Understanding Japan's Work Visa
The "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" visa is one of the most common work visas in Japan. It covers three broad professional categories:
- Engineer: Software development, systems engineering, network infrastructure, mechanical/electrical/civil engineering, R&D
- Specialist in Humanities: Accounting, finance, corporate planning, marketing, HR, legal affairs, consulting
- International Services: Translation, interpretation, language teaching, overseas trade, international PR, design
Educational Requirements
You must meet ONE of these criteria:
- Bachelor's degree or higher in a field relevant to your work
- Diploma from a Japanese vocational school in a relevant field
- 10+ years of professional experience (3 years for International Services)
Important: Your academic major must match your job duties. Immigration will verify this using your transcripts and job description.
Salary Requirements
Your salary must be equal to or greater than what a Japanese national would receive in a comparable position. Reimbursements for commuting, housing, or family allowances don't count toward this threshold.
Required Documents
- Valid passport
- Application for Certificate of Eligibility
- Recent passport-size photograph
- University diploma and transcripts
- Employment contract or offer letter
- Company registration documents of your employer
Period of Stay
The visa is granted for 1, 3, or 5 years, with processing time of approximately 1-3 months.
Common Reasons for Rejection
- No relevant degree and fewer than 10 years of experience
- Job duties don't match the visa category (e.g., manual labor)
- Salary significantly below market rate