Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services

Who this is for

• People being hired from overseas for professional positions
• People changing from Student or another status to a work status of residence
• People working under Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services who plan to renew their status or change jobs
• Companies responsible for hiring foreign professionals

Main application and consultation offices:Applications for a Certificate of Eligibility are handled by the regional immigration office with jurisdiction over the intended place of residence or the location of the accepting organization, among other factors. Applications for change or renewal are handled by the office with jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence. The office with jurisdiction for a Certificate of Eligibility application varies depending on who is applying. Online applications are subject to eligibility requirements.

Check the eligible activities and the actual work

Examples of eligible work include system development, mechanical design, marketing, translation and interpreting, design, and language instruction at private companies. However, eligibility is not determined by the job title alone; it is necessary to check whether the day-to-day duties require specialized knowledge or skills grounded in a foreign culture. Jobs involving customer service or manufacturing are also assessed according to the actual duties performed. Hiring someone primarily to perform simple tasks may not be justifiable under the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status of residence. Check both the common abbreviation “Gijinkoku” and the official name of the status of residence shown on the residence card.

The contracting organization must be a public or private organization in Japan. Remuneration must be at least equal to that paid to Japanese nationals for the same work. Activities covered by other statuses of residence, such as Business Manager, Instructor, or Entertainer, must be distinguished. The period of stay is one of five years, three years, one year, or three months; the period requested is not necessarily granted.

Supporting materials:[1][2]

Education, work experience, and language proficiency

For work involving engineering or humanities knowledge, check for one of the following: graduation from a university with a major in a relevant subject or education at an equivalent or higher level; completion of a specialized course or advanced course at a Japanese vocational school that meets the conditions specified in the applicable public notice; or at least 10 years of work experience. Periods of education in which the person majored in a relevant subject may be included in work experience. A special provision applies to information-processing work when the applicant has passed an examination or obtained a qualification designated by the Minister of Justice. Graduation from an overseas vocational school is not treated in the same way as completion of a course at a Japanese vocational school.

For international-services work, the general rule is at least three years of work experience related to the eligible duties, such as translation or interpretation, language instruction, overseas transactions, or public relations. This experience requirement does not apply when a university graduate engages in translation, interpretation, or language instruction. This does not mean that university graduates need no experience for every type of international-services work.

For interpersonal work and similar duties that primarily use language skills, proficiency equivalent to CEFR B2 in the language used for the work is required. From April 15, 2026, applicants in Categories 3 and 4 must submit proof, depending on the applicable conditions. For Japanese, examples include JLPT N2 or higher or a BJT score of 400 or higher, but this is not a system requiring everyone to take the N2 test. The language-proficiency standard itself does not cease to apply to Categories 1 and 2, and documents may be requested during examination.

Supporting materials:[1][2][3]

Required documents vary by employer category

Category 1 includes listed companies and national or local public organizations. Category 2 includes organizations and individuals whose total withholding tax shown in the previous year’s statutory records summary is at least 10 million yen. Category 3 includes organizations that have submitted that summary but are not in Category 2. Category 4 covers other organizations. Categories are not determined solely by company size or capital.

For Categories 1 and 2, some supporting documents are generally exempt from submission, but the application form and proof of category, among other documents, are still required. For a change of status from Student, certain applicants may also apply using documents similar to those for Category 2. Do not automatically apply the same exemptions to applications for a Certificate of Eligibility or renewal. The following is guidance on key documents, not a complete list of requirements common to all applicants.

Supporting materials:[1]

Choosing the Right Application: COE, Change, or Renewal

For a person newly entering Japan from overseas, apply for a Certificate of Eligibility for the status of residence. For a person in Japan changing from Student or another status to a work status, apply for a change of status. To extend a stay while continuing activities under Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, apply for renewal. An international student cannot begin work under Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services simply by filing an application to change status.

Apply for an extension before your period of stay expires. If your period of stay is six months or longer, you can generally apply from three months before the expiration date. For your first extension after changing jobs to a Category 3 or 4 company, documents about your new duties and company are also required. Even if your employer is unchanged, check whether evidence of language ability is required if your duties change to work that primarily uses a language.

Supporting materials:[1][4]

Consultation and application preparation process

1. 1

   1. Compare the job with the applicant’s background

   Organize the duties and languages used, and check how they relate to the applicant’s education, major, and experience, as well as the remuneration terms. For dispatched work, also check the duties at the client company.

   Supporting materials:[1][2][3]

2. 2

   2. Determine the application type and category

   Determine whether the application is for entry into Japan, a change of status of residence, or an extension to continue the current status, and assess the category based on the employer’s supporting documents. Also separately check the rules for changing employers and changing status from Student.

   Supporting materials:[1]

3. 3

   3. Gather the applicant’s and company’s documents and apply

   Ensure that the duties, period, and remuneration stated in the application form match the supporting documents, and submit them to the Immigration Services Agency office with jurisdiction. For an extension, work backward from the expiration date to prepare, and respond to requests for additional documents.

   Supporting materials:[1][4]

4. 4

   4. Check the result and future activities

   Check the details of the Certificate of Eligibility or the permission granted. For a change of status of residence, begin the new activities only after permission is granted. If you leave your job, enter into a new contract, or there are other relevant changes, also check the notification requirements concerning the affiliated organization.

   Supporting materials:[1]