What is the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services Visa?
The Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services visa (commonly abbreviated as "技人国" or "Gijinkoku" visa) allows foreign professionals to work in Japan in a wide range of qualified fields. These include IT, engineering, marketing, translation, finance, design, and other roles that require specialised knowledge or international background. It is one of the most common work visa categories in Japan and can also lead to long-term residency.
Duration of Stay
This visa category typically grants a stay of 1 year, 3 years, or 5 years, depending on the employer’s sponsorship and the applicant’s circumstances. Extensions are possible as long as the employment relationship and eligibility conditions continue.
Requirements for Eligibility
The applicant must manage a business as a senior managerial role such as company director or representative. The following conditions must be met.
For Visa Acquisition
| Valid Job Offer in a Qualifying Field | The applicant must have a job offer from a Japanese company or institution in an approved category such as: Systems Engineer, Programmer, Mechanical Engineer (Engineer) Accountant, Marketing Specialist, Legal Analyst (Humanities) Translator, Language Teacher, International Sales Representative (International Services) |
| Relevant Academic or Professional Background | Applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s degree or have 10 years of relevant work experience in the designated field. (In some fields such as IT or translation, professional certifications or shorter experience may be acceptable.) |
| Employment Terms and Salary | The salary must be comparable to what a Japanese national would receive in the same role. The employment contract must show stable, full-time conditions. |
| Appropriate Work Duties | The role must align with the job category applied for. For example, a language teacher cannot apply under the “Engineer” category. |
| Workplace and Role Clarity | Job responsibilities, workplace location, and supervisor information must be clearly stated in the employment documents. |
For Visa renewal
| Continued Employment in the Approved Role | The applicant must still be working in the same field under the same visa category. |
| Compliance with Japanese Law | No immigration or legal violations during the stay. Taxes, social insurance, and employment conditions must be in order. |
| Stable Income and Residence | The applicant should demonstrate sufficient income to support their stay in Japan and stable living arrangements. |
| Ongoing Relevance of Role | The job must still fall within the permitted work scope under the Gijinkoku visa. A change of duties outside the category may require a change of status. |
Rights and Privileges
Holders of the Gijinkoku visa may:
- Legally reside and work in Japan for the sponsoring employer under the designated job category
- Change jobs within the same visa category, with notification to immigration bureau
- Sponsor dependent visas for spouses and children
(Spouses may apply for work permission; children may attend local schools)
Note: Side jobs or freelance work are not permitted under this visa without separate permission.
Pathway to Residency
After 5 years of continuous, lawful residence in Japan under the Gijinkoku visa (or other qualifying work visa), applicants may become eligible to apply for Permanent Residency
Required Documents
Here are the typical documents required for your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) application and visa process:
Applicant
| Application Form for Certificate of Eligibility | We fill out this form based on the information you provide us. |
| Face Photo (Passport size) | We print it out if you provide us with digital image data |
| CV/Resume | Showing relevant professional background or qualifications |
| The statement of purpose for visa application | We create this important document based on the information we collect from you in the inital consultation / questionaire. |
| Academic Certificates (degree certificates, transcripts) | |
| Documents to prove past job experiences (Certificate of Employment, Reference Letter) | |
| Professional Qualifications (if applicable) | |
| Certificate of Japanese Proficiency (in case your position requires Japanese Proficiency such as translator) | |
| Supporting documents to prove your skillsets or experience relevant to your position | |
| Others (case-by-case basis) | Additional documents may be required depending on the company categories. |
Company
| Certificate of Incorporation | Issued within the last 3 months (90 days) |
| Articles of Incorporation | Copies |
| Business License Certificates (if applicable) | Copies |
| Office Lease Contract (if applicable) | Copies |
| Utility Bill of the office (if applicable) | Copies |
| Documents to explain the company's services | Such as Brochure, Website screen shot |
| Letter of Reason for Invitation | Dated & signed by the employer |
| Employment Contract or Offer Letter with Job Description | Dated & signed by both the employer & Visa applicant |
| Business Plan | Should clearly outline projected revenue, cost structure, staffing plans, strategic goals, and risk management measures for the next three years. |
| (A) Tax Office-Stamped Copy of the Notification of Establishment of a Salary-Paying Office OR (B) Receipt Copy of the Payment Slip for Withholding Income Tax | If the current directors are not receiving any salary at the time of the visa application, Letter of Reason will be required. |
| Supporting documents | Such as marketing activity reports, social media posts. |
- We encourage you to provide supporting documents, as doing so may strengthen your case during the screening process
- Please do not provide any documents that contain information covered by a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
Estimated Processing Time
Approx. 4 to 6 months, depending on the immigration office and complexity of your case
Note: Delays are possible if documents are incomplete or additional explanation is required.
Our Services & Fees
We provide complete assistance with the following:
- Consulting on eligibility and requirements
- Creating the following documents in Japanese based on the information we will collect from you through the initial consultation
- Letter of Reason for Invitation by the employer end
- The statement of purpose for visa application by the applicant end
- (Option) Business Plan & Profit Plan: 50,000 JPY
- Translating the provided documents into Japanese
- Preparation and submission of COE application
- Communication with Immigration Bureau
Service Fee:
From ¥150,000 (+ option & tax)
Exact cost may vary depending on the complexity and services required.
Contact Us for a Consultation
Thinking about starting your business in Japan?
Let our immigration lawyer and administrative scrivener team guide you from planning to visa approval.
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