Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services ("Gijinkoku")
| VISA OVERVIEW |
| Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, as known as "Gijinkoku" visa is for foreign nationals who wish to work in Japan using specialized knowledge, skills, or international services. Applicants may need to meet certain education or work experience requirements depending on their occupation. |
| Dependent Visa Eligibility: ○ Duration of Stay: 1, 3, or 5 years Processing Time: 3 months or more (SIGNIFICANT DELAYS POSSIBLE !!!) |
| WHO IS ELIGIBLE Foreign nationals who will engage in specialized technical, humanities-related, or international service work and have the relevant education or professional experience. |
| EXAMPLES OF OCCUPATIONS |
| Engineers: Mechanical engineers, systems engineers, software developers, information security specialists, and similar roles. Specialists in Humanities: Roles in planning, sales, accounting, human resources, legal, administration, consulting, public relations, marketing, product development, and related fields. International Services: Interpreters, translators, professionals in international trade, language teachers at language schools, and similar roles. |
| SERVICE OVERVIEW |
| 1. Collect information and supporting documents from you – including personal details, employment records, and any official documents issued by your previous employer, home country government, or other relevant authorities. 2. We draft and organise the documents marked "✍️ WE ASSIST!" listed in the document section of this page based on the information and materials you provide, ensuring they meet immigration requirements. 3. Submit the application online to the immigration office on behalf of you. 4. Communicate with the immigration office and respond to the requests for additional information as required. 5. Send the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to you once issued. |
Since Japan lifted its border restrictions in 2022, the number of applications to the Immigration Services Agency has risen sharply, causing significant delays. In some cases, processing for new applications has taken over a year. Please note that we are unable to urge the Agency to speed up the process, and we shall not be liable for any losses resulting from these delays.
| REQUIREMENT |
| Applicant |
| ✅ A valid job offer in a qualifying field |
| ✅ Educational background (A) A bachelor's degree or equivalent - university, graduate school, two-year college, technical college (Kosen) (B) Senmonshi / Kodo-Senmonshi qualification - vocational school in Japan |
| ✅ Work experience (applies when educational background requirements are not met) (A) 10 years of relevant professional experience for Engineer/Specialist in Humanities, or (B) 3 years of relevant professional experience for International Services |
| ✅ Same or higher salary than Japanese employees in the same position If the applicant is the only person in the company, the salary must generally be at least 3,000,000 JPY million per year to meet the minimum immigration requirement. |
| Employer |
| ✅ Office |
| ✅ Business Activity (dormant or shell companies are not eligible) |
| ✅ A clear business purpose and financial stability |
| DOCUMENTS TO SUBMIT |
| Applicant |
| Document | Note |
| Application Form for Certificate of Eligibility ✍️WE ASSIST! | We fill out based on the information collected from you. |
| Face photo | Taken in the last 3 months, passport-sized. |
| A copy of your passport | Face photo page. |
| Statement of Purpose of Visa Application ✍️WE ASSIST! | Must clearly explain including but not limited to your background, experience, reason for working at this specific company in Japan, job description, connection between your background and position, and future outlook. This is a key part of the application, and we are here to assist! |
| CV / Resume | We translate it into Japanese. |
| Diploma / Transcripts | We translate it into Japanese. |
| Certificates of Employment | We translate it into Japanese. |
| Certificates of Professional Qualifications | If you have qualifications relevant to your role, it may boost your visa approval chances. |
| Other Supporting Documents / Materials | Such as reference letters from your previous supervisors or employers. These are completely optional, so no need to worry if you don’t have them! |
| Company |
| Document | Note |
| Copy of documentation showing listing on a Japanese stock exchange | For CAT 1 classfied companies |
| Copy of statutory summary of withholding tax (previous year) | For CAT 2&3 classfied companies |
| Copy of most recent financial statements | For CAT 3&4 classfied companies |
| Certificate of Incorporation | For CAT 3&4 classfied companies |
| Business plan ✍️WE ASSIST!(Option) | For CAT 3&4 classfied companies |
| Copy of notification of salary-paying office | For CAT 4 classfied companies |
| Income tax payment records (last 3 months) | For CAT 4 classfied companies |
| Letter of Reason for Invitation ✍️WE ASSIST! | For all companies. Must explain the details of the offer and the job desription. |
| Employment contract or offer letter | For CAT 3&4 classfied companies |
| Company brochure, website or profile (with business details) | For CAT 3&4 classfied companies |
| Office Lease Agreement | if applicable |
| Office Photos | For CAT 3&4 classfied companies. Must show the entrance, desks, computers, and any other facilities |
| Other Supporting Documents / Materials |
You are encouraged to submit any additional supporting documents, as they may may boost your visa approval chances.
Please do not share any materials containing information subject to a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) unless you have obtained prior consent from the other party. We cannot take responsibility for any consequences resulting from unauthorised disclosure.
| FEES |
Base fee
| Visa Acquisition | JPY 120,000 - |
| Visa Extension The same job since your previous application | JPY 40,000 - |
| Visa Extension Changed your job since your previous application | JPY 90,000 - |
| Change of Visa Status | Quoted |
| Option | Business Plan: JPY 50,000 - |
| Retainer | 50% of the total fee |
| Tax | 10% of the total fee |
Additional fee for complexity/difficulty
| Newly established company / company in 2nd year of operation | JPY 50,000 |
| Fully/mainly Remote work (WFH) | JPY 50,000 |
| Sole proprietor's business | JPY 30,000 |
| Company was at a deficit in the previous fiscal year | JPY 30,000 |
| Applications that have been previously denied once | JPY 30,000 |
| Applicant failed to notify the immigration authorities of a job change | JPY 30,000-50,000 |
| Applicant has a history of misconduct or behavioral issues | JPY 30,000-50,000 |
We are unable to accept requests in the following cases:
- You are not eligible for the visa
- Your application cannot be completed lawfully (for example, if it requires falsifying documents)
- You failed to provide essential information, making it impossible for us to complete the documentation process
You can contact us by submitting an enquiry below: