How to Get an Engineer / Humanities Visa
The Engineer/Humanities visa is the most frequently applied-for work visa in Japan. The three pillars of review are education, job duties, and employment conditions — how well you can demonstrate their relevance to each other determines approval. Since April 2024, language ability certificates are newly required for interpreter and customer-facing roles.
How to Get a Specified Skilled Worker (Type 1) Visa
Specified Skilled Worker Type 1 was established in 2019 and now covers 14 specified industry fields (as of 2024: automobile transport, railway, and linen supply newly added). Since there is a cumulative 5-year limit, those aiming for long-term employment should also plan a transition strategy to Type 2.
How to Get Permanent Residency in Japan
Permanent residency offers no work restrictions and no renewal requirement — the most stable status. The core criteria are 'good conduct, self-sufficient livelihood, and benefit to Japan,' plus meeting the required years of residence. With a review period of 4–6 months, advance planning is essential.
Spouse of Japanese National Visa Strategy
The Spouse of Japanese National visa has no work restrictions. The substance of the marriage is the core of the review. Screening has tightened to weed out sham marriages, so consistent documentary proof of shared life is essential from the first application through renewals.
Student Visa Acquisition & Maintenance Strategy
The student visa is a residence status for foreign nationals enrolled in universities, graduate schools, vocational schools, or Japanese language schools. Managing attendance, academic performance, and part-time work hours is key to continuous stay. The Japanese Language Education Institution Act enacted in April 2024 reformed the certification of Japanese language schools.
Post-Graduation Job Change: Status Conversion Strategy
Foreign nationals graduating from Japanese universities, graduate schools, or vocational schools need to change status from student to a work visa (mainly Engineer/Humanities). The standard schedule is to receive a job offer in October–November of the graduation year and apply for status change in March–April after graduation.
Business Manager Visa Strategy
The Business Manager visa is for foreign nationals managing or operating a business in Japan. Basic requirements include paid-in capital of ¥5 million or more, or employing at least 2 full-time workers. In recent years, combining with 'Designated Activities (Startup Visa)' has also become an effective strategy.
Highly Skilled Professional Visa Strategy
The Highly Skilled Professional visa is a preferential status obtained through a points system (70 points or more). Benefits include relaxed permanent residency requirements (as short as 1 year) and the ability to engage in multiple activities simultaneously. In 2023, J-Skip (permanent residency in as little as 1 year at 80+ points) and J-Find (job hunting for top overseas university graduates) were newly established.
Intra-Company Transferee Visa Strategy
The Intra-Company Transferee visa is for employees transferred from overseas companies to Japanese affiliates, subsidiaries, or branches. Unlike the Engineer/Humanities visa, there are no educational requirements, but at least 1 year of employment at the sending company is mandatory. Direct secondments from parent to subsidiary, and complex affiliate arrangements, are also handled.
Technical Intern Training to Specified Skilled Worker Transition
Foreign nationals who completed Technical Intern Training Level 2 can transition to Specified Skilled Worker 1 with exemptions from both the skills evaluation test and Japanese language test. Transitioning within the same field is the smoothest route. Note that in 2027 the Technical Intern Training system is planned to transition to 'Ikusei Shuro,' and current technical intern trainees need to understand the impact of this change.
Family Stay Visa Acquisition and Maintenance Strategy
The Family Stay visa is available to the spouse and children of foreign nationals holding a work visa (Engineer/Humanities, Specified Skilled Worker 2, etc.) or cultural activities visa. Since it depends on the supporting person's status, prompt action is needed if the supporter returns home or loses their job. Work up to 28 hours per week is permitted with a part-time work permit.
Long-Term Resident Visa Strategy
The Long-Term Resident visa is granted to foreign nationals with circumstances specially recognized by the Minister of Justice, with no work restrictions. Main targets include third-generation Japanese descendants, recognized refugees, former spouses of Japanese nationals or PRs after divorce, and children of Japanese nationals. Review varies greatly by individual circumstances, making specialist consultation particularly important.
Spouse of Permanent Resident Visa Strategy
The Spouse of Permanent Resident visa is a status with no work restrictions for foreign nationals married to Japanese permanent residents. Review items are similar to the Spouse of Japanese National, but since the PR holder has not naturalized, the PR's own residence management (risk of PR cancellation, etc.) also indirectly affects the application.
Specified Skilled Worker 2 Strategy
Specified Skilled Worker 2 is an advanced residence status for foreign nationals with skilled and practiced abilities. In September 2023, the target fields were significantly expanded from 2 fields (construction and shipbuilding) to 11 fields. Family accompaniment is allowed, there is no cap on the period of stay, and a path to permanent residency is also opened. Transition from SSW1 is the main route.
Re-Application Strategy After Visa Denial
When a residence status application is denied, it is crucial to accurately understand the reason and supplement insufficient requirements before re-applying. Immigration authorities are not obligated to disclose specific denial reasons, but it is possible to request 'notification of denial reasons.' Moving quickly from denial to re-application is necessary to protect the resident status.
Engineer/Humanities Visa Renewal Strategy
While the renewal of an Engineer/Humanities visa tends to be perceived as less strict than the initial application, caution is needed when events such as job changes, employment type changes, or secondments have occurred. The renewal review also checks legal compliance during the period of stay (taxes, health insurance, side jobs, etc.).
Status Change Strategy After Divorce
If a holder of a spouse visa (Spouse of Japanese National or Spouse of PR) divorces, they are at risk of cancellation if they do not change to an appropriate residence status within 6 months. A prompt status change application is crucial, and options expand especially if there is a work history.
Permission to Engage in Activity Outside Status
Residence statuses such as Student, Dependent, and Cultural Activities generally prohibit employment. To work, you must obtain 'permission to engage in activity outside your status' in advance. Exceeding the 28-hour/week limit (for students) risks status cancellation and can affect job offers, so careful management is required.
Post-Graduation Job-Hunting Activity Visa
There is a 'Designated Activities (Job Hunting)' visa for international students who have graduated from Japanese universities or graduate schools and wish to continue job hunting. Job hunting can continue for up to 6 months after graduation, and after receiving a job offer, a prompt application to change to Engineer/Humanities is needed. New graduate hiring has unique review points.
Skilled Labor Visa Strategy
The 'Skilled Labor' residence status is for foreign nationals with specialized skills that are difficult for Japanese people to perform. The main targets are chefs of foreign cuisines (Chinese, Indian, etc.) and craftsmen with foreign-specific construction skills (stonemasons, tile workers, etc.). Unlike Engineer/Humanities, 'Skilled Labor' requires practical experience rather than academic qualifications.
Researcher Visa Strategy
The 'Researcher' residence status is for foreign nationals employed by companies, research institutions, government agencies, or local public bodies to engage in research activities. Research at educational institutions like universities falls under 'Professor,' and for R&D at private companies, both 'Researcher' and 'Engineer/Humanities' may be options — correct selection is important.
Professor / Instructor Visa Strategy
Foreign nationals conducting education/research at higher education institutions like universities need the 'Professor' status; those teaching at elementary/junior/senior high schools or language schools need the 'Instructor' status. Both require alignment of educational background, teaching credentials, and job content. Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) have a specific route.
Specified Skilled Worker 1 — 5-Year Cap Exit Strategy
Specified Skilled Worker 1 has a cumulative 5-year (60-month) stay limit. Once reached, the only options are to return home or change to a different residence status. It is important to start planning an exit strategy from the 2nd or 3rd year. Main options are: ① transition to SSW 2, ② change to Engineer/Humanities or another visa, or ③ return home / re-enter.
Post-Working Holiday Residence Strategy
The Working Holiday visa (Designated Activities) allows work and stay for 1 year (up to 2 years for some countries), but generally cannot be renewed. For those wishing to stay long-term in Japan, the most realistic strategy is to find employment during the working holiday and switch to a work visa such as Engineer/Humanities.
Notifications and Procedures When Changing Jobs
Foreign nationals with work-related residence statuses such as Engineer/Humanities, Specified Skilled Worker, and Intra-Company Transferee who change jobs are obligated to notify immigration. Failure to notify is subject to penalties and adversely affects the next renewal review. It is also important to confirm whether the new job duties fall within the scope of the current residence status.
Entertainer Visa Strategy
The 'Entertainer' residence status is for foreign nationals engaged in entertainment activities such as theater, performing arts, music, and sports. The review scrutinizes not only the applicant's performance track record but also the legitimacy, scale, and treatment conditions of the inviting party (venue, organizer). Performance in entertainment districts is particularly strictly screened due to past human trafficking issues.
Nursing Care Visa Strategy
There are multiple routes for foreign nationals to work in nursing care in Japan: ① Residence status 'Nursing Care' (passing the national care worker exam), ② Specified Skilled Worker 1 (nursing care field), ③ EPA (Economic Partnership Agreement) nursing care worker candidate, ④ transitioning from Technical Intern Training (nursing care) to Specified Skilled Worker. Requirements, stay periods, and career paths differ significantly between routes.
Upgrading to Highly Skilled Professional Visa
The Highly Skilled Professional visa is a preferential residence status for which you can apply with a total of 70+ points across categories like academic background, work history, income, and age. It is very advantageous for foreign nationals planning a long-term career, offering a single visa covering multiple work visa activities, priority permanent residency after 5 years, and permanent residency after 3 years (for high scorers in category 1b).
Designated Activities Visa (Various Types) — Strategic Guide
Designated Activities is a residence status for activities individually designated by the Minister of Justice, and there are dozens of categories depending on purpose. The main ones are: ① Designated Activities No. 46 (employment for Japanese university graduates), ② Working Holiday, ③ Job Hunting, ④ Family of diplomatic/official visa holders, ⑤ Spouse of Highly Skilled Professional allowed to work, etc. Permitted activities and stay periods differ significantly between each.