A thorough guide to the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” visa for foreigners who want to realize their dream of working in Japan

Hello to all of you living overseas who want to work in Japan! In this article, we will explain in an easy-to-understand way the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” visa, one of the typical visas for working in Japan, even for those who have no experience of living in Japan.

What is the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” visa?

The “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” visa is a visa required for foreigners with specialized knowledge or skills to work in Japan. In principle, it is intended for university graduates. This visa is for people who are engaged in activities that fall under the following three categories

Engineering

Work that requires knowledge or skills in the natural sciences, such as physics or engineering (e.g. IT engineer, mechanical design)

Humanities

Work that requires knowledge in the humanities, such as law, economics or sociology (e.g. marketing, consulting)

International Services

Work that requires a way of thinking and sensitivity based on foreign culture (e.g. translation, interpretation, overseas sales)

To work in these fields, you will need to have specialist knowledge and skills.

Requirements for Application

To apply for a “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” visa, you must meet the following conditions.

Academic Background

University graduate or equivalent, or equivalent work experience

Job Description

The work you will be doing in Japan must fall under one of the three categories above

Employer

You must be employed by a company or organization in Japan

The Immigration Bureau of Japan will examine whether or not you meet these conditions.

Application Process

The application process for a “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” visa is as follows

Find an employer
Find a company or organization that will employ you in Japan.
Prepare the necessary documents
Prepare the documents required for your application (e.g. employment contract, resume, graduation certificate, etc.).
Apply to the Immigration Bureau
You will apply to the Immigration Bureau through your employer.
Screening
The Immigration Bureau will conduct a screening.
Visa issuance
If you pass the screening, you will be issued a visa.

It is important to start preparing early, as the application process can take some time.

About life in Japan

If you are new to life in Japan, you may have various concerns about things like housing, language, and culture. However, Japan is a country that is easy for foreigners to live in. Many companies and local governments have support systems in place for foreigners.

Points to note

The “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” visa is an extremely important visa for working in Japan. However, there are various conditions and procedures required for application, and there are cases where it is not granted. When applying, we recommend consulting the Immigration Bureau’s website or specialists (administrative scriveners, etc.).

Summary

The “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” visa is an important visa for foreigners with specialized knowledge and skills to work in Japan. There are various conditions and procedures required for application, but if you prepare thoroughly, you can make your dream of working in Japan a reality. We hope that this article will be of some help to those living overseas who are considering working in Japan.

For those who want to know more

This article is intended to provide general information and is not legal advice. Please consult a specialist for individual cases.

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