Effective April 15, 2026, significant changes have been implemented for applications under the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (技術・人文知識・国際業務) residence status. In particular, additional documents are now required for Category 3 and 4 companies. This article provides a detailed explanation of the reform and its practical implications.
[Updated October 10, 2026] The descriptions of how the CEFR B2-level language requirement applies (to graduates of Japanese universities and schools, to Category 1 and 2 companies, and to the scope of covered work) contained errors. We have added corrections immediately after the relevant passages, based on materials published by the Immigration Services Agency. Other content reflects information as of publication.
Reference: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, “Residence Status: Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” page (updated April 2026)
Overview of the Reform
This reform aims to strengthen screening and prevent fraudulent applications or employment that deviates from what was declared. There are three main changes.
| Change | Target | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|
| Addition of Declaration Form on Representative of Affiliated Organization | Category 3 & 4 | April 15, 2026 |
| CEFR B2-level language proficiency certification | Category 3 & 4 (client-facing work) | April 15, 2026 |
| Clarification of rules for dispatch-form employment | All categories | Published February 24, 2026 |
Change 1: Declaration Form on Representative of Affiliated Organization
Overview
Companies classified as Category 3 or 4 must now submit an additional “Declaration Form on the Representative of the Affiliated Organization” for applications filed on or after April 15, 2026.
Purpose
This document is intended to prevent the following by requiring disclosure of the representative’s background and involvement with other corporations:
- Elimination of fraudulent applications through paper companies
- Prevention of illegal employment facilitation through multiple entities
- More accurate assessment of corporate legitimacy and operations
Practical Response
- Organize the representative’s career history accurately before applying
- If the representative serves as an officer of multiple companies, prepare information on each entity’s business activities
- False statements will not only result in denial but also adversely affect future applications — accuracy is essential
Change 2: CEFR B2-Level Language Proficiency Certification
Overview
For Category 3 and 4 companies, applicants engaging in client-facing work that utilizes language skills (interpretation, translation, foreign language customer service, etc.) must now submit documentation proving CEFR B2-level language proficiency.
What is CEFR B2?
CEFR B2 (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) represents an “independent user” who can understand the main ideas of complex texts and interact fluently with native speakers.
Conditions Recognized as B2-Equivalent
| Condition | Specific Standard |
|---|---|
| Japanese Language Proficiency Test | JLPT N2 or higher |
| Business Japanese Proficiency Test | BJT score of 400 or higher |
| Long-term residence | 20+ years of mid-to-long-term residence in Japan |
| Japanese university graduation | Graduated from a Japanese university, technical college, or vocational school |
| Japanese compulsory education + high school | Completed compulsory education and graduated from high school in Japan |
Key Point: International students who graduated from a Japanese university or vocational school automatically qualify as B2-equivalent — no separate test certificate is needed.
[Updated October 10, 2026] We correct the “Japanese university graduation” row of the table above and the Key Point. According to the Immigration Services Agency’s “Clarification of the Status of Residence for Those Engaged in Interpersonal Work Using Language Skills, Such as Translation and Interpretation” (Attachment 4 to “On the Clarification of the Residence Status of ‘Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services’,” published April 15, 2026), graduation from a Japanese university, or completion of a specialized or advanced course at a Japanese technical college or specialized training college, is evaluated as B2-equivalent only when the subjects studied are relevant to the job duties (relevance is assessed flexibly for those who completed a course at a specialized training college certified by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology). Graduation alone does not automatically qualify as B2-equivalent.
Target Work Activities
| Subject to B2 Requirement | Not Subject to B2 Requirement |
|---|---|
| Interpretation / Translation | Programming |
| Foreign language customer service/sales | Design / CAD |
| Negotiation with overseas clients | Accounting / Bookkeeping |
| Foreign customer support | Research & Development |
Practical Notes
- Category 1 and 2 companies are exempt (this requirement does not apply)
- Technical work (IT, engineering, etc.) is exempt from language proficiency certification
- If the applicant handles multiple duties including client-facing work, certification is required
[Updated October 10, 2026] We correct the first and third points above. Under Attachment 4, CEFR B2-level language proficiency is a prerequisite for anyone who will mainly engage in interpersonal work using language skills, and without it the work is not recognized as falling under this status of residence. This prerequisite applies regardless of the company’s category: Category 3 and 4 companies must submit proof at the time of application, and Category 1 and 2 companies may also be asked to submit it during the examination. In addition, the Immigration Services Agency’s Q&A on work-related residence applications states that submission is required when the applicant will mainly engage in work using language skills, and that submission may be requested in other cases depending on the application.
Change 3: Dispatch Worker Employment Rules
Overview
On February 24, 2026, the “Handling of Cases Where Applicants Work in Dispatch Form” was published, clarifying rules for Engineer visa holders working as dispatch (temporary) workers.
Newly Required Documents
| Document | Submitted By |
|---|---|
| Pledge regarding dispatch work (dispatch company) | Dispatch company |
| Pledge regarding dispatch work (client company) | Client company |
| Written working conditions | Dispatch company |
| Individual dispatch worker contract | Dispatch & client companies |
Key Points to Note
- The work at the client site must meet Engineer visa requirements
- When client sites change, consistency of job duties may be scrutinized
- The distinction between SES (quasi-delegation contracts) and dispatch must be clearly established
- Both the dispatch and client companies must demonstrate proper employment management
Updated Document Checklists
New checklists corresponding to applications after April 15, 2026 have been published by the Immigration Services Agency.
| Application Type | Target Category |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Eligibility (new) | Category 3 & 4 only |
| Change of Status (new) | Category 3 & 4 only |
| Extension of Period of Stay | All categories |
Important: For applications filed on or after April 15, 2026, always use the new checklists. Submitting old-format documents may cause delays in processing.
Summary of Required Responses
| Target | Required Action |
|---|---|
| Category 3 & 4 companies | Prepare the representative declaration form and organize representative’s career history |
| Applicants in client-facing roles | Prepare CEFR B2 certification documents (JLPT N2, etc.) |
| Dispatch workers | Prepare pledges and contracts from both dispatch and client companies |
| Category 1 & 2 companies | No major changes (check updated extension checklist) |
[Updated October 10, 2026] Category 1 and 2 companies are also subject to the CEFR B2-level prerequisite when the applicant will mainly engage in interpersonal work using language skills, and may be asked to submit proof during the examination.
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