Engineer/Humanities Visa April 15, 2026: New Document Rules for Category 3 & 4 Employers (技人国 追加書類)

By Yamada · Chiba, Japan · May 2026

If you hold the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa (技術・人文知識・国際業務, gijinkoku) — the most common work visa for foreigners in Japan — there is a NEW rule from April 15, 2026.

If your company is "Category 3" or "Category 4," you must submit extra documents at your next visa renewal or change. This is especially important if your job is "language-heavy" (interpretation, translation, customer service in foreign languages).

In this guide:

• What "Category 3" and "Category 4" mean
• Why this rule was added
• Full list of new documents required
• Which jobs are affected most
• How to know if your company is Category 3 or 4
• Real stories
• How to avoid rejection

Table of Contents

1. What Is the Engineer/Humanities/International Services Visa?

The 技人国 (gijinkoku) visa is the most common work visa for foreign professionals. It covers:

• IT engineers (programmers, system engineers, designers)
• Office workers (accounting, HR, sales)
• Marketing, finance
• Interpreters, translators
• English/Chinese/Korean teachers (at companies, not language schools)
• Customer service in foreign languages

Most foreign white-collar workers have this visa.

2. Immigration "Categories" Explained

Japan's Immigration grades every employer from Category 1 (best) to Category 4 (newest/smallest). The category decides how many documents you need.

General rule:

• Category 1 = easiest renewal, few documents
• Category 4 = hardest renewal, many documents

3. The April 15, 2026 Rule in Plain English

From April 15, 2026, if you work at a Category 3 or 4 company AND your job involves "language work," you must prove your Japanese ability OR foreign language ability with a test certificate.

The Immigration Bureau explanation:

"Some applicants under Category 3 or 4 must submit additional documents, especially when the role includes language-heavy interpersonal work."

In plain English: If you work at a small/new company and your job is "translator" or "interpreter" or "customer service in English," Immigration wants proof you can actually do that job.

Why? Some companies were sponsoring visas for "translator" jobs that did not actually need translation. The new rule stops fake visas.

4. Full List of New Documents

For Category 3 & 4 + language-heavy roles, you need:

Standard Documents (always required):

NEW from April 15, 2026:

• JLPT N1 or N2 certificate (Japanese)
• BJT 400+ score (Business Japanese)
• TOEIC 700+ (English)
• Equivalent Chinese/Korean test

5. Jobs Most Affected

The rule mainly targets these positions:

Highest risk (most extra docs):

• Translator (翻訳者) at small companies
• Interpreter (通訳) at small companies
• Customer Service in foreign languages (especially Chinese/Vietnamese to Japanese)
• International Marketing at startups
• English-speaking sales at new firms

Medium risk:

• Office work using English daily
• IT engineer at a startup (Category 4)

Lower risk:

• IT engineer at established mid-size company
• Accountant at established firm
• Engineer at listed company

Why language work is targeted: Some companies were hiring "translators" who actually did warehouse or manual work. Immigration now requires real proof.

6. How to Find Your Company's Category

The easiest way:

Method 1: Ask your HR.

Say: "弊社の入管カテゴリーは何ですか? (What is our company's Immigration category?)"

Method 2: Check withholding tax slip.

• Category 1 = listed company on stock exchange
• Category 2 = company pays ¥10M+ annual income tax withholding
• Category 3 = company submits annual tax slip (most companies)
• Category 4 = company is too new to have submitted yet

Method 3: Check past renewal experience.

• If your last renewal needed many documents, you are probably Cat 3 or 4.
• If it was fast and few docs, probably Cat 1 or 2.

7. JLPT and BJT: Which Test to Take

You need a language test to prove you can do "language work."

JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test):

• Held twice a year (July and December)
• Most popular
• N1 (hardest) > N2 > N3 > N4 > N5
• For visa: N1 or N2 is best
• Fee: ¥7,500
• Registration: https://www.jlpt.jp/

BJT (Business Japanese Test):

• Computer-based, anytime
• Score 0-800
• For visa: 400+ is good, 480+ excellent
• Fee: ~¥7,000
• Registration: https://www.kanken.or.jp/bjt/

TOEIC (for English-related roles):

• Monthly
• 700+ score
• Fee: ~¥7,800

8. Yamada Hack: How to Prepare Now

Even if your renewal is months away, start now.

Step 1: Check your company's category.

Ask HR today.

Step 2: If Cat 3 or 4, start gathering documents.

• Save sample translations, customer emails, presentation slides
• Get your employment contract updated with detailed job description
• Ask company for a "reason for hire" letter

Step 3: Take a language test.

• JLPT N2 minimum if Japanese-heavy
• BJT for faster results

Step 4: Keep clean tax + pension records.

Always.

Step 5: Consult a gyoseishoshi (行政書士).

If you are Cat 4, a ¥30,000 consultation can save you a rejection.

9. Real Stories

Linh (Vietnam, Tokyo, Customer Service Manager):

Linh works at a small e-commerce company (Cat 4) handling Vietnamese-speaking customers. Her March 2026 renewal was approved without the new docs. Her next renewal in 2027 will need JLPT proof. She is studying for N2 now.

Raj (India, Tokyo, IT Engineer):

Raj works at a mid-size IT firm (Cat 3). His job is pure coding, not language work. The new rule does not really affect him, but his company asked all foreigners to "have a JLPT certificate just in case." He passed N3 in 2024.

Anna (Russia, Yokohama, Translator):

Anna is a Russian-Japanese translator at a 5-person company (Cat 4). Her April 2026 renewal needed: JLPT N1 (she has it), 6 sample translations, company financial statement. Approved with extra time (2 months instead of 1).

Carlos (Brazil, Nagoya, Sales):

Carlos does Portuguese-language sales for Brazilian customers. His firm is Cat 4. He failed his renewal in April 2026 because he had no Portuguese test certificate. He retook with TOEIC 750 + Portuguese diploma. Got approved on 2nd try.

10. FAQ

Q1: Does this apply to me if I am an IT engineer (no language work)?

Mostly no. But if you are at a Cat 4 company, Immigration may still ask for more documents. Be prepared.

Q2: I have JLPT N3. Is that enough?

For visa, N2 is the minimum recommended. N1 is best. N3 is risky.

Q3: My company is Cat 1 (listed company). Do I need these docs?

No. Cat 1 = fast track, few documents.

Q4: What if I lose my JLPT certificate?

You can request a copy from the JLPT office. Takes 2-3 weeks.

Q5: Can my company switch from Cat 4 to Cat 3?

Yes, automatically over time. After submitting annual tax for 1+ year, they move up.

Q6: My job changed mid-year. Does that matter?

Yes, big change. Tell Immigration. New job description needed.

Q7: Does this rule apply at Change of Status (e.g. student to engineer)?

Yes. Same documents needed.

Q8: What if I am bilingual and the job needs both languages?

Submit proofs for both languages. Stronger application.

Q9: Will Immigration call my company?

Sometimes. They may verify the job duties by phone.

Q10: I do not speak Japanese well but my job is in English. Do I still need JLPT?

If your work is 100% English (international school, English news outlet), you may not need JLPT. But TOEIC 700+ is recommended.

11. Official References

• Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁): https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/
• JLPT Official: https://www.jlpt.jp/
• BJT Official: https://www.kanken.or.jp/bjt/

Related EasyNihon Tools

• Visa Fee Calculator 2026 (coming soon)
• PR Eligibility Checker
• Resume Maker (Japanese 履歴書)
• Business Manager Visa Guide

The new rule is not designed to punish foreign workers. It is designed to stop fake visa sponsorships. If your job is real and you can prove it (with documents and a language test), you will be approved. Prepare early. Do not wait until 1 month before your visa expires.

Stay organized, stay employed. — Yamada