What changes
The Immigration Services Agency has tightened screening of the standard professional work visa in two steps.
From 9 March 2026, where a holder is placed through a staffing agency, the application must include a pledge from the agency and a pledge from the client company where the person will work, together with the employment terms and the individual dispatch contract. The aim is to stop professionals being placed in simple labour.
For certificate of eligibility, change of status and acquisition of status applications filed on or after 15 April 2026, employers in Category 3 or 4 must add a declaration about the company's representative. Where the job mainly involves dealing with people using a language, such as translation, interpreting, front-desk or customer-facing work, they must also submit proof that the applicant has CEFR B2 ability in that language. For Japanese, JLPT N2 or above, a score of 400 or more on the BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test, 20 years' residence, or graduation from a Japanese university or high school all qualify.
Who it applies to
Category 3 employers are those that file a statutory payroll withholding record but do not qualify for Categories 1 or 2; Category 4 is everyone else, typically new subsidiaries. Listed companies and employers with withholding tax of 10 million yen or more a year (Categories 1 and 2) are not covered by the language rule.
Action for employers
- Know your category. A young subsidiary is often Category 3 or 4. Check before you promise a start date.
- Review job descriptions. If the role is mainly client-facing or language work, collect the JLPT, BJT or degree evidence at offer stage, not at filing.
- Plan graduate hires early. A student switching to a work visa for a client-facing role files a change of status, which is covered. Extensions of stay are not on the list of covered applications.
- Audit agency placements. If you take visa holders through a staffing agency, expect to sign a pledge on the actual duties and keep to it.
Sources
- Immigration Services Agency, page on the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status, notice of additional documents for applications from 15 April 2026.
- Immigration Services Agency, handling of holders working through staffing agencies (operation from 9 March 2026; July 2026 edition).