Japan’s Immigration Services Agency will introduce a new operational requirement under the “Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services” status of residence. Companies dispatching and receiving workers under this visa will be required to submit a written pledge to prevent unskilled labor. The measure will take effect on March 6.
This visa is granted to individuals working as professionals, such as engineers and interpreters. However, there have been cases in which visa holders were engaged in simple factory work, raising concerns about violations by employers. To prevent such misuse, companies will now be required to formally pledge that they will not assign work outside the scope permitted under this status of residence.
As of the end of June 2025, approximately 450,000 foreign nationals reside in Japan under the “Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services” visa, making it the second most common status after Permanent Resident.
There have also been reports of unscrupulous recruitment agencies bringing individuals to Japan under this visa, only for them to find no professional positions available and to end up performing low-paid, unskilled labor. The new pledge requirement aims to prevent such unlawful practices from spreading.
Those considering coming to Japan under this status of residence should carefully confirm that their employment conditions and job duties fall within the legally permitted scope of the visa.
By Hajime Saito
X: @hajimesaitoYJC
Source: Nikkei (Feb 26, 2026)
Related article: Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services
