Eligible Activities (as Defined by the Ministry of Justice)

Under the Immigration Control Act, the following activities qualify (excluding activities that fall under the Professor, Artist, Journalist, Business Manager, Legal / Accounting Services, Medical Services, Researcher, Instructor, Intra-Company Transferee, Caregiver, or Entertainer statuses of residence).

• Technology / Knowledge-Based Work: Work requiring technology or knowledge in the fields of natural sciences (science, engineering, etc.) or humanities (law, economics, sociology, etc.)
• International Services: Work requiring thought or sensibility rooted in a foreign culture

Examples: Engineers (e.g. mechanical engineering), interpreters, designers, corporate language instructors, marketing professionals, etc. For more details, please refer to the Immigration Services Agency page on "Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services".

Eligibility Requirements for This Status of Residence

Required Academic Background or Work Experience

In line with the landing permission criteria, applicants must generally satisfy at least one of the following conditions and possess the necessary technical knowledge or skills.

1. Graduated from a university (or received equivalent or higher education) with a major in subjects related to the technology or knowledge required for the intended work.
2. Completed a specialized course at a Japanese vocational school (senmon gakko) with a major in subjects related to the technology or knowledge required for the intended work.
3. Has 10 or more years of practical work experience related to the technology or knowledge required for the intended work.

For work that requires thought or sensibility rooted in a foreign culture (such as translation, interpretation, language instruction, public relations, advertising, overseas trade, design, product development, etc.), applicants may additionally be required to provide documentation proving 3 or more years of practical experience in work related to the intended occupation (this requirement may not apply to university graduates engaged in translation, interpretation, or language instruction).

IT professionals may satisfy the requirements by presenting passing certificates for examinations or qualifications designated by the Minister of Justice under "Information Processing Technology." Qualifications under the OEACC system (Level A, B, or C) may also be accepted in certain cases.

Salary Requirement

The salary must be equivalent to or higher than what a Japanese national would receive for the same type of work.

Period of Stay

5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months (granted by the Minister of Justice based on the Immigration Control Act).

Required Documents (Overview)

The documents required vary depending on the type of application (Certificate of Eligibility, Change of Status of Residence, Extension of Period of Stay, or Acquisition of Status of Residence) and the category of the accepting organization. The following is a general overview. For the latest details and forms, please check the Immigration Services Agency website and the document checklist (PDF) available on the same page.

Categories of Accepting Organizations

The volume of required documents varies depending on which category the organization belongs to.

• Category 1: Organizations meeting certain criteria, innovation-promoting enterprises, public interest corporations, special statutory corporations, authorized corporations, independent administrative agencies, national and local government bodies, mutual insurance companies, companies listed on stock exchanges, etc.
• Category 2: Organizations approved for the online residence application system, or organizations / individuals whose annual withheld income tax on salary exceeds 1,000 ten-thousand yen (approx. 10 million JPY)
• Category 3: Organizations / individuals that have submitted a statutory summary of withholding tax statements for employees' salary income for the previous year (excluding Category 2)
• Category 4: Organizations / individuals that do not fall under any of the above categories (additional documents will be required)

Common Required Documents (Some May Be Omitted Depending on Application Type)

• Document proving that the accepting organization falls under Category 1 or 2
• For Category 1: A copy of the certification, proof of stock exchange listing (e.g. copy of company information directory), establishment permit from the competent authority, etc. (any one of these)
• For Category 2: Proof of approval for the online residence application system, and a copy of the statutory summary of withholding tax statements for employee salary for the previous year
• For Category 3: A copy of the statutory summary of withholding tax statements for employee salary for the previous year

Main Documents Required from the Applicant (Foreign National)

For applications for a Certificate of Eligibility, Change of Status of Residence, or Acquisition of Status of Residence, the following documents are typically required.

• Resume (curriculum vitae) (1 copy) clearly indicating the organizations, duties, and periods of employment in work requiring the relevant technology or knowledge
• One of the following documents proving academic background or employment history:
  • University degree certificate or document proving equivalent or higher education
  • Employment certificate or similar document proving the period of work in related activities (including proof of study in the relevant subjects at a university, college of technology, high school, or vocational school)
  • For work involving foreign culture-based sensibility: document proving 3 or more years of practical experience in related work (may not be required for university graduates engaged in translation, interpretation, or language instruction)
  • For IT professionals: passing certificate or qualification certificate for "Information Processing Technology" examinations designated by the Minister of Justice (may not be required if other academic credentials are already submitted)

Additional Documents Required for Extension of Period of Stay

• Municipal tax certificate (taxable or tax-exempt) and tax payment certificate (showing annual income and tax payment status) 窶・1 copy each (issued by the municipality of the applicant's current address at the time of application)
• If working under a dispatch contract: materials clarifying the activities at the dispatch destination (e.g. working conditions notice, employment contract, etc.) 窶・1 copy
• For first renewal after changing employer to a Category 3 or 4 organization: financial statements, materials clarifying business activities, certificate of registered matters, working conditions notice, etc. may additionally be required.

Other Notes

• Certificates issued in Japan must be submitted within 3 months of the date of issue.
• Documents written in a foreign language must be accompanied by a Japanese translation.
• Incomplete submissions may result in delays or unfavorable outcomes in the screening process.

For guidance on completing application forms and detailed document requirements, you may also contact the Immigration Information Center for Foreign Nationals (TEL: 0570-013904).