What is the Engineer/Specialist Visa (Gijinkoku)?

But what exactly is the Gijinkoku visa? What are the requirements and job opportunities? And how can Nakamura Study Japan support you? Let’s break it down

What is the Gijinkoku Visa?

The Gijinkoku Visa is short for Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, a visa category issued by the Japanese government for foreign nationals with specific skills needed by Japanese companies.

This visa is a top choice for:

·       University or vocational school graduates

·       Professionals with relevant work experience

·       Those aiming for non-manufacturing professional jobs

It covers three main fields:

1.     Engineer

o   IT (Software Engineer, Programmer, Web Developer)

o   Mechanical, Electrical, Civil Engineering, Architecture, etc.

2.     Specialist in Humanities

o   Accounting, Finance, HR, Administration

o   Marketing, Sales, Consulting, Design, Translation, etc.

3.     International Services

o   Interpreter, Translator, Language Teacher

o   Jobs requiring foreign language and cultural knowledge

Why is the Gijinkoku Visa Important?

This visa allows you to:
Work full-time in a Japanese company
Get long-term contracts (1–5 years, renewable)
Bring your family (if you meet the criteria)
Earn a competitive salary based on Japanese standards
Have a path toward Permanent Residency

It’s ideal for building a stable professional career in Japan

General Requirements for a Gijinkoku Visa Here are the basic requirements:

·       Education: At least an associate/bachelor’s degree in a relevant fieldOr,

·       Work Experience: Minimum 10 years if you don’t have a degree

·       Job Offer: Must have a job offer from a Japanese company

·       Japanese Language Proficiency: Most companies require at least JLPT N3; some positions may require N2

·       Technical Skills: Relevant to the job (e.g. programming, accounting, graphic design, translation)

Job Examples under the Gijinkoku Visa

·       Software Engineer at a Tokyo IT company

·       UI/UX Designer at a Japanese startup

·       Accounting Staff at a multinational company

·       HR Officer at a trading firm

·       Indonesian–Japanese Translator

·       Digital Marketing Specialist

·       IT Support or Network Engineer

·       QA Tester for Japanese apps or games

 Why Are Many Indonesians Targeting This Visa?

·       Competitive salary: ¥200,000–¥400,000/month for entry-level

·       Career growth opportunities

·       Professional working environment

·       Chance to live in major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, or Fukuoka

·       More stable path than technical intern or SSW visas

How to Get Started?

Here’s how Nakamura Study Japan can help you:
Japanese language training (aiming for JLPT N3/N2)
Career counseling to match your skills and goals
Job placement through our partner companies in Japan
Full support in the visa application process

Many of our participants start by learning Japanese for 6–12 months, then move on to vocational schools in Japan, and eventually secure professional jobs under the Gijinkoku visa.

Real Alumni Story

Raka, one of our alumni, began by studying IT at a vocational school in Japan. After graduating, he worked as IT Support, later promoted to QA Tester, and now works as a Software Engineer at a major IT company in Tokyo under the Gijinkoku visa.

Conclusion

The Engineer/Specialist (Gijinkoku) Visa is an official and secure pathway to build a professional career in Japan. With proper language skills, technical expertise, and support from Nakamura Study Japan, the opportunity is within reach!

Dreaming of working in Japan?
Don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Nakamura Study Japan is ready to guide you every step of the way—from learning the language, pursuing further education, to landing your dream job in Japan