Engineer/Specialist in Humanities Visa Japan: Full Guide (2026)
The Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status (技術・人文知識・国際業務, often called "gijinkoku") is the main work visa for engineers in Japan. It lets you work under a contract with a Japanese organisation in a job that needs knowledge in natural sciences or humanities, or international skills.
Most foreign engineers in Japan hold this status. It is also the status most researchers and postdocs move to when they join a company. This guide explains who qualifies, how long you can stay, what changed in 2026, and what to do when you change jobs.
All rules are described as of October 2026, based on Immigration Services Agency (ISA) sources. This is general information, not legal advice. ISA decides every case.
Key takeaways
You usually need a degree related to the job, or 10 years of related experience. Some IT certifications can replace this for IT work.
Your pay must be at least equal to what a Japanese person would receive for the same work.
The April 2026 change asks for CEFR B2 language proof only for jobs that mainly use language with people, such as translation. It is not a rule for engineering work.
For dispatch work, ISA decides the period of stay according to the dispatch contract period.
Application fees changed on October 1, 2026, and now depend on the period of stay granted.
What is the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa?
It is a status of residence for professional work under a contract with a public or private organisation in Japan. ISA's definition covers three kinds of work:
Part of the name | Kind of work | Examples |
|---|---|---|
Engineer | Work that needs technology or knowledge in science or engineering | Process engineer, software engineer, design engineer, data engineer |
Specialist in Humanities | Work that needs knowledge in law, economics, sociology or other humanities | Accounting, marketing, planning |
International Services | Work that needs thinking or sensitivity based on a foreign culture | Translation, interpretation, language teaching in a company |
Engineers almost always fall under the first part. The status does not cover activities of other statuses, such as Professor, Researcher or Business Manager. That is why researchers need a change of status when they move into engineering work.
Who qualifies? Education, experience and salary
ISA's landing standards set the conditions. For work that needs science or humanities knowledge, you must meet one of these:
You graduated from a university (or had equal education) with a major related to the work.
You completed a related course at a Japanese vocational school (senmon gakko) that meets certain conditions.
You have 10 years or more of related work experience. Time spent studying related subjects at university or similar schools counts toward this.
For IT work, there is an exception. If you passed an IT exam or hold an IT qualification listed in a Ministry of Justice notice, you do not need the degree or 10 years of experience.
For International Services work, such as translation, you usually need 3 years of related experience. A university graduate working in translation, interpretation or language teaching does not need this.
The salary condition
You must receive pay at least equal to what a Japanese person would receive for the same work. This is a legal condition, not just a guideline.
Your major and your job must match
ISA checks that your studies or experience relate to your actual job. A materials science PhD moving into semiconductor process engineering is usually a clear match. A large gap between your field and the job can cause problems. ISA publishes examples of approved and rejected cases on its website.
Periods of stay and employer categories
The status is granted for 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 3 months. ISA decides the period based on your situation and your employer.
ISA puts employers into four categories. The category changes which documents you submit.
Category | Who it covers | Documents |
|---|---|---|
1 | Listed companies, public bodies, and some other approved organisations | Fewest documents |
2 | Organisations whose previous year's withholding tax on salaries was ¥10 million or more, and some approved for online applications | Few documents |
3 | Organisations that submitted the previous year's statutory withholding tax summary (excluding Category 2) | More documents |
4 | All others, such as new companies | Most documents, including financial statements |
If you are a dispatch worker, your employer is the dispatch agency. So the agency's category is the one that counts.
The April 2026 change: what it really means
From April 15, 2026, ISA clarified the rules for jobs that use language skills with people. It does not mean every engineer needs JLPT N2. This is a common misunderstanding.
ISA's notice says: if you will mainly do interpersonal work that uses language skills (for example, translation, interpretation or hotel front desk work), ISA assumes you have CEFR B2-level ability in that language. If you do not, the work is not treated as the professional level the status requires.
For applications where the employer is Category 3 or 4, two new documents are needed:
A declaration about the organisation's representative
Proof of CEFR B2-level ability, only if the work mainly uses language with people
What counts as B2 level?
Language used at work | Accepted as B2 level (examples from ISA) |
|---|---|
Japanese | JLPT N2 or higher; BJT 400 points or more; 20+ years of mid- to long-term residence; graduation from a Japanese university or junior college, or completion of a vocational course with a related major; Japanese compulsory education plus high school |
Other languages | Your native or official language; a test that shows CEFR B2 or higher; a reasonable explanation, such as study at a university in a country where that language is official |
Engineering work is not language-based interpersonal work. A process engineer who uses English with a team is doing engineering. Categories 1 and 2 may also be asked for documents during the review, and ISA decides each case.
Dispatch (haken) work under this status
Many engineers work under this status as dispatch workers. ISA published specific rules for this in 2026.
From March 9, 2026, extra documents are needed. These include pledges from the dispatch agency and the client, your employment terms, and the individual dispatch contract. For renewals, ISA also lists management ledgers and a work status report.
ISA says you cannot get permission if the client is not decided at the time of application. There is a limited exception for training right after hiring.
ISA states that for dispatch work, the period of stay is decided according to the dispatch contract period (ISA notice, July 2026).
ISA may check your work directly with the client as well as the agency.
In practice, this means a short dispatch contract can lead to a short period of stay. Ask your agency how long the dispatch contract will be before you apply. For more on dispatch, read Haken (dispatch) work in Japan explained.
Fees and processing times (October 2026)
Fees for a change of status or an extension changed on October 1, 2026. They now depend on the period of stay you receive. Applications received by September 30, 2026 pay the old fee (¥6,000, or ¥5,500 online).
Period of stay granted | At the counter | Online |
|---|---|---|
3 months or less | ¥10,000 | ¥10,000 |
Over 3 months to 6 months | ¥18,000 | ¥15,000 |
Over 6 months, under 1 year | ¥25,000 | ¥21,000 |
1 year | ¥33,000 | ¥27,000 |
Over 1 year, under 3 years | ¥48,000 | ¥42,000 |
3 years to under 5 years | ¥64,000 | ¥56,000 |
5 years or more | ¥75,000 | ¥65,000 |
ISA's standard processing period for a change of status is 1 to 2 months. In ISA's statistics for approvals in July 2026, a change to this status took about 73 days on average from application to notice of approval, and an extension took about 41 days. Applications increase before April each year, so it can take longer then. Check the latest ISA processing time statistics.
If your period of stay ends while you wait
If you applied before your period of stay ended, you can stay under your current status until a decision is made, or until 2 months after the expiry date, whichever comes first. After those 2 months, you would be staying illegally even with a pending application. ISA explains this "special period" on its website.
Changing jobs with this visa
If your new job fits the same status, you do not need new permission to change employers. You must:
Notify ISA within 14 days when your old contract ends, and again when you sign a new one. You can do this online, at an immigration office, or by post. See the 14-day notification guide.
Consider a Certificate of Authorized Employment (optional). It confirms your new job fits your status. After a job change it usually takes 1 to 3 months and costs ¥2,000 (¥1,600 online). See Certificate of Authorized Employment.
Avoid long gaps. Staying in Japan for 3 months or more without doing the activity of your status can be a reason to revoke it, unless you have a justifiable reason.
For your first renewal after moving to a Category 3 or 4 employer, ISA asks for extra documents, including the representative declaration.
Note: Highly Skilled Professional (i)(b) holders are different. They must get a change of status permission before changing employer. This can take about 1.5 months or more at the Tokyo bureau.
How AGG can help
AGG (Awaji Global Gateway, Fukuyoshi Inc.) employs engineers in dispatch roles under this status. When you join from another status, a licensed specialist (gyoseishoshi) prepares your application, with our support. We prepare the dispatch documents ISA requires, and we tell you the dispatch contract period before you apply. AGG charges job seekers no agency fees. ISA makes the final decision on every application.
Frequently asked questions
Q. Do engineers need JLPT N2 for the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities visa after April 2026?
No, not as a general rule. The April 2026 change asks for CEFR B2-level proof only when the job mainly uses language skills with people, such as translation, interpretation or front desk work. Engineering work is not that type of work. If your employer is Category 3 or 4, you may need to submit a declaration about the company representative. ISA can still ask any applicant for more documents, and it decides each case on its own facts.
Q. Can I get the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities visa without a degree?
Yes, in some cases. You can qualify with 10 years or more of related work experience, and time spent studying related subjects counts toward this. For IT work, you can also qualify if you passed an IT exam or hold an IT qualification listed in a Ministry of Justice notice. For International Services work, 3 years of related experience is usually needed. Your experience must be proven with documents, such as certificates of employment.
Q. How long does it take to change to the Engineer visa from another status in Japan?
ISA's standard processing period for a change of status is 1 to 2 months. In ISA's statistics for July 2026 approvals, changes to this status took about 73 days on average. Times are often longer before April. Plan for 1 to 3 months, and do not start the new job until you receive permission. You can keep living in Japan under your current status while the application is pending, within the special period rules.
Q. How much is the visa renewal fee in Japan from October 2026?
From October 1, 2026, the fee depends on the period of stay granted. At the counter it ranges from ¥10,000 (3 months or less) to ¥75,000 (5 years or more). A 1-year permit costs ¥33,000 at the counter or ¥27,000 online. A 3-year permit costs ¥64,000 at the counter or ¥56,000 online. Applications received by September 30, 2026 pay the old fee of ¥6,000 (¥5,500 online).
Q. Can I work as a dispatch (haken) engineer with the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities visa?
Yes. Many engineers do. Your contracting organisation is the dispatch agency. Since March 2026, ISA asks for extra documents, including pledges from the agency and the client and the individual dispatch contract. The client must be decided before you apply. ISA decides your period of stay according to the dispatch contract period, so a short contract can mean a shorter period of stay.
Q. Do I need permission to change jobs with an Engineer visa?
No new permission is needed if the new job fits your current status. You must notify ISA within 14 days when your contract ends and when you sign a new one. A Certificate of Authorized Employment is optional but can give peace of mind. By law, no one may treat you unfairly just because you do not show this certificate. Highly Skilled Professional holders follow different rules and need a change of status first.
Q. What happens if I lose my job on an Engineer visa?
Notify ISA within 14 days that your contract ended. Start looking for a new job quickly. If you stay in Japan for 3 months or more without doing work under your status, this can be a reason to revoke your status, unless you have a justifiable reason. Keep records of your job search, because ISA may ask what you did during the gap. Your social insurance also changes, so check your health insurance and pension enrolment at the city office.
Summary
The status covers engineering, humanities and international work under a contract in Japan.
You need a related degree, 10 years of experience, or a listed IT qualification for IT work, plus fair pay.
The April 2026 CEFR B2 rule applies to language-based interpersonal work, not engineering.
Dispatch work needs extra documents, and the period of stay follows the dispatch contract period.
Fees now depend on the period of stay. Plan 1 to 3 months for a change of status.
Ready to look for an English-OK engineering role? See our open engineering jobs and apply in a few minutes. AGG charges no agency fees. If you are a researcher, read how to change from Researcher to Engineer visa.
Reviewed by
Naoya Mitani — Head of Business Operations, Awaji Global Gateway (Fukuyoshi Inc.). Supports foreign engineers moving into jobs in Japan, including visa changes and onboarding.
