Introduction

The “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” status of residence (commonly called “Engineer/Humanities/International Services” or “Gijinkoku Visa”) is one of the most common work visas for foreign nationals working in Japan. A frequent question is: “Can I apply for this visa for a job different from my major at university or vocational school?” This article provides a clear answer based on the latest government guidelines and practical points.

Basic Requirements for the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services Visa

This status of residence is granted to foreign nationals engaging in professional work in fields such as natural sciences (engineering, IT, etc.), humanities (law, economics, sociology), or international services (translation, interpretation, etc.). Main requirements include:

• Academic background: The job must be related to what you studied at university or vocational school.
• Specialization: The job must require specialized knowledge or skills, not simple labor.
• Employment contract: A formal employment contract with a Japanese company is required.
• Salary: The wage must be at least equal to that of a Japanese employee in the same position.
• Company stability: The employer must be financially stable.

“Relevance” Between Academic Background and Job Duties Is Crucial

The most important factor in screening is the “relevance” between your academic background (or work experience) and the job duties. The closer the relationship, the higher the chance of approval.

Examples

• A computer science graduate working as an IT engineer or developer is highly relevant.
• An economics graduate working in sales, marketing, or accounting is also considered relevant.
• A literature graduate applying for a factory line job or simple labor is not eligible.

Is It Possible to Apply for a Job Different from Your Academic Major?

In conclusion: It is possible to apply for the visa for a job different from your academic major, as long as there is a recognized relevance between your studies and the job. If the relevance is weak or nonexistent, the application will likely be denied.

How Relevance Is Judged

• Course content, thesis topics, and qualifications are compared to the job description.
• The employer’s “statement of reasons” and “job description” must clearly explain the connection.
• For graduates of certain accredited vocational schools, a more flexible approach may be taken.

Common Reasons for Denial

• Inability to explain the connection between studies and job duties.
• The job is simple labor or on-site work.
• Graduation from an overseas vocational school that does not meet academic requirements (unless substituted by 10+ years of work experience).

Example Cases

Case 1: Approval

Ms. Wang, a Chinese national, graduated from a Japanese university with a major in economics. She received a job offer as a sales representative at an IT company. Since her economics background was relevant to market analysis and client relations, her visa was approved.

Case 2: Denial

Mr. Nguyen, a Vietnamese national, graduated from a Japanese vocational school in tourism studies. He applied for a factory line worker position. Since there was no relevance between tourism studies and factory work, his application was denied.

Key Points and Precautions

• Clearly explain the connection between your studies and job duties in the application documents.
• Employers must also specify how the foreign national’s expertise will be utilized.
• If relevance is weak, work experience (10+ years for Engineer/Humanities, 3+ years for International Services) may compensate.
• Only certain accredited vocational schools are eligible for flexible judgment.

Conclusion

For the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa, it is possible to apply for a job different from your academic major if there is recognized relevance between your academic background/work experience and the job duties. If not, or if the job is not specialized, the application will likely be denied. Careful preparation and clear explanation are essential. When in doubt, consult an expert such as a certified administrative scrivener.