Engineer / Specialist in Humanities – Full Guide
For IT engineers, translators, marketers, and other professionals. Requires a relevant university degree or 10+ years of work experience. The most common work visa for foreigners.
The 'Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services' category is the most common work visa for foreign nationals in Japan. 'Engineer' covers IT, mechanical, and electronics work; 'Specialist in Humanities' covers law, economics, translation, and marketing; 'International Services' covers trade and foreign language education. The key factor in assessment is whether your academic background or work history is directly related to the intended role.
Eligibility Requirements
- Graduation from a university or graduate school in a relevant field (domestic or overseas)
- If no degree, 10+ years of relevant practical work experience
- The intended job duties must be substantively related to your academic or professional background
Required Documents
- Application form, passport, photo (4×3cm)
- University degree certificate and academic transcript (or work experience certificate)
- Employment contract (with job description)
- Employer's certificate of corporate registration and most recent financial statements
Application Tips
The Ministry of Justice scrutinizes the relevance between your background and the job role. STEM graduates applying for IT roles are straightforward, but arts graduates applying for technical roles must clearly demonstrate the connection. Consider having an administrative scrivener draft a supporting letter.