📌At a Glance

Who it is for: Foreign professionals employed by a Japanese company in a specialized or technical role Sponsoring employer required: Yes — a Japanese company applies on your behalf COE required: Yes — submitted to the Regional Immigration Services Bureau Processing time: Typically 1 to 3 months Period of stay: 1 year, 3 years, or 5 years (renewable) Remote work for overseas employers: Generally not qualifying — employment with a Japanese company is required 

📌Roles This Visa Covers

This visa covers roles that require specialized, professional, or internationally oriented knowledge. Common examples include:

Engineering and Technology Software engineer, system engineer, game developer, web developer, data analyst, IT infrastructure specialist, hardware engineer, cybersecurity specialist

Humanities and Business Marketing specialist, business consultant, financial analyst, accountant, HR specialist, legal affairs coordinator, international sales manager, project manager

International Services Translator, interpreter, foreign language instructor (at companies or private institutions), international trade coordinator, cross-border business liaison

The key principle: the job must require specialized or professional knowledge. Routine administrative tasks or manual work that does not require academic or professional expertise generally does not qualify.

📌Requirements

Academic background or professional experience Applicants must satisfy one of the following:

• A bachelor's degree or higher in a field related to the job position. The degree does not need to be from a Japanese university — overseas degrees are accepted.

• In lieu of a degree: 10 or more years of professional experience in the relevant field (for humanities and international services categories). For the Engineering category, a relevant degree is generally required and experience alone is typically not sufficient.

A job offer from a Japanese employer　A confirmed employment offer from a licensed Japanese company is required. The employer sponsors the visa application by submitting the Certificate of Eligibility on your behalf.

Match between your background and the job　Immigration authorities assess whether your academic background or professional experience is genuinely relevant to the job you will be doing in Japan. A mismatch — for example, a degree in an unrelated field combined with a job that requires specific technical expertise — is a common reason for rejection or additional scrutiny.

Salary equivalent to Japanese employees Your salary must be comparable to that of a Japanese employee performing the same role. Offering below-market salaries to foreign nationals is a known red flag that immigration authorities examine.

No criminal record Applicants must not have a criminal record in Japan or their home country that would make them ineligible for a visa.

📌Application Process

Step 1 — Receive a job offer Secure a confirmed employment offer from your Japanese employer. The employer must be a legally registered entity in Japan.

Step 2 — Document preparation You and your employer prepare the required documentation. Your employer typically provides a letter of employment, company registration documents, and financial statements. You provide your educational certificates, academic transcripts, CV, and any professional qualification certificates.

Step 3 — Certificate of Eligibility (COE) application Your employer submits the COE application to the Regional Immigration Services Bureau in Japan. This is the main review stage, where immigration authorities assess whether your planned activities qualify for the visa category. Processing typically takes 1 to 3 months.

Step 4 — Visa application at a Japanese embassy or consulate Once the COE is issued, you present it at the Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country to apply for the visa. Processing at this stage is generally completed within a few business days.

Step 5 — Entry to Japan and residence registration After arriving in Japan, you receive your Residence Card (Zairyu Card) at the port of entry. Register your address at your local municipal office within 14 days of arrival.

📌Changing Jobs on This Visa

If you are already in Japan on an Engineer / Humanities visa and change employers, your existing visa status remains valid. However, the new job must also qualify under the same visa category — that is, it must be a specialized or professional role consistent with your background. If the nature of the new role is significantly different, a status change application may be required.

We recommend consulting with an immigration specialist before accepting a new job offer if there is any question about whether the new role qualifies.

📌Common Reasons for Rejection

Being aware of the following can help you and your employer prepare a stronger application:

Mismatch between degree and job If your academic major is unrelated to the role, immigration authorities may question whether the position genuinely requires your specialized knowledge. This is particularly relevant in technical fields.

Insufficient company documentation Small or newly established companies may face additional scrutiny. Immigration authorities will examine the company's financial health, registration status, and whether the company has a genuine need for a foreign professional.

Below-market salary Salaries that appear significantly below the market rate for the role raise questions about whether the position is genuine.

Role does not require specialization Jobs that involve primarily routine tasks — such as general administrative work, manual labor, or food service — do not qualify, regardless of the applicant's educational background.

Get Started with a Free Consultation

Email us first. We will review your background, your job offer, and your employer's situation, and advise on whether the application is likely to be straightforward or whether any issues need to be addressed — before any paid commitment.

Initial email consultation: Free First consultation session: 30 minutes, no charge

📩 Contact us: support@maeda-int.com Or use the contact form:

Full consultation session (detailed eligibility assessment and application strategy): JPY 22,000 → Visa Consultation details