Kaneko Hidetaka Office
Visa & Residence 金子英隆

Engineer Visa for Newly Established Companies | Category 4 Strategy Guide

Newly established companies hiring foreign workers face the strictest screening as Category 4 applicants, requiring the most documents. However, with proper preparation, approval is achievable.

Reference: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” Document List

Why Is Screening Strict?

Immigration ConcernReason
Business continuityNo revenue history
Salary payment abilityUnknown financial stability
Work realityUncertain if Engineer-level work actually exists
Fraud riskPossible paper company

Business Plan — The Most Important Document

SectionContentKey Point
Company overviewEstablishment date, capital, locationAccurate information
Business descriptionWhat the company doesTie specifically to Engineer visa work
Market analysisWhy the business is viableBack up with data
Sales strategyHow revenue will be generatedName specific clients/channels
Revenue projectionsYears 1-3 forecastsProvide evidence
Staffing planWhy foreign talent is neededDemonstrate irreplaceability
Funding planCapital and financing statusShow sufficient runway

Common Mistakes

MistakeWhy It’s a ProblemSolution
Virtual office onlyQuestions about business realitySecure a physical office
Only CEO + applicantQuestionable work volumeShow other employees or clients
Vague business planLacks credibilityInclude numbers and evidence
Very low capitalQuestions about sustainabilityEnsure adequate capitalization

Tips for Success

  • Attach client contracts or purchase orders as revenue evidence
  • Start with 1 hire, then add more as business grows
  • Hire Japanese employees first if possible
  • Include office photos (exterior, interior, equipment)

Our Support

For Engineer visa applications from newly established companies, trust Kaneko Hidetaka Administrative Scrivener Office.

  • 98% approval rate
  • Languages: Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese
  • Free initial consultation
  • Serving Chiba, Tokyo, and nationwide (online consultation available)

Contact us here

#Engineer Visa #New Company #Category 4 #Business Plan #Startup

Related articles

Visa & Residence

Why the Engineer Visa Is Harder for Vocational School Graduates | Proving the Link Between Coursework and Job Duties

The Immigration Services Agency guideline judges relevance "flexibly" for university majors but requires "a considerable degree of relevance" for vocational schools. This article explains how to prove that link by matching transcripts against employment contracts.

Visa & Residence

What Is Designated Activities No. 46 (Graduates of Japanese Universities)? An Option for Jobs the Engineer Visa Cannot Cover

Designated Activities No. 46 lets graduates of Japanese universities with high Japanese ability work in a wide range of duties, including customer service and production lines. Education and language requirements and the difference from the Engineer visa, based on the official guideline.

Visa & Residence

April 2026 Engineer Visa Reform | New CEFR B2, Declaration Form & Dispatch Rules

Explaining the key changes to the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa effective April 15, 2026. Covers CEFR B2 language requirements, representative declaration forms, and new dispatch worker rules.

Visa & Residence

CEFR B2 Language Requirement for Engineer Visa | New Rule from April 2026

Thorough explanation of the new CEFR B2 language proficiency requirement for Engineer visa applications from April 2026. Covers the relationship with JLPT N2, target work types, exemption conditions, and equivalent tests for various languages.