[2026 Guide] Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services Visa: Japanese Language Requirements and New Supporting Documents from April 15
As of April 15, 2026, passing Level N2 of the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) has not become a uniform requirement for all applications for the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” status of residence.
Particular attention is required in the following cases:
✅ The applicant will engage in interpersonal duties that require language skills, such as translation, interpretation, or customer service
✅ The employing organization falls under Category 3 or Category 4
✅ The application is submitted on or after April 15, 2026
In such cases, applicants are generally required to submit documents demonstrating CEFR B2-level proficiency or higher in the language used for their work.
In addition, organizations classified under Category 3 or Category 4 are now required to submit a declaration concerning the representative of the employing organization, separately from the documents proving language proficiency.
The Immigration Services Agency of Japan has published a revised checklist of required documents for applications for the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” status of residence submitted on or after April 15, 2026.
Japanese Language Proficiency Is Not Required for All Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services Applications
After seeing this change, many people may be wondering:
“Will every foreign national applying for the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status of residence now be required to have JLPT N2?”
However, the newly clarified criteria do not impose a uniform Japanese-language requirement on every applicant under this status of residence.
They mainly apply to jobs that involve direct communication with other people using language skills, such as:
📌 Translation and interpretation
📌 Front desk duties at hotels and traditional Japanese inns
📌 Providing guidance or explanations to foreign customers
📌 Coordinating with overseas clients
📌 Sales and liaison duties that require language skills
📌 Multilingual customer support
By contrast, the new rules do not mean that everyone working in fields where language ability is not the main part of the job—such as system development, mechanical design, research and development, accounting, or internal data analysis—will automatically be required to have JLPT N2.
The key issue is not simply the applicant’s job title, but rather:
Which language will actually be used, with whom, and in what way in the course of the applicant’s work?
The required level of language proficiency is equivalent to JLPT N2.
When an applicant will engage in interpersonal duties that require language skills, they are generally expected to demonstrate proficiency in the language used for their work at a level equivalent to JLPT N2 or CEFR B2.
The language proficiency requirement may be demonstrated through any of the following:
✅ Passing Level N2 or higher of the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)
✅ Scoring 400 points or higher on the Business Japanese Proficiency Test (BJT)
✅ Having resided in Japan for at least 20 years as a mid- to long-term resident
✅ Graduating from a university in Japan
✅ Graduating from a college of technology in Japan
✅ Completing a specialized course or advanced course at a professional training college in Japan
✅ Completing compulsory education in Japan and graduating from a Japanese high school
In other words, applicants are not necessarily required to submit only a JLPT N2 certificate.
Those who have graduated from a university, professional training college, or similar educational institution in Japan may be able to demonstrate their Japanese-language proficiency by submitting a graduation certificate.
Can Japanese-language proficiency be proven by graduating from a Japanese language school?
It is important to note that, as a general rule, graduation from a Japanese language school alone is not included among the deemed criteria listed above.
Even if a person has studied at a Japanese language school for an extended period, this does not necessarily mean that they will automatically be regarded as having language proficiency equivalent to CEFR B2.
For example, the following individuals should confirm the requirements as early as possible:
❌ Those who have graduated only from a Japanese language school
❌ Those who have not taken the JLPT
❌ Those who have obtained only JLPT N3 or a lower level
❌ Those who have not graduated from a university, professional training college, or similar educational institution in Japan
❌ Those who plan to use Japanese in duties involving direct interaction with other people
In such cases, it is necessary to consider whether the required level of language proficiency can be demonstrated through a JLPT N2 certificate, a BJT score report, or other reasonable supporting documents.
Jobs Using Languages Other Than Japanese May Also Be Covered
The criteria clarified in this revision do not apply only to Japanese-language proficiency.
When a job requires the use of a language other than Japanese, such as English, Chinese, Korean, or Vietnamese, the applicant’s proficiency in the language actually used for the work will generally be assessed.
For languages other than Japanese, an applicant may be considered to have proficiency equivalent to CEFR B2 in circumstances such as the following:
✅ The language is the applicant’s native language or an official language of the applicant’s country
✅ The applicant can demonstrate CEFR B2-level proficiency or higher through a recognized language examination
✅ The applicant can reasonably demonstrate, based on their educational background, employment history, or other relevant circumstances, that they possess the language skills required for the job
🔽 Examples
A Chinese national will use Chinese to coordinate with companies in China.
→ If Chinese is the applicant’s native language, it may be possible to demonstrate the required proficiency by submitting documents or explanations showing that it is their native language.
A Chinese national will use English to negotiate with overseas clients.
→ Because English is not necessarily the applicant’s native language, they may need to demonstrate their proficiency through English-language test results, previous work experience involving the use of English, or other supporting documents.
In other words, being a foreign national does not automatically mean that the applicant is qualified to perform duties requiring a foreign language.
It is important that the language actually used for the work matches the documents submitted to demonstrate proficiency in that language.
Which companies are required to submit additional documents?
From April 15, 2026, special attention should be paid to additional documentation if the employing organization falls under Category 3 or Category 4.
Category 3 generally includes organizations or individuals that have submitted the statutory record of salary payments (the Summary Table of Statutory Records) for the previous year but do not qualify as a Category 2 organization.
Category 4 includes organizations or individuals that do not fall under Categories 1, 2, or 3.
In practice, the following types of employers are more likely to fall into these categories:
📌 Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
📌 Newly established companies
📌 Companies that have not yet completed their first fiscal year
📌 Sole proprietors
📌 Companies that have not yet submitted the Summary Table of Statutory Records
However, an organization’s category cannot be determined solely by its size.
Before submitting an application, it is essential to confirm the employing organization’s category accurately.
These requirements should be carefully considered regardless of whether the application is for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), a change of status of residence, or an extension of the period of stay.
Whether you are applying for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), a Change of Status of Residence, or an Extension of Period of Stay, these requirements should be carefully reviewed.
The revised requirements do not apply only to applications for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) filed for foreign nationals residing outside Japan.
The following types of applications should also be reviewed carefully:
✅ Application for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
✅ Application for Change of Status of Residence
✅ Application for Extension of Period of Stay
✅ Application for Acquisition of Status of Residence
For example, even if an applicant has previously obtained an extension of the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status of residence for interpreting or translation work, they may be required to submit documents proving their language proficiency at their next renewal if their employing organization falls under Category 3 or Category 4.
Do not assume that the same job automatically means the same supporting documents will be accepted.
For applications submitted on or after April 15, 2026, applicants should review their application materials in accordance with the revised checklist of required documents.
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