Introduction
This is Japan’s most widely used work-related Status of Residence for foreign professionals.
It is for people working in engineering, IT, business, marketing, translation, design, consulting, and other professional services.
This guide explains:
- what this status actually is,
- who qualifies under Japan’s rules,
- what documents are usually needed (your side and employer side),
- how to apply from outside Japan (CoE route) and from inside Japan (change of status).
💡 In Japan, immigration checks what you really do in the job, not just the job title.
What Is This Status?
Strictly speaking, this is a Status of Residence, not a “visa.”
A visa lets you enter Japan; a Status of Residence decides what you can do and how long you can stay.
Because employers and jobseekers in Japan usually just say “work visa,” we will also use “visa” and “status” loosely here for convenience. In everyday life, that’s perfectly fine.
This status bundles 3 activity areas:
- Engineer – jobs that use science/engineering/IT knowledge
- Specialist in Humanities – jobs that use humanities/social science/business knowledge
- International Services – jobs that use language or foreign-culture skills (translation, overseas PR, international sales)
Your job must fall into one of these, and your education or experience must support it.
Who Qualifies (Eligibility)
To qualify, you generally need one of the following:
- You graduated from a university, junior college, or vocational school in a field related to the work you will do, or
- You have enough related work experience (normally 10 years; for some international-services-type jobs, 3 years is often enough).
Immigration also checks the overall picture:
- Your actual duties clearly match Engineer / Humanities / International Services (not simple or manual work).
- Your employer in Japan is a real operating company and can pay you at a level similar to Japanese staff.
- If you are changing from Student status, they check that your major or your experience is not completely unrelated to the job — or that the employer’s explanation covers the gap.
In short:
if your study/experience is related and your job description is also related, this status is realistic.
Required Documents (Core Set)
This follows how immigration offices and embassy pages usually present it: one set from you, one set from the employer.
You may see the term “Certificate of Eligibility (CoE)” — it’s a document issued in Japan before you apply for your visa, and it’s mentioned in the next section.
Exact items can change by company size and by the immigration office.
From you (applicant)
- Application form (CoE, Change of Status, or Extension — the correct one for your case)
- Passport
- Residence Card (if you are already in Japan)
- 1 photo (4 cm × 3 cm, taken within 6 months)
- CV/resume showing education and work history
- Diploma / graduation certificate from university, junior college, or vocational school showing a related major
- If you use the “experience” route: documents that prove 10 years (or 3 years for some international-services jobs)
- Any supporting certificates/portfolio showing that you can actually do the job
From the employer in Japan
- Company registration/certificate (to prove the company exists)
- Company profile or statement of business activities
- Most recent financial documents or tax documents (to show ability to pay salary)
- Employment contract / offer letter stating duties, salary, and period
- Detailed job description to show why this job needs Engineer / Humanities / International Services
Other
- Sometimes an explanation letter if your major and job do not match perfectly
- A revenue stamp / fee stamp may be required at issuance — for example, when receiving your new status or residence-related document at the immigration office
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
You can apply in 2 typical ways.
Applying from Outside Japan (with Certificate of Eligibility)
- Your future employer in Japan prepares the employer-side documents and applies at the immigration office in Japan for a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) under this status.
- Immigration reviews: your education/experience, the job description, and the company’s credibility.
- When the CoE is issued, the employer sends it to you.
- You take the CoE, your passport, visa application form, and photo to the Japanese embassy/consulate in your country.
- You receive the visa, enter Japan, and at the airport immigration grants your Status of Residence and issues your Residence Card.
- Within 14 days after you move in and fix your address, register your address at your city or ward office.
⏱ CoE processing is often about 1–3 months (2025) according to many embassy/consulate guidance.
Changing Status Inside Japan (for students, etc.)
- Check when your current status expires.
- Prepare both your documents (diploma/experience, passport, Residence Card) and the employer documents (contract, job description, company info).
- Submit a Change of Status of Residence application at your local immigration office.
- Wait for approval before starting work that your current status doesn’t allow.
- After approval, check your new Residence Card (status and period).
This is the typical route for international students who find a job in Japan. In recent years, many new graduates moved into this exact category.
Duration, Renewal & Change
Periods of stay are usually 1 year, 3 years, or 5 years.
You can renew at the immigration office, usually from about 3 months before expiry.
You can also change employers, as long as the new job still fits this status.
| Item | Standard practice | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Period of stay | 1 / 3 / 5 years | Depends on case and employer stability |
| Renewal timing | Within 3 months before expiry | Apply at the immigration office |
| Employer change | Allowed if job still fits this status | Notify the immigration office within 14 days of the change |
| At renewal | Tax/insurance status may be checked | Keep certificates and payslips |
💡 At renewal, immigration may look at whether you actually worked, whether you paid your taxes and social insurance, and whether your employer is still active. Keep your documents tidy.
Common Mistakes (to Avoid)
- Thinking “I have an offer, so it’s automatic.” Immigration still checks job-content vs. your background.
- Submitting a job description that’s too vague (“office work”) instead of clearly professional duties.
- Starting work before your Change of Status is approved.
- Employer cannot prove actual business (no financial docs, no activity).
- Not updating your address at the city/ward office within 14 days after moving.
FAQ
Q1. My degree is not exactly the same as the job. Can I still get it?
Maybe. If the employer explains the connection and you have some related experience or skills, immigration sometimes accepts it. Totally unrelated with no experience is risky.
Q2. I don’t have a degree — can I apply with experience only?
Yes, if you can prove long enough related experience (generally 10 years; for some international-services work, 3 years). You must submit documents from past employers.
Q3. Do I need Japanese language skills?
Not always. Many companies hire in English. Immigration mainly checks job match and employer stability.
Q4. Do I have to use a CoE?
CoE is the standard and usually the smoothest route. Some embassies accept direct applications, but CoE shows that the immigration office in Japan has already pre-approved you.
Conclusion
This status is the main legal route for foreign professionals to work in Japan.
If your job description, education/experience, and employer documents all line up, the application is usually straightforward — whether you come from overseas or switch inside Japan.
Prepare both sides of the paperwork, apply early, and keep your records tidy for renewals.
👉 Related: Visa & Residency in Japan: A Complete Guide
Note: This article is written for foreigners living in Japan or planning to move to Japan. Conditions and requirements may vary depending on individual circumstances.
