I am Teruyoshi Yoneda, the representative of Yoneda Legal Servives and a certified immigration procedures specialist. My office specializes in international matters such as visa and naturalization applications. Based mainly in Hiroshima Prefecture, we support foreign nationals living in Japan with various immigration procedures, including work visas, spouse visas, permanent residency applications, and naturalization.In this article, I will explain how to obtain work visa.
1.What is Work Visa?
A work visa is a general term for the residence statuses required for foreign nationals to work in Japan and receive salary. Under Japanese law (the Immigration Control Act), the types of work that foreign nationals may engage in are strictly defined, and it is necessary to obtain the appropriate residence status according to the nature of the job.
Specifically, this category includes positions such as system engineers, programmers, and those engaged in the design and development of machinery (Engineering); accounting, finance, general administrative positions, and consulting (Humanities); and interpreting, translation, public relations, overseas business operations, and product development (International Services).A typical example is when an international student who has graduated from a Japanese university or vocational school finds employment in Japan and engages in office‑based work, in which case this visa category is considered. The ‘Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services’ status requires work that involves specialized knowledge or skills, and jobs consisting mainly of simple labor are not eligible.
2. Main Requirements for Obtaining the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services Visa
Although “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” is a single residence status, the requirements differ between the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities” category and the “International Services” category.
(A) In the Case of “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities
①Requirements on the Applicant’s Side
・Having studied relevant subjects at a university, graduate school, junior college, or an equivalent institution in Japan or abroad, and having graduated.
・Completion of a vocational school program in Japan. Note that vocational schools outside Japan do not satisfy this requirement.
・If the above educational requirements are not met, the applicant must have at least ten years of relevant work experience.
② Requirements Related to the Job Duties
・The duties must be work that cannot be performed without technical or academic knowledge in the fields of natural sciences or humanities.
・The duties must require a certain level of specialized knowledge, based on having majored in humanities‑related or science‑related subjects at a university, junior college, or similar institution, and must involve academic and systematic knowledge.
③ Requirements on the Employer’s Side
・The business must be conducted appropriately and must demonstrate stability and continuity. In other words, the company is expected to have obtained any necessary licenses or permits, to be generating sales or profits, and to be capable of continuing its operations in the future. It is also required that the applicant receive salary equivalent to or higher than that paid to Japanese employees performing the same work.
(B)In the Case of “International Services”
①Requirements on the Applicant’s Side
・Having at least three years of work experience in duties related to the job to be performed. (For those engaged in translation, interpretation, or language instruction, work experience is not required if they have graduated from a university.)
② Requirements Related to the Job Duties
・Activities that primarily involve work requiring thinking or sensitivity based on foreign cultures (such as interpreting, translation, teaching at private language schools, or advertising design).
③ Requirements on the Employer’s Side
・The same requirements apply as those for the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities” category.
3.Evaluation Criteria
・Meeting the required educational background or work‑experience criteria.
・Whether the duties to be performed require a certain level of specialization (i.e., they must not consist of simple or manual labor).
・Whether the duties to be performed are related to the applicant’s academic or professional background.
・Whether the company’s business operations are lawful and financially stable.
To obtain a ‘Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services’ visa, it is essential to understand the key points of the screening process and to demonstrate that the applicant meets all the required criteria. Through careful and thorough interviews, our office accurately assesses the circumstances of both the applicant and the company, and we specialize in preparing clear, logical statements of reason that are easy for immigration officers to understand and accept.
If you are considering applying for a work visa in the Chugoku region (Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori) or in other parts of Japan, we offer free consultations. Please feel free to contact us. We will provide our full support until your work visa is approved.
