Understanding the Differences Between “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services,” “Specified Skilled Worker,” and “Highly Skilled Professional” — And How to Choose the Right One for Your Company

**Hiring Foreign Professional Talent:

Which Visa Should You Use?**

One of the first challenges companies face when hiring foreign talent is deciding which residence status (visa) is appropriate for the role.

In Japan, work-related visas are strictly categorized based on the nature of the job, meaning that even if two candidates have similar backgrounds, the visa they can obtain may differ depending on the actual duties they will perform.

Choosing the wrong visa can lead to serious consequences, such as:

• The visa not being approved after offering the position
• Denial during immigration screening
• A mismatch between job duties and visa requirements, resulting in compliance violations

To avoid these risks, it is essential to understand what types of roles are considered “professional positions” in the first place.

1. What Are “Professional” Roles?

“Professional talent” refers to foreign workers hired for roles that require specialized knowledge, skills, or advanced expertise. These roles generally fall into three major categories:

① Office-Based / Knowledge-Based Roles (White-Collar)

Examples:

• IT engineers
• Web marketers
• Accounting and finance staff
• Sales and planning
• Interpreters and translators
• Designers

Applicable Visa: ➡ Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (技人国)

② On-Site / Skilled Labor Roles (Blue-Collar)

Examples:

• Construction workers
• Automobile mechanics
• Factory line workers
• Care workers
• Hotel and restaurant staff
• Agricultural and fishery workers

Applicable Visa: ➡ Specified Skilled Worker (特定技能 1号・2号) ※ Under the latest system, the eligible fields are 12 sectors

③ Advanced Specialists / Research & Executive-Level Roles

Examples:

• AI researchers
• Advanced IT specialists
• University or institutional researchers
• Corporate executives and directors
• Professionals with highly specialized qualifications

Applicable Visa: ➡ Highly Skilled Professional (高度専門職 1号・2号)

Understanding these categories clarifies the relationship: “Which visa to use = What type of professional talent you are hiring.”

Below, we explain the three major professional visa types in detail.

2. The Three Main Professional Visa Categories

① Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (技人国)

Typical Roles: IT engineers, marketing, sales, interpreters, translators, accounting, designers → Office-based white-collar positions

Key Features:

• Requires a university degree or relevant professional experience
• Limited to work involving specialized knowledge
• Manual labor or on-site work is not permitted

Best for: Companies hiring desk-based or knowledge-oriented roles

② Specified Skilled Worker (特定技能 1号・2号)

※ Latest system: 12 eligible sectors

Examples of Eligible Sectors: Caregiving, construction, automobile maintenance, hospitality, agriculture, fisheries, building cleaning, etc.

Key Features:

• Designed to address severe labor shortages
• No educational background required
• Requires passing a skills test and Japanese language test
• On-site work is allowed as the main duty

Benefits of Specified Skilled Worker (2号):

• No limit on the period of stay
• Family members can accompany the worker
• Pathway to permanent residency

Best for: Companies with job duties centered on on-site or physical work

③ Highly Skilled Professional (高度専門職 1号・2号)

Typical Roles: Researchers, advanced IT engineers, executives, directors

Key Features:

• Points-based evaluation (education, work history, salary, research achievements)
• Designed to attract top-tier global talent
• Preferential immigration processing

Major Advantages:

• Eligibility for permanent residency in as little as 1–3 years
• Parents may accompany the worker
• Spouses receive relaxed work restrictions
• Unlimited period of stay (for 2号)

Best for: Companies hiring advanced researchers, executives, or highly specialized professionals

3. Comparison at a Glance

Category	技人国	特定技能（1号／2号）	高度専門職
Main Duties	Office work	On-site work (12 sectors)	Research, advanced tech, management
Requirements	Degree or experience	Skills test + Japanese test	Points-based system
On-Site Work	Not allowed	Allowed	Not allowed
Period of Stay	Renewable	1号: up to 5 years / 2号: unlimited	Unlimited (2号)
Family Accompaniment	Allowed	1号: No / 2号: Yes	Yes (parents also allowed)
Employer Burden	Standard HR management	Support plan required	Higher salary & strict criteria

4. How to Choose the Right Visa for Your Company

The most common mistake in visa selection is a mismatch between job duties and visa requirements. Use the following two-step approach to avoid errors.

STEP 1: Are the main duties “desk work” or “on-site work”?

• Desk work / planning / development 　→ 技人国 or 高度専門職
• On-site work (stores, factories, construction, etc.) 　→ 特定技能（check if the role fits one of the 12 sectors）

STEP 2: What is the candidate’s background?

• University degree / strong specialized knowledge 　→ 技人国（confirm alignment between major and job duties）
• On-site experience / skills test passed 　→ 特定技能
• Advanced research / executive-level experience 　→ 高度専門職（check points score）

Conclusion: Preventing Mismatches Is the Key to Long-Term Retention

Immigration screening in Japan has become increasingly strict. Submitting an application under 技人国 (desk work) while assigning the worker to on-site duties is a serious compliance violation and a common reason for visa denial.

To ensure foreign professionals can fully utilize their abilities and contribute to your organization over the long term, choosing the correct visa based on actual job duties is an essential responsibility for every employer.