Engineer/Humanities/International Services Visa Screening Tightened (April 15, 2026)
From April 15, 2026, JLPT N2-level Japanese is required for roles involving language and communication. Employers disqualified under SSW or TITP are also banned from sponsoring this visa.
The ISA revised Engineer/Humanities/International Services (Gijinkoku) screening criteria on April 15, 2026. The key change: applicants for roles involving language, translation, or communication must demonstrate JLPT N4 or above (JLPT N2 equivalent where specified). Applications relying solely on language skills without a substantive specialized job role face significantly higher rejection rates. Additionally, employers who had their SSW or TITP recognition revoked for misconduct are now also barred from sponsoring Gijinkoku visa holders.
Key Points
- Language/communication roles: JLPT N2-equivalent Japanese proficiency now required
- Applications based purely on language skills without specialized job content face stricter scrutiny
- Employers with SSW/TITP misconduct records are banned from sponsoring Gijinkoku visas
Recommended Action
If applying for a Gijinkoku visa, ensure your job description demonstrates specialized expertise beyond translation. Prepare detailed documentation of the relevance between your educational background and the role.