Work Visa N2 Guidelines (Oct 2026): EJU/JPT Proof
Companies hiring on Engineer/Specialist visas must review the updated Oct 14, 2026 rules on job and Japanese proficiency proofs. Here is an overview of accepted tests (EJU, JPT), required documents, and the hiring impact on engineers.
Contents
※Please be noted that this blog is translated automatically by AI
Summary
This review covers proof of language skills for interpersonal roles.
Recruiters: match job duties rather than just changing requirements by test name.
Current Appendix 4 lists EJU Japanese 200+ or JPT 525+.
JLPT N2+, BJT 400+, or qualifying education/residency also apply.
Foreign language tests check CEFR levels and anti-fraud identity checks.
This update does not require blanket N2 demands for technical engineers.
Oct 14 update scope
Attachment 4 is Immigration Services Agency guidance on status of residence for interpersonal roles requiring language skills (e.g., translation/interpretation).
The Agency updated it on Oct 14, 2026.
Update Date vs. Implementation
The current text accessed Oct 26 lists EJU and JPT as Japanese proof.
Oct 14 is just the update date.
It does not mean all Engineer/Specialist in Humanities applicants instantly have new Japanese requirements.
Without the full previous PDF, this covers only the current version, not full change logs.
Relation to Existing Basics
Companies must check the applicant's duties, languages used, and proof of proficiency.
Interpersonal language roles generally require CEFR B2 equivalent.
Category 3 and 4 sponsors submit proof upon application; Categories 1 and 2 may be asked during screening.
Categories classify host organizations by required documentation.
For role and application details, see the existing N2 requirement article.
Related articles
Starting April 15, 2026, N2-level Japanese proof is not required for all Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa applicants. It applies based on company category, application type, and if the job mainly involves interpersonal duties using Japanese. This article explains which roles require the N2 proof, which do not, and what companies must check before applying, based on Immigration Services Agency guidelines.
Japanese Test & Bio
Searching only for "N2" misses candidates qualified via other means.
Immigration Annex 4 accepts test scores, education, or residency history.
Score Verification
Standards vary by exam.
Check the candidate's score report for the exam name and test sections.
Test | Annex 4 Criteria | Checkpoints |
|---|---|---|
JLPT | N2 or above | Level passed |
BJT | 400+ points | Score report |
EJU | 200+ points | Total of Reading, Listening, & Listening-Reading |
JPT | 525+ points | Score report |
For EJU, exclude the writing section score.
Annex 4 requires the sum of reading, listening, and listening-reading only.
Distinguish between JPT and JLPT.
Education and Residency
20+ years of mid-to-long-term Japan residency qualifies.
For Japanese university degrees, verify school type, program, and major-job relevance via official notes.
Certified vocational courses allow more flexible relevance criteria.
Finishing Japanese compulsory education and high school also qualifies, but mere study history does not guarantee eligibility.
Non-Japanese Certificate
Annex 4 covers languages beyond Japanese.
For client-facing roles using English, etc., prove required language skills.
Japanese test scores cannot substitute for foreign language ability.
Native Tongue, Tests, or Valid Justification
Valid proof includes native/official language status, CEFR B2+ test results, or other rational proof.
Tests must show CEFR levels on the certificate or official website.
Simply stating you studied English at school is insufficient.
Graduating from a university where the language is official is an accepted example.
Note on Test Integrity
Language tests lacking adequate fraud prevention (e.g., ID checks) may be rejected.
Scores marked CEFR B2 are not automatically accepted.
Recruiters must check and record the test name, organizer, official CEFR info, and ID policy.
Do not automatically reject tests or demand retests solely based on this note.
Engineer Role Check
Separate job titles from actual tasks.
Current Attachment 4 covers roles relying primarily on interpersonal language skills.
Developers using Japanese does not make their roles primarily interpersonal.
Development & Design-focused Roles
For coding, system design, or testing, list deliverables and required expertise in the job description.
For Japanese meetings or specs review, specify participants and topics.
Meeting attendance alone does not classify a role as language-dependent.
The update does not require adding an N2 requirement to tech job postings.
Interpretation & Client-facing Roles
For roles like Bridge SEs focused on interpreting or client communication, documents are needed regardless of job title.
Dev leads must clarify who handles tech decisions, translation, and requirements with HR.
If dev hires shift to language-heavy client roles later, check documentation for visa renewals.
Legal documentation and day-to-day communication are evaluated separately.
Candidate & Company Prep
Check candidate certificates while detailing job roles.
Confirming required languages and proof methods beforehand prevents redundant re-testing.
Documents for Candidates
For EJU or JPT, provide score reports showing test names, not just CV scores.
Check EJU subject totals; organize degree details if using education history.
Those already qualifying via JLPT/BJT do not need additional tests.
Holding documents does not guarantee meeting all visa or job criteria.
Company Job Descriptions
HR and managers must verify main tasks, language use, and proof methods.
Categories 3 and 4 require filing proof; confirm categories with accounting/GA.
Retain supporting records in case extra documentation is requested.
Distinguish routine renewals from job changes or transfers.
For split roles, prepare task details and consult specialists or authorities first.
Related articles
When hiring foreign engineers, the biggest bottleneck isn't sourcing candidates, but confirming corporate categories and required COE application documents. Based on August 2026 immigration guidelines, this article outlines the necessary documents for the "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" visa, key precautions for Categories 3 and 4, and how to assign internal preparation tasks.
Summary
Following the Oct 14 update to Annex 4, hiring requires matching planned duties with proof of ability.
Current guidelines include EJU Japanese scores (200+ reading/listening) and JPT 525+.
Do not filter candidates by JLPT N2 alone; verify how they meet the criteria.
This avoids hiring delays and post-hire mismatches in language-related roles.
Key checks: core duties, working language, and supporting proof.
Technical roles differ from language-centric roles in job descriptions.
Check CEFR alignment and fraud-prevention notes for foreign language tests.
Do not confuse update dates with new mandatory rules or require unnecessary retakes.
Misalignment between HR and tech teams causes inconsistent hiring and visa filing.
Document duties and languages jointly; separate legal proof from performance reviews.
Phinx pairs tech-savvy sourcing in India with visa/COE guidance and onboarding support.
We align candidate records with employer roles to streamline cross-border hiring.
Sources
Immigration Services Agency: Clarification of "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" (Annex 4 update note, Oct 14, 2026) https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/resources/nyukan_nyukan69.html
Immigration Services Agency: Annex 4 on Language-Based Interpersonal Work, Sec. 1–2 (Accessed Oct 26, 2026) https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001413643.pdf
Immigration Services Agency: Status of Residence "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" (Application types, categories, renewals) https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/gijinkoku
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