In the IT industry, foreign nationals can work across diverse fields, and alongside advancements in technology like AI, the number of foreign engineers in Japan is rapidly increasing. The primary residence status for engineers is “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services”.

 Within the broad category of IT professionals, the options of residence status are more diverse. Depending on the conditions, there may be more suitable status such as “Highly Skilled Professional”, “Intra-company Transferee”, or “Designated Activities” (including the Digital Nomad Visa).

 At Tanishima Legal Group, we meticulously verify requirements and develop planning that identifies potential issues, enabling a smooth path to approval from the very first application.

Even if you contact us after an initial rejection, we have a strong track record of success in such cases, so please don't hesitate to reach out.

Table of Contents

What is the "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" Visa?. 2

Requirements for "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" for IT Field. 2

Qualification Requirement Is Met with Indian DOEACC.. 3

Primary Reasons for Rejection. 3

Countermeasures in Case of Rejection. 4

Procedure Flow (For Foreign Nationals in Japan Changing Their Status). 4

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” Visa. 5

Summary of Services Provided by Tanishima Legal Group. 5

 The most representative work visa for the IT field is “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services”.

 To obtain this visa, applicants must generally meet one of three main requirements.

1.  Academic background
2.  Work Experience (Practical Experience)
3.  National Qualifications (based on IT notifications)

 Meeting any one of these significantly increases the likelihood of approval. We explain these in detail below.

 What is the "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" Visa?

 The "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" visa is a work visa for foreign nationals who wish to utilize their specialized knowledge or skills in Japan.

 In the IT industry, roles such as system engineers, programmers, AI specialists, and data scientists are eligible for this visa.

 The "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" visa for IT specifically requires meeting criteria related to academic background, work experience, and national qualifications, providing a framework for foreigners to work securely in Japan.

 Requirements for "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" for IT Field

1.  Compliance with Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) Standards

•  Academic Background: University graduate or graduate of a Japanese vocational school
•  Work Experience: At least 10 years of practical experience in the IT field
•  National Qualification: Possession of a national qualification listed in the IT Notification
   [Examples of qualifications listed in the IT Notification]
   (1) IT Strategist Examination
   (2) System Architect Examination
   (3) Project Manager Examination
   (4) Network Specialist Examination
   (5) Database Specialist Examination
   (6) Embedded Systems Specialist Examination
   (7) IT Service Manager Examination
   (8) System Auditor Engineer Examination
   (9) Applied Information Technology Engineer Examination
   (10) Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination
   (11) Information Security Management Examination

1.  Requirements for Compensation Contracts

 A contract for employment or similar arrangement with a Japanese company or organization is required. While terms may differ for commissioned work (e.g., full-time contracts), employment contracts must satisfy the following:

•  Job Description: Must involve specialized IT-related work.
•  Remuneration: Compensation equivalent to or higher than that of Japanese nationals.
•  Working Hours: Typically, full-time work is required.

1.  Eligibility for Residence Status: Job Description

 If the job duties lack specialization, approval may be denied. Positions involving simple labor or lacking academic qualifications are ineligible.

1.  Legal Basis

 Ministerial Ordinance Establishing Special Provisions for the Standards Concerning the Status of Residence for “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services”, Humanitarian, and International Services under Article 7, Paragraph 1, Item 2 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act:

 https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/policies/bill/nyukan_hourei_h09.html

 Qualification Requirement Is Met with Indian DOEACC

 For holders of the DOEACC qualification, a DOEACC (pronounced "do-ack") certification at Level A, B, or C satisfies the requirements.

 However, Level O is not permitted. Below is a Japanese translation of the Indian government's website description regarding the O Level.

 Reference: Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology

 Government of India, https://www.nielit.gov.in/chandigarh/content/doeacc-o-level-0

 Primary Reasons for Rejection

1.  Failure to meet landing criteria regulations: Insufficient academic qualifications or work experience
    Applications will be rejected if academic qualifications or experience are insufficient.
2.  Employment or other contractual terms
    If the remuneration amount does not meet the requirements or the working hours are inappropriate.
3.  Job duties are unclear or unsuitable
    Simple labor or low-skilled work is not eligible.
4.  Incomplete or Missing Documents
    Errors in application documents may result in denial.

 Countermeasures in Case of Rejection

1.  Confirming the reason for rejection

 The rejection notice from the Immigration Bureau will briefly state the reason. We will confirm the detailed reason for rejection and clearly identify areas for improvement.

1.  Reapplication

 When reapplying, it is essential to address the reasons for rejection pointed out by the Immigration Bureau in the previous application. However, it is also necessary to verify requirements not specifically mentioned in the rejection notice.

1.  Seeking Support from an immigration lawyer

 A specialized immigration lawyer plays a crucial role in analyzing the reasons for rejection and proposing improvement measures.

 Procedure Flow (For Foreign Nationals in Japan Changing Their Status)

 The following procedures can be handled by the Tanishima Legal Group in most cases. This information is provided as a reference for those handling the process themselves.

1. Requirement Confirmation
   　　 a. Job duties and permissible scope of employment

 　　b. Confirm contract suitability regarding educational background, practical experience, national qualifications, remuneration, etc.

2. Document Preparation
   The applicant and the company (contracting entity) collaborate to gather all necessary documents.
3. Application
   The application for change of status of residence is submitted to the Immigration Bureau.
4. Review
   The review period typically takes 1 to 2 months.
5. Notification of Results
   Once you receive notification from the Immigration Bureau, appear in person to receive your "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" residence card, which grants permission.

 From that day onward, you will be permitted to work under the residence status.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” Visa

 Q1. Can I apply without academic qualifications?

1. You can apply if you have at least 10 years of practical experience in the IT field or possess certain qualifications.

 For the International Services category, the requirement is 3 years or more.

 Q2. If my application is rejected, can I reapply?

1. Reapplication is possible. In many cases, if you can address the reasons for rejection and demonstrate a reasonable prospect of approval, your application may be successful.

 Q3. I heard an employment contract is required. Can freelancers apply?

1. It is possible even without an employment contract. For example, while the difficulty level increases slightly, a commission contract is also acceptable.

 Summary of Services Provided by Tanishima Legal Group

 For building a career in Japan within the IT industry, obtaining the "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" visa is a considerable path.

 There are also some cases that applicant’s roles or conditions may be more suitable for the “Highly Skilled Professional”, “Intra-company Transferee”, or “Designated Activities” visa.

 Selecting the appropriate visa and planning effectively enables smooth approval on the initial application.

 Furthermore, even if you contact us after an initial application is rejected, we can identify and analyze the reasons for denial, then develop a new plan to increase the likelihood of approval on a subsequent application.

 If you are considering such visa options or require support from the Tanishima Legal Group, please feel free to contact us.