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Work Visa

Work Visa

For companies in Hiroshima considering the recruitment of foreign professionals

When hiring foreign employees for white‑collar positions in Hiroshima, obtaining a Work Visa (Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services) is required.

As an immigration lawyer, our office provides tailored application support based on the examination tendencies of the Hiroshima Immigration Bureau.

We offer comprehensive assistance—from understanding the visa system to preparing all required application documents—ensuring that even first‑time employers can proceed with confidence.

1.General

A work visa refers to the status of residence required for foreign nationals to engage in paid employment in Japan. Under Japan’s Immigration Control Act, the types of work that foreign nationals may engage in are strictly defined, and individuals must obtain the appropriate status of residence based on the nature of their duties.
One of the main categories is the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services Visa, commonly known as the “Gijinkoku Visa,” which applies to white‑collar professional positions.
This visa category is typically used when international students who graduated from Japanese universities or vocational schools join Japanese companies and engage in office‑based work.

Occupations that fall under the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services Visa

  • Tech / Engineering
    System Engineers, Programmers, Mechanical Design and Development
  • Humanities
    Accounting, Finance, General Office Positions, Consultants
  • International Services
    Interpreting, Translation, Public Relations, Overseas Business Operations, Product Development

2. Visa Requirements

To obtain the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services Visa,

three key conditions must be satisfied①Applicant Requirements — Educational background or relevant work experience②Job Description Requirements — The duties must require specialized skills or knowledge③Company Requirements — Stability and continuity of the business operations All three elements must be met for a successful visa application.

1. Applicant Requirements (Educational Background or Work Experience)

●Engineer/Specialist in Humanities

  • Graduated from a university or graduate school in Japan or overseas.
  • Completed a Japanese vocational school program (Senmonshi or Kōdo Senmonshi).
    Vocational school qualifications from overseas are not accepted.
  • If the applicant does not meet the above educational requirements:At least 10 years of relevant work experience is required.

● International Services

  • At least three years of relevant work experience in duties related to the position.
    For interpreters, translators, and language instructors, work experience is not required if the applicant has graduated from a university.
  • Japanese language proficiency at N2 level or higher is required.
    Beginning April 15, 2026, Japanese‑language ability has become mandatory for certain job categories—such as translation/interpretation and customer‑facing roles including hotel front desk positions—under the revised regulations.
    This requirement applies to companies classified as Category 3 or Category 4.

2. Company Requirements

  • The business is operated in compliance with all legal requirements, including obtaining any necessary licenses or permits.
  • Business stability and continuity can be confirmed through sales performance, profitability, and other financial indicators.
  • The company provides equal or higher compensation compared to Japanese employees performing the same duties.
  • The company has an appropriate system for accepting foreign employees, including proper labor management and a suitable workplace environment.

Key Points Examined During the Screening Process

  • Whether the applicant’s educational background or work experience meets the required criteria
  • Whether the job duties involve specialized skills or knowledge (i.e., not simple labor)
  • Whether the job duties are related to the applicant’s academic background or professional experience
  • Whether the company demonstrates stable and continuous business operations

3. Required Documents

The required documents vary depending on the applicant’s individual circumstances and the size of the company. However, based on practical immigration procedures, the following are the main documents typically required for submission.

Required Documents

👉 表は横にスクロールできます
Required DocumentsCertificate of Eligibility Application (COE)Application for Change of Status of ResidenceApplication for Extension of Period of StayExplanations
Application Form ✔✔✔Use the designated form provided by Immigration depending on the application type.
Photo✔✔✔4cm × 3cm, taken within 6 months, no hat, plain background, clear front-facing image.
Passport ✔✔✔For identity verification and confirmation of residence status.
Residence Card-✔✔Same purpose as above.
Resume✔✔-Includes residence history, education, work experience, and changes in personal status.
Educational / Work Experience Documents✔✔-Diplomas (university/graduate school/junior college)
apanese vocational school certificates (Senmonshi/Kōdo Senmonshi)
or employment certificates if applying based on work experience.
Language Proficiency Documents▲▲▲Required when duties involve language-based interpersonal work (e.g., interpreting).
Individual Tax Certificates--✔Issued by the municipality where the applicant lived on January 1.
Employment Contract / Working Conditions Notice✔✔▲
When Changing Employers		Confirms specialized duties, non‑simple labor, and appropriate salary (above minimum wage).
Company Overview Documents✔✔▲
When Changing Employers		Company brochure, pamphlet, etc.
Declaration Regarding Company Representative✔✔✔Use the designated Immigration form.
Certificate of Registered Matters✔✔▲
When Changing Employers		Proves company details (name, address, officers, capital). Obtained from the Legal Affairs Bureau.
Financial Statements ✔✔▲
When Changing Employers		Important for confirming business stability and actual business operations.
Withholding Tax Report ✔✔✔Submitted to the tax office; used to determine the company’s category classification.
Statement of Hiring Reasons✔✔-Explains relevance between applicant’s background and duties, specialized nature of work, actual workload, necessity of hiring, and company’s financial status.
New Employee Training Plan ▲▲-Required when new employee training is conducted.

For more details, please refer to the blog article below.

View all articles (Work Visa)

4. Why Our Immigration Services Stand Out

Immigration Lawyer Teruyoshi Yoneda

①Work‑visa support based on the latest immigration trends

Work‑related visa regulations have undergone frequent revisions in recent years, increasing the administrative burden on companies.
As an immigration‑specialized administrative scrivener office focusing on visa, permanent residency, and naturalization, we stay fully updated on the latest legal amendments and examination trends.This enables us to provide the most accurate and effective guidance for each case.

②Direct English communication with foreign employees

We communicate directly with foreign staff in English, reducing the workload of company owners and HR personnel.This is especially helpful when collecting documents or explaining immigration requirements to employees who are not fluent in Japanese.

③Free initial consultation & online support

We offer a free first consultation—online or in person—to resolve concerns such as: ・Whether the candidate can obtain a work visa ・Whether their academic background sufficiently matches the job duties ・Whether a small company can still be approved We provide clear, practical guidance before any formal engagement.

Area of practice

  • Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services
  • Highly Skilled Professional Visa
  • Other work‑related visas

5.Pricing Table

Work Visas

Our Service Fees

Application for Certificate of Eligibility (new invitation from overseas)

Application for Change of Status of Residence (to a work visa)

Application for Extension of Period of Stay (work‑visa holder with job‑change history)

Application for Extension of Period of Stay (work‑visa holder without job‑change history)

Excluding tax

Other expenses

Excluding tax

Click here for detailed pricing information

FAQ

  • Can you perform manual or on‑site labor under the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa?
  • You cannot perform manual or on‑site labor under this visa.This status of residence is intended for white‑collar duties, such as office work in administration, planning, management, translation, and IT‑related tasks.Because the visa is strictly limited to specialized, non‑manual work, on‑site or physical labor is not permitted.If on‑site work is required, you should consider the Specified Skilled Worker visa instead.
  • Can a small company obtain a work visa?
  • Yes, it is possible.Many small companies are approved as long as they clearly explain their business stability, continuity, and the necessity of hiring a foreign employee.
  • How much salary is required to obtain a work visa?
  • A salary equal to or higher than that of a Japanese employee performing the same duties is required.
  • I’m worried whether the foreign candidate can obtain a work visa.
  • The likelihood of approval varies significantly depending on factors such as the applicant’s academic/work background, the relevance of the job duties, the company’s business activities, and salary conditions.To help you understand your situation clearly, we offer a free eligibility assessment. Please feel free to contact us for a free visa evaluation.

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