2025-04-29

The Gi-Jin-Koku visa is the most common status of residence. The procedure for visa status is handled by the Immigration Bureau, and here is an explanation of the Tokyo Immigration Bureau, the largest in Japan.

What is a “Gi-Jin-Koku visa”?

Gi-Jin-Koku visa is an abbreviation for the status of residence “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/Int’l Services”. Approximately 90% of foreign nationals working for Japanese companies have this status. Therefore, it is the most common work-related visa status.

Note that the status of residence “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/Int’l Services” was previously classified into two statuses: ‘Engineer’ and “Specialist in Humanities/Int’l Services”. In other words, it was divided into science-related work and humanities-related work.

However, as the work became more and more complicated and it became difficult to divide it into science and humanities, the law was revised and the current status of residence became “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/Int’l Services”.

What kind of work is covered by the Gi-Jin-Koku visa?

Among the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/Int’l Services” category of status of residence, “Engineer” is work that requires skills in the field of natural science such as science, engineering, etc. For example, system engineers, programmers, etc. Examples include system engineers, programmers, architectural engineers, aircraft maintenance, automobile technology development, database construction, etc.

”Specialist in Humanities" are jobs that require knowledge of law, economics, sociology, and other humanities. Examples include accounting work, negotiations and partnerships with overseas corporations, marketing support work, consulting work, and sales and administrative work.

”Int’l Services" is work that requires thinking about or sensitivity to foreign cultures. Examples include airport passenger services, interpreting/translating, trading, and language teaching.

Procedures in Tokyo

The Immigration Bureau is an internal department of the Ministry of Justice that handles the status of residence of foreigners. There are eight regional immigration bureaus nationwide: Sapporo, Sendai, Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Hiroshima, Takamatsu, and Fukuoka. There are also seven branch offices at each international airport, 61 branch offices, and three immigration centers.

Of these, the Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau handles the largest number of applications. The Tokyo Immigration Bureau has jurisdiction over Tokyo Metropolis, Kanagawa Prefecture (Yokohama Branch Office has jurisdiction), Saitama Prefecture, Chiba Prefecture, Ibaraki Prefecture, Tochigi Prefecture, Gunma Prefecture, Yamanashi Prefecture, Nagano Prefecture, and Niigata Prefecture. It consists of the head office, 3 branch offices, and 12 sub-branches (including 1 sub-branch office under the jurisdiction of the Yokohama Branch Office). It is located at 5-5-30 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo, and its telephone number is 0570-034259 (IP phone) (03-5796-7234 from overseas).

Since the Immigration Bureau is one of the government offices, it is basically always crowded and you may experience long waiting time.

Procedures for renewal of status of residence, change of status, application for permanent residence, etc. usually take until noon even if you arrive early in the morning. If you are unable to take the time due to work or other reasons, you can ask an administrative scrivener or other person qualified to handle your application. For those who prefer to do the procedures themselves due to costs, etc., the fastest way is to get in line before the gate opens at 8:30 a.m. and get a numbered ticket.

The application period ends at 4:00 p.m. Therefore, if you go there after 4:00 p.m. thinking that “the government office is open until 5:00 p.m.,” the window will be closed and you will not be able to complete the procedure.

The Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau has a store on the first floor where stamps and revenue stamps are sold. There is also a booth outside where you can have your photo taken.

Summary

The status of residence “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/Int’l Services” is a visa held by about 90% of foreigners working in Japan. Foreigners residing in Tokyo and the nine prefectures of Tokyo are required to apply for the status of residence at the branch or sub-branch office under the jurisdiction of the Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau.