Introduction

The “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” status of residence (hereafter “Engineer/Humanities/International Services”) is one of the most commonly used visa categories for employing foreign nationals in Japan. However, if the job description in the employment contract is too abstract, there is a high risk that the application will be denied due to “unclear expertise” or “insufficient relevance to academic background or work experience”. This article explains in detail, based on the latest official information, how to write job descriptions in employment contracts to prevent denial when applying for the Engineer/Humanities/International Services visa.

What is the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services Status?

This status of residence is granted to foreign nationals who work in Japan under a contract with a public or private organization, in specialized fields such as natural sciences (e.g., science, engineering) or humanities (e.g., law, economics, sociology), or in work that requires sensitivity based on foreign culture. Eligible job types include IT engineers, interpreters, accountants, trade operations, marketing, and planning positions, but all require “specialization” and “relevance to academic background or work experience”.

Why Abstract Job Descriptions Lead to Denial

The Immigration Services Agency strictly examines the relevance between the applicant’s academic background/work experience and job duties, as well as the expertise of the job. If the employment contract only uses vague terms such as “sales,” “clerical work,” or “support tasks,” it may be regarded as simple labor or non-specialized work, leading to denial.

Moreover, if the job description is unclear, it becomes difficult to prove the consistency between the applicant’s studies at university or vocational school and the job duties, and the application may be judged as not meeting the academic requirements.

Points for Writing Job Descriptions to Prevent Denial

1. Describe job duties concretely and clarify the expertise.

• Avoid industry jargon or in-house terminology; use expressions that third parties (such as examiners) can understand.
• Example: Instead of “sales,” write “proposing products to overseas clients and negotiating contracts,” “developing and implementing sales strategies based on market research.”
• Example: Instead of “clerical work,” write “preparing accounting slips and entering data into accounting software,” “drafting and translating contracts in foreign languages.”

2. Clearly state the relevance to academic background and work experience.

• Explain how the applicant’s major at university or vocational school, or their work experience, is connected to the job duties.
• Example: “A graduate of the Faculty of Economics will be responsible for developing marketing strategies for overseas markets.”

3. Avoid descriptions that could be mistaken for simple or auxiliary work.

• Do not include tasks such as “reception,” “cleaning,” or “simple data entry,” which are not recognized as specialized work.
• If some auxiliary tasks are included, emphasize that the main duties are specialized and state that auxiliary tasks are only a small part of the overall work.

4. List multiple specific examples of job duties.

• If possible, list the main duties in bullet points to clarify the scope of work.

5. Ensure consistency with other submitted documents.

• Make sure that the job descriptions in the employment contract, CV, and statement of reasons are consistent.

Sample Case

For example, when hiring a foreign national as a “marketing staff,” the employment contract should describe the duties as follows:

• Market research and analysis for products targeting overseas markets
• Preparation of advertising and promotional materials in foreign languages
• Negotiation and contract discussions with overseas clients (using English/Chinese)
• Preparation and local support for participation in international trade fairs
• Translation and interpretation of internal and external documents

By specifying the job duties in this way, rather than simply stating “marketing,” you can clearly demonstrate expertise, relevance to academic background, and language skills, significantly reducing the risk of denial.

Conclusion

If the job description in the employment contract is abstract, the risk of denial for the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa increases significantly. Be sure to describe job duties concretely and clearly so that examiners can easily judge “expertise” and “relevance to academic background/work experience.” Before applying, always check for consistency with other documents and consider consulting a specialist. By following the correct writing methods, you can facilitate the smooth employment and visa acquisition of foreign personnel.