The “Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services” visa is a status of residence for foreign nationals who engage in specialized or knowledge-based work at Japanese companies. To obtain this visa, the following requirements must be met.
Educational and Work Experience Requirements
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:
- Graduation from a university or higher (in Japan or overseas)
- Graduation from a Japanese vocational school (holding a “Diploma” or “Advanced Diploma”)
- At least 10 years of relevant work experience (if the educational requirement is not met)
Note: The field of study must be related to the job duties.
Japanese Language Proficiency
For cases where a foreign national is newly invited from overseas (Application for a Certificate of Eligibility), a certain level of Japanese language proficiency is required:
- Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N2 or higher
or - CEFR level B2 or higher
For international students already in Japan who are changing their status of residence to work (Application for Change of Status of Residence):
- JLPT N2 or CEFR B2 is generally not required
Note: However, Japanese language ability may still be assessed as part of the applicant’s ability to perform job duties.
1. Inviting Foreign Employees from Overseas (New Visa Application)
Certificate of Eligibility (COE) Application
When inviting a foreign employee to Japan, a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) must be obtained first. The COE is then used to apply for a visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate.
Processing Time: Approx. 4 months to 6 months
Required Documents
Documents from the Applicant:
・COE Application Form
・Photo (4cm × 3cm, taken within the last 3 months)
・Copy of passport
・Certificate of taxation and certificate of tax payment for resident tax (for the past one year)
・Resume
・Graduation Certificate
・Academic Transcript
・Certificate of “Specialist” or “Advanced Specialist” Title (if applicable)
Documents from the Employer:
・Employment Contract / Labor Conditions Notice
・Job Description
・Letter of Employment (Hiring Notice)
・Declaration regarding the representative of the affiliated organization.
・Certificate of Company Registration
・Proof of Japanese language proficiency at JLPT N2 level or higher or CEFR B2 level or higher.
・Company Brochure or Website Copy
・Copy of Financial Statements
・Statement of Total Statutory Withholding Documents
・Tax Payment Certificate (Form No. 3 and Form No. 3-3)
・If hiring a dispatched worker: Documents outlining work details at the dispatch location
Procedure Steps
1️⃣ Submit the COE application to the Immigration Services Agency
2️⃣ Send the issued COE to the foreign employee
3️⃣ The employee applies for a visa at the Japanese embassy/consulate
4️⃣ After visa issuance, the employee enters Japan and starts working
2. Changing to “Engineer/Humanities/International Services” Status (For Graduates)
Application for permission to change residence status
If a foreign student is getting a job in Japan, they must apply for a Change of Residence Status.
Processing Time: Approx. 1 months to 3 months
Required Documents
Documents from the Applicant:
・Change of Status Application Form
・Photo (4cm × 3cm, taken within the last 3 months,)
・Residence Card
・Copy of Passport
・Certificate of taxation and certificate of tax payment for resident tax (for the past one year)
・Resume
・Graduation Certificate
・Academic Transcript
・Certificate of “Specialist” or “Advanced Specialist” Title (if applicable)
Documents from the Employer:
・Employment Contract / Labor Conditions Notice
・Job Description
・Letter of Employment (Hiring Notice)
・Declaration regarding the representative of the affiliated organization.
・Certificate of Company Registration
・Company Brochure or Website Copy
・Financial Statements
・Statement of Total Statutory Withholding Documents
・Tax Payment Certificate (Form No. 3 and Form No. 3-3)
・If hiring a dispatched worker: Documents outlining work details at the dispatch location
Procedure Steps
1️⃣ Submit the Change of Status application to the Immigration Services Agency
2️⃣ Receive a new residence card upon approval
3️⃣ Start working in Japan
3. When renewing a visa (without job change)
Application for permission to extend period of stay
If a foreign employee holding a “Engineer/Humanities/International Services” Visa continues working at the same company, they must apply for a Visa Extension before the expiration date.
Processing Time: Approx. 2 weeks to 1 month
Required Documents
Documents from the Applicant:
・Application for Extension of Period of Stay
・Photo (4cm × 3cm, taken within the last 3 months)
・Residence Card
・Copy of Passport
・Certificate of Municipal Taxation and Tax Payment (for the past year)
Documents from the Employer:
・Statement of Total Statutory Withholding Documents
Procedure Steps
1️⃣ Submit the visa extension application to the Immigration Services Agency (applications accepted up to 3 months before expiration)
2️⃣ Receive a new residence card upon approval
3️⃣ Continue working in Japan
4. When renewing a visa (with job change)
Application for permission to extend period of stay
If a foreign employee holding a “Engineer/Humanities/International Services” Visa continues working at the same company, they must apply for a Visa Extension before the expiration date.
Processing Time: Approx. 2 weeks to 1 month
Required Documents
Documents from the Applicant:
・Application for Extension of Period of Stay
・Photo (4cm × 3cm, taken within the last 3 months)
・Residence Card
・Copy of Passport
・Certificate of taxation and certificate of tax payment for resident tax (for the past one year)
・Resume, if required
・Certificate of Graduation, if required
・Academic Transcript, if required
・Certificate of “Specialist” or “Advanced Specialist” Title (if applicable)
Documents from the Employer:
・Employment Contract / Labor Conditions Notice
・Declaration regarding the representative of the affiliated organization.
・Job Description
・Letter of Employment (Hiring Notice), if required
・Certificate of Company Registration
・Company Brochure or Website Copy
・Financial Statements, if required
・Statement of Total Statutory Withholding Documents
・Tax Payment Certificate (Form No. 3 and Form No. 3-3)
・If hiring a dispatched worker: Documents outlining work details at the dispatch location