Bringing a Domestic Helper to Japan: Options for Hiring Foreign Help
Japan allows foreign domestic help only in very specific cases. This guide explains every legal pathway—hiring through National Strategic Special Zones, bringing your own helper under Highly Skilled Professional benefits, and what is not allowed—plus requirements, costs, timelines, and practical tips with checklists.
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First things first
Japan does not offer a general “nanny/maid visa.” Most families cannot sponsor a foreign domestic helper on their own. Legal options exist, but they are narrow, location-bound, and rule-heavy. Below, you’ll find every pathway that actually works—and how to choose the right one for your situation.
Throughout this guide, you’ll see helpful internal reads to round out your plan: Visa & Immigration hub, Visa application timeline, Checking visa status online, Money & Finance hub, Housing & Living hub, and Study & Work hub.
The two legal routes at a glance
- Hire through a licensed housekeeping company in a National Strategic Special Zone (NSSZ).
Certain municipalities (e.g., the Greater Tokyo Area, Osaka/Hyogo, Aichi, etc.) run a government program that lets authorized companies employ foreign housekeepers and dispatch them to households. You do not sponsor a visa—the company does. Service is available only inside the approved zones. - Bring a domestic worker as part of Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) benefits.
If you (or your spouse) hold Highly Skilled Professional status—or qualify under the 2023 J-Skip track—Japanese immigration can grant your household employee a Designated Activities status (“domestic worker”) with strict conditions on income, family circumstances, contract, and pay.
Other common ideas, such as using Specified Skilled Worker or Technical Intern Training, do not cover private household domestic work. SSW is limited to listed industries (e.g., nursing care in facilities), and the Technical Intern Training program is not designed for housekeepers in private homes.
Option A: Hire via a licensed company in a Special Zone
What the Special Zone program is
Japan’s Cabinet Office runs “The Project to Accept Foreigners Conducting Housekeeping Services” within National Strategic Special Zones. Under this program, only approved companies (“specified organizations”) can employ foreign housekeepers and dispatch them to homes, overseen by a Third-Party Management Council in each zone. The goal is to expand household support while maintaining labor protections.
In Tokyo, the metropolitan government publishes materials and forms used to verify wage parity with Japanese workers, complaint hotlines, and lists of approved organizations—showing how tightly regulated the program is. Similar councils exist in Kanagawa, Osaka, Hyogo, Aichi, and others.
Where available: Example—Tokyo Area covers Tokyo Metropolis, Kanagawa, and parts of Chiba (Chiba City and Narita City). Other prefectures run their own Councils and acceptance schemes (e.g., Osaka, Hyogo). Availability is local; services can be used only inside the zone.
Reality check: Families do not sponsor visas in this route. You simply contract with an authorized provider serving your address. The employer of record is the provider, not your household.
What to expect (service and compliance)
- Employment: The worker is hired by the authorized company and dispatched to your home under local oversight.
- Labor standards: Providers must meet guidelines such as equal pay to Japanese counterparts and use standardized contracts. Tokyo’s official checklist explicitly includes a wage-equivalence worksheet.
- Service areas: Providers publish their covered zones (e.g., major parts of Tokyo/Kanagawa/Osaka/Hyogo). Always check your address.
Example table: Special Zone housekeeping at a glance
| Topic | How it works |
|---|---|
| Visa sponsor | Authorized housekeeping company, not your family. |
| Where | Inside approved National Strategic Special Zones (e.g., Tokyo Area, Osaka/Hyogo). |
| Oversight | Third-Party Management Council monitors companies and cases. |
| Labor rules | Wage parity and model employment contracts required. |
| Your role | Sign a service agreement; no immigration filings by you. |
Useful next steps: Browse providers that clearly state special-zone authorization and service map. This helps you compare coverage, pricing and language support.
Housing & Living hub Money & Finance hub
Option B: Bring a domestic helper under Highly Skilled Professional benefits
The legal basis in one minute
Japan grants Highly Skilled Professionals (HSP) and Special HSP (J-Skip) several preferential measures, including the ability to have house servants/domestic workers approved under Designated Activities. The MOFA HSP page lists “House servants of highly skilled foreign professional: period of stay 1 year,” confirming the category; the J-Skip materials note relaxed conditions for domestic workers compared with the classic HSP route.
In practice, immigration distinguishes between two common patterns for HSP households: (1) Accompanied/continued-employment type (you bring someone you employed abroad), and (2) Household-needs type (you hire due to childcare under 13 or a spouse unable to handle housework, etc.). Official pages and practitioner summaries use these definitions when describing evidence.
Core requirements you should plan for
While exact paperwork depends on your case, the recurring requirements are consistent:
- You (employer household) hold HSP, Business Manager, or Legal/Accounting status and meet household circumstances (e.g., child under 13, spouse unable to do housework, or spouse working full-time), and/or you are continuing employment of your helper hired abroad.
- Minimum pay to the domestic worker commonly referenced by immigration/practitioners is ¥200,000/month or more. Prepare a compliant employment contract.
- Language and age: Worker is 18+ and can handle daily conversation in the employer’s language.
- Period of stay: Usually 1 year at a time for the domestic worker (renewable if conditions still apply).
- For J-Skip: Some classic conditions are relaxed (e.g., not requiring a child under 13 or a spouse unable to do housework). Check J-Skip eligibility and evidence up front.
Caution: Online checklists vary. Base your decision on official MOFA/ISA texts and what your regional immigration office requests at the time of filing. We link the authoritative sources here so you can verify the current rules.
The two HSP patterns explained
1) Accompanied or continued-employment type
You bring the same worker you employed abroad to Japan. Typical proofs include: evidence of continuous employment (often ≥1 year) before entry, compliant contract with ≥¥200,000/month salary, worker’s age/language attestations, and your HSP status.
2) Household-needs type (child/spouse circumstances)
You hire a domestic worker because you have a child under 13 and/or a spouse unable to do housework (illness, pregnancy, or full-time work obligations). Income thresholds and the same ≥¥200,000/month remuneration standard generally apply, with status limited to household chores/childcare within your home. Renewals hinge on whether the need still exists (e.g., child ages past 13).
Special HSP (J-Skip) relaxation
Under J-Skip, Japan explicitly states you are not required to have a child under 13 or a spouse unable to engage in housework to employ a domestic worker—this is a key change from the classic path. Confirm you qualify under J-Skip before relying on this relaxation.
What is not an allowed route (and why)
- Specified Skilled Worker (SSW): SSW targets listed industries; nursing care exists in licensed institutions, not as personal domestic help in private homes. Families cannot use SSW to hire a nanny/maid directly.
- Technical Intern Training: This program is for skills transfer through approved employers and occupations—not private household service. It is being reworked into a new training–employment track, but household domestic work is not the intent.
Visa & Immigration hub Choosing the right work visa Study & Work hub
Decision guide: which path fits you?
| Situation | Best path | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You live in Tokyo (23 wards) or Yokohama/Kawasaki, want weekly housekeeping, and don’t want to handle visas | Special Zone provider | Company sponsors workers; you buy service hours inside the zone. |
| You are HSP with a child under 13 and a trusted helper abroad you want to continue employing | HSP “accompanied/continued-employment” | Matches the Designated Activities category for house servants of HSPs. |
| You are HSP (J-Skip) with no child under 13 but long hours or frequent travel | HSP under J-Skip relaxation | J-Skip eases classic household-needs conditions for domestic workers. |
| You hold Business Manager status and your spouse works full-time | HSP-equivalent household-needs type | Certain non-HSP statuses (e.g., Business Manager) can qualify under similar rules. |
| You hoped to use SSW for a private nanny | Not eligible | SSW is for designated industries; home domestic work isn’t one. |
Compliance checklist for HSP-route employers
Contract & pay
Use a clear employment contract paying ¥200,000+/month (or more if local practice demands) and outline duties as household work/childcare. Keep payroll records.
Scope of work
Activities are limited to your household. Commercial side jobs or dispatch to other homes are not allowed.
Period of stay & renewals
Expect 1-year grants for the domestic worker and renew if the original need continues (e.g., child still under 13). Track expiry dates carefully.
Plan changes
If you lose HSP status (e.g., change to Permanent Resident) or family circumstances change (child turns 13; spouse recovers), renewal may be affected. Update your plan early.
Money & Finance hub Visa application timeline Checking visa status online
How the Special Zone company route works (step by step)
- Confirm your address sits inside a Special Zone service area (e.g., Tokyo Metropolis, Kanagawa, Osaka, Hyogo). Government and provider sites publish coverage.
- Choose an authorized provider. Look for explicit mention of NSSZ authorization and any Third-Party Council references.
- Sign a service contract for the schedule you need (weekly, biweekly, post-partum blocks, etc.). You don’t handle immigration filings.
- Keep receipts and terms (good for taxes and housing insurance requirements). If concerns arise, councils publish complaint channels.
How the HSP household-employer route works (step by step)
- Check your eligibility
- You hold HSP (or J-Skip) or a permitted equivalent (e.g., Business Manager/Legal & Accounting).
- You meet either the continued-employment requirement (bringing a worker you already employed abroad) or a household-needs requirement (child under 13/spouse unable to do housework), unless using J-Skip relaxation.
- Draft a compliant contract
Set salary ≥¥200,000/month, define duties (housework/childcare), hours, rest days, leave, and termination terms. Prepare evidence of language ability and worker’s age (18+). - Apply for the worker’s status
Your domestic worker applies for Designated Activities (domestic worker) linked to your HSP case. The period of stay is commonly 1 year, renewable while conditions apply. - Maintain compliance
Keep payroll and time records; re-check renewals as family conditions evolve (e.g., child’s age). If you change employer or status, seek advice before renewal.
Visa application timeline Money & Finance hub Re-entry permit
Costs and expectations: quick comparison table
| Item | Special Zone company | HSP domestic worker |
|---|---|---|
| Who employs the worker | Authorized provider (dispatch company) | Your household |
| Your immigration filings | None | Yes (Designated Activities application for worker) |
| Where available | Inside Special Zones only (e.g., Tokyo Area; Osaka/Hyogo) | Nationwide, tied to your HSP/J-Skip status |
| Typical remuneration | Provider sets rates; must meet wage parity standards | ≥¥200,000/month contract wage (common standard) |
| Oversight | Third-Party Management Council in the zone | Immigration + general labor law |
| Period of stay | As per employee’s company-sponsored status | Usually 1 year, renewable |
| Flexibility | Service hours scalable; no HR admin | Tailored to your family; but you manage HR/payroll |
Sources: Cabinet Office Special Zone overview; Tokyo/Hyogo official pages; MOFA HSP and J-Skip materials; practitioner summaries of Designated Activities conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Can I hire a foreign nanny on a tourist or dependent status?
No. Tourist status permits no work, and Dependent status allows only limited part-time work for third-party employers with permission—not as your private household employee. Use the Special Zone company route or the HSP route instead.
Can I use the Specified Skilled Worker visa for a nanny?
No. SSW covers designated industries; household domestic work is not on the list. Nursing care is for licensed facilities via separate pathways.
Do Special Zone providers cover my suburb?
They list service maps. Many cover large parts of Tokyo/Kanagawa/Osaka/Hyogo, but always confirm your address before signing.
How many domestic workers can an HSP employ?
Practice notes often cap it at one unless higher income tiers apply; some guidance cites higher thresholds to employ two. Confirm at the counter for your specific case and note that J-Skip relaxations apply.
What if my child turns 13 during the period of stay?
Renewals focus on whether the need still exists. Many offices stop renewing when the child passes 13 (under the household-needs type). Plan for alternative arrangements.
Can diplomats bring domestic staff?
Diplomatic/consular households are handled under separate diplomatic rules/statuses and are outside normal family pathways covered here.
Practical planning timeline
| When | Special Zone route | HSP domestic worker route |
|---|---|---|
| 2–3 months out | Confirm your address in zone; shortlist providers; compare rates and schedules. | Check HSP/J-Skip eligibility; decide accompanied vs household-needs pattern. |
| 4–6 weeks out | Sign service agreement; set start date. | Draft contract (≥¥200,000/month), gather family circumstance proof (child under 13/spouse condition, unless J-Skip). |
| ~3–5 weeks out | Provider handles onboarding; you prep home schedule. | File Designated Activities application; typical stay 1 year for the worker. |
| Go-live | Services begin; keep receipts. | Start employment; keep payroll/time records; track renewal triggers (child’s age, status changes). |
Visa application timeline Checking visa status online Money & Finance hub
Key documents and links you’ll actually use
- Special Zones overview & housekeeping project (Cabinet Office): English intro & official guidelines.
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government: Special-zone housekeeping page with oversight forms, wage-parity worksheet, and complaint cards.
- Hyogo Prefecture: Third-Party Council info, forms, and provider notices.
- HSP benefits (MOFA): “House servants of highly skilled foreign professional” (period of stay 1 year).
- J-Skip (ISA/MOFA): Special HSP track with relaxed domestic-worker conditions vs classic HSP.
- Designated Activities — domestic worker (ISA): Category outline for HSP and Special HSP household employees.
- SSW official: Nursing care field explanations (facility-based), confirming household domestic work is outside SSW.
Sample table: Which option is realistic for my family?
| Your profile | Likely path | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| Non-HSP family in Tokyo’s 23 wards, wants weekly cleaning | Special Zone provider | Compare NSSZ-authorized companies and book. |
| HSP with infant twins, spouse on bed rest | HSP household-needs type | Draft contract at ≥¥200,000/month and apply. |
| HSP (J-Skip) finance exec new to Japan, frequent travel | HSP with J-Skip relaxation | Confirm J-Skip status and file for Designated Activities worker. |
| Family in Nagoya seeking long-term housekeeping | Special Zone provider (Aichi) or HSP route | Check Aichi Council or consider HSP path if eligible. |
| Hoping to use SSW to hire a nanny at home | Not eligible | Pivot to Special Zone provider or HSP route. |
Common pitfalls (and easy fixes)
- Assuming “any visa” works for a nanny
Household domestic work is not an open category. Use Special Zone providers or HSP rules only. - Living outside a Special Zone
Dispatch companies can’t operate the foreign-housekeeper program outside designated areas. If you’re outside, consider relocating services (if practical) or use the HSP route. - Underpaying a domestic worker
The ¥200,000/month minimum is a commonly cited baseline for Designated Activities (domestic worker). Budget realistically. - Forgetting renewals when a child turns 13
Renewals often hinge on the original need. Plan for transition to a provider or alternative care.
Final takeaways
- For most families, the simplest lawful solution is to hire through a Special Zone provider if your address is inside the service area. It’s plug-and-play and immigration-light.
- If you or your spouse are Highly Skilled, the HSP/J-Skip domestic worker route gives you the ability to employ directly—but only with strict, documented conditions.
- SSW/TITP are not private-household options. Don’t waste time pursuing them for a nanny/maid at home.
Ready to move forward? Pair this guide with Visa application timeline, Checking visa status online, Money & Finance hub, and Housing & Living hub for a smooth, compliant setup in Japan.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
