Differences Between Specified Skilled Worker and the Engineer Visa | Which Visa Is Best for You?
Differences Between Specified Skilled Worker and the Engineer Visa | Which Visa Is Best for You?
Introduction
Among the residence statuses that allow foreign nationals to work in Japan, “Specified Skilled Worker” and “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” (commonly called the Engineer visa) are two of the most widely used. However, the two differ greatly in the purpose, requirements, and residence conditions of the systems.
In this article, we compare the two systems across seven items and offer guidance for judging which visa is best for you.
Thorough Comparison Table of 7 Items
| Item | Specified Skilled Worker (i) | Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services |
|---|---|---|
| (1) Educational requirement | None (possible by passing tests) | University graduation, or a “Diploma” (senmonshi), or 10 years or more of practical experience |
| (2) Job types | Limited to 19 sectors | Specialized and technical work in general |
| (3) Upper limit on period of stay | 5 years in total ((i)) / No upper limit ((ii)) | No upper limit (renewable) |
| (4) Accompanying family members | Not permitted ((i)) / Permitted ((ii)) | Permitted (spouse and children) |
| (5) Changing jobs | Possible within the same sector | Free within the same field of work |
| (6) Application for permanent residence | Not possible ((i)) / Possible ((ii)) | Possible |
| (7) Support plan | Required ((i)) / Not required ((ii)) | Not required |
Detailed Explanation of Each Item
(1) Educational Requirement
One of the greatest advantages of Specified Skilled Worker is that there is no educational requirement. If you pass the skills test and the Japanese language test, you can obtain the residence status regardless of your educational background.
On the other hand, for the Engineer visa, one of the following is required.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| University graduation | A university in Japan or overseas (including junior colleges) |
| Diploma (senmonshi) | Graduation from a vocational school in Japan (obtaining the title of “senmonshi”) |
| Practical experience | 10 years or more of practical experience (3 years or more for some) |
Point: For those who graduated from high school or junior high school, obtaining the Engineer visa is difficult, but Specified Skilled Worker can be obtained by passing the tests.
(2) Scope of Job Types
Specified Skilled Worker: Limited to work in the 19 sectors prescribed by law. It centers on on-site work (factories, construction sites, restaurants, etc.).
Engineer visa: You can engage in specialized and technical work in general that falls under “Engineer”, “Specialist in Humanities”, or “International Services”.
| Engineer Visa Work Category | Examples of Work |
|---|---|
| Engineer | IT engineer, design, mechanical engineering |
| Specialist in Humanities | Accounting, human resources, marketing, legal affairs |
| International Services | Interpretation and translation, overseas trade, language instruction |
Note: Under the Engineer visa, simple labor (assembly line work at factories, only customer service at restaurants, etc.) is not permitted. Specified Skilled Worker allows engagement in such work as well.
(3) Period of Stay
Specified Skilled Worker (i) has an upper limit of 5 years in total, but if you move to Specified Skilled Worker (ii), the upper limit disappears.
The Engineer visa has no upper limit on the period of stay from the outset, and you can stay in Japan as long as you continue to renew it.
(4) Accompanying Family Members
Under Specified Skilled Worker (i), accompanying family members (spouse and children) are not permitted, but under (ii) they are. Under the Engineer visa, accompanying family members are permitted from the outset.
Impact: For those who want to live together with their family, Specified Skilled Worker (i) means living apart from family for up to 5 years. This is an important factor in choosing a residence status.
(5) Freedom to Change Jobs
Changing jobs is possible under both systems, but the procedures and conditions differ.
| Item | Specified Skilled Worker | Engineer Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Whether changing jobs is possible | Possible within the same sector | Possible within the same field of work |
| Procedure | An application for permission to change status of residence is required | Notification only (in the case of the same residence status) |
| Changing to a job outside the sector | Not possible (passing the test for the other sector is required) | Possible if the job content is applicable |
(6) Application for Permanent Residence
The period of stay under Specified Skilled Worker (i) does count toward the “having resided in Japan continuously for 10 years or more” limb of the permanent residence requirement. What it does not count toward is the other limb — “of that period, having resided continuously for 5 years or more under a work-related status (excluding the statuses of Technical Intern Training and Specified Skilled Worker (i)) or a residence-based status”. In other words, accumulating years under (i) alone cannot satisfy that 5-year limb.
The periods of stay under Specified Skilled Worker (ii) and the Engineer visa do count toward the requirements for a permanent residence application.
(7) Burden on the Accepting Company
Under Specified Skilled Worker (i), the accepting company must formulate and implement a support plan, and costs for outsourcing to a Registered Support Organization also arise.
Under the Engineer visa, no support plan is required, and the additional obligations of the accepting company are fewer compared with Specified Skilled Worker.
Which Should You Choose? Advice by Case
Cases Where Specified Skilled Worker Is Suitable
- Those who do not meet the educational requirement (high school or junior high school graduates, etc.)
- Those who engage in on-site work (factories, construction, food service, etc.)
- Those who have completed technical intern training and wish to continue working in Japan
- Those who aim to obtain (ii) status and permanent residence in the future
Cases Where the Engineer Visa Is Suitable
- Those who have graduated from university
- Those who engage in specialized and technical work (IT, interpretation, accounting, etc.)
- Those who want to live in Japan together with their family
- Those who place importance on freedom to change jobs
- Those who want no upper limit on the period of stay from the start
When Both Apply
If you have graduated from university and will work in a sector eligible for Specified Skilled Worker, you may qualify for both residence statuses. In that case, please consider the following.
| Criterion | If Choosing Specified Skilled Worker | If Choosing the Engineer Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Job content | Centered on on-site work | Centered on management and specialized work |
| Accompanying family members | Not needed (living apart is acceptable) | Needed |
| Career path | Aiming to obtain (ii) status | Growing as a specialist |
Reference: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, “About the Specified Skilled Worker System” https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/specifiedskilledworker.html
Our Support
For consultations regarding Specified Skilled Worker visa applications, trust Kaneko Hidetaka Administrative Scrivener Office.
- 98% approval rate
- Languages: Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese
- Free initial consultation
- Serving Chiba, Tokyo, and nationwide (online consultation available)
Related articles
Switching from Technical Intern Training to Engineer Visa | Requirements & Process
Requirements and procedures for changing from Technical Intern Training to an Engineer visa. Covers education requirements, job restrictions, comparison with Specified Skilled Worker, and success tips.
The Fastest Route from an Engineer Visa to Permanent Residence | How to Obtain Permanent Residence in 5 Years
An explanation of the fastest route to obtaining permanent residence from an Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa. We explain in detail the conditions that make a permanent residence application possible with 5 years of employment.
Complete Guide to the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services Visa
An Administrative Scrivener explains in detail the requirements, application procedures, and required documents for the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa (Engineer visa). Covers a wide range of occupations including engineers, interpreters, and marketing positions.
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.