Pre-Arrival Preparation for Vietnamese Care Workers in Japan: Specified Skilled Worker (SSW), Japanese, Job Duties, and Daily Life Checks
Last updated: June 2026
For Vietnamese people who want to work as care workers in Japan, pre-arrival preparation is not only about passing exams. Care work supports the daily lives of older people and people who need assistance. It involves physical support, communication, safety, responsibility, and careful reporting.
This article explains what Vietnamese care workers should check before coming to Japan: job duties, status of residence, Specified Skilled Worker requirements, Japanese for care work, employment contracts, housing, daily life, and consultation points.
Key Points Before You Decide
- Care work is in demand in Japan, but it requires physical strength, Japanese ability, and responsibility.
- Main routes include Specified Skilled Worker, Technical Intern Training, the “Nursing Care” status of residence, and EPA programs.
- For Specified Skilled Worker care jobs, you generally need to check the care skills test, Japanese for care work test, and Japanese language test.
- Vietnamese applicants may need to check Vietnam-side sending procedures when coming from Vietnam under SSW.
- Check night shifts, overtime, dormitory fees, deductions, workplace support, and resignation rules before signing.
What Do Care Workers Do in Japan?
Care work helps older people and people who need support live safely. Workplaces include special nursing homes, health care facilities for older people, paid nursing homes, group homes, day service centers, and care facilities connected to hospitals.
| Task | What You Do | What to Understand Before Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Meal Assistance | Support eating, check pace, prevent choking | Words such as swallow, choke, posture, allergy |
| Bathing Assistance | Help with bathing, changing clothes, fall prevention | You support the person’s body and must protect dignity |
| Toileting Assistance | Toilet guidance, diaper changes, cleanliness | Privacy and respect are very important |
| Transfer and Movement | Support movement between bed, wheelchair, and chair | Correct posture prevents back injury |
| Monitoring | Notice falls, condition changes, and risks | Small changes must be reported quickly |
| Records and Handover | Record meals, toileting, health, incidents, and support | Reading and writing Japanese are often required |
Care work is not only about kindness. You must follow procedures, ask when you do not understand, and report, contact, and consult with other staff. With Japanese ability and experience, care work can also lead to long-term career opportunities.
Status of Residence and Work Routes
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare explains four main frameworks for accepting foreign care workers: EPA, the “Nursing Care” status of residence, Technical Intern Training, and Specified Skilled Worker. The route affects tests, work period, career path, and future options.
| Route | Suitable For | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Specified Skilled Worker Care | People who meet the care skills and Japanese requirements | Tests, employment contract, support plan, Vietnam-side procedures |
| Technical Intern Training Care | People joining a training program in care work | Program purpose, supervising organization, training plan |
| Nursing Care Status | People who obtain Japan’s certified care worker qualification | Qualification, school route, national exam, tuition |
| EPA | People coming under government-to-government frameworks | Eligible countries, quotas, study support, national exam |
Checks for Specified Skilled Worker Care Jobs
Specified Skilled Worker (i) in the care field is for foreign nationals with a certain level of skills and Japanese ability who work in care facilities in Japan. In principle, you should check the care skills evaluation test, Japanese for care work evaluation test, and Japanese language test. The Japanese test is generally JFT-Basic or JLPT N4 or higher.
Some people who successfully completed Technical Intern Training (ii) in care may be exempt from certain tests. People who completed Technical Intern Training (ii) in a different field may also have different treatment for Japanese language tests. Do not decide by yourself; confirm with your employer, support organization, immigration specialist, or official sources.
Vietnam-Side Sending Procedure Checks
If you come from Vietnam as a new Specified Skilled Worker, Vietnam-side procedures may be involved. The Immigration Services Agency provides information for Vietnam, including procedures through sending organizations and Vietnamese authorities in certain cases.
Do not assume that you can come to Japan immediately after receiving a job offer. Employment contract, Certificate of Eligibility, visa, Vietnam-side procedures, flight, housing, and arrival support may all be required. Check fees, refund rules, contracts, and the sending organization carefully.
Employment Contract Checks
Before coming to Japan, make sure you understand your employment contract. Even if the salary looks high, your take-home pay may be lower after dormitory fees, utilities, social insurance, taxes, meals, and transportation.
| Item | What to Check | Warning Point |
|---|---|---|
| Base Salary | Monthly salary or hourly wage | Gross salary is not take-home pay |
| Night Shifts | Whether night shifts exist and how often | Care facilities may have night shifts |
| Overtime | How overtime pay is calculated | Check fixed overtime carefully |
| Holidays | Weekly days off, shifts, paid leave | Weekends may not be holidays |
| Housing | Rent, room type, furniture, commute | Check monthly deductions |
| Support | Airport pickup, city hall, bank, phone, consultation | Support plan matters under SSW |
Japanese for Care Work to Learn Before Arrival
Care work uses Japanese related to safety and health. Daily conversation is not enough. Learn words related to health condition, meals, toileting, movement, dementia, and reporting.
| Area | Words to Learn | Where They Are Used |
|---|---|---|
| Health | Fever, pain, dizziness, nausea, breathing difficulty | Reporting condition changes |
| Meals | Choke, swallow, meal amount, water intake, allergy | Meal assistance and records |
| Toileting | Urine, stool, diarrhea, constipation, diaper change | Toileting support and health checks |
| Movement | Stand, sit, transfer, wheelchair, fall | Transfer support and accident prevention |
| Dementia | Anxiety, confusion, wandering, forgetfulness | Supporting people with dementia |
Physical and Mental Preparation
Care work can include standing for long hours, supporting a person’s body, night shifts, and shift work. Learn correct body movement to prevent back pain. Mental stress can also occur when supporting people with dementia, handling family communication, or seeing people near the end of life.
Do not keep problems to yourself. Before coming to Japan, know who you can consult: senior staff, support staff, registered support organization, public consultation services, or trusted community members.
Questions to Ask the Employer
- What type of care facility will I work in?
- When will night shifts start, and how many times per month?
- How many days of training are provided after joining?
- Is there material in Vietnamese or easy Japanese?
- Who teaches me when I do not understand the work?
- Is the dormitory private or shared, and how much is deducted?
- Is there support for Japanese study or the certified care worker exam?
Related Case Guides
- Country guide for Vietnamese people
- Pre-arrival preparation for Vietnamese manufacturing workers
- Common jobs for foreign workers in Japan
References
- MHLW: Acceptance of Foreign Care Workers
- MHLW: Specified Skilled Workers in the Care Field
- Immigration Services Agency: Information for Vietnam
- Immigration Services Agency: Guidebook on Living and Working
- JICWELS: Specified Skilled Worker Care Field
This article summarizes general points to check before coming to Japan. Immigration applications, employment contracts, sending procedures, and test exemptions differ depending on your background and workplace. Always confirm the latest official information and explanations from your employer or support organization.