Japan Engineer / Specialist in Humanities for Vietnamese citizens
Last verified: September 2, 2026
Quick facts
- Processing time
- 6–14 weeks
- Government fee
- about $30
- Start preparing
- about 9 months before your move
- Steps in the plan
- 8
- Need an apostille
- None
- Need a translation
- None
- Job offer
- Required
“Start preparing” covers gathering documents, the 6–14 weeks decision wait and two weeks of slack. Add apostille and translation costs to the government fee.
Overview
The degree-holder work visa, covering IT, engineering, translation, marketing and similar professional roles. You need a bachelor's degree (or ten years' relevant experience) in a field that matches the job, plus a Japanese employer who files a Certificate of Eligibility on your behalf. Pay must be at least equivalent to a Japanese national doing the same work. It allows family from the start, renews indefinitely in one-, three- or five-year terms, and counts toward permanent residence — usually ten years of residence, or faster through the Highly Skilled Professional points system.
This page covers Vietnamese citizens. For every nationality we track, see the Japan Engineer / Specialist in Humanities Visa overview.
Requirements for Vietnamese citizens
| Minimum annual income | No requirement |
| Minimum savings | No requirement |
| Job offer required | Yes |
| Degree required | Yes |
| Family can join | Yes |
| Path to permanent residency | Yes |
Processing time & costs
Typical processing takes 6–14 weeks after applying. The government fee is approximately $30. Difficulty: 3/5.
Documents you'll need
- Confirm your degree field matches the jobYour major must relate to the work; ten years of relevant experience can substitute for a degree.
- Obtain your degree certificate and transcriptOriginals plus Japanese or English translations.
- Secure a job offer with a compliant salaryPay at least equal to a Japanese national's; Japanese not legally required, though N3–N2 is expected.
- Employer applies for the Certificate of EligibilityFiled with the contract, company registration, financial statements and your qualifications.
- Apply for the visa at the Japanese EmbassyHanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, with the original CoE; issuance usually about five working days.
- Consider the Highly Skilled Professional points testScore 70+ for faster permanent residence: five years, or one to three years at 80+ points.
- Arrive, get your residence card and register your addressResidence card at the airport; also enrols you in health insurance and pension.
- Apply for dependant visas for familySpouse and children join on Dependant status and can work up to 28 hours a week with separate permission.
The full ordered checklist — with timing, dependencies, apostille and translation flags, and personalized due dates — is part of the paid plan.
Not moving yet?
The Engineer / Specialist in Humanities takes about 9 months from first document to moving day. Tell us when you plan to move and we’ll email you once, on the day you should start.
Is the Engineer / Specialist in Humanities right for you?
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Check my eligibilityFrequently asked questions
- How long does the Japan Engineer / Specialist in Humanities take for Vietnamese citizens?
- Typical processing time is 6–14 weeks after applying, plus the time needed to gather documents.
- What does the Engineer / Specialist in Humanities cost?
- The government fee is approximately $30. Additional costs (translations, apostilles, insurance) vary by case.
- Do Vietnamese citizens need a job offer for the Engineer / Specialist in Humanities?
- Yes. A job offer from an employer in Japan is required before applying.
- Can I bring my family on the Engineer / Specialist in Humanities?
- Yes — this visa allows accompanying family members, with additional documentation.
Other Japan visas for Vietnamese citizens
Japan visas for other nationalities
Always confirm requirements with the official government source. This guide is general information, not legal advice.