Q&A ⑤ (About the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services Visa)
About the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services Visa
This page outlines common questions and points for business owners to keep in mind when hiring foreign nationals.
Q29: We want to hire a foreign national who graduated from a Japanese junior college for translation/interpretation work. Do they meet the “university graduate or equivalent education” requirement for the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” visa?
A29: Yes, a person who has graduated from a Japanese junior college is considered a “university graduate” under the entry criteria for the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa.
Q30: Does a person who graduated from a foreign educational institution equivalent to a Japanese vocational school meet the criteria for the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” visa?
A30: A person who has completed a specialized course at a Japanese vocational school and has been awarded the title of “Specialist” or “Advanced Specialist” meets the visa’s entry criteria. However, a person who graduated from a foreign educational institution equivalent to a Japanese vocational school does notmeet this criterion.
Q31: We plan to hire a foreign student and have them work at a restaurant for one year of on-the-job training (OJT) before transferring them to our head office. Is it acceptable to apply for a Change of Status of Residence to “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” after a one-year OJT period?
A31: An initial OJT period is generally recognized as necessary training for a foreign national to become proficient in their work. However, if the OJT period is not short but instead makes up a large portion of the foreign national’s period of stay, it will not be approved because they would not be engaging in activities appropriate for their status of residence.
Q32: To apply for a work-related visa, a “contract with a public or private organization in Japan” is a requirement. Is this “contract” limited to an employment contract?
A32: For visas like Highly Skilled Professional (i)(a) & (b) and Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, activities must be based on a “contract with a public or private organization in Japan.” The term “contract” here includes not only employment but also delegation, consignment, or commission. However, the contract must be continuous with a specific organization (or multiple organizations).
Q33: I heard that if a person graduates from a Japanese university and has N1-level Japanese proficiency, they can work in Japan. Is this a different status of residence from “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services”?
A33: Yes, it is. A person who has graduated from a four-year Japanese university or completed a graduate degree and has a high level of Japanese proficiency may be granted entry and residency under “Designated Activities” (Public Notice No. 46, for graduates of Japanese universities).
Q34: What is the difference between “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” and “Designated Activities” (Public Notice No. 46, for graduates of Japanese universities)?
A34:
- For the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa, a person’s primary activities are not permitted if they involve general service or manufacturing work.
- In contrast, the “Designated Activities” (Public Notice No. 46, for graduates of Japanese universities) visa allows a broader range of activities. This visa is for a graduate of a Japanese university who will utilize their broad knowledge, applied skills, and high-level Japanese proficiency gained from their experience as a foreign student at a public or private organization in Japan. For example, a person on this visa can work in a restaurant, performing store management and customer service that includes interpreting (serving Japanese customers as well). For other specific examples, please check the “Guidelines for ‘Designated Activities’ (for graduates of Japanese universities) for Supporting the Employment of Foreign Students.”
Q35: I heard that applications for a Change of Status of Residence and an Extension of Period of Stay can be done online. Is this available to everyone?
A35: Since March 2022, in addition to employees of organizations that meet certain requirements, employees of registered support organizations and public-interest corporations, and registered lawyers or administrative scriveners (for more on this, please refer to Q5), online applications are also now available to foreign nationals themselves, their legal representatives, or family members using personal verification functions of their My Number Card. (You must first register your user information online or submit an application for use by mail.) For more details, please check the provided link.
(Source: Immigration Services Agency Website, February 2025)
Q&A ① (When Hiring) – Yokoyama Daisuke Gyoseishoshi Office (Tokyo/Shinjuku)
Q&A ② (How to Apply for a Visa) – Yokoyama Daisuke Gyoseishoshi Office (Tokyo/Shinjuku)
Q&A ③ (About Required Documents) – Yokoyama Daisuke Gyoseishoshi Office (Tokyo/Shinjuku)
◆ If your company falls into any of the following categories, please feel free to contact us! (Free consultation) ◆
- You are new to hiring foreign nationals and are worried about successfully handling the visa application.
- You are unable to properly create the “Statement of Reasons for Hiring.”
- You are unsure if you meet the visa requirements (for the individual, your company, and the job duties).
- You want to outsource the visa application process to reduce the risk of denial and improve work efficiency.
160-0023 Annex Kobayashi Bldg. 523, 8-19-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Yokoyama Daisuke Gyoseishoshi Office
Chief Administrative Scrivener Daisuke Yokoyama [Japan Federation of Administrative Scriveners Association Registration No. 23080943]
- A former Tokyo Metropolitan Government employee and current visa-specialist administrative scrivener will provide careful and responsible support.
◎ Visa Certificate of Eligibility/Change of Status Application Package (from ¥118,000)
◎ Visa Renewal Application Package (from ¥49,000)
◎ Creation of “Statement of Reasons for Hiring” only (from ¥28,000)
◎ Consultation on Foreigner Employment (First consultation is free)
Email: info@daisukeoffice.com
Official LINE ID: @615wivml
Phone: 03(6824)5009 / 090(1275)1188 FAX: 03(6824)5012
Free Consultation Application – Yokoyama Daisuke Gyoseishoshi Office (Tokyo/Shinjuku)
Fee Schedule (Foreigner Visas) – Yokoyama Daisuke Gyoseishoshi Office (Tokyo/Shinjuku)