Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services
This status of residence allows foreign nationals to engage in professional occupations, such as office work and technical positions, that utilize the knowledge and expertise they have acquired at universities or vocational schools.
This status of residence is divided into three fields, each covering different types of professional activities.
Three Fields Covered by the Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services Status and Examples of Permitted Activities
1. Engineer (Science and Engineering Fields)
Activities requiring technical knowledge or expertise in the fields of natural sciences, including science and engineering.
Examples of occupations: Systems engineers, programmers and other computer-related engineers, mechanical engineers, information security engineers, professionals engaged in research and development, analysis, and structural design in civil engineering and architecture, professionals involved in system design, testing, and inspection for game development, and other professionals engaged in manufacturing and product development.
2. Specialist in Humanities (Humanities and Social Sciences Fields)
Activities requiring knowledge in the fields of humanities and social sciences, including law, economics, and sociology.
Examples of occupations: International trade, accounting, human resources, general affairs, legal affairs, marketing, public relations, product development, sales, business planning, and consulting.
3. International Services (Activities Based on Foreign Cultures)
Activities requiring ways of thinking or sensitivity based on foreign cultures.
Examples of occupations: Interpreters, translators, language instructors at language schools, international trade administration, fashion and interior designers, copywriters, package designers, and public relations activities targeting overseas markets.
Requirements
Applicant Requirements
1. Educational Background or Professional Experience
Applicants must satisfy either the educational background requirement or the professional experience requirement.
Educational Background
University graduates: A bachelor's degree or higher (including an associate degree from a junior college).
Japanese vocational school graduates: A diploma of Professional Training College (Senmonshi) or Advanced Diploma (Kodo Senmonshi).
Note: Graduating from a vocational school outside Japan does not satisfy this educational requirement.
Note: Some countries do not have a junior college system. In such cases, an academic qualification equivalent to a Japanese associate degree (such as an Associate degree in the United States), as classified under the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED), may be recognized as equivalent to an associate degree.
Professional Experience
Engineer / Specialist in Humanities: At least 10 years of professional experience in the field of the intended activities. This period may include time spent studying relevant subjects at a university or other educational institution.
International Services: At least 3 years of professional experience in the field of the intended activities. However, this 3-year experience requirement does not apply to university graduates who engage in translation, interpretation, or language instruction.
Special Exception for IT Professionals (IT Notification)
Applicants who intend to engage in activities requiring knowledge or skills related to information processing may be exempted from the educational background and professional experience requirements if they have passed an information-processing examination designated by the Ministry of Justice.
This exception does not apply to all general IT qualifications. Only examinations and certifications specifically designated by the Minister of Justice are eligible.
Official reference:
2. Immigration and Residency Record
The applicant's immigration and residency history is also subject to examination.
This includes, for example:
Outstanding tax or social insurance payments.
Previous violations of Japanese laws and regulations.
For former international students, excessive part-time work (in violation of permitted working hours) and attendance records during their studies.
3. Language Proficiency Requirements
If the applicant's sponsoring organization falls under Category 3 or Category 4 and the applicant will engage in interpersonal work, they may be required to provide proof of language proficiency equivalent to CEFR B2 in the language used for their work (in many cases, Japanese).
Note: This language proficiency requirement was introduced on April 15, 2026.
The following points should be noted:
This requirement applies when the sponsoring organization falls under Category 3 or Category 4.
It applies to applications for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and applications for a change of status of residence.
For applications for an extension of period of stay, submission is generally not required if the applicant has continuously engaged in the same type of work. However, it may be required when the applicant's duties have changed, or when a change of employer results in the applicant primarily engaging in work that requires language proficiency.
Not all types of work are subject to this requirement. It applies primarily to positions involving interpersonal duties that require the use of language skills.
The requirement is not limited to Japanese. For example, if an applicant works as an interpreter between Japanese and English, they may need to demonstrate the required proficiency in both Japanese and English, as applicable to their duties.
Methods of Demonstrating Language Proficiency
1. Proof Through Language Proficiency Tests (Japanese)
Applicants may satisfy the requirement by meeting any one of the following criteria:
Passing the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) at N2 level or above.
Scoring at least 400 points on the BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test.
Scoring at least 200 points in the Japanese section (total of Reading, Listening, and Listening-Reading Comprehension) of the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU).
Scoring at least 525 points on the JPT Japanese Proficiency Test.
2. Proof Through Educational Background or Length of Residence in Japan
Applicants may satisfy the requirement by meeting any one of the following criteria:
Graduating from a university in Japan.
Completing a course at a Japanese college of technology (KOSEN), a specialized training college (Senmon Gakko), or an advanced course at such an institution.
Completing compulsory education in Japan and graduating from a Japanese high school.
Having resided in Japan as a mid- to long-term resident for at least 20 years.
Note: Attendance at a Japanese language school alone is not accepted as proof under this category.
Classification of Sponsoring Organizations
Sponsoring organizations are classified into four categories:
Category 1: Listed companies, national or local government agencies, independent administrative agencies, and similar organizations.
Category 2: Organizations or individuals whose total withholding tax amount for employment income, as reported in the previous year's statutory payment records, is JPY 10 million or more.
Category 3: Organizations or individuals that have submitted the previous year's statutory payment record summary for employment income, excluding those classified under Category 2.
Category 4: Organizations or individuals that do not fall under any of the above categories, such as newly established companies and organizations exempt from withholding tax.
Requirements Regarding the Nature of the Work
1. Relevance Between the Applicant's Major and Intended Activities
There must be a certain degree of relevance between the subjects the applicant studied and the work they intend to perform.
The relevance requirement is assessed more flexibly for university and college of technology graduates. In contrast, vocational school graduates are generally required to demonstrate a substantial relationship between their field of study and their intended job duties.
University and college of technology graduates: The relevance between their academic background and intended work is assessed relatively flexibly.
Specialized training college graduates: In principle, a substantial degree of relevance is required.
2. Work Must Require Professional Knowledge or Expertise
The applicant must engage in work that requires the professional knowledge or expertise covered by the Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services status of residence.
Simple labor and manual work at operational sites are not permitted as the primary activities under this status.
Examples of work that are generally not permitted include:
Primarily serving customers or cooking at restaurants.
Assembly-line work in factories.
Working as a construction site laborer.
3. Sufficient Volume of Professional Work
There must be a sufficient amount of actual work requiring specialized knowledge or expertise.
Even if an applicant formally applies for a position involving translation, interpretation, or international trade administration, the Immigration Services Agency will examine whether the company actually has sufficient work of this nature.
The company's size, business activities, transaction records, and the actual duties assigned to the applicant may be considered in determining whether sufficient professional work exists.
Employer Requirements
1. Remuneration Equal to or Greater Than That of Japanese Employees
The applicant must receive remuneration equal to or greater than that paid to Japanese nationals engaged in equivalent work.
In particular, the salary must be at least comparable to that of Japanese employees performing similar duties within the same company and of a comparable position or scale.
If the applicant is employed at a salary significantly lower than the average salary of Japanese nationals performing similar work at other companies, this may result in the application being denied.
2. Business Stability, Continuity, and Actual Business Operations
The sponsoring company must demonstrate that its business is expected to remain stable and continue operating.
Documents such as the company's most recent financial statements, business description, and company profile may be used to demonstrate the actual nature and stability of its business.
For newly established companies, a business plan may be required to demonstrate the viability and continuity of the business.
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