Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services Visa

This visa is designed for professionals working in technical, business, or international fields. It is the most common visa used by foreign professionals in Japan, as it covers a wide range of activities. 

Key Requirements

1. Relevant Job Role
   • Applicants job duties must fall under one of the following categories:
     • Engineering: IT engineers, mechanical engineers, system developers, etc.
     • Humanities: Roles based on social sciences, law, economics, marketing, HR, etc.
     • International Services: Translation, language instruction, international business support, etc.
2. Education or Professional Experience
   • Either a university degree in a field related to the job,
   • Or relevant work experience for 10 years for Engineering and Humanities, and 3 years for international services roles.
3. Employment Contract
   • Must have a valid job offer or employment contract with a company in Japan that can sponsor the visa.
   • Employment should be stable and aligned with the visa activity. Work cannot be changed to an activity outside the granted visa category.
4. Salary Requirements
   • Compensation must be equal to or higher than what a Japanese national would receive for similar work.

Duration & Process

• Visa Duration: 1 year, 3 years, or 5 years, depending on job stability and employer history.
• Estimated Processing Time: Usually within 3 months.
• Certificate of Eligibility (COE): Required unless changing status within Japan.
• Renewals: Possible and likely as long as the same working conditions and visa requirements continue to be met.