Introduction

When a foreign national applies for the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” status of residence in Japan, it is possible to qualify through a certain number of years of practical experience even if the academic requirements are not met. Many applicants wonder whether work experience at multiple companies can be combined to meet the required number of years. This article explains, based on the latest guidelines from the Immigration Services Agency and other official sources, what to watch out for when combining work experience from several companies.

Is It Possible to Combine Work Experience from Multiple Companies?

In short, it is possible to combine work experience from multiple companies to meet the required number of years. For example, if you worked for Company A for two years and Company B for one year, you can apply with a total of three years of experience. However, there are important conditions and points to note.

Requirements for Years of Practical Experience

• For “Engineer” and “Specialist in Humanities” fields: Generally, 10 years or more of relevant work experience is required if academic requirements are not met.
• For “International Services” field: 3 years or more of relevant work experience is required.

Only experience in relevant work is counted. Periods spent in simple labor or unrelated work are not included.

Key Points When Combining Work Experience

1. Consistency and Relevance of Work Duties

• All combined work experience must be in duties that fall under “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services”.
• For example, if you are combining experience as a system engineer, you must have held similar positions at all companies.
• Periods spent in simple labor or unrelated duties, such as during the initial period of employment, are not counted.

2. Preparation of Certificates of Employment and Work History

• You must obtain a certificate of employment from each company.
• The certificate should clearly state the period of employment, job duties, company name, and company seal.
• If a company has gone bankrupt or cannot be contacted, you cannot count that period toward your total experience.

3. Validity of Certificates

• There is no expiration date for certificates of employment. Previously obtained certificates can be used.
• However, if the content is unclear or the job description is vague, additional documents may be requested.

4. Detailed Description of Job Duties

• The work history and certificates must include specific details of the duties performed.
• The Immigration Services Agency places great importance on the relevance between past and intended job duties.

5. Translation of Certificates

• For experience at overseas companies, certificates and work histories must be translated into Japanese and submitted with the originals.

6. Other Screening Points

• The receiving company’s financial stability.
• Salary level must be equal to or higher than that of Japanese employees in similar roles.
• Good conduct and compliance with reporting obligations under the Immigration Control Act.

Example

Suppose a person worked as a system engineer for two years at Company A in Vietnam and one year at Company B in Korea, and is scheduled to work in the same role at a Japanese IT company. If they prepare certificates of employment and work histories from both companies, they can apply with a total of three years of experience. However, if the first six months at Company A were spent in simple labor, that period cannot be counted.

Common Issues and Solutions

• Unable to obtain a certificate: If a company has gone bankrupt or cannot be contacted, you can only apply with the periods for which you have certificates.
• Vague job descriptions: The immigration office may request additional explanations or documents. Be as specific as possible when describing your duties.
• Mismatch of job duties: If the intended job in Japan differs from your previous experience, your application may be denied.

Conclusion

When applying for the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” status of residence by combining work experience from multiple companies, it is essential to prove that all experience is in relevant duties. Prepare certificates of employment and work histories from each company, and clearly demonstrate the consistency and relevance of your experience. If you cannot obtain a certificate from a particular company, you cannot count that period, so start preparing early.