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Japan’s airline groups have spent the last few years rebuilding their airport workforce, and JAL & ANA careers now include a route that did not exist a decade ago: the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa for aviation. Japan Airlines and ANA each run large networks of group companies that handle baggage, cargo, aircraft cleaning, maintenance and passenger service. Ground-handling staff numbers fell to roughly 80% of pre-COVID levels before recovering, which pushed both groups to widen recruitment. This kind of work suits hands-on people who like teamwork, technical learners interested in aircraft, and foreign candidates willing to prepare for a skills test and basic Japanese.
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The hiring is done mostly by group companies rather than the airlines’ head offices. On the JAL side, JAL Ground Service handles ramp work, loading, towing, exterior washing and cabin cleaning at Haneda and Narita; JAL Sky covers passenger service; JAL Engineering covers maintenance; and JAL Cargo Service handles air cargo at Narita. On the ANA side, ANA Airport Services (Haneda) and ANA Narita Airport Services cover passenger, ramp and operations work, while maintenance companies such as ANA Line Maintenance Technics recruit jointly under e.TEAM ANA. These groups recruit for such roles on a recurring basis, though openings change, so always check their official pages.
For foreign nationals, some ramp, baggage, cabin-cleaning and maintenance-support positions may potentially fit the SSW Aviation field, depending on exact duties and occupational classification. Other JAL and ANA careers, especially cabin crew, sit completely outside SSW. This article goes deep on how the SSW Aviation system works, which tests you need, how JAL’s group has used it, and what it cannot be used for.
JAL & ANA Careers 2026 – Quick Overview
| Job Title | Ramp Agent, Aircraft Cleaner, Aircraft Maintenance Technician, Ground Staff, Cabin Crew |
| Country | Japan |
| Location | Mainly Haneda (Tokyo) and Narita (Chiba) |
| Employers (examples) | JAL Ground Service, JAL Sky, JAL Engineering, ANA Airport Services, ANA Narita Airport Services, ANA Line Maintenance Technics |
| Industry | Airline ground handling, maintenance and in-flight service |
| Indicative Salary | About ¥220,000 – ¥250,000 per month for airport roles |
| Experienced Salary | New-graduate cabin crew around ¥270,000 – ¥283,000 including flight allowance |
| Education | High school for many SSW roles; vocational school or above for airline new-graduate tracks |
| Experience | Not always required; training is provided |
| Japanese | JFT-Basic A2 or JLPT N4 minimum for SSW(i) |
| Work Type | Full-time regular and contract employment |
| Work Schedule | Shift rota covering early, day and late flights |
| Accommodation | Housing support for SSW workers; varies by company |
| Overtime | Likely in peak seasons, paid per contract |
What Does a JAL or ANA Group Airport Worker Do?
A JAL or ANA group airport worker prepares aircraft, bags, cargo and passengers for each flight so the airline can keep its tight Japanese on-time standards.
- Marshals and guides aircraft into parking stands
- Connects ground power and positions loading equipment
- Loads and unloads checked baggage and unit load devices
- Pushes back or tows aircraft using towing tractors (with training)
- Washes aircraft exteriors during scheduled cleaning
- Cleans cabins, lavatories and galleys between flights
- Moves cargo between aircraft and cargo terminals
- Assists licensed engineers with routine checks and parts handling
- Checks in passengers and handles boarding at gates
- Coordinates turnaround timing with operations control
- Delivers in-flight safety and service as cabin crew
- Inspects equipment before use and reports defects
- Follows foreign object debris (FOD) prevention rules on the apron
- Fills in work records and safety checklists
Types of JAL & ANA Career Jobs
Ramp Agent / Baggage Handler
Ramp agents work on the apron loading bags and cargo and guiding aircraft. This is the core of the SSW airport ground-handling sub-area and the main SSW intake area at JAL Ground Service.
Aircraft Cleaner
Cabin cleaning is also part of the SSW ground-handling sub-area. Cleaners work in small teams under strict turnaround times.
Aircraft Maintenance Technician (Assistant)
Maintenance is the second SSW Aviation sub-area. Entry workers support licensed engineers at companies such as JAL Engineering and the ANA maintenance group.
Cargo Handler
Cargo handling at Narita, through JAL Cargo Service and ANA Narita Airport Services, falls within the ground-handling sub-area.
Ground Staff (Passenger Service)
Check-in and gate staff at JAL Sky and the ANA airport companies are mostly recruited through Japanese new-graduate and mid-career channels, not SSW.
Cabin Crew
JAL and ANA hire cabin crew directly through their own recruitment cycles. Cabin crew is not an SSW occupation.
JAL & ANA Careers Salary 2026
| Position | Indicative Monthly Salary |
| Ramp Agent / Baggage Handler | ¥230,000 (range ¥200,000 – ¥265,000) |
| Aircraft Cleaner | ¥220,000 (range ¥200,000 – ¥240,000) |
| Aircraft Maintenance Technician (entry) | ¥250,000 (range ¥220,000 – ¥270,000) |
| Ground Staff (Passenger Service) | ¥220,000 (range ¥190,000 – ¥250,000) |
| ANA Cabin Crew (new graduate) | ¥280,000 (JAL about ¥270,000) |
Pay varies by employer, shift, allowances and overtime; some cleaner figures are converted from hourly pay at 160–170 hours a month, and cabin crew figures include a flight allowance of about ¥50,000. All amounts are indicative estimates, not guaranteed salaries.
JAL & ANA Jobs for Foreign Workers
The SSW Aviation field (航空分野) has two sub-areas. Airport ground handling covers ramp work, cargo and baggage handling, cabin cleaning and aircraft guidance, while aircraft maintenance covers support work on aircraft and components. A foreign worker can be employed under SSW(i) only in the sub-area for which they passed the test, and only by an employer that meets the system’s conditions. SSW(i) is generally limited to a total of five years and does not usually allow family members to join, whereas SSW(ii) can be renewed and may allow family to accompany the worker.
JAL Ground Service began SSW hiring in FY2023 after a plan first drawn up in FY2019 was delayed by COVID. About 90 of roughly 470 JAL group hires in FY2023 were SSW workers, and JAL had 111 SSW workers at the start of FY2024. ANA HD’s group companies hired about 460 people in FY2023 and recruited foreign talent from countries including South Korea, but the available report does not confirm that this was under SSW specifically. Nationally, aviation SSW residents rose from 342 at the end of December 2023 to 959 at the end of June 2024.
Capacity is limited too: the SSW(i) aviation cap is 4,900 people through the end of March 2029, with 300 of those places set aside for the new 育成就労 (Employment for Skill Development) system. The government has also proposed adding airport ground handling to 育成就労, which starts in April 2027. Candidates should not assume every vacancy qualifies for SSW; the exact duties and the employer’s own registration decide it.
Japanese Language Requirement
Japanese is part of the SSW entry requirement and also matters day to day on the ramp, where instructions and safety calls are in Japanese.
- JFT-Basic at A2 level or above, or JLPT N4 or above, for SSW(i)
- Exemption for those who completed Technical Intern Training (ii) in the field in good standing
- Listening skills for radio calls and safety briefings
- Reading technical labels, manuals and checklists for maintenance roles
- Strong Japanese for ground staff and Japan-based cabin crew roles
For the SSW(i) visa, you need both the Aviation skills test for your sub-area and the Japanese test, unless an exemption applies.
Eligibility
- Pass in the Aviation SSW(i) evaluation test for ground handling or maintenance
- JFT-Basic A2 or JLPT N4 result (or a valid exemption)
- A job offer from an employer able to hire under the SSW Aviation field
- Good health and fitness for physical, outdoor work
- Willingness to work shifts, weekends and holidays
- Clean background suitable for airside security clearance
- For SSW(ii): the SSW(ii) test or an aviation technician licence, plus required experience
- For cabin crew: JAL and ANA state an education requirement, a TOEIC of about 600 as desirable, and living within commuting range of Haneda or Narita (ANA says within two hours by public transport)
Education Qualification
The SSW route itself focuses on skills and language tests rather than formal degrees, but airline new-graduate programmes have their own education rules.
- High school completion is commonly enough for SSW ground-handling roles
- Technical or engineering studies help for maintenance positions
- JAL cabin crew new-graduate recruitment accepts graduates of vocational school, junior college, technical college, university or graduate school
- ANA cabin crew pay differs by education level (junior college/vocational, bachelor’s, graduate school)
- JAL Sky and ANA airport companies recruit new graduates for ground-staff tracks
Daily Work of a JAL or ANA Group Ramp Agent
- Report for the shift and attend the safety and flight-plan briefing
- Collect protective equipment and the day’s team assignments
- Inspect ground equipment such as belt loaders and tractors
- Wait at the stand and guide the arriving aircraft in
- Place chocks and cones once the aircraft stops
- Unload arriving baggage and cargo in the correct order
- Support cabin cleaners and caterers with access as needed
- Load departing baggage and cargo according to the load plan
- Do a final walk-around check for open doors and debris
- Support pushback and see the aircraft off
- Record the turnaround and move to the next flight
Every step follows written safety procedures, and supervisors expect zero shortcuts around moving aircraft and vehicles.
Working Hours
- Shifts usually cover early-morning, daytime and late-evening flight waves
- Roughly eight working hours per shift, plus breaks
- Rotating days off rather than fixed weekends
- Higher workload in holiday travel seasons
- Cabin crew schedules are based on monthly flight hours and duty patterns
Airport operations at Haneda and Narita start early and finish late, so shift work is a normal part of these careers.
Accommodation
- SSW employers must provide support for foreign workers, including help finding housing
- Some companies may offer dormitories or company-leased apartments
- Others pay a housing allowance and leave the choice to the worker
- Cabin crew must live within commuting range of their base airport
Always confirm rent, deposits and monthly deductions in the contract before accepting an offer.
Benefits
- Health insurance, pension and employment insurance
- Paid leave under Japanese law
- Shift and qualification allowances
- Commuting allowance
- Structured training in ramp safety, equipment and service
- Possible bonuses for regular employees
- Same pay standard as Japanese workers doing equivalent work, as required under SSW
The exact package depends on the employing company and contract type.
Career Growth
SSW(i) Ramp Agent → Experienced Agent → Team Leader → Supervisor (SSW(ii))
- SSW(ii) for ground handling requires the SSW(ii) test or an aviation technician licence plus supervisory experience
- SSW(ii) for maintenance requires the test or licence plus three or more years of specialised work
- From April 2024, ANA and JAL mutually recognise ramp-handling qualifications at 10 airports
- Maintenance assistants can work toward formal aviation technician licences over time
- SSW(ii) offers renewable status and a more stable long-term life in Japan
Skills That Can Improve Your Chances
- Japanese above the N4 minimum
- Mechanical aptitude for maintenance support
- Physical fitness and safe lifting habits
- Prior experience in logistics, factories or warehouses
- Driving or forklift experience
- Strong safety awareness and rule-following
- Teamwork with Japanese colleagues
- Basic English for aviation terms
- Reliability and punctuality
Documents Required
- Valid passport
- Aviation SSW(i) test pass certificate
- JFT-Basic or JLPT certificate, or Technical Intern Training (ii) completion proof
- CV in Japanese format
- Education certificates
- Health check report if requested
- Photographs and any licences you hold
- Certificate of Eligibility documents prepared with the employer
Requirements can differ by employer, country of residence and visa category.
How to Apply Online
Step 1: Prepare Your CV
Build a Japanese-format CV that clearly shows physical, technical or service experience relevant to airline work.
Step 2: Describe Your Skills
Explain your safety habits, teamwork, Japanese level and any equipment you have operated.
Step 3: Gather Certificates
Keep your test results, education documents and licences scanned and translated.
Step 4: Check the Job Category
Decide whether you are targeting the ground-handling or maintenance sub-area, because the SSW test and visa are tied to one sub-area.
Step 5: Complete Required Tests
Book the Aviation SSW(i) test through the Japan Aviation Technical Association (JAEA); the ground-handling test has about 30 written questions in 45 minutes plus about 15 picture-based practical questions in 30 minutes, with a reported pass mark of 65%, and costs ¥4,000.
Step 6: Attend the Interview
Look for openings on the JAL Group recruitment site, ANA recruit pages or e.TEAM ANA for maintenance, and prepare for interviews that may be held in Japanese.
Step 7: Review the Contract
Check that the salary, allowances, hours, housing and support plan match what was promised.
Step 8: Complete Immigration Procedures
The employer generally applies for the Certificate of Eligibility, and you then obtain the SSW visa and residence card.
JAL & ANA Careers 2026 – FAQs
Is this a guaranteed job offer?
No. This is an information guide only. Passing the SSW test does not guarantee a job, and employers and immigration make all final decisions.
Can I become JAL or ANA cabin crew through the SSW visa?
No. Cabin crew is not an SSW occupation. Japan-based crew are hired through the airlines’ own recruitment and need a status that permits regular employment, while JAL also hires crew locally at eight overseas bases, including Manila.
Where can I take the Aviation SSW test?
Tests are organised by JAEA. Secondary sources list overseas test locations in the Philippines, Mongolia, Nepal, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, as well as Japanese airport areas.
How much does the SSW(ii) test cost?
The ground-handling SSW(ii) test fee is ¥10,000 including tax.
Does passing the ground-handling test let me do maintenance work?
No. The two sub-areas have separate tests, and your work must match the sub-area you qualified in.
Has JAL actually hired SSW workers?
Yes. JAL Ground Service began SSW hiring in FY2023, and JAL had 111 SSW workers at the start of FY2024.
Do I need an agent to apply?
Not necessarily. Never pay unlicensed agents or anyone selling a “guaranteed” airline job; use official recruit pages or licensed support organisations.
Is check-in counter work covered by SSW?
Passenger check-in is not listed among the SSW Aviation sub-areas, which focus on ground handling and maintenance.
Final Words
For foreign workers, the SSW Aviation route is the most practical way into JAL and ANA group ground handling and maintenance. Pick your sub-area, pass the JAEA test and Japanese test, apply through official channels, and remember that cabin crew follows a separate path entirely.
Disclaimer: All salary figures mentioned in this article are indicative estimates based on general industry patterns and may vary by employer, location, experience, and contract terms. They do not represent a guaranteed salary, job offer, or visa approval. This website is not affiliated with Japan Airlines or ANA.