Visa Guide: Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services – Who Qualifies and How to Apply

🧭 Overview

The Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services visa is one of the most common work visas in Japan. It is designed for foreign nationals who engage in work that requires specialized skills or knowledge in engineering, humanities, or international fields.

👤 Who is Eligible?

To qualify for this visa, the applicant must meet the following conditions:

• A job offer from a company or organization in Japan
• Educational background (usually a university degree) or equivalent work experience in the relevant field
• Work activities that fall under one of the three categories:

1. Engineer

Jobs related to:

• IT (e.g., software engineering, system development)
• Civil engineering
• Mechanical or electrical engineering
• Architecture, etc.

2. Specialist in Humanities

Jobs related to:

• Economics, law, sociology
• Marketing, accounting, HR
• Business planning, management consulting

3. International Services

Jobs related to:

• Translation and interpretation
• Language instruction (e.g., English teacher)
• International marketing or PR

📄 Basic Requirements

• A valid passport
• A university diploma or relevant work experience
  (typically 10 years, or 3 years for interpreter/teacher)
• A signed employment contract with a Japanese company
• Job duties that match your degree or professional background
• The company must provide proper salary and working conditions

🔁 Application Process

1. Find a job in Japan that fits the criteria.
2. The employer applies for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) at the Immigration Bureau in Japan.
3. Once the COE is issued, you apply for the visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country.
4. If approved, you receive the visa and travel to Japan.
5. You will be issued a Residence Card upon arrival at the airport.

📌 Tip: In some cases, applicants can apply for the COE themselves, but this is rare.

📌 Notes and Cautions

• Your job title alone is not enough; the immigration office evaluates your actual job duties.
• Your work must align with your academic or work background.
• Companies that sponsor the visa must be legally operating and in good standing.
• You may change jobs while staying in Japan, but your new job must also fall within the same visa category.

📅 Period of Stay and Renewal

• Initial visa is usually valid for 1 year, 3 years, or 5 years
• The visa is renewable if you continue working in a qualifying position
• You can apply for permanent residency after a certain period (usually 10 years or 5 years with a highly skilled background)

❌ Common Reasons for Rejection

• Job duties do not match your degree or experience
• Company is not able to properly support foreign employees
• Insufficient documents or incomplete application
• Salary is too low or work conditions do not meet standards

🧾 Example Jobs That Qualify

Field	Example
IT	Software Developer, Web Engineer
Business	Marketing Analyst, Accountant
Education	Language Instructor, Translator
Engineering	Civil Engineer, Electrical Technician

🏁 Summary

The Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services visa is ideal for skilled professionals with a university degree or equivalent work experience. If you plan to work in Japan in a white-collar profession, this visa may be the right path.

Our firm can guide you every step of the way.