If you are planning to work in Japan, understanding which status of residence applies to you is essential. What is commonly called a “work visa” in Japan actually refers to one of several statuses of residence that permit specific types of work.

This FAQ mainly covers the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status, one of the most common work-related statuses for foreign professionals in Japan.

For an overview of Japanese work visas, please see our Work Visa Application Services.

Getting a Work Visa in Japan

Q1. What type of visa do I need to work in Japan?

The type of visa or status of residence you need depends primarily on the work you will actually perform in Japan.

For example, the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status commonly covers professional work such as engineering, IT, marketing, accounting, international business, translation, interpretation, design, and certain language-related positions.

Other types of work may fall under different statuses, such as Highly Skilled Professional, Intra-company Transferee, Skilled Labor, Business Manager, Instructor, or Specified Skilled Worker.

Your job title alone does not determine your eligibility. Immigration authorities will consider your actual duties, academic or professional background, remuneration, and the organization for which you will work.

Related information:
Types of Work Visas in Japan

Q2. What is the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa?

The Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status of residence is one of the most commonly used work statuses for foreign professionals in Japan.

It generally covers work requiring specialized knowledge in fields such as natural sciences, engineering, humanities, economics, law, sociology, or services requiring knowledge and sensitivity based on foreign cultures.

Typical examples include:

• IT engineers and programmers
• Mechanical and technical engineers
• Marketing and planning professionals
• Accounting and other business professionals
• Translators and interpreters
• Designers
• International trade professionals
• Certain language instructors employed by private organizations

The actual job duties must fall within the activities permitted under this status.

Related information:
Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services Visa

Q3. Do I need a university degree to get a work visa in Japan?

Not necessarily.

For the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status, a university degree is one common way to satisfy the eligibility requirements, but it is not the only route.

Depending on the type of work, an applicant may also qualify through sufficient relevant professional experience. For many technical or humanities-related positions, at least 10 years of relevant education and/or professional experience may satisfy the requirement.

Certain graduates of Japanese vocational schools may also qualify, and special rules may apply to some IT professionals with designated qualifications.

For certain “international services” activities, such as translation, interpretation, language instruction, public relations, overseas transactions, or design, different experience requirements may apply.

Applicants relying on professional experience should carefully document both the length and content of their previous work experience.

Q4. Does my university major need to match my job in Japan?

There should generally be a reasonable relationship between your academic background and the professional knowledge required for your proposed job, but an exact match is not always necessary.

For university graduates, the relationship between the field of study and the proposed work may be assessed with some flexibility depending on the circumstances.

For example, a degree in business, economics, international relations, or a related field may potentially support several types of professional or business positions.

However, a significant mismatch between your education and proposed duties may create difficulties, particularly when you have little relevant professional experience.

Graduates of Japanese vocational schools are generally subject to a closer assessment of the relationship between their field of study and proposed employment.

Q5. Can a Japanese company sponsor my work visa?

Yes. In practical terms, a Japanese company can act as your accepting organization and provide the documents required for your work visa or status of residence application.

However, having a job offer does not automatically guarantee approval.

Immigration authorities may examine factors including:

• Your actual job duties
• Your educational and professional background
• Your salary and employment conditions
• The stability and business activities of the employer
• Whether the proposed work falls within the requested status of residence

The employer will normally need to provide corporate, financial, employment, and other supporting documents.

Q6. Can I apply for a Japanese work visa from overseas?

Yes.

A common procedure is for the Japanese employer or another eligible representative in Japan to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).

Once the COE is issued, you generally apply for a visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over your place of residence.

After the visa is issued, you can travel to Japan and undergo landing examination upon arrival.

Because the required procedures and documents differ depending on the status of residence, employer, nationality, and individual circumstances, it is advisable to prepare the application well before your planned relocation.

Q7. What is a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), and do I need one?

A Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is issued after the Immigration Services Agency of Japan examines whether your intended activities in Japan meet the requirements for a particular status of residence.

For people entering Japan for employment or another medium- to long-term purpose, obtaining a COE before applying for a visa is the standard route in many cases.

A COE does not itself guarantee that a visa or landing permission will be granted, but it generally makes the visa and entry procedures more efficient.

COEs may also be issued electronically and used during the visa application process.

Related article:
What is a Certificate of Eligibility?

Q8. Can I change from a Student visa to a Work visa in Japan?

Yes.

If you currently reside in Japan under Student status and receive a qualifying job offer, you may apply for a Change of Status of Residence to an appropriate work-authorized status.

Your eligibility will depend on factors such as:

• Your educational background
• Your proposed job duties
• The relationship between your studies and your work
• Your employment conditions
• The type and stability of your employer

You should obtain permission to change your status before beginning full-time employment that is not permitted under your current Student status.

Students planning to begin employment after graduation should therefore prepare their application well in advance.

Changing Jobs or Leaving Your Job

Q9. Can I change jobs without changing my work visa?

In many cases, yes.

If your new job falls within the activities permitted under your current status of residence, you may not need to change your status simply because you changed employers.

For example, a person holding Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status who moves to another qualifying professional position may be able to continue working under the same status.

However, if the new job falls outside the scope of your current status of residence, a Change of Status of Residence may be required.

You must also comply with any applicable notification requirements after leaving one organization or entering into a contract with another.

If there is uncertainty about whether your new job is covered by your current status, a Certificate of Authorized Employment issued by Immigration may help confirm the scope of permitted employment.

Q10. What happens to my visa if I quit my job in Japan?

Your status of residence does not automatically expire on the day you leave your job.

However, holders of certain work-related statuses are required to notify the Immigration Services Agency when their contract with an employer ends.

You should also actively seek new employment that is compatible with your current status of residence.

If a person holding an activity-based status such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services does not engage in the authorized activities for three months or more, the status may become subject to revocation unless there is a justifiable reason.

Concrete and continuing job-search activities may be relevant when Immigration considers whether there is a justifiable reason for not currently engaging in the authorized activity.

Therefore, leaving a job should not be treated as simply waiting until the expiration date shown on your residence card.

Q11. Do I need to notify Immigration when I change jobs?

Yes, in many cases.

For example, holders of Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status are generally required to notify the Immigration Services Agency when:

• Their contract with an organization ends; or
• They enter into a contract with a new organization.

The notification must generally be submitted within 14 days of the relevant event.

This notification is separate from an application to extend or change your status of residence. Changing employers does not necessarily mean that you need to obtain a new status of residence.

Side Jobs, Freelance Work & Multiple Employers

Q12. Can I work for more than one company in Japan?

It may be possible.

A work-related status of residence generally authorizes a particular type of activity rather than giving unrestricted permission to perform any kind of work.

Under Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status, it may be possible to have contracts with more than one organization if the work performed for each organization falls within the activities permitted under your status.

You should confirm:

• Whether each job falls within your authorized activities
• Whether immigration notification requirements apply
• Whether your overall work arrangement remains consistent with your status of residence

If one of the jobs falls outside your current status, additional permission or a change of status may be required.

Q13. Can I do freelance or side work on a Japanese work visa?

Possibly, but it depends on the nature and structure of the work.

Freelance or side work is not automatically permitted simply because you already hold a work-related status of residence.

The key issue is whether the additional work falls within the activities permitted under your current status and whether the contractual arrangement satisfies the requirements for that status.

If the side work falls outside the activities permitted under your current status, you may need to obtain Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted before starting the work.

If your activities develop into operating or managing your own business, a different status such as Business Manager may need to be considered.

Q14. Can I work remotely for an overseas company while living in Japan?

This depends on your status of residence and the structure of your work.

Holding a Japanese work status does not automatically give you unrestricted permission to perform remote work for any overseas company.

For example, Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services generally covers qualifying professional activities based on a contract with a public or private organization in Japan.

Japan also has a separate Digital Nomad status under Designated Activities for certain eligible foreign nationals who wish to perform international remote work while temporarily staying in Japan.

The Digital Nomad status has specific requirements regarding eligible nationality or region, income, insurance, and other conditions, and the permitted period of stay is limited.

If you intend to live in Japan while working primarily for an overseas employer, your immigration status should be reviewed carefully before you begin working.

Related article:
Comparing the Long Stay and Digital Nomad Visas

Q15. What happens if my job duties change?

A change in your job duties can affect your immigration status even if you continue working for the same employer.

Japanese work statuses authorize specific types of activities. Therefore, the important question is not simply whether your employer remains the same, but whether your new actual duties are still covered by your current status of residence.

Minor changes within the same professional field may not require a change of status. However, if your new role involves substantially different activities that fall under another status of residence, you may need to apply for a Change of Status of Residence before performing those duties.

Job descriptions should therefore accurately reflect the work you actually perform.

Related article:
Activities Allowed under the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services Visa

Q16. Can I work part-time on a work visa in Japan?

Part-time employment may be possible, but the job must still satisfy the requirements of your status of residence.

For example, if you hold Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status, the work itself must require the professional knowledge or skills covered by that status.

Simply working fewer hours does not make an otherwise ineligible job eligible.

Immigration authorities may also consider the overall employment arrangement, remuneration, continuity of the activity, and whether you can realistically maintain the activities for which your status of residence was granted.

If you wish to perform a different type of part-time job outside the scope of your current status, additional permission may be required before you begin that work.

Salary, Processing Time & Changing Status

Q17. Is there a minimum salary requirement for a Japanese work visa?

There is no single fixed nationwide minimum salary that applies to every application for Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status.

However, applicants must generally receive remuneration equal to or greater than that which a Japanese national would receive for comparable work.

Immigration authorities may therefore examine the salary in relation to:

• The position
• The applicant's experience
• The duties involved
• Comparable Japanese employees
• The employer's business circumstances

An unusually low salary may raise questions about whether the employment arrangement and remuneration satisfy the requirements for the status of residence.

Different statuses of residence may have separate income or remuneration requirements.

Q18. How long does it take to get a work visa in Japan?

Processing time varies depending on the type of application, the Immigration office handling the case, the employer, the applicant's circumstances, and whether additional documents are requested.

For applicants coming from overseas, the process normally begins with an application for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). For applicants already living in Japan, a Change of Status of Residence may be required.

These procedures can take from several weeks to several months depending on the case. The Immigration Services Agency publishes processing information, but actual examination periods can vary considerably.

After a COE is issued, an applicant overseas will generally also need to complete a visa application at the appropriate Japanese embassy or consulate before traveling to Japan.

We recommend starting the immigration process as early as possible and avoiding irreversible travel or employment arrangements based solely on an estimated processing period.

Q19. Can I change from a Tourist visa to a Work visa while in Japan?

As a general rule, no.

A person staying in Japan under Temporary Visitor status, such as for tourism, visiting family, or a short-term business visit, is generally not permitted to change to a long-term work status while remaining in Japan.

A change from Temporary Visitor status may be permitted only when special unavoidable circumstances are recognized.

In most cases, the appropriate procedure is to obtain the necessary Certificate of Eligibility and complete the relevant visa procedure through a Japanese embassy or consulate outside Japan.

You must not begin working in Japan while staying under Temporary Visitor status unless the activity is specifically permitted under that status.

Need Help With a Japanese Work Visa?

Japanese work visa applications are assessed based on the applicant's background, actual job duties, employment conditions, and the circumstances of the accepting organization.

If you are unsure whether your proposed employment qualifies for a particular status of residence, or if you are changing jobs, changing duties, or moving from another status to a work-authorized status, it is important to review your situation before filing an application.

IMS Legal Professional Corporation provides support for Japanese immigration and residence procedures for foreign nationals and companies employing foreign professionals.

Contact IMS for a consultation

The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes. Immigration requirements and procedures may change, and individual cases are assessed based on their specific circumstances. Please confirm the latest requirements before applying.