Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services

The “Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services” residence status is a visa category for foreign nationals who work in Japan by applying their professional knowledge and specialized skills.

Applicable Fields

The work must involve specialized skills. Typical examples include interpreting and translation, business‑related roles, accounting, programming, and design.

Professional Competence

To work under this residence status, applicants must have an appropriate level of education or relevant professional experience. The requirements include at least one of the following:

• Graduation from a university in a related field
• Graduation from a certified vocational school in Japan (Senmonshi / Kōdo Senmonshi)
• More than 10 years of practical work experience
• Possession of a national IT qualification

Continuity and Stability

Whether the working environment is stable is also an important factor for examination.
The immigration authorities will review the company’s business stability, the likelihood that the job can be continuously maintained, and whether the foreign employee can live in Japan in a stable and sustainable manner.

Management / Administration

For a foreign national to conduct business activities in Japan, simply establishing a company is not sufficient. They must also obtain the “Management / Administration” residence status.
This visa category requires meeting several conditions, including the actual state of business operations, the amount of capital, and the availability of an appropriate office space.

Requirements and Application Procedure for Obtaining Residence Status

Business activities must follow several steps, including establishing a company, obtaining the necessary permits, and submitting the application for residence status. If the applicant is currently outside Japan, they must apply for a “Certificate of Eligibility.” If they are already residing in Japan under a different status, they must submit an “Application for Change of Residence Status.”

Requirements After the 2025 Legal Revisions

Due to the legal revisions in 2025, the minimum required capital has been raised to 30 million yen.
This is a significant increase from the previous requirement of 5 million yen, so thorough preparation is essential when applying for this residence status.

In addition, applicants must prepare a feasible business plan, including details of business activities and revenue projections.
Japanese language proficiency (equivalent to JLPT N2 / CEFR B2), securing full‑time employees, and obtaining industry‑specific business permits when required are also important conditions for operating a company in Japan.

Specified Skilled Worker

Specified Skilled Worker

“Specified Skilled Worker” is a residence status for foreign nationals who can begin working immediately in industries facing severe labor shortages in Japan.
It is intended for individuals who possess a certain level of technical skills and adequate Japanese language ability, and the system is designed based on practical, on‑site work requirements.

Applicable Fields

In addition to fields such as nursing care, agriculture, food service, hospitality, and construction, the automobile transportation sector (truck drivers) has also been added to the list of applicable industries.

Specified Skilled Worker (Type 1)

This residence status is for foreign nationals who possess the technical skills required for on‑site operational roles.
Applicants must pass both the skills test and the Japanese language test, and in principle, they are not permitted to bring family members. The period of stay is typically 1 year, 6 months, or 4 months, and it may be renewed if the individual continues to meet the required conditions.

Specified Skilled Worker (Type 2)

This residence status is intended for foreign nationals with a higher level of skills.
It allows for the extension of the period of stay, with the possibility of long‑term residence, and in certain cases, family members may be permitted to accompany the holder.
Although the number of applicable fields is currently limited, it is expected that the scope may expand in the future.

Revisions and Additions Related to Drivers

Due to the revisions to the “Specified Skilled Worker” system, the driver category within the transportation industry has also been officially recognized as an eligible field for obtaining this residence status.

Japanese Language Proficiency Test / Specified Skilled Worker Skills Evaluation Test

In addition, to confirm the basic knowledge necessary for work in the transportation sector, applicants must pass the Specified Skilled Worker Skills Evaluation Test for the automobile freight transportation field.
Depending on the industry, the skills evaluation test may be conducted either as a venue‑based written exam or as a computer‑based test (CBT).

Japanese Spouse / Dependent Family Members

Japanese Spouse and Equivalent Family Members

If you are legally married to a Japanese citizen, you may be eligible for the “Spouse of a Japanese National” residence status.
The marriage must be legally valid under the applicable laws; de facto relationships such as cohabitation without official registration are not accepted.
In addition, a biological child of a Japanese national is also eligible for this status, provided that either the father or the mother held Japanese nationality at the time of the child’s birth.

Dependent Family (Family Stay)

Individuals residing in Japan under statuses such as Professor, Researcher, Instructor, Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Business Manager, Nursing Care, Skilled Labor, Specified Skilled Worker (Type 2), or Student (university, college, etc.) may apply for the “Dependent (Family Stay)” residence status for their spouse or children, provided certain conditions are met.
Please note that holders of Specified Skilled Worker (Type 1), Technical Intern Training, and Short‑Term Stay are noteligible to sponsor dependents under the Family Stay status.

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