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Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services
VisasJapanEngineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services
JapanJapan•Asia
Open

Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services

Work PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

1–3 months

Estimated Cost

JPY ¥9,000

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

5 years

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote not required

Apply Now Official Information
Japan flag

Living in Japan

Cost of Living
32% cheaper than United States
Avg Salary¥3,240,000
Quality of Life
181/200
Full Country Guide

Overview

Employment in engineering, IT, sciences, humanities, foreign languages, business, law, or marketing.

Japan's Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa is the main work status for white-collar foreign professionals in IT, engineering, accounting, marketing, legal services, and international trade. A Japanese employer sponsors the application via the Immigration Services Agency.

Applicants need a relevant bachelor's degree or 10 years of experience (3 years for some international roles). Salary must match a Japanese national in a comparable position. Stays are 1, 3, or 5 years, renewable, with a PR pathway after 10 years (3 if married to a citizen). Fees: ¥3,000 single-entry, ¥6,000 multiple.

This visa is ideal for foreign professionals with a Japanese employer sponsor in IT, engineering, or international services who want a renewable long-term work pathway.

Japan

Curious about life in Japan?

Discover cost of living, salary benchmarks, tax rates, and quality of life — everything you need to know before you make the move.

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Cost Breakdown

Single-entry visa feeJPY ¥3,000
Multiple-entry visa feeJPY ¥6,000
TotalJPY ¥9,000

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant5 years

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

Highly Skilled Professional Visa
Japan flagJapan

Highly Skilled Professional Visa

Validity5 years
Processing2–4 weeks
View Visa Details
Permanent Resident (永住者)
Japan flagJapan

Permanent Resident (永住者)

ValidityIndefinite
Processing4-6 months
View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor's degree or 10+ years experience

Relevant qualifications to the role

Employment contract

Salary comparable to Japanese nationals

KEY CRITERIA

Education

bachelor or higher

Min. Income

2,400,000 EUR/yr

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Passport

Certificate of qualification

Degree/credentials

Employment contract

Company documents

Application Process

1

Secure job offer: Receive employment contract from Japanese employer

2

Employer applies for COE: Company submits Certificate of qualification application

3

Receive COE: Immigration Services Agency issues COE

4

Apply for visa: Submit visa application at Japanese embassy with COE and employment contract

5

Pay visa fee: Pay 3,000 JPY for single-entry visa

6

Receive visa: Visa stamped in passport

Application Forms

Go to application portal
CoE application
Certificate of qualification Application (Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services)
Fill online
Visa application at consulate
Visa Application Form (submitted at Japanese embassy/consulate with Certificate of qualification)
—

Verified Claims (26)

Last verified May 31, 2026
Application Steps
Secure job offer: Receive employment contract from Japanese employer; Employer applies for COE: Comp…
mofa.go.jp
Dependent Visa
Dependent visa (limited work: 28 hrs/week)
moj.go.jp
Fee Breakdown
Single-entry visa fee: 3000 JPY; Multiple-entry visa fee: 6000 JPY
mofa.go.jp
Fees
¥3,000 (single) / ¥6,000 (multiple)
mofa.go.jp
Forms
CoE application; Visa application at consulate
mofa.go.jp
Forms · CoE application · description
Certificate of Eligibility Application (Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services)
moj.go.jp
Forms · CoE application · url
https://www.moj.go.jp/ONLINE/IMMIGRATION/16-1-1.pdf
moj.go.jp
Forms · Visa application at consulate · description
Visa Application Form (submitted at Japanese embassy/consulate with Certificate of Eligibility)
mofa.go.jp
Apply Now Official Information
Japan flag

Living in Japan

Cost of Living
32% cheaper than United States
Avg Salary¥3,240,000
Quality of Life
181/200
Full Country Guide

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