# Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa: requirements and jobs

URL: https://japanhow.com/visa/visas/engineer-humanities-visa-japan/
Author: JapanHow editors
Updated: Oct 24, 2026

## Summary

As of October 2026, Japan's Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status (技術・人文知識・国際業務) needs a contract with a Japanese organization for specialist work, a degree related to the job (or a Japanese vocational-school diploma, or 10 years' experience), and pay equal to a Japanese employee. Foreign-culture jobs need 3 years' experience, except graduates doing translation, interpreting or language teaching. Simple labor doesn't qualify. Since April 2026, language-based customer jobs need CEFR B2. Stays are 3 months to 5 years.

## Key facts

- Education: Related degree or 10 years' experience
- Salary: Equal to a Japanese employee
- Period of stay: 5 yrs, 3 yrs, 1 yr or 3 months
- Holders (June 2026): 516,184

The Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa is Japan's main office-work status (技術・人文知識・国際業務, "gijinkoku"). You need a contract with an organization in Japan for specialist work, **a degree related to the job or 10 years' related experience**, and **pay equal to what a Japanese employee would get**. Simple labor doesn't qualify. Periods of stay are 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 3 months. This is the position as of October 2026, from the Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁, ISA).

**Informational only:** This guide summarizes ISA's published rules and examples. It does not assess your case. For questions, call the ISA information center (0570-013904) or ask a certified administrative scrivener (行政書士).

## What is the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities visa?

It is a status of residence (在留資格) that combines three kinds of work. At the end of June 2026, **516,184 people** held it, the second-largest group of foreign residents after permanent residents.

| Part | Covers | Fields |
|---|---|---|
| Engineer (技術) | Work that needs natural-science knowledge | Science, engineering, agriculture, medicine, pharmacy and similar |
| Specialist in Humanities (人文知識) | Work that needs humanities knowledge | Law, economics, sociology, literature, education, psychology, business and similar |
| International Services (国際業務) | Work that needs thinking or sensitivity based on a foreign culture | Translation, interpreting, language teaching, PR, advertising, overseas trade, fashion or interior design, product development |

The work must be under a **continuing contract** with an organization in Japan. That can be employment or a commission or service contract. Companies, government bodies and foreign companies with an office in Japan all count.

## What are the requirements?

The landing criteria (上陸許可基準) set three tests. Which ones apply depends on your job.

| Test | Engineer and humanities work | International services work |
|---|---|---|
| Education or experience | One of: a university degree (Japanese or foreign) in a related subject; a related diploma from a Japanese vocational school (専修学校) with the 専門士 title; or **10 years' related experience** | **3 years' related experience**. None needed if a university graduate does translation, interpreting or language teaching |
| Salary | Equal to or more than a Japanese person doing the same work | Same |
| Contract | With an organization in Japan | Same |

**IT exception:** An IT exam can replace the degree (For IT work, passing an information-processing exam or holding an IT qualification on the Justice Minister's list replaces the education or experience test.)

A few details matter in practice:

- **Major and job must be related.** ISA judges this flexibly for university graduates, including foreign universities. For vocational-school graduates, it expects a close link, except for MEXT-certified programs for international students.
- **The 10 years can include study.** Time spent majoring in related subjects at university or school counts, and the experience only has to be in related work.
- **There is no fixed minimum salary.** The test is equal pay. ISA refused one engineer offered ¥135,000 a month when Japanese new hires doing the same work got ¥180,000. Commuting, family and housing allowances don't count as pay, unless they are taxable.

## Which jobs qualify, and which don't?

The work must need specialist ability backed by academic learning. ISA says a job advertised as "no experience needed, you'll pick it up quickly" (未経験可、すぐに慣れます) doesn't qualify. Nor does work that Japanese staff without a degree usually do.

| Usually fits (ISA approval examples) | Doesn't fit (ISA refusal examples) |
|---|---|
| Software or systems engineer | Packing boxed lunches in a factory |
| Language teacher at a language school | Carrying luggage and cleaning rooms at a hotel |
| Interpreter or translator for an import company | Parking guidance, serving and clearing tables |
| Marketing for a car maker's overseas sales | "Manager candidate" doing years of shop work with no assured office role |
| Paralegal at a law firm | A job at an "accounting firm" whose address was a restaurant |
| Hotel front desk in foreign languages, guest services, marketing | |

ISA looks at your work **over your whole stay**. If qualifying work is only a small part and the rest needs no special knowledge, the status doesn't apply. Occasional tasks are fine: a hotel front-desk worker who helps carry bags when a group checks in has no immediate problem. If such tasks become your main work, ISA can refuse your renewal.

### Can training in a shop or factory count?

Yes, in limits. Shop, restaurant or factory-line work can be accepted as **initial training** if Japanese graduate hires do the same training and it doesn't take up most of your expected stay. ISA asks for a training plan when training runs over 1 year. Training set only for foreign staff isn't accepted, except for reasons such as Japanese-language training. When training is planned, ISA in principle grants a **1-year** period of stay.

## Do you need JLPT N2? The April 2026 language rule

Since **April 15, 2026**, if you will mainly do **person-facing work using a language** (for example interpreting, translation or hotel front desk), you must have ability equal to **CEFR B2** in that language. Without it, ISA doesn't treat the job as specialist work.

For Japanese, any of these counts as B2:

- JLPT N2 or higher
- BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test 400 or more
- EJU Japanese 200 or more, or JPT 525 or more
- graduating from a Japanese university, college of technology or vocational school (where the major relates to the job)
- finishing Japanese compulsory education and high school, or 20 years in Japan as a mid- to long-term resident

For other languages, it counts if the language is your **native or official language**, or if a test shows CEFR B2 on the certificate or the test's official site. Failing both, you can give a reasonable explanation, for example a degree from a university in a country where that language is official.

If your employer is in **category 3 or 4** (see below), you submit this proof with your application. Category 1 or 2 employers may be asked for it. If you move into this kind of work through a job change, you submit it at your next renewal.

## How do employer categories affect your application?

ISA sorts employers into four categories. The category decides how many documents you submit, not whether you qualify.

| Category | Who | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Companies listed in Japan, government bodies, certain public corporations, certified innovation companies | Fewest |
| 2 | Previous year's withholding tax on salaries of ¥10 million or more, or approved for ISA's online system | Fewer |
| 3 | Filed the previous year's withholding tax summary, but under category 2 | More |
| 4 | None of the above, for example a new company | Most |

From April 15, 2026, category 3 and 4 employers also submit a declaration about the company's representative. For **dispatch (派遣) jobs**, the client company must be fixed when you apply. The exception is a new hire whose client can only be decided after initial training; ISA then asks for extra documents. Your period of stay follows the dispatch contract, and ISA may check with the client company directly.

From abroad, see the [Certificate of Eligibility guide](/visa/visas/certificate-of-eligibility-japan/). Students switching to work should read [change of status of residence](/visa/visas/change-of-status-of-residence-japan/). ISA considers whether you kept to the 28-hour weekly limit while studying (see [student visa work hours](/visa/visas/student-visa-work-permit-japan/)).

## How long is the period of stay?

You get **5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 3 months**. ISA decides; you can't choose. It doesn't publish exactly how it picks the length. Renewal counter fees for applications from October 1, 2026 follow the period granted: **¥33,000 for 1 year, ¥64,000 for 3 years and ¥75,000 for 5 years**. You can apply from 3 months before expiry. See [visa renewal in Japan](/visa/visas/visa-renewal-japan/) for online fees.

## What happens when you change jobs?

You don't need a new visa if the new job also fits this status. You do need to tell ISA.

- **Notify within 14 days** when your contract ends and again when you sign a new one (所属機関に関する届出). Online works 24 hours a day and needs no documents.
- **Optional proof:** a certificate of authorized employment (就労資格証明書) confirms that your new job fits. It costs ¥2,000 at the counter or ¥1,600 online, and takes 1 to 3 months after a job change. Apply at the office for your home address.
- **Different work, different status:** if the new job falls outside this status, apply for a change of status before your card expires.

**The 3-month rule:** If you don't do the work of your status for **3 months or more** without a legitimate reason, ISA can cancel your status. Actively job hunting, such as visiting companies, is an example ISA gives of a legitimate reason. If your status is canceled on this ground, you get up to 30 days to leave Japan.

More on this in [quitting a job on a work visa](/work/jobs/quitting-job-japan-visa/). Side work outside your status needs separate permission: see [freelance and side jobs on a work visa](/visa/visas/freelance-side-job-visa-japan/).

## Can you bring your family?

Yes. Your **spouse and children** can join you on **Dependent (家族滞在)** status, for a period of up to 5 years. Parents aren't covered by that status. See the [dependent visa guide](/visa/visas/dependent-visa-japan/) for work limits and documents, and [bringing parents to Japan](/visa/visas/bring-parents-to-japan/) for other routes.

If you earn well and have a strong degree, compare the [Highly Skilled Professional visa](/visa/visas/highly-skilled-professional-visa-japan/). It works on points and can lead to faster [permanent residency](/visa/residency/permanent-residency-japan-requirements/).

More guides: [job-hunting visa](/visa/visas/job-hunting-visa-japan/), [re-entry permit](/visa/visas/re-entry-permit-japan/), [labor rights for foreign workers](/work/rights/labor-rights-foreign-workers-japan/).

## Questions people ask

### What are the requirements for the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities visa in Japan?

A continuing contract with an organization in Japan for work that needs specialist knowledge, a degree in a related subject (or a related Japanese vocational-school diploma, or 10 years' related experience), and pay at least equal to what a Japanese employee would get for the same work.

### What is the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities visa called in Japanese?

技術・人文知識・国際業務 (gijutsu, jinbun chishiki, kokusai gyōmu), often shortened to 技人国 (gijinkoku). It is a status of residence, shown on your residence card.

### Do I need JLPT N2 for the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities visa?

Not for every job. Since April 15, 2026 you need CEFR B2-level ability in the language you use if you will mainly do person-facing language work, such as interpreting or hotel front desk work. For Japanese, JLPT N2 is one accepted proof.

### Can I work in a restaurant, shop or factory on this visa?

Not as your main job. ISA has refused applications where the main work was packing lunch boxes, cleaning rooms, carrying luggage or serving tables. Initial training in such work can be accepted if Japanese graduate hires do the same training.

### What happens if I quit my job on the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities visa?

Notify ISA within 14 days. If you don't do the work of your status for 3 months or more without a legitimate reason, your status can be canceled. Actively job hunting is an example ISA gives of a legitimate reason.

## Sources

- [在留資格「技術・人文知識・国際業務」](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/gijinkoku.html), Immigration Services Agency of Japan (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [該当する活動・上陸許可基準について (Activity and landing criteria)](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001366995.pdf), Immigration Services Agency of Japan (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [「技術・人文知識・国際業務」の在留資格の明確化等について（統合版、最終改定令和8年4月）](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001460430.pdf), Immigration Services Agency of Japan (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [別紙4 翻訳・通訳業務等の言語能力を用いる対人業務に従事する場合の在留資格の明確化について](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001413643.pdf), Immigration Services Agency of Japan (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [派遣形態で就労する場合の取扱いについて（令和8年7月）](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001457164.pdf), Immigration Services Agency of Japan (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [所属（契約）機関に関する届出 (Notification of contracting organization)](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/nyuukokukanri10_00015.html), Immigration Services Agency of Japan (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [出入国審査・在留審査Q&A](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/immigration/faq/kanri_qa.html), Immigration Services Agency of Japan (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [在留資格の取消し（入管法第22条の4）](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/torikeshi_00002.html), Immigration Services Agency of Japan (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [就労資格証明書交付申請 (Certificate of authorized employment)](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/16-9.html), Immigration Services Agency of Japan (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [在留期間更新許可申請 (Extension of period of stay)](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/16-3.html), Immigration Services Agency of Japan (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [在留資格「家族滞在」 (Dependent)](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/dependent.html), Immigration Services Agency of Japan (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [令和８年６月末における在留外国人数について](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/publications/press/13_00070.html), Immigration Services Agency of Japan (accessed Oct 24, 2026)