This residence status is one of the most common categories, covering a wide range of fields including both humanities and sciences, as well as technical and administrative roles, intended to welcome general and high-level workers to Japan.
Typical roles include:
- Engineers for electronic equipment, biotechnology, etc.
- Office staff
- Interpreters / Translators
- Language instructors
- Public relations
- Advertising
- Sales
- Overseas trading
- Designers for fashion or interior decoration
- Product developers and similar practitioners
and others.
To obtain a residence status, the following are required:
- Meet the specific standards and conditions
- Respond according to the Category of the Japanese company you plan to work for
- Apply for the documents
Standards (Status Eligibility and Ministerial Ordinance Standards) & Conditions
Eligibility for the “Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services” status is determined by two sets of criteria: the Status Eligibility under the Immigration Control Act and the Ministerial Ordinance Standards. You must satisfy both regulations. Which item belongs to which regulation is not essentially important; the key is to satisfy both. Below is an interpretation summarized in a logically consistent manner.
Broadly divided into two cases:
- Occupations requiring knowledge or skills in natural or humanities sciences
- Occupations requiring thinking or sensitivity based on a foreign culture
In the case of occupations requiring knowledge or skills in natural or humanities sciences
One of the following must apply:
- Graduated from a university with a major in a related subject
- Completed a specialized course at a Japanese vocational school in a related subject
- 10 or more years of practical experience
- Hold a certification related to information processing
What are natural and humanities sciences?
Natural sciences refer to so-called STEM fields, including agriculture, medicine, astronomy, physics, mathematics, engineering, chemistry, etc.
Humanities sciences refer to so-called liberal arts fields, including literature, sociology, economics, politics, etc.
In the case of occupations requiring thinking or sensitivity based on a foreign culture
Both of the following must apply:
- Translation, interpretation, language instruction, PR, advertising, overseas trading, fashion or interior design, product development, or other similar duties
- 3 or more years of practical experience (Exception: When a university graduate performs translation, interpretation, or language instruction)
Common Condition
Whether in the case of occupations requiring knowledge/skills in sciences or occupations based on foreign culture, there is a common required condition.
- Remuneration equal to or higher than that of a Japanese national.
Remuneration refers to payment for labor; other types do not apply. Exceptions to remuneration include commuting, dependency, and housing allowances.
Exceptions to Remuneration
- Commuting allowance
- Dependency allowance
- Housing allowance
Company Categories and Evidence Documents
The Immigration Control Act classifies companies where foreigners plan to work into 4 ranks based on credit. Depending on these 4 ranks, higher credit allows for simplified evidence documents for application, establishing a uniform, efficient, and effective immigration administration system.
The rank degree influences the number of required materials and the difficulty of the application. However, it does not decide the result on its own; ultimately, judgment is based on the submitted evidence, so the content of the application itself is significantly more important.
Both the documents proving category eligibility and the application documents for the status of residence are required.
―――――――――― Company Categories ――――――――――
―――――――― Evidence Documents for Category Eligibility ――――――――
Documents Required for Application
The required documents vary depending on the company category and whether it is a new acquisition (Landing Permission, COE, Change of Status) or a renewal (Extension of Period of Stay).
Category 1
- (Landing Permission, Issuance of Certificate of Eligibility, Permission for Change of Status of Residence)
- (Permission for Extension of Period of Stay)
Category 2
- (Landing Permission, Issuance of Certificate of Eligibility, Permission for Change of Status of Residence)
- (Permission for Extension of Period of Stay)
Category 3
- (Landing Permission, Issuance of Certificate of Eligibility, Permission for Change of Status of Residence)
- (Permission for Extension of Period of Stay)
Category 4
- (Landing Permission, Issuance of Certificate of Eligibility, Permission for Change of Status of Residence)
- (Permission for Extension of Period of Stay)