"Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" is the most common work visa status for foreigners in Japan. This guide explains the three key requirements (education/experience, job relevance, salary level), the documents you and your employer must prepare, the process from COE application to residence card, and common reasons for rejection — all with clear illustrations.

If you plan to work in Japan as an engineer, translator, sales representative, designer, or similar professional, the most common residence status is "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" (often called "Gijinkoku"). Roughly 90% of work visas fall under this status. This article explains the requirements, required documents, and application process with illustrations.

What is "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services"?

This status covers work in three fields:

• Engineer: systems engineers, programmers, mechanical designers — jobs requiring science and engineering knowledge
• Specialist in Humanities: accounting, HR, sales, marketing, planning — jobs requiring knowledge of law, economics, or social sciences
• International Services: interpretation/translation, language teaching, trade operations, negotiations with overseas clients — jobs based on foreign cultures

The Three Application Requirements

Requirement 1: Education or Work Experience

You must meet at least one of the following:

* IT professionals can apply without education/experience if they pass a designated IT exam (such as Japan's Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination).

Requirement 2: Relevance to Your Job

There must be a clear connection between what you studied and the work you will do in Japan. For example, an economics graduate hired for sales is usually fine, while a literature graduate hired as a systems engineer is hard to justify. If the connection is weak, you must explain it concretely through completed coursework and your work history.

Requirement 3: Salary Level

Your pay must be equal to or higher than what a Japanese national would receive for the same job. An unusually low salary is a common cause of rejection.

Document Checklist

Documents You Prepare

• Copy of your passport
• ID photo (4cm x 3cm, taken within the last 3 months)
• University diploma and academic transcript
• Resume / CV (if applying based on work experience)
• Certificates of employment from previous employers

Documents the Employer Prepares

• Application for Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
• Employment contract or job offer letter (stating job duties and salary)
• Company registry certificate
• Latest financial statements (profit & loss, balance sheet)
• Previous year's withholding tax summary
• Materials showing business activities (company brochure, website, etc.)

* Newly established or small companies may be asked for additional evidence of a real, ongoing business, such as a business plan or contracts with clients.

Application Process

If you are overseas:

1. Your employer in Japan applies for the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) at the Immigration Services Agency

2. Screening takes 1-3 months. Once issued, the COE is mailed to you

3. You apply for a visa at the Japanese embassy/consulate in your country (a few days to one week)

4. Enter Japan with your visa and COE, and receive your residence card at the airport

5. Register your address at the city/ward office within 14 days

If you are already in Japan (e.g., switching from a student visa): file an "Application for Change of Status of Residence" at the Immigration Services Agency. Screening takes 1-2 months.

Common Reasons for Rejection

• Job description mismatch: hired "for sales" but the actual plan was factory-floor work
• Weak relevance to your major: unable to explain the connection between your field of study and the job
• Employer's finances: a company in continuous deficit raises doubts about stable employment
• Salary too low: clearly below what a Japanese employee would earn for the same role

Summary

• The three keys: education/experience, job relevance, and equal-or-better salary
• Both your documents and your employer's documents are required — the company's cooperation is essential
• Screening takes time, so start preparing as soon as you receive a job offer
• Always check the Immigration Services Agency's official website for the latest information

In the next article, we will explain the process from student visa application to obtaining a COE.

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