Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services visa: requirements and how to apply

Rules and fees change often. Last checked: 7 November 2026. Always confirm with the official sources below before you apply.

Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (技術・人文知識・国際業務, often called gijinkoku) is the work status for specialist jobs at a Japanese company or organisation. ISA gives examples such as mechanical engineers and other engineers, interpreters, designers, language teachers at private companies, and marketing staff.

New since 15 April 2026. If your employer is in ISA’s category 3 or 4 (usually smaller or newer companies), the application needs two extra documents. One is a declaration about the company’s representative. The other applies if your job mainly uses language with people (for example translation, interpretation or hotel front desk): proof of CEFR B2 level in that language. For Japanese, ISA accepts JLPT N2 or higher, BJT 400 points or more, EJU Japanese 200 points or more, JPT 525 points or more, or graduation from a Japanese university or vocational school, among others.

Who it is for

The job must need specialist knowledge. That can be technical or scientific knowledge (engineering, IT, natural sciences), knowledge from the humanities (law, economics, sociology and similar), or skills based on a foreign culture (translation, interpretation, language teaching, PR, overseas trade, design, product development). Simple manual work is not covered. ISA gives “a person who will do simple labour but applied as an engineer” as an example of fraud.

Requirements

The rules are in the landing criteria ordinance. In plain English:

• Technical or humanities jobs: a degree in a related subject (university or equivalent education), or a related diploma from a Japanese vocational school (専門課程, with conditions), or 10 years of related experience (time studying the subject counts). For IT jobs, certain IT exams or qualifications set by the Minister of Justice can replace the degree.
• International-services jobs (translation, interpretation, language teaching, PR, advertising, overseas trade, fashion or interior design, product development and similar): 3 years of related experience. University graduates who will work in translation, interpretation or language teaching do not need the 3 years.
• Pay: at least the same as a Japanese employee would get for the same work.
• A contract with a public or private organisation in Japan.

Your employer’s category (1 to 4) decides how many company documents are needed. Category 1 is, for example, a listed company or a public body. Category 4 is an organisation that fits none of the other groups. The full checklist is in Who is eligible below.

Japanese level needed

The rules do not set a general Japanese level for this status. The new B2 proof (see the notice above) applies only when your employer is in category 3 or 4 and your work mainly uses language with people. Your employer may still have its own language requirement.

Everyday Japanese helps at any office. Our Lesson 23: Workplace basics covers the phrases you hear every day at work, and Lesson 8: Time and dates helps with schedules. Start the whole path at our JLPT N5 course.

How to apply, in short

From abroad: your employer (or you) applies for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). ISA’s standard period is 1–3 months, and the COE is free. Then you get the visa and enter Japan. From inside Japan (for example after graduating): you apply for a change of status, which takes about 1–2 months. The detailed steps are in How to apply, step by step below.

Applying from Bangladesh. Since 3 November 2024 the Embassy of Japan in Dhaka accepts visa applications only through VFS Global (Gulshan-2, Dhaka). You must book online; new appointments for the month after next usually open on the 15th of each month. The embassy’s standard processing time is 7 working days from the day VFS receives a complete application, and longer if documents are missing. Mid-March to early June and mid-September to late October are very busy, mainly with students, so book early.

Other countries. Each Japanese embassy has its own system. The Embassy of Japan in Nepal also takes applications only through VFS Global. Other embassies use their own application centres or accredited agencies, and these have changed recently in some countries, so always check your own embassy’s visa page. If you are a national of the Philippines, Viet Nam or Nepal, you also need a TB clearance certificate from a designated clinic (see below). Indonesia’s screening starts on 2 November 2026, and the certificate is required from 4 January 2027.

Visa fee. MOFA raised visa fees for applications accepted from 1 July 2026: about ¥15,000 for a single-entry visa and about ¥30,000 for a multiple-entry visa, paid in local currency. MOFA also says the fee may not be required, or may be different, depending on your nationality. Bangladeshi nationals: check the current fee with the embassy. The visa pages of the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh still say the visa is free for Bangladeshi nationals, but they were written before the 1 July 2026 change, and we could not confirm the fee that applies now (checked 8 November 2026). Ask the embassy or VFS Global before you pay. VFS Global charges its own service fee.

Working rules

• You may do only work that fits this status. If you mainly do work that the status does not cover, your status can be cancelled.
• You may change jobs if the new job also fits the status. When your contract ends or you sign a new contract, you must notify ISA within 14 days.
• A side job outside your status (for example evening work in a shop) needs separate permission before you start.
• Dispatch (staffing-agency) work is possible, but ISA asks for extra documents. It updated its guidance on this on 13 July 2026.

Family

Your spouse and children can join you on the Dependent status if you can support them. They can work up to 28 hours a week with permission. See our Dependent visa guide.

How long you can stay

Each permission is for 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 3 months. Apply for an extension before it ends: if your period is 6 months or longer, you can apply from 3 months before. For an extension, ISA asks for your resident tax certificate and tax payment certificate. The fee depends on the period you are given: ¥33,000 for 1 year, ¥64,000 for 3 years, ¥75,000 for 5 years (counter applications from 1 October 2026; online fees are different).

Changing status

• From Student: graduates of a Japanese university, junior college or graduate school can submit the shorter “category 1” document set. See our Student visa guide.
• To permanent residence: usually after 10 years in Japan, including 5 years on a work status such as this one. Taxes, pension and health insurance must be paid on time. See our permanent residence guide.
• Changing jobs: you do not need a new status if the new job fits, but you must report it within 14 days. At your next extension, ISA checks the new job.

Common mistakes and scams to avoid

• A job that does not match your degree. ISA checks that your studies and your work are related. A random degree certificate does not qualify you for any job.
• “Engineer visa” for factory or restaurant work. Agents who sell this status for manual work put you at risk of refusal or cancellation. Declaring false job content is listed by ISA as a reason for cancellation.
• Paying for a job offer. Never pay an agent or “sponsor” for a contract. The COE is free.
• Late tax payments. Extensions need your tax certificates. Unpaid resident tax causes problems now and later for permanent residence.
• Long gaps without work. If you do not do the work of your status for 3 months without a good reason, your status can be cancelled. Start job hunting early if you lose your job.
• Unreported job changes. Report your old contract ending and your new contract within 14 days each.

Free official help. The Immigration Services Agency’s information centre answers questions about forms and documents: 0570-013904 (from IP phones or overseas: 03-5796-7112).