Overview of Japan's Engineer Visa
The Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa covers software developers, IT engineers, designers, marketers, translators, and many other roles. The visa is initially granted for 1–5 years and is renewable.
Basic Eligibility Requirements
- A job offer from a Japanese company
- A university degree related to your field OR 10+ years of work experience in the field
- The employer must be a legitimate Japanese company
Good News for Experienced Developers
If you have 10+ years of professional software development experience, Japan waives the degree requirement. Many self-taught developers have successfully obtained this visa.The Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) Points System
Japan's HSP visa is a fast-track route to permanent residency. Score 70+ points and you qualify for PR after 3 years; score 80+ and it drops to just 1 year.
| Factor | Points |
|---|---|
| PhD degree | 30 |
| Master's degree | 20 |
| Age under 30 | 15 |
| Salary ¥10M+ (~$65k) | 40 |
| Japanese language proficiency (N2+) | 15 |
| Graduated from top global university | 10 |
Salaries for Engineers in Japan (2025)
| Role | Annual Salary (JPY) | Annual Salary (USD approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Software Engineer | ¥3.5M–¥5M | $23k–$33k |
| Mid-level Engineer | ¥5M–¥8M | $33k–$53k |
| Senior Engineer | ¥8M–¥14M | $53k–$93k |
| Engineering Manager | ¥10M–¥18M | $66k–$120k |
Pro Tip
Companies like Mercari, Rakuten, LINE, and Recruit actively hire English-speaking engineers and sponsor visas. Tokyo's startup scene has grown significantly, with many companies offering English-first environments.Application Process
- Receive a job offer from a Japanese employer
- Employer submits a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) application to the Japan Immigration Bureau
- CoE is issued (4–12 weeks) and sent to you
- Apply for a visa at the Japanese consulate in your country (1–2 weeks)
- Enter Japan and begin work