Introduction
When obtaining or renewing an Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa, the question of how many years of period of stay you will be granted matters greatly to both the individual and the employer. The longer the period of stay, the fewer renewal procedures are required, and stability is more readily recognized in situations such as a mortgage application or a Permanent Residence application.
This article explains how the period of stay for this status is decided and the key points for obtaining a longer period.
This article is prepared based on the Immigration Control Act and information published by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan. The decision on the period of stay is made through individual examination, and the content of this article reflects general tendencies.
The period of stay falls into 4 categories
The period of stay for the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status falls into the following four.
| Period of stay | General positioning |
|---|---|
| 5 years | The longest. Granted when judged to have high stability |
| 3 years | Common in standard cases |
| 1 year | First application, or cases requiring individual verification |
| 3 months | Limited, short-term cases |
Which period is granted is decided by Immigration after comprehensively assessing the circumstances of the individual and the employer. The granted period is not necessarily the one you hope for.
Factors that make a longer period of stay more likely
While no clear criteria are published, in practice the following factors are considered to work in favor of a longer period of stay.
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Stability of the company | A listed or large company, etc., with a higher category and stable management |
| Length of employment | A record of continuous employment at the same company |
| Stability of the job | Stable job duties and a continuing contract |
| The individual’s conduct | Properly fulfilling public obligations such as tax and social insurance |
| Residence status | No problems with past residence (such as exceeding the scope of permitted activities) |
Conversely, when there is uncertainty about continuity—such as having just changed jobs, joining a newly established company, or a short-term contract—a 1-year period is often granted first.
Don’t be discouraged if the first grant is 1 year
For a first application under this status or right after changing jobs, it is not unusual for the period of stay to be 1 year. This does not mean there is a problem; it reflects Immigration’s practice of first observing the situation for one year. As long as you continue working steadily and fulfill obligations such as tax payment, the general flow is for the period to extend to 3 and then 5 years at each renewal.
Key point: The length of the period of stay is determined by the steady accumulation of the individual’s credibility. Even if a short period is granted, continuing to work and pay taxes diligently leads to a longer period next time.
To extend the period of stay at renewal
To obtain a longer period of stay at renewal, the following points are important.
- Paying taxes, including resident tax, within the deadlines
- Being properly enrolled in social insurance
- If you have changed jobs, the work falls under this status and the notification has been completed
- The company’s business situation is stable
For checks to avoid a denial at renewal, the “Checklist to Avoid Denial When Renewing the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services Visa” is also a useful reference.
The relationship between period of stay and Permanent Residence applications
For a Permanent Residence application, there is, as a rule, a practice of requiring that the applicant hold a “period of stay of 3 years or more.” Remaining on a 1-year period of stay can cause you to miss the timing for a Permanent Residence application, so if you are aiming for Permanent Residence, it is strategically important to first extend your period of stay to 3 years or more.
Frequently asked questions
Q. Can I get 5 years if I request it? A. You can submit a request, but the decision rests with Immigration’s judgment. The stability of the company and your employment record, among other factors, are assessed comprehensively.
Q. Does continuing to receive 1 year mean there is a problem? A. Not necessarily. A 1-year period is more likely right after changing jobs or with a short-term contract.
Q. Does a long period of stay help with Permanent Residence? A. There is a practice in Permanent Residence applications that effectively requires a period of stay of 3 years or more, so a longer period of stay works in your favor.
How our office can help
To steadily extend your period of stay, managing tax, social insurance, and your employment record is essential. The Kaneko Hidetaka Administrative Scrivener Office advises on everything from renewal strategy to planning with Permanent Residence in mind.
- A 98% approval rate track record
- Languages supported: Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, English
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