Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services (技術・人文知識・国際業務)

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Engineer / Humanities / International Services Visa
Length of stay	3 months, 1, 3, or 5 years
Cost	COE free; visa fee 15,000–30,000 JPY
Eligibility timing	Not stated in the source
Work rights	Specialized technical/humanities roles only
Study rights	Not stated in the source
Medicare / Healthcare	Not stated in the source
Travel facility	Not stated in the source
Path to citizenship	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Spouse and children (Dependent status)
Visa record	Residence Card (在留カード)
Processing time	Typically 1–3 months

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Purpose & Scope

The Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services (技術・人文知識・国際業務) visa is Japan's primary work visa for foreign white-collar professionals. It covers roles requiring specialized higher education knowledge or technical expertise:

• Technical/Engineering: Software development, IT, system analysis, scientific research (chemistry, biology, physics), and data analysis.
• Humanities/International Services: Translation, interpretation, foreign language instruction (private sector), international sales, marketing, and overseas business liaison.

Note: Routine clerical work and manual labor (e.g., factory assembly lines, transportation) do not qualify. Public school teaching falls under a separate Instructor visa.

Eligibility Criteria

• Job offer: Secured employment contract or offer letter from a legitimate Japanese legal entity.
• Education or experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher in a field relevant to the job duties, OR
  • 10 years of relevant professional experience.
• Salary: Equal to or higher than the salary paid to Japanese nationals in equivalent positions.
• Language requirement (Effective April 15, 2026):
  • Applies to Category 3 or 4 employers (smaller/non-listed companies) hiring for customer-facing, language-using roles (interpretation, translation, hotel front desk, customer service, sales requiring communication).
  • Requires CEFR B2-equivalent ability in the working language. For Japanese, this requires meeting one of the following:
    • JLPT N2 or higher
    • BJT (Business Japanese Proficiency Test) score of 400+ points
    • 20+ years of mid/long-term residence in Japan
    • Graduation from a Japanese university
    • Japanese compulsory education plus Japanese high school graduation
  • Exemptions: Categories 1 and 2 (large/listed companies) and pure-engineering/back-office roles.

Period of Stay & Renewal

• Granted periods: 3 months, 1 year, 3 years, or 5 years.
• Renewals: Renewable indefinitely as long as employment, tax compliance, and qualifying conditions continue.
• Renewal application window: Within 3 months before visa expiration.
• Renewal criteria: Employment continuity or job similarity, timely payment of taxes and social insurance/pensions, and employer stability.

Costs & Fees

• Certificate of Eligibility (COE) application: Free
• Visa issuance fee (from July 1, 2026): 15,000–30,000 JPY (single/multiple entry)
• Administrative scrivener fee (reference): 100,000–200,000 JPY

Processing Times

General COE processing typically takes 1 to 3 months. Average processing figures (Ministry of Justice statistics, June 2026):

• COE (from overseas): 51.4 days (30-month average: 62.7 days)
• Change of Status (within Japan): 56.8 days (30-month average: 50.6 days)
• Renewal / Extension: 41.7 days (30-month average: 39.8 days)

Rights & Conditions

• Permitted work: Restricted strictly to technical, humanities, or international services tasks relevant to the applicant's expertise.
• Side income & part-time work: Engaging in work outside the designated scope requires Permission for Activities Outside Status.
• Employer changes: Allowed, but the applicant must report the change to the Immigration Services Agency within 14 days. If the new job falls outside the current scope, a change of status application is required.

Family Provisions

• Spouses and children can apply for a Dependent (Family Stay) visa.
• Dependent spouses may work part-time up to 28 hours per week after obtaining Permission for Activities Outside Status.

Obligations

• Address registration: Register residence at the local municipal office within 14 days of arrival in Japan.
• Notification of changes: Report changes in employment/contracting organizations to Immigration within 14 days.
• Tax & pension compliance: File taxes and pay social insurance and pensions on time.

Required Documents

• Valid passport
• Application for Certificate of Eligibility (在留資格認定証明書)
• Recent passport-size photograph
• University diploma or academic transcript matching the job field (or certificates proving 10 years of relevant professional experience)
• Employment contract or offer letter from the Japanese employer
• Company registration documents (登記事項証明書)
• Company overview, annual report, or financial statements
• Written explanation of job duties and their connection to the applicant's specialized knowledge
• Proof of language proficiency (if applicable under Category 3/4 rules)

Application Steps

1. Secure a qualifying job offer from a Japanese company.
2. Apply for the COE: The employer (or applicant if inside Japan) submits the COE application to the regional Immigration Services Agency.
3. Await COE issuance (typically 1–3 months).
4. Apply for visa overseas: Submit the approved COE, passport, and visa application to a Japanese Embassy or Consulate.
5. Enter Japan: Present visa and COE at border control to receive the Residence Card (在留カード).
6. Register municipality: Register the residential address at the local municipal office within 14 days.

Transition Paths

• Highly Skilled Professional (Type 1 & 2): Can switch upon scoring 70+ points on the points calculation system.
• Permanent Resident: Eligible to apply after 10 years of continuous work/residence in Japan (preparation often begins after 3+ years).
• Business Manager: Can transition when starting or managing a qualified business.

Important Warnings

• Major vs. job alignment: The field of study must directly correspond to the intended job duties (e.g., a literature major applying as a programmer faces high risk of rejection without relevant work experience).
• Company scrutiny: Small, newly established, or Category 3/4 companies undergo stricter immigration scrutiny.
• Employment gaps: Long-term leaves of absence or unaddressed unemployment can negatively impact visa renewals.

Official Resources

• MOJ ISA Notice on Status Clarification
• MOJ Clarification PDF
• MOJ ISA Official Status Overview