[Guide for Businesses] Standards and Points to Note Regarding the Employment of Foreign Nationals under the "Technology/Humanities/International Services" Visa

"Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" (hereinafter referred to as "Tech/Humanities/Intl Services") is the most popular status of residence for hiring foreign nationals. Based on the Immigration Services Agency guidelines (revised in April 2026), we will clearly explain the employment criteria and practical precautions that employers must understand to ensure compliance..

1. Prerequisites to be met by the employer (contracts and disqualification grounds)

To accept foreign nationals with the "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" status of residence,Continuous contracts with Japanese public and private organizations (companies, corporations, individual business owners, etc.)(Employment contract, etc.) is required..

⚠️ Warning! Disqualification grounds that lead to rejection of acceptance

If the receiving organization (or the dispatch destination organization, etc.) engages in acts that significantly infringe upon the human rights of foreigners, such as the following, it will be recognized as a disqualifying ground,For a certain period, the acceptance of new foreign nationals under the "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" status of residence will, as a general rule, no longer be permitted..

• Acts of violence, intimidation, and confinement
• Confiscation and retention of passports and residence cards
• Non-payment of allowances or compensation (whether full or partial)
• unjust restriction of personal freedom, such as going out

2. Appropriateness of Business Operations (Expertise and Practical Training)

The duties to be assigned areprofessional competence backed by academic backgroundand,Thinking and sensibilities rooted in foreign culturemust be work that requires.

❌ Examples of non-applicable tasks

• Routine tasks and standardized work described in job postings as "no experience required, you will get used to it quickly."
• Tasks commonly performed by Japanese employees who do not meet requirements such as educational background or practical experience.
• Work that can be performed through simple tasks and repetitive training alone (when it is determined that there is no expertise overall).

Conditions for approving on-the-job training after joining the company

When having employees engage in practical training such as store customer service or manufacturing floor work immediately after joining the company (duties that do not seem to fall under the "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" visa category),You must meet all of the following conditions..

1. In the future, when performing specialized duties related to my primary occupation (activities corresponding to the "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" status of residence)inevitably necessary training(2) The company shall be
2. Similar training for Japanese employeesthat is being carried out.

3. Confirmation of applicant requirements (educational background / practical experience)

It is necessary to check whether the applicant himself/herself meets the following requirements according to the category of work to be assigned..

(1) Natural Sciences and Humanities Fields (Technology and Knowledge-based)

• Educational background requirementsGraduated from a university, technical college (kosen), or a vocational school that meets specific criteria (such as holding an associate or advanced vocational diploma),relevance between major field of study and job dutiesThere must be a
  • *In the case of university graduates, the relevance to the duties is determined flexibly.
  • Even in the case of specialized training colleges, requirements are flexibly relaxed if you are a "completer of a career formation promotion program certified by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology" or have "a track record of about 3 years of experience in related work."
• practical work experience requirementRegarding related operations10+ years of work experienceincluding having (including the period of majoring in related subjects at a university, etc.).

(2) International business field (translation, interpretation, language instruction, design, overseas transactions, etc.)

• related to the duties engaged inAt least 3 years of work experienceis required.
• However,For university graduates engaging in "translation, interpretation, or language instruction," no practical experience is required..

4. Strict criteria for compensation (salary levels)

• to establish compensation equal to or greater than that of Japanese nationals as the standard for determining salariesis obligatory.
• Here, "compensation" refers to consideration for services (such as base salary and managerial allowances).
• Allowance for commuting, housing, family allowances, and other reimbursement-type allowances (which are tax-exempt) are not included in "remuneration".Therefore, it is necessary to demonstrate that the amount excluding allowances is equal to or greater than that of Japanese nationals.

5. Evaluation points checked during changes and updates

When changing status or renewing the period of stay for international students, the Immigration Services Agency conducts a comprehensive review that also includes the following points:.

1. background checkWhether there are any violations, such as "exceeding 28 hours per week (violation of permission to engage in activity other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted)," during part-time work from the time as an international student.
2. Fulfillment of notification obligationsAre you appropriately fulfilling legal obligations, such as notifying changes to the items listed on your residence card or notifications regarding your affiliated institution?

💡 Summary (Advice for Employers)

When utilizing foreign human resources, rather than hiring them simply as "onsite workers to make up for labor shortages,"Providing an environment where specialized knowledge, skills, and sensibilities can be fully demonstrated, and welcoming them with treatment (compensation, training, etc.) on an equal footing with Japanese people.is extremely important from the perspective of legal compliance..