Introduction

Foreign nationals wishing to work in Japan must obtain a status of residence (visa) appropriate to their job duties. Among these, the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” status (commonly called “Gijinkoku”) is one of the most sought-after work visas. With the diversification of employment types such as contract, part-time, and temporary work, many people ask whether this status can be obtained with such employment arrangements. This article explains, based on the latest information from the Ministry of Justice and expert sites, whether the status can be obtained under various employment types and what points to be aware of.

Overview of Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services Status

This status of residence is for foreign nationals working in fields such as natural sciences (engineering, IT, etc.), humanities (law, economics, sociology), or international services (translation, interpretation, language instruction). To obtain it, the applicant must meet requirements such as relevant academic background or work experience, job content specialization, employer’s business stability, and a salary level equal to or higher than that of Japanese employees.

Eligibility by Employment Type

The “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” status can be granted regardless of whether the employment is full-time, contract, part-time, temporary, or even as an external contractor. What matters is not the “employment type” but whether the “job duties” meet the requirements of the status.

• Contract and Part-Time Employees
  　If the job duties fall within the scope of the status and the applicant meets the academic or work experience requirements, the status can be granted even for contract or part-time employees. It is also possible to have contracts with multiple companies.
• Temporary (Dispatched) Employees
  　Temporary workers employed by staffing agencies can also obtain this status, provided the duties at the client company meet the requirements and there is a contract with the staffing agency.
• Part-Time (Arubaito) Employees
  　Even as a part-time (arubaito) worker, if the job duties are within the scope of the status, it is possible to obtain it. However, as part-time work often involves non-specialized tasks, it is essential to ensure the actual duties meet the requirements.

Points to Note

• Specialization of Job Duties
  　Regardless of employment type, only jobs requiring specialized knowledge or skills are permitted. Examples include IT engineers, translators, sales, planners, and designers. Simple labor such as cashier work or food service is not permitted.
• Working Hours and Stability
  　If working hours are too short, it may be judged that you cannot maintain a stable life, affecting status renewal or approval. Immigration authorities use “full-time” (about 30 hours per week) as a guideline, but this is not a strict rule. If working hours are short, prepare documents to prove financial stability.
• Salary Level
  　Foreign nationals must be paid at least the same as Japanese employees for similar work. Discriminatory lower pay is not allowed.
• Clarity of Contract
  　Employment or outsourcing contracts must clearly state job duties, salary, and working hours. This is especially important for contract or part-time arrangements.

Sample Cases

Case 1: Ms. A (from China, university graduate) works as a contract system engineer at an IT company four days a week. As her duties are specialized and her salary matches that of Japanese employees, she obtained the status.

Case 2: Mr. B (from Vietnam, vocational school graduate) works as a part-time English teacher at a language school (30 hours/week). As his duties met the requirements and he could prove financial stability, his application was approved.

Conclusion

The “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” status can be obtained with various employment types, including contract, part-time, temporary, and arubaito, not just full-time positions. The most important factors are the specialization of the job duties, financial stability, and salary level equal to or higher than that of Japanese employees. As long as these conditions are met, obtaining or renewing the status is possible regardless of employment type. Be sure to clarify contract details and prepare necessary documents. If unsure, consult a certified administrative scrivener or immigration authorities.