How to Get an Engineer / Humanities Visa
Case-by-case review points and strategies
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.
Who this is for: Foreign nationals joining or changing jobs at Japanese companies as IT engineers, interpreters, sales, marketing, accountants, designers, etc. using knowledge from university or vocational school
Latest Law Amendments
For roles primarily using language ability in in-person services (interpreting, customer service, etc.), a CEFR B2-equivalent certificate (JLPT N2 or higher) is now required. Especially applies to Category 3–4 company applications.
Case-by-Case Review Points & Strategies
Case 1: University Graduate, Major Matches Job
Low RiskSituation
Bachelor's in Information Engineering → System development at an IT company
Strategy
The simplest route. Prepare graduation certificate, transcript, employment contract, and employment certificate (if changing jobs) as a set. Categories 1–2 companies reduce required documents further.
Key Point: Describe job duties specifically: 'Design, development, and testing of XX system.' Avoid vague language like 'miscellaneous tasks included.'
Case 2: Major Does Not Match Job
ModerateSituation
Literature graduate → IT engineer, or Business graduate → Engineering role
Strategy
① 10+ years of relevant work experience can substitute for education. ② Explain indirect connections between major and job duties (e.g., Business degree × business IT systems management) in a statement of reasons. ③ Attach certifications (e.g., Fundamental IT Engineer Exam) to reinforce expertise.
Key Point: A statement of reasons explaining with specific examples 'why your major is applicable to this job' is what often determines approval. Strongly recommend having an immigration specialist draft it.
Case 3: Vocational School Graduate
ModerateSituation
2-year IT vocational school graduate (Senmonshu) → IT engineer
Strategy
Vocational school graduates face stricter scrutiny on 'direct relevance between major and job.' To prove the curriculum-job match: ① Submit a syllabus, ② Show proficiency in specialized subjects via transcripts, ③ Document any internship or project experience.
Key Point: The 'Senmonshu' qualification from Japanese vocational schools is treated equivalent to a bachelor's degree, but overseas vocational schools may not be recognized. Confirm the school is a Japanese institution.
Case 4: Interpreter / Customer-Facing Language Roles [New Requirement: April 2024]
High RiskSituation
Working in customer-facing roles primarily using a foreign language (Japanese, English, etc.) — interpreting, customer service, call center, etc.
Strategy
As of April 15, 2024, roles using language ability for in-person services require a CEFR B2-equivalent certificate. Examples: · Japanese roles → JLPT N2 or higher, or objective language evaluation · English roles → Eiken Pre-1, TOEIC 730+, etc. If no certificate exists, prioritize obtaining one before applying.
Key Point: Especially strictly applied for Category 3–4 company applications. Even for Categories 1–2, meeting the requirement is advisable. Start preparation early given exam schedules.
Common Mistakes & Pitfalls
Including 'other incidental duties' in job descriptions risks being classified as simple labor. Limit descriptions to specialized duties only.
Monthly salary below ¥200,000 puts the application at a disadvantage. Prepare documents showing equivalence with Japanese employees (e.g., payroll records).
Previous denials require a specific explanation of how the cause has been resolved; without it, re-denial is likely.
Free Consultation with an Immigration Specialist
Residence status applications involve complex procedures including document preparation and communication with immigration authorities. Our specialized immigration consultants offer free consultations.