Japan Work Visa Ladder โ Engineer, Specified Skilled Worker, and Highly Skilled Professional
Japan issues working residence under one of about twenty ๅจ็่ณๆ ผ (Zairyลซ Shikaku โ Status of Residence) categories, not a single 'work visa'.
Most foreign professionals enter on Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services, Specified Skilled Worker, or Highly Skilled Professional status. Every long-term work stay begins with a Certificate of Eligibility issued by the Immigration Services Agency.
Estimated time
Certificate of Eligibility (COE) issuance typically takes one to three months at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau; the embassy visa label is issued in approximately five business days from a complete submission; extensions and status changes take two weeks to one month
Cost
COE issuance is free; current status-change and extension fees are ยฅ6,000 in person or ยฅ5,500 online; permanent residence application is ยฅ10,000; embassy visa stamp varies by nationality reciprocity
What You Need
Tap to check off items as you gather them
Additional Items
- Shikakugai Katsudล Kyoka (่ณๆ ผๅคๆดปๅ่จฑๅฏ โ permission for activities outside the authorized scope): a separate ISA permit required for any income-generating activity outside the activities authorized by the status of residence; the permit is free but must be obtained before the side work begins.
- Tokutei Ginล (็นๅฎๆ่ฝ โ Specified Skilled Worker work visa) and Tokutei Zairyลซ (็นๅฎๅจ็ โ the optional combined residence card launching separately) share the Tokutei prefix but denote entirely different concepts: the former is a status of residence, the latter is a residence card format. The two are not interchangeable.
- Highly Skilled Professional fast-track permanent residence: holders scoring 80 or more points become eligible to apply for permanent residence after one year of residence; holders scoring 70 or more points become eligible after three years, against the standard ten-year residency requirement.
- J-Skip (Japan System for Special Highly-Skilled Professionals) bypasses the points calculation entirely. Effective 21 April 2023 per ISA notice: the research / specialist track requires a master's degree or higher with annual income of at least ยฅ20,000,000, or ten years of relevant work experience with annual income of at least ยฅ20,000,000; the business-management track requires five years of management experience with annual income of at least ยฅ40,000,000.
- Other working Zairyลซ Shikaku outside the three-route core: ไผๆฅญๅ ่ปขๅค (Kigyลnai Tenkin โ Intra-Company Transferee), ๆ่ฝ (Ginล โ Skilled Labor), ็ตๅถใป็ฎก็ (Keiei-Kanri โ Business Manager), ๆๆ (Kyลju โ Professor), ็ ็ฉถ (Kenkyลซ โ Researcher), and ็นๅฎๆดปๅ (Tokutei Katsudล โ Designated Activities, which houses J-Find and other ad-hoc programmes).
- Gaishokugyล (ๅค้ฃๆฅญ โ food service) sector cap suspension: ISA announced on 13 April 2026 a temporary suspension of new COE issuances after the 50,000-worker cumulative cap was met ahead of schedule. Existing Gaishokugyล holders may still renew. Applicants targeting the sector should monitor ssw.go.jp for the cap-reset announcement (the next April-period reset is the typical window).
- Engineer Category 3/4 customer-facing role + Japanese-language requirement effective 15 April 2026: applicants filling customer-facing roles at Category 3 or Category 4 employers must demonstrate JLPT N2 or equivalent proficiency. Back-office, software-engineering, and Category 1/2 employer roles remain exempt.
- isa.go.jp is an alias of moj.go.jp/isa โ the Immigration Services Agency operates the same content set under both domains; either URL is authoritative.
Step-by-Step
- 1
First step โ Confirm route eligibility and select the status of residence
New Arrival Expat- (Applicant + Sponsor) Identify which ๅจ็่ณๆ ผ (Zairyลซ Shikaku) matches the proposed activity in Japan โ Gijinkoku (ๆ่กใปไบบๆ็ฅ่ญใปๅฝ้ๆฅญๅ โ Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services) for degree-qualified salaried roles, Tokutei Ginล (็นๅฎๆ่ฝ โ Specified Skilled Worker) for sector-skilled roles, or Kลdo Senmonshoku (้ซๅบฆๅฐ้่ท โ Highly Skilled Professional) for the points-based fast track
- (Applicant) For HSP candidates, complete the ใใคใณใ่จ็ฎ่กจ (Pointo Keisanhyล โ Points Calculation Table) first. A total below 70 points routes the application to a standard work status โ most commonly Gijinkoku โ and HSP benefits do not apply
- (Applicant) For J-Skip candidates, confirm the binary income and academic thresholds: master's degree or ten years' career with at least ยฅ20,000,000 annual income for the research and specialist tracks, or five years of management experience with at least ยฅ40,000,000 income for the business-management track
- (Applicant) Engineer applicants targeting customer-facing roles at Category 3 or Category 4 employers must hold JLPT N2 or equivalent under the current rule; Category 1 and 2 employer roles and back-office or pure-engineering roles remain exempt โ see additional_items for the force-date detail
๐ก Tip: Tokutei Ginล (็นๅฎๆ่ฝ โ Specified Skilled Worker) and Tokutei Zairyลซ (็นๅฎๅจ็ โ Specified Residence Card) share the Tokutei prefix but denote entirely different concepts. One is a working status of residence with sector and language criteria; the other is a residence card format covered in a separate guide. Confirm which you actually need before filing.
โ ๏ธ Watch out: Mismatching status โ for example applying for Gijinkoku for a manual-labour role that should route to Tokutei Ginล โ is the leading cause of COE refusal for first-time work-visa applicants. If targeting the food service sector under Specified Skilled Worker, note that ISA published ใ็นๅฎๆ่ฝใๅค้ฃๆฅญๅ้ใใซใใใๅจ็่ณๆ ผ่ชๅฎ่จผๆๆธไบคไปใฎไธๆๅๆญขๆช็ฝฎใซใคใใฆใ (Temporary suspension measure regarding the issuance of Certificate of Eligibility for the food service sector under Specified Skilled Worker); the suspension force-date and cap-reset window are recorded in additional_items. Existing holders may renew; new applicants should monitor ssw.go.jp.
- 2
Pre-arrival โ Sponsor in Japan files the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) application
New Arrival Expat- (Sponsor) Compile the COE application form (ๅจ็่ณๆ ผ่ชๅฎ่จผๆๆธไบคไป็ณ่ซๆธ โ Zairyลซ Shikaku Nintei Shลmeisho Kลfu Shinseisho) with the route-specific annex, the applicant's passport copy and recent photograph, and the route-specific documents โ employment contract, academic credentials, sponsor company registry and tax-withholding documents, and where applicable the Points Calculation Table
- (Sponsor) Submit in person at the ๅฐๆนๅบๅ ฅๅฝๅจ็็ฎก็ๅฑ (Chihล Shutsunyลซkoku Zairyลซ Kanrikyoku โ Regional Immigration Services Bureau) covering either the sponsor's principal place of business or the applicant's intended residence in Japan, OR submit via the Online Shinsei System if the sponsor is registered
- (Sponsor) Include a return envelope (่ฟไฟก็จๅฐ็ญ โ Henshinyล Fลซtล) with a ยฅ404 postage stamp for paper filings; ISA mails the issued COE to the sponsor
๐ก Tip: Category 1 sponsors (listed companies, central government) and Category 2 sponsors (large taxpaying corporations with at least ยฅ10M annual statutory withholding) face the lightest documentation. Category 3 and 4 sponsors face fuller evidentiary requirements and longer review queues โ engaging a ่กๆฟๆธๅฃซ (Gyลseishoshi โ administrative scrivener) is common.
โ ๏ธ Watch out: Postal submissions are not accepted by ISA. Returned applications cause weeks of delay. Confirm in-person counter or Online Shinsei System filing before dispatching documents.
- 3
Pre-arrival โ Wait for ISA to issue the COE and dispatch to the sponsor
New Arrival Expat- (ISA) Reviews the application package. Standard processing takes one to three months from a complete in-person submission
- (ISA) Mails the issued COE to the sponsor at the address on the return envelope, OR delivers the COE electronically through the Online Shinsei System for registered sponsors
- (Sponsor) Forwards the original COE document to the applicant abroad โ typically by international courier with tracking
๐ก Tip: Complex cases โ Category 3 or 4 sponsors, applicants from non-bilateral SSW countries, or first-time HSP applications with multiple bonus-point claims โ can extend processing to four or six months. Build a generous buffer into the planned start date.
- 4
Pre-arrival โ Applicant collects the visa label at a Japanese embassy or consulate
New Arrival Expat- (Applicant) Present the COE, passport, completed visa application, photograph, and any supporting documents to a Japanese embassy or consulate-general in the country of residence
- (Applicant) Pay the consular fee where charged. Reciprocity-based visa-exemption agreements waive the fee for many nationalities โ confirm the binding fee with the mission handling the application
- (Embassy / Consulate-general) Issues the visa label, typically within five business days of complete-document submission
โ ๏ธ Watch out: The COE remains valid for entry purposes for three months from issuance. Applicants who do not travel to Japan within this window must request a fresh COE through the sponsor; ISA does not extend an unused COE.
- 5
Arrival โ Enter Japan and receive the residence card
New Arrival Expat- (Applicant) Present the passport with the visa label and the original COE to the immigration officer at a designated port of entry โ Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu, Fukuoka, New Chitose, Hiroshima, or Naha airports issue the residence card on the spot
- (Immigration officer) Issues the ๅจ็ใซใผใ (Zairyลซ Kฤdo โ Residence Card) embedded with the status of residence, the authorised period (commonly one, three, or five years for Gijinkoku and HSP Type 1; up to five years cumulative for SSW Type 1; indefinite for HSP Type 2), and the authorised activities
- (Applicant) Within 14 days, file address registration at the local municipal ward office โ see the separate residence-card and address-registration guide
๐ก Tip: If entering through a port that does not issue the card on the spot, the residence card is mailed to the registered address after the address registration is filed. Keep the passport with the visa label safe; the COE is returned at the port and is no longer required after entry.
- 6
Maintenance โ File the extension of period of stay before the residence card expires
Expat Resident- (Applicant) File ๅจ็ๆ้ๆดๆฐ่จฑๅฏ็ณ่ซ (Zairyลซ Kikan Kลshin Kyoka Shinsei โ application for extension of period of stay) at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau covering the holder's place of residence, in person or via the Online Shinsei System for registered users
- (Applicant) Pay ยฅ6,000 in ๅๅ ฅๅฐ็ด (Shลซnyลซ Inshi โ revenue stamp) at the counter, OR ยฅ5,500 via the Online Shinsei System under the current fee schedule (force-date and prior-fee detail in research_sources)
- (ISA) Decides the application within two weeks to one month; status is preserved during processing if the application is filed before expiry
๐ก Tip: Revenue stamps are sold at post offices; some immigration office lobbies have on-site vendors. Convenience stores in Japan do not generally stock the required denominations โ plan the stamp purchase before the appointment.
โ ๏ธ Watch out: Filing after the Zairyลซ Kikan expires results in ไธ่ฏๅจ็ (Furyล Zairyลซ โ illegal residence) with severe penalties including deportation risk. Filing three months before expiry is the standard safety margin.
- 7
Maintenance โ File a status-of-residence change when the career situation evolves
Expat Resident- (Applicant) File ๅจ็่ณๆ ผๅคๆด่จฑๅฏ็ณ่ซ (Zairyลซ Shikaku Henkล Kyoka Shinsei โ application for change of status of residence) when promotions, points-table advancement, or sector transitions warrant a different status. Typical transitions include Gijinkoku to HSP Type 1 (on reaching 70 points), HSP Type 1 to HSP Type 2 (after three years), or SSW Type 1 to SSW Type 2 (after passing the higher-tier sector test)
- (Applicant) Pay ยฅ6,000 in revenue stamp at the counter, OR ยฅ5,500 via the Online Shinsei System under the current fee schedule (force-date in research_sources)
- (ISA) Issues a new residence card with the updated status, period, and authorised activities. The previous card is surrendered at the counter
๐ก Tip: HSP holders prepare an updated Pointo Keisanhyล with full supporting evidence at every status change and renewal โ ISA reassesses points each time. Falling below 70 points causes a downgrade to a standard work status rather than refusal.
- 8
Side activity โ Obtain permission for activities outside the authorised scope before any side work begins
Expat Resident- (Applicant) File ่ณๆ ผๅคๆดปๅ่จฑๅฏ (Shikakugai Katsudล Kyoka โ permission for activities other than those permitted by the status of residence) at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau covering the holder's place of residence
- (ISA) Reviews the request and issues the permit free of charge; processing typically takes two weeks to one month
- (Applicant) Holders of ๅฎถๆๆปๅจ (Kazoku Taizai โ Dependent) status are limited to 28 hours per week of part-time work even with this permit; Gijinkoku and HSP holders' permit scopes are tied to the scope of the primary employer's business
โ ๏ธ Watch out: Working a second job โ delivery, retail, tutoring โ without the permit is a status violation. Even unpaid volunteer work that displaces Japanese workers can be questioned at renewal. Obtain the permit before any side activity starts.
What Could Go Wrong
COE refused for status-activity mismatch: The ISA examiner finds the proposed activity does not fit the requested status โ typically a manual-labour role applied for under Gijinkoku, or a role outside the authorised scopes.
Recovery: Identify the correct status before re-filing. Manual labour generally routes to Specified Skilled Worker (with skills and language tests); supervisory or board-level routes to Business Manager (Keiei-Kanri); research or instruction routes to HSP 1(a) or Researcher (Kenkyลซ).
Sponsor Category 3 or 4 documentation insufficient: Small private companies and individual sponsors face heavier evidentiary requirements; missing financial statements or tax-withholding certificates cause delay or refusal.
Recovery: Sponsor compiles the full registry certificate, financial statements (Kessansho), employment-conditions document, and statutory tax-withholding certificate before re-filing. Consider engaging a ่กๆฟๆธๅฃซ (Gyลseishoshi โ administrative scrivener) for Category 3 / 4 filings.
Embassy visa expired or COE not used in time: The COE remains valid for entry purposes for three months from issuance. Late travel risks lapsing.
Recovery: Apply for a new COE with the sponsor. ISA does not extend an unused COE; a fresh application is required if the validity window closes.
Late filing of extension after period of stay expires: Filing after the Zairyลซ Kikan expires triggers Furyล Zairyลซ status with deportation risk.
Recovery: File at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau immediately and consult a ่กๆฟๆธๅฃซ or immigration lawyer; ISA may consider mitigating circumstances on a case-by-case basis but reinstatement is discretionary.
HSP points drop below 70 at renewal: ISA reassesses points at every extension. Income reduction, age progression, or loss of bonuses (such as leaving a J-Startup employer) can drop the total below the qualifying threshold.
Recovery: The renewal is processed as a standard work status (typically Gijinkoku) rather than refused. Holders preparing for renewal should refresh evidence for every claimed point category and front-load any new bonus claims (publications, JLPT advancement, METI Innovative Asia alumnus status).
Costs
| Item | Amount | Payment | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Eligibility (COE) issuance | ยฅ0 | No fee | ISA does not charge a fee for the COE itself. The sponsor files at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau in person or via the Online Shinsei System. |
| Embassy visa stamp | ยฅ3,000 | Paid at the Japanese embassy or consulate-general abroad | Indicative figure for single-entry visa; reciprocity-based exemptions apply to many nationalities. Confirm the binding fee with the consulate handling your application. |
| Status of residence change permit (in-person) | ยฅ6,000 | Paid in ๅๅ ฅๅฐ็ด (Shลซnyลซ Inshi โ revenue stamp) at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau counter | From 1 April 2025. Applications filed up to 31 March 2025 used the prior ยฅ4,000 fee. Revenue stamps are sold at post offices and some immigration office lobbies; convenience stores do not generally stock the required denominations. |
| Status of residence change permit (online) | ยฅ5,500 | Paid via revenue stamp uploaded with the Online Shinsei System filing | From 1 April 2025; the online filing saves ยฅ500 against the counter rate. |
| Extension of period of stay permit (in-person) | ยฅ6,000 | Paid in revenue stamp at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau counter | From 1 April 2025. Filing three months before the expiry of the current period is standard; late filing risks Furyล Zairyลซ (illegal residence). |
| Extension of period of stay permit (online) | ยฅ5,500 | Paid via revenue stamp uploaded with the Online Shinsei System filing | From 1 April 2025. |
| Permission for activities outside the authorized scope | ยฅ0 | No fee | ่ณๆ ผๅคๆดปๅ่จฑๅฏ (Shikakugai Katsudล Kyoka) is free but must be obtained before any side work begins. |
| Re-entry permit โ single re-entry | ยฅ3,000 | Paid in revenue stamp at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau | Required only when a special re-entry permit (free, for trips up to one year, or up to two years for HSP holders) does not cover the planned absence. |
| Re-entry permit โ multiple re-entry | ยฅ6,000 | Paid in revenue stamp at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau | Valid for up to five years from issuance. |
| Special re-entry permit | ยฅ0 | No fee | Declared at the port of entry on departure; covers absences up to one year (up to two years for Highly Skilled Professional holders). |
| Permanent residence application | ยฅ10,000 | Paid in revenue stamp at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau | From 1 April 2025. Highly Skilled Professional holders scoring 80+ points become eligible after one year of residence; HSP holders scoring 70+ points after three years; standard route requires ten years of residence. |
- Payment:
- No fee
- Notes:
- ISA does not charge a fee for the COE itself. The sponsor files at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau in person or via the Online Shinsei System.
- Payment:
- Paid at the Japanese embassy or consulate-general abroad
- Notes:
- Indicative figure for single-entry visa; reciprocity-based exemptions apply to many nationalities. Confirm the binding fee with the consulate handling your application.
- Payment:
- Paid in ๅๅ ฅๅฐ็ด (Shลซnyลซ Inshi โ revenue stamp) at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau counter
- Notes:
- From 1 April 2025. Applications filed up to 31 March 2025 used the prior ยฅ4,000 fee. Revenue stamps are sold at post offices and some immigration office lobbies; convenience stores do not generally stock the required denominations.
- Payment:
- Paid via revenue stamp uploaded with the Online Shinsei System filing
- Notes:
- From 1 April 2025; the online filing saves ยฅ500 against the counter rate.
- Payment:
- Paid in revenue stamp at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau counter
- Notes:
- From 1 April 2025. Filing three months before the expiry of the current period is standard; late filing risks Furyล Zairyลซ (illegal residence).
- Payment:
- Paid via revenue stamp uploaded with the Online Shinsei System filing
- Notes:
- From 1 April 2025.
- Payment:
- No fee
- Notes:
- ่ณๆ ผๅคๆดปๅ่จฑๅฏ (Shikakugai Katsudล Kyoka) is free but must be obtained before any side work begins.
- Payment:
- Paid in revenue stamp at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau
- Notes:
- Required only when a special re-entry permit (free, for trips up to one year, or up to two years for HSP holders) does not cover the planned absence.
- Payment:
- Paid in revenue stamp at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau
- Notes:
- Valid for up to five years from issuance.
- Payment:
- No fee
- Notes:
- Declared at the port of entry on departure; covers absences up to one year (up to two years for Highly Skilled Professional holders).
- Payment:
- Paid in revenue stamp at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau
- Notes:
- From 1 April 2025. Highly Skilled Professional holders scoring 80+ points become eligible after one year of residence; HSP holders scoring 70+ points after three years; standard route requires ten years of residence.
FAQ
General
What does a Certificate of Eligibility actually authorise?
Per the ISA procedure page, the ๅจ็่ณๆ ผ่ชๅฎ่จผๆๆธ (Zairyลซ Shikaku Nintei Shลmeisho) pre-screens substantive eligibility โ the sponsor-applicant match, the activity-status match, and the financial viability of the sponsor. It does not by itself authorise entry. The applicant must still obtain a visa label at a Japanese embassy or consulate-general and pass immigration inspection at the port of entry. The COE shifts the burden of evidence at the embassy from 'prove eligibility' to 'prove identity matches the COE holder'.
Is Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services three separate visas?
No. ๆ่กใปไบบๆ็ฅ่ญใปๅฝ้ๆฅญๅ (Gijutsu-Jinbun-Kokusai) is a single bundled status of residence. The kanji name lists three permission scopes โ Engineer (technical), Specialist in Humanities (humanities and social-science knowledge), and International Services (foreign-culture sensibility) โ but the residence card carries one status. Holders can shift across sub-bands within the same employment without a status change, provided the activity remains within the bundled scope.
How is Tokutei Ginล different from Tokutei Zairyลซ?
็นๅฎๆ่ฝ (Tokutei Ginล โ Specified Skilled Worker) is a working status of residence created in 2019, with sector-specific skills and language requirements. ็นๅฎๅจ็ (Tokutei Zairyลซ โ Specified Residence Card) is an optional combined-card residence credential covered in a separate guide. The shared Tokutei prefix is a frequent source of confusion; the two are not interchangeable. One is a work visa, the other is a card format.
Is Specified Skilled Worker Type 1 renewable indefinitely?
No. SSW Type 1 caps at five years cumulative across all periods โ not five years renewable indefinitely. To remain in Japan beyond that ceiling under the SSW programme, the holder must qualify for Type 2 by passing the higher-tier sector skills test (where one is published) and meeting the practical-experience requirement. Type 2 also unlocks family-accompanying privileges that Type 1 does not carry.
Does Highly Skilled Professional grant permanent residency automatically after five years?
No. HSP shortens the eligibility window for permanent residence โ to one year for holders scoring 80 or more points and three years for holders scoring 70 or more points โ but permanent residence remains a separate application with its own documentation, taxes-paid record, and good-conduct review. The standard route still requires ten years of residence in Japan.
Can the Engineer status holder freelance on the side?
Only with ่ณๆ ผๅคๆดปๅ่จฑๅฏ (Shikakugai Katsudล Kyoka) โ a separate ISA permission for activities outside the authorised scope. Freelance consulting in the same technical field as the primary employment is generally treated as within scope. Freelance work in unrelated fields (a software engineer doing weekend retail, for example) requires the supplementary permit. Working without the permit risks status revocation at renewal.
Is J-Skip the same as the points-calculation table?
No. J-Skip bypasses the Pointo Keisanhyล entirely. It applies binary thresholds โ a master's degree or ten years' career with annual income of at least ยฅ20,000,000 for the research and specialist tracks, or five years of management experience with at least ยฅ40,000,000 income for the business-management track. Near-miss applicants must default to the standard HSP points route.
Can my spouse work on my Engineer status?
The spouse holds ๅฎถๆๆปๅจ (Kazoku Taizai โ Dependent) status and may work up to 28 hours per week with Shikakugai Katsudล Kyoka. Full-time work requires the spouse to qualify independently for an own work-status visa. Highly Skilled Professional holders' spouses receive broader work permission under ็นๅฎๆดปๅ (Tokutei Katsudล โ Designated Activities) without meeting the academic or career requirements of those statuses.
What if I file the extension after my period of stay has expired?
Late filing โ after the Zairyลซ Kikan expires โ results in ไธ่ฏๅจ็ (Furyล Zairyลซ โ illegal residence) with severe penalties including deportation risk. The three-months-before-expiry filing window is the practical safety margin. ISA accepts in-time filings up to the expiry date, but processing of the extension can run two weeks to one month, so filing close to the deadline carries risk.
I want a Gaishokugyล Specified Skilled Worker visa. Is the sector accepting applications?
Per the ISA announcement of 13 April 2026, new COE issuances for the ๅค้ฃๆฅญ (Gaishokugyล โ food service) sector under SSW Type 1 are temporarily suspended after the cumulative 50,000-worker cap was met ahead of schedule. Existing holders may still renew. Applicants should monitor ssw.go.jp for the cap-reset announcement, typically aligned with the next April-period reset.
After This Process
- โ After the residence card is issued at the port of entry, register your address at the local municipal ward office within 14 days โ see the separate guide on residence-card and address registration.
- โ Enrol in Shakai Hoken (Employees' Health and Pension Insurance) via your employer, or Kokumin Kenkล Hoken if not employer-sponsored โ see the separate guide on national health insurance.
- โ Set a reminder three months before the period of stay expires to file the extension at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau.
- โ If you may exceed five years cumulative on Specified Skilled Worker Type 1, plan the higher-tier skills test and consider the Type 2 transition application.
- โ If targeting fast-track permanent residence as a Highly Skilled Professional, retain documentary evidence for every point category โ degree, employment, income, JLPT, patents, publications, alumni proofs โ for the eventual PR application.
Sources
- ISA โ Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services status (moj.go.jp โ)
- ISA โ Certificate of Eligibility procedure (moj.go.jp โ)
- ISA โ Extension of period of stay procedure (moj.go.jp โ)
- ISA โ Specified Skilled Worker programme overview (moj.go.jp โ)
- ssw.go.jp โ Specified Skilled Worker eligibility and examinations (ssw.go.jp โ)
- ISA โ Highly Skilled Professional points system (moj.go.jp โ)
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- T1Immigration Services Agency of Japan (Ministry of Justice) โ Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services status page 2026-05-22
Status of Residence 'Technology/Human Knowledge/International Business' covers work requiring technology or knowledge in natural science or human science fields, or work requiring foreign-culture-based sensibility. Holders represented 418,706 foreign residents in Japan (11.1% of the foreign-resident population). A change effective 15 April 2026 requires applicants for customer-facing roles at Category 3 and Category 4 employers to demonstrate Japanese proficiency at JLPT N2 or equivalent; back-office and pure-engineering roles remain exempt.
moj.go.jp - T1Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ssw.go.jp portal) โ Specified Skilled Worker eligibility and examinations 2026-05-22
In order to work under a Specified Skilled Worker (i) status of residence, an applicant must pass a Japanese language test (JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic A2) and a sector-specific skills proficiency test. Applicants who have satisfactorily completed Technical Intern Training (ii) are exempt from both tests for the corresponding sector. Skills tests are administered domestically and across bilateral partner countries (Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Cambodia, Mongolia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka).
ssw.go.jp - T1Immigration Services Agency of Japan (Ministry of Justice) โ Certificate of Eligibility application procedure 2026-05-22
The Certificate of Eligibility (ๅจ็่ณๆ ผ่ชๅฎ่จผๆๆธ โ Zairyลซ Shikaku Nintei Shลmeisho) is filed by the Japan-based sponsor at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau covering either the sponsor's principal place of business or the applicant's intended residence in Japan. Standard supporting documents enumerated on the procedure page include the applicant's passport (ๆ ๅธ), one recent photograph (่จผๆๅ็) taken within three months at 4ร3 cm, employment contract or offer letter (้็จๅฅ็ดๆธ) confirming the role and Japanese-equivalent salary, academic credentials (ๅๆฅญ่จผๆๆธ โ graduation certificate or ๅญฆไฝ่จ โ degree diploma) corroborating the qualification basis for the requested status, and the sponsor company's certified commercial registry and recent financial statements. Postal submissions are not accepted; submission is in person or via the Online Shinsei System for registered sponsors. No application fee is charged for the COE itself. Standard processing takes one to three months.
moj.go.jp - T1Immigration Services Agency of Japan (Ministry of Justice) โ Extension of period of stay procedure 2026-05-22
Extensions of period of stay (ๅจ็ๆ้ๆดๆฐ่จฑๅฏ็ณ่ซ โ Zairyลซ Kikan Kลshin Kyoka Shinsei) and status-of-residence changes (ๅจ็่ณๆ ผๅคๆด่จฑๅฏ็ณ่ซ โ Zairyลซ Shikaku Henkล Kyoka Shinsei) are filed at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau covering the holder's place of residence. From 1 April 2025 the fee is ยฅ6,000 paid in ๅๅ ฅๅฐ็ด (Shลซnyลซ Inshi โ revenue stamp) for in-person counter applications, or ยฅ5,500 for applications submitted through the Online Shinsei System. Processing typically takes two weeks to one month.
moj.go.jp - T1Immigration Services Agency of Japan (Ministry of Justice) โ Highly Skilled Professional points system 2026-05-22
The Highly Skilled Professional (้ซๅบฆๅฐ้่ท โ Kลdo Senmonshoku) system is a points-based system where points are calculated for academic background, professional career, annual income, age, research achievements, Japanese-language proficiency, and bonuses. Applicants scoring 70 points or more on the ใใคใณใ่จ็ฎ่กจ (Pointo Keisanhyล โ Points Calculation Table) qualify as Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals. Type 2 status requires three or more years of activity under Type 1, 70 points still scored on the current points table, and a good-conduct record.
moj.go.jp - T1Immigration Services Agency of Japan โ Specified Skilled Worker programme overview and sector announcements 2026-05-22
Specified Skilled Worker Type 1 covers 16 industry fields capped at five years cumulative stay; Type 2 currently covers 11 fields with unlimited renewal and family-accompanying privileges. On 13 April 2026 ISA announced a temporary suspension of new COE issuances for the ๅค้ฃๆฅญ (Gaishokugyล โ food service) sector after the cumulative 50,000-worker cap was met ahead of schedule. Status renewals for existing Gaishokugyล holders remain unaffected.
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