa routes
OriginSri Lanka
DestinationJapan
Visa typeWork visa
DifficultyMedium
TimelineUsually 3–6 months, depending on exams, employer, COE, and visa processing
Documents12 listed
ReadinessUnder review
Sources6
CoverageStatusOpen
Documents12 listedView section
FeesCost sectionView section
TimelineUsually 3–6 months, depending on exams, employer, COE, and visa processingView section
StepsNeeds verification—
RisksRisk signalsView section
Official sources6 sourcesView section

Route freshness

Last reviewed
3 June 2026
Official sources
Official sources pending review
Route completeness
0%
Visibility
Published
Verification
Unverified

Visa rules can change. Always verify with official sources before applying.

Route verification

Route information is current based on our latest verification schedule.

Last verified
June 3, 2026
Next scheduled review
Not scheduled
Information status
Up to date

Prepare before you apply

Planning tools for Sri Lanka to Japan Specified Skilled Worker Visa (Work visa). Educational assessment only — about 2 minutes, with no approval guarantee.

  1. 1. Check refusal risk

    Find common weaknesses in your evidence.

  2. 2. Check document readiness

    See what is complete, missing or needs stronger proof.

  3. 3. Build your action plan

    Combine your results into a personal preparation report.

Check my refusal riskUse the tools on this route page

Route-specific · About 2 minutes · Educational assessment · No approval guarantee

Get route updates

Receive an email when important information for this route changes, such as fees, document requirements, eligibility, processing time, or risk warnings.

Alert categories

We use your email only to manage updates for the routes you subscribe to. We do not attach your refusal-risk, document-readiness, or action-plan answers to this subscription.

Japan Specified Skilled Worker requirements depend on the industry field, test status, employer contract, Certificate of Eligibility, and official visa process. Always verify the latest exam, document, and visa requirements through the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka, Japan’s official SSW support website, and official immigration sources before paying any third party or making travel plans.

Route summary

A summary of visa requirements, documents, costs and process for this route.

Sri Lankan applicants who want to work in Japan under the Specified Skilled Worker system usually need to pass the required Japanese language test and industry skills test, secure an employment contract with a Japanese company, and complete the Certificate of Eligibility and visa process. The route is suitable for applicants preparing for work in approved specified industry fields.

Route Changes

Track recent updates to this route.

Recent activity

Last checked
Not recorded
Changes in last 30 days
0
Route status
Stable

Activity is based on published changes recorded in the last 90 days.

Changes detected by month

February 2026: 0 changes. March 2026: 0 changes. April 2026: 0 changes. May 2026: 0 changes. June 2026: 0 changes. July 2026: 0 changes

Change history

Latest published changes

No recent route changes recorded.

We have not recorded a published change for this route yet.

Who this visa is for

This route is for Sri Lankan applicants who want to work in Japan in an approved specified industry field and can meet the Japanese language, skills test, employer contract, and immigration requirements. It is especially relevant for applicants preparing for SSW exams or applicants who already have an eligible employment pathway through a Japanese employer.

Visa requirements

The applicant usually needs to pass a Japanese language test. The applicant usually needs to pass the skills test for the relevant specified industry field. Applicants who completed Technical Intern Training may be exempt from some tests depending on category and field. The applicant needs an employment contract with a Japanese company. The employer or supporting party usually handles the Certificate of Eligibility process in Japan. The applicant must prepare the visa application after the Certificate of Eligibility is issued.

Check your refusal risk

Spot weak points in your profile before you apply. This is an educational estimate, not an official decision.

Answer 12 short planning questions to spot weak points in your profile before you apply for Work visa.

This tool provides an educational risk estimate based on the information you enter. It does not predict an official visa decision and is not legal or immigration advice. Always verify requirements with the relevant immigration authority or embassy.

Visa fees and estimated costs

Official fees are calculated from published cost items marked Official fee. Proof of funds is shown separately as money to show, not a fee.

Official fees to pay

Not calculated

Add Official fee cost items to calculate

Proof of funds to show

Not calculated

Not set in cost summary or cost items

Preparation costs

USD 149–891

Document, medical, travel, and other preparation estimates

Planning estimate only. Costs can include test preparation, skills/language exams, document translations, visa application centre service fees, transport, medical or other preparation, and employer/COE-related steps. Verify official fees and test fees before applying.

Ask about this visa route

Ask questions about eligibility, documents, costs, warnings, process steps, travel, arrival, and official sources for this route.

VisaPathways provides route research, not legal advice. Always verify with official sources before applying.

Processing time

Usually 3–6 months, depending on exams, employer, COE, and visa processing

Required visa documents

Early planning checklist. Confirm final requirements with official sources.

Valid passport

Visa application form

Passport-size photo

Certificate of Eligibility

Employment contract or employer documents

Japanese language test result

Specified skills test result

Technical Intern Training completion evidence where applicable

National Identity Card and certified English translation

Birth certificate and certified English translation

Bank statement where required

Supporting documents requested by the Embassy or visa application centre

Check your document readiness

Select the documents and evidence you already have. VisaPathways will show what appears complete, what may need improvement, and which gaps could increase application risk.

Select the documents and evidence you already have for Work visa. VisaPathways will show what appears complete, what may need improvement, and which gaps could increase application risk.

This tool provides an educational document-readiness estimate based on the information you enter. It does not confirm eligibility, guarantee approval, or replace official immigration guidance. Always verify requirements with the relevant immigration authority, embassy, or visa application centre.

Personal preparation plan

Combine your refusal-risk and document-readiness results into one route-specific preparation report.

Combine your refusal-risk and document-readiness results into one route-specific VisaPathways assessment report with priority actions, timeline guidance, cost planning, and alternatives.

To build a useful action plan, complete the refusal-risk and document-readiness assessments.

Start refusal-risk checkStart document check

This action plan is an educational planning tool based on the information you entered and the route data currently available on VisaPathways. It does not confirm eligibility, predict an official decision, or replace legal, immigration, embassy, or government guidance. Visa rules, fees, processing times and document requirements can change.

Visa risks and warnings

Failing the Japanese language test can block the route. Failing the industry skills test can block the route. The employment contract may not meet SSW requirements. The Certificate of Eligibility process can delay the route. Applicants may misunderstand the difference between exam eligibility, job matching, COE, and visa issuance. Unofficial agents can create misinformation, high cost, or document risk. Transit and arrival planning should be checked separately before booking flights.

Travel profile

Practical flight and routing signals for planning this visa route. Not a booking service.

Last reviewed

Flight type

Usually one stop

Estimated travel time

9–14 hours

Travel difficulty

Moderate

Common transit hubs

  • Singapore
  • Kuala Lumpur
  • Bangkok
  • Seoul
  • Doha
  • Dubai

Common airlines

  • SriLankan Airlines
  • Singapore Airlines
  • Malaysia Airlines
  • Thai Airways
  • Qatar Airways
  • Emirates
  • Japan Airlines
  • ANA

Arrival airports

  • Tokyo Narita
  • Tokyo Haneda
  • Osaka Kansai
  • Nagoya Chubu
  • Fukuoka

Transit warning

Check transit visa rules before booking, especially for long layovers, airport changes, separate-ticket connections, or transit through countries with stricter entry rules.

Sri Lanka to Japan usually involves one stop depending on airline, route, season, and arrival city. Travel time can vary based on layover duration and whether the ticket is booked as one itinerary or separate tickets.

Travel estimates are planning signals only. Flight availability, airline routes, transit rules, and travel times can change.

Official visa sources

Last reviewed

Status of Residence “Specified Skilled Worker” — Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka

High reliabilityVerified link

Embassy / consulate page

Used for Sri Lanka-specific SSW route context, Japanese language test, skills test, and applicant guidance.

Open source

Support Website for the Specified Skilled Worker Program

High reliabilityVerified link

Government portal

Used for official SSW program overview, steps to work in Japan, tests, company contract, and required documents.

Open source

Steps to Working in Japan — SSW Support Website

High reliabilityVerified link

Government portal

Used for employment contract, Certificate of Eligibility, and process timeline context.

Open source

VISA — Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka

High reliabilityVerified link

Embassy / consulate page

Used for Sri Lanka visa applicant identity, civil document, translation, and bank statement guidance.

Open source

Japan visa service fee — VFS Global Sri Lanka

Medium reliability

Visa application centre

Used for visa application centre service fee reference.

Open source

Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka — Visa & Consular Top Page; VFS Global — Japan Visa Application Centre Sri Lanka; VFS Global — Apply for a visa; MOFA Japan — Visa; MOFA Japan — Visa Processing Time; MOFA Japan — Visa Fees

High reliability

Official source

Open source

Frequently asked questions

No FAQ content has been published for this route yet.

Important disclaimer

VisaPathways is a research and planning platform. Always verify final requirements with official authorities before applying.

Visa fees and estimated costs

These figures are planning estimates only. Actual costs can change depending on official fees, exchange rates, service providers, document preparation, and applicant profile.

Exchange rates are estimates and may differ from banks, card providers, or visa centres. FX estimate updated: 2026-07-29.

Estimated totals

LKR cost estimate

Official fees to pay

LKR 4,375

Approx. USD 13

Preparation costs

LKR 195,000–800,000

Approx. USD 579–USD 2,376

Proof of funds to show

Not calculated

Official fees include only cost items marked Official fee. Proof of funds is money to show, not a fee. Preparation includes document, medical, travel, and other non-official planning costs.

Japan visa application centre service fee

Official fee

VFS Global Sri Lanka published a Japan visa service fee of LKR 4,375 per passport from 14 August 2023. Verify the latest service fee before applying.

Check source

LKR 4,375–4,375

Approx. USD 13

Official fee

Japanese language and skills test preparation

Document preparation

Planning estimate for language learning, skills test preparation, exam-related travel, and preparation materials. Actual cost depends on applicant level and industry field.

LKR 30,000–200,000

Approx. USD 89–USD 594

Preparation

Document translation and certification

Translation / notarization

Planning estimate for certified translations and document preparation where required by the embassy, visa centre, employer, or COE process.

LKR 15,000–100,000

Approx. USD 45–USD 297

Preparation

Travel and relocation preparation

Travel / relocation

Planning estimate for flights, local transport, initial settlement, and travel-related preparation. Actual cost depends on city, airline, baggage, and employer support.

LKR 150,000–500,000

Approx. USD 446–USD 1,485

Preparation

Country visa routes

Related country visa routes

Browse published visa routes grouped by origin or destination country.

Visa routes from Sri Lanka

108 published routes

Browse visa routes from Sri Lanka

Japan visa routes

9 published routes

Browse Japan visa routes

VisaPathways is an information platform. Visa fees, document rules, processing times and eligibility requirements can change. Always confirm details with the official immigration authority or embassy before applying.