Status of Residence “Engineer, Specialist in Humanities, International Services

1) Outline of status of residence 

This status of residence, also known as Gijutsu-Jinbun-Chishiki-Kokusai-Gyomu (技術・人文知識・国際業務), is the most typical status of residence used by foreign nationals to work for Japanese companies. It is also sometimes referred to as "High-level human resources" but this is not the legal term. This status allows a foreigner to work in Japan for a long period of time as long as they continue to renew their contract. It is also a status of residence that leads to the acquisition of permanent residence status, which is desirable if you want to live in Japan for an extended period of time. In this issue, we will explain the "Gijutsu-Jinbun-Chishiki-Kokusai-Gyomu" that you may be interested in.

2) Requirements for applicants  　 

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

①Graduated from a university (junior college is also acceptable) or received an equivalent or higher education from a Japanese or overseas university.

②Graduated from a Japanese vocational school (senmon gakkou).

③Have at least 10 years of work experience, including the period of majoring in a subject related to the relevant skill or knowledge at university or high school.

※Note: For work involving researching or sensitivity based on foreign culture (such as translation, interpretation, language instruction, public relations, advertising, overseas trade work, clothing and interior decoration design, product development, etc.), the applicant must have at least three years of work experience. However, university graduates engaged in translation, interpretation, or language instruction are exempt from this work experience requirement.

※If you intend to engage in work that requires technology or knowledge related to information processing and have passed an examination or hold a qualification related to information processing technology set by the government, you will fulfill the requirements even if you do not fall into the categories mentioned above in 1 and 3.

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In the case of a foreign national holding an engineer status, the period of stay can be 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months. Even if you apply for a 5-year period, you may receive permission after 1 year. Initial applications are often for a one-year period of stay. The five-year application period is a requirement that is only applicable if the company or the individual has a high degree of stability and continuity.

The minimum application period of three months is also somewhat exceptional, such as when a company temporarily invites a foreign employee to Japan from an overseas location. However, the status of residence for a foreign national can be renewed after the period of stay has expired if an application is filed and permission is granted. Since it can be renewed an unlimited number of times, it can be said that this status of residence allows you to work in Japan for a long period of time.

4) Applicable Activities 

The following are specific examples of the types of work that are covered by the Technical Status of Residence:

Engineering 

・Mechanical Engineer

・Construction Management Engineer 

・Systems Engineer 

・Programmer Designers 

・Information security Engineers etc...

Specialist in Humanities

・Planning administration (marketing, public relations, advertising) 

・Production management

・Sales

・Accounting 

・Human Resources

・Legal affairs

・General Affairs

・Consulting 

・Product Development etc...

International Services

・Interpretation

・Translation

・Designer

・Language instructor (Language Schools)　etc...

5)  Cases of Denial 

The following are actual cases in which an application for this type of visa was declined:

［Case 1］

An application was submitted by a graduate of the Faculty of Education to engage in packing lunch boxes as a field worker at a lunch box processing plant, but the application was denied because the work was not considered to require knowledge in the humanities.

［Case 2］

A n application was filed by an engineering graduate to work as an engineer at a company engaged in computer-related services for a monthly remuneration of 135,000 yen. However, since it was found that the remuneration of a newly graduated Japanese employee who was hired at the same time as the applicant and engaged in the same kind of work was 180,000 yen per month, the remuneration was not considered to be equal to or higher than that of a Japanese employee, and the application was denied.

The university major and the nature of the work must be related, and the salary must be equivalent to that of a Japanese national. These are essential points for obtaining a GijinKokoku. Keep this in mind when applying. 

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6) Application Process

To obtain a status of residence, an application is made to the Immigration Services Agency with all the necessary documents. The application should be made after the company and the foreigner have concluded an employment contract. The applicant, the company or organization employing the foreign national, or an administrative scrivener may file the application. There are three types of applications: "COE (Certificate of Eligible)," "Change," and "Extension"

The "COE (Certificate of Eligible)" application is for foreigners coming from their home country to work in Japan for the first time. The "Change" application is for foreigners who are already in Japan on a college student visa and wish to change their visa status to a work visa. The "Extension" application is for foreigners who wish to obtain work visa status again upon the expiration of their current work visa.

The time it takes to obtain a visa from the time of application is about one month. The time from application to visa acquisition is about one to three months for approval, and about two weeks to two months for a change or a renewal. The actual time may vary depending on how crowded the Immigration Services Agency  is where the application is made.

The application form must be downloaded in the required format from the web page of the Immigration Services Agency  and filled out. There are other requirements for the application, which vary depending on the type of institution you belong to and the details of your application.

You can also find more information on this page. Please check it as well:

 "About the authorization, change, and renewal of status of residence.