How much does it cost to hire foreign workers?
As a guide (agency-side, per worker): Specified Skilled Worker ≈ ¥470k–900k initial + ¥20k–30k/month; skill-development/technical intern ≈ ¥150k–300k initial + ¥25k–40k/month. Wages, insurance, housing and sending-side costs are separate.
Costs split into initial (one-time, around hiring) and monthly (running) costs, and the make-up changes by visa route. Below is a guide based on publicly available ranges — enter your headcount for a rough estimate, then get an exact quote free.
Operated by a real registered companyCOSTA LINK株式会社 · Fukuoka · 法人番号 8290001057441Company profile
Rough estimate for 3 people
- Initial (one-time)
- 141–270×10k JPY
- Monthly (running)
- 6–9×10k JPY/mo
Rough sum of referral fee (30–60), visa procedures (12–20) and support-org initial fee (5–10), in 10k JPY. Sending-side costs may apply separately.
* Rough guide based on publicly available ranges — not a quote. Actual costs vary by role, region and conditions. Sending-side costs may apply separately.
Get an exact quote (free consultation)Specified Skilled Worker (SSW)
| Cost item | Approx. | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Recruitment / referral fee | 300,000–600,000 JPY / person | One-time, per hire |
| Visa application & procedures | 120,000–200,000 JPY | Administrative scrivener etc. |
| Support org. initial fee | 50,000–100,000 JPY | Registered support organization |
| Support commission (running) | 20,000–30,000 JPY / month | Living/work support |
Technical Intern / Employment for Skill Development
| Cost item | Approx. | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Supervising org. initial fee | 150,000–300,000 JPY | Per person |
| Supervising fee (running) | 25,000–40,000 JPY / month | Ongoing supervision |
| Sending agency fee | Varies | Paid overseas side |
* Reference figures only, not guaranteed.
Total cost over time (TCO)
Initial costs hit once; monthly costs recur. Looking at year 1 vs. year 2 onward (per worker, agency-side costs only) makes budgeting clearer.
| Route | Initial | Monthly ×12 | Year 1 total | Year 2+ / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specified Skilled Worker (i) | ¥470k–900k | ¥240k–360k | ¥710k–1.26M | ¥240k–360k |
| Skill development / Technical intern | ¥150k–300k | ¥300k–480k | ¥450k–780k | ¥300k–480k |
Excludes wages, social insurance, housing and sending-side costs — those are the actual employment cost and vary by role and region. Figures are illustrative, from the ranges above.
Fewer layers, clearer cost
A common flow
Overseas sending agency → intermediary / referral company → employer
Each layer adds a margin, and the make-up of the sending-side cost is often hard to see.
With Watari
Sending side (us) + registered support org (Japan side) → employer
We are the sending side ourselves, so there is no hidden markup on the sending-side cost and we explain that breakdown transparently. The Japan-side support (registered support / procedures) is handled together with the appropriate partners.
Note: fewer layers doesn't automatically mean the lowest total — always compare the full breakdown.
FAQ
- When do these costs occur?
- Initial costs (referral, visa procedures, initial fees) occur once around hiring; monthly costs (support or supervising fees) continue while employed. Actual timing varies by contract.
- Who pays the sending-side cost?
- Sending-agency costs arise on the overseas side and vary by country and program. We explain the split transparently in the consultation.
- How can we keep costs down?
- Choosing the right visa route for your work and comparing the full breakdown helps. As we are the sending side ourselves, there is no hidden markup on the sending-side cost; the Japan-side support is handled together with registered support organisations.
- Who pays — can the cost be charged to the worker?
- Support-related costs under Specified Skilled Worker (RSO initial and support fees) may not be charged to the worker — they are borne by the employer. Sending-side costs abroad may partly fall on the worker depending on the country/program, so their fairness matters. We explain this in the consultation.
- Are there subsidies for hiring foreign workers?
- Depending on eligibility, schemes such as the Human Resources Development subsidy may apply, and some municipalities offer their own subsidies. Eligibility and amounts change by year and region, so check the official sources for the latest (our subsidy guide summarises them).
- Can we get an exact figure?
- Yes. Costs depend on role, region and conditions. Tell us your situation and we'll provide a concrete estimate — free.
Want an exact quote?
Tell us your role, headcount and timing. Free consultation.