The status of residence “Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services” is one of the most common work visas obtained by foreign nationals working in Japan.
It primarily covers white-collar positions in office-based environments. Simple or unskilled labor is not permitted under this status. On-site manual work is outside its scope and generally falls under other statuses of residence, such as the Specified Skilled Worker category.
This status requires academic qualifications or professional experience as part of the examination criteria. Unlike the Highly Skilled Professional status, it does not operate under a points-based system; however, a certain level of professional expertise and educational or work background is required.
There is no formal Japanese language requirement. However, immigration authorities will assess whether the applicant possesses sufficient Japanese ability to perform the assigned duties. Since the level of Japanese proficiency required varies depending on the type of job, no uniform standard is established.
In recent years, an increasing number of foreign professionals have been working as IT engineers and programmers at major Japanese companies. Additionally, as inbound tourism continues to grow, demand has expanded in fields related to international business and tourism. If you are interested in the activities listed below, this status of residence may be appropriate for you.
Period
5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months
Main Activity
Engineering / Technical Fields
Work requiring knowledge in natural sciences such as physics, engineering, or other scientific disciplines.
Examples include:
- IT engineers
- Programmers
- Data analysts
- Mechanical or architectural designers
Humanities Fields
Work requiring knowledge in fields such as law, economics, sociology, or other humanities disciplines.
Examples include:
- Human resources
- Legal affairs
- Accounting and finance
- Sales
- Marketing
International Services
Work requiring ways of thinking or sensitivity rooted in foreign cultures.
Examples include:
- Interpretation and translation
- Language instructors at private language schools
- International business transactions
- Public relations for inbound tourism
Requirements for Examination
Both the applicant and the employing company must meet certain requirements.
Academic Background or Professional Experience
One of the following is required:
- A Bachelor’s degree or higher
- Graduation from a Japanese vocational school (Senmon-shi qualification)
- At least 10 years of professional experience (3 years may suffice for International Services)
Relevance Between Academic Background and Job Duties
The applicant’s academic background must be related to the job duties to be performed. If the relevance between the applicant’s field of study and the assigned work cannot be sufficiently demonstrated, the application may be carefully examined.
For example, if a graduate from an engineering faculty is assigned to an accounting position, immigration authorities may review the case more closely.
Equal or Higher Compensation Compared to Japanese Employees
The salary must be equal to or higher than that paid to Japanese nationals performing the same duties. Employment under unfairly low wages based solely on nationality is not permitted. This requirement exists to prevent foreign workers from being employed under unjust conditions.
In white-collar professions, changing jobs to a different type of occupation is relatively common. For example, a person may transition from a sales role to an IT engineering role.
However, if the relevance between the applicant’s academic or professional background and the new job duties cannot be adequately explained, additional documentation or clarification may be required at the time of visa renewal.
When changing jobs, it is advisable to apply in advance for a Certificate of Authorized Employment to confirm that the new position complies with the permitted scope of activities under this status.
Where can you actually work in Japan?
Find Foreign-Friendly Companies in Japan (JETRO OFP List)