The “Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services” (技術・人文知識・国際業務, often called gijinkoku) is Japan’s most widely issued work visa category. It covers a broad range of occupations including IT engineers, translators, language instructors, designers, and business professionals. This guide explains eligibility, documents, and renewal for 2026.
Three Categories at a Glance
| Category | Work Type | Typical Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Engineer | Science/technology knowledge | IT engineer, mechanical design, R&D, architecture |
| Specialist in Humanities | Law, economics, social science knowledge | Accounting, HR, marketing, business planning |
| International Services | Skills rooted in foreign culture | Language teacher, translator, designer, overseas sales |
Eligibility Requirements
Education or Work Experience
- Engineer / Humanities: University or junior college degree, OR vocational school completion (Specialist or Advanced Specialist), OR 10+ years of relevant experience
- International Services: 3+ years of relevant experience (waived if the major was relevant to the role)
The key factor is the relevance between your academic major/experience and the job duties. Immigration officials closely scrutinize this connection.
Employment & Salary
- A valid employment contract with a Japanese entity is required (self-employment/freelance is generally not eligible)
- Salary must be equivalent to or higher than that of Japanese nationals in similar roles
- The employer’s financial stability is also assessed
Required Documents
From the Applicant
- Application form (Certificate of Eligibility / Change of Status / Renewal)
- Passport-size photo (4cm × 3cm)
- Passport copy (all pages)
- Residence card copy (for change/renewal applications)
- Diploma / degree certificate with Japanese translation
- Academic transcript
- CV / resume (and employment certificates if applying based on experience)
From the Employer
- Copy of employment contract
- Corporate registration certificate
- Recent financial statements
- Company brochure / business overview
- Job description letter explaining relevance to applicant’s background
- Withholding tax summary or tax payment certificate
Processing Times
| Application Type | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Eligibility (from overseas) | 1–3 months |
| Change of Status (within Japan) | 2 weeks – 2 months |
| Renewal | 2 weeks – 1 month |
We recommend starting the process at least 3 months before the intended start date or visa expiry.
Key Points for Renewal & Job Changes
- Changing jobs: If moving to a different industry, a Change of Status application may be required. Working without proper authorization is illegal employment
- Renewal: Applications can be submitted up to 3 months before expiry. Don’t wait until the last moment
- Bringing family: Spouse and children need a separate “Dependent” visa application
Need Help with Your Engineer / Specialist in Humanities Visa?
Inui Gyoseishoshi Corporation provides full support for Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa applications, renewals, and changes. Free consultation available in 5 languages.
Supervised by
乾 喜満（いぬい よしみつ）
Gyoseishoshi (Administrative Scrivener) / Representative, Inui Gyoseishoshi Corporation
Registration No.: 16260979
Founded 2016. Specializes in residence status and naturalization in Japan. Available in 5 languages (JA/EN/ZH/KO/VI). Based in Osaka Tenjinbashi.
Supervised by
乾 喜満（いぬい よしみつ）
Gyoseishoshi (Administrative Scrivener) / Representative, Inui Gyoseishoshi Corporation
Registration No.: 16260979
Founded 2016. Specializes in Japan residence status and naturalization. Available in 5 languages (JA/EN/ZH/KO/VI). Based in Osaka Tenjinbashi.
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