A report from a nonprofit organization claims that the Japanese government is considering changes to one of the most common work visas for foreign nationals, the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa, to include a Japanese language requirement. Under the new system, foreigners would need to have Japanese language skills equivalent to the N2 level of the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test, or the B2 level of the CEFR standards.
Current discussions around introducing stricter Japanese language requirements for work visas suggest that any such rules would likely apply only to roles that already require Japanese proficiency, rather than to all applicants under the 技人国 (gijinkoku) visa category. However, no official policy or concrete requirements have been confirmed. Either way, how are these revisions actually going to work, who is this change for, and why is the Japanese government making these revisions in the first place?
This information is based on ongoing developments and should not be considered legal advice. We are not legal experts or an official immigration authority. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please refer to the Residence Status: Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services page provided by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.
TL;DR: Possible JLPT N2 Requirement (But Not Confirmed)
While some reports mention JLPT N2 (roughly equivalent to CEFR B2) as a possible benchmark, no official policy or concrete requirement has been confirmed. First, it remains unclear whether a potential JLPT N2 (CEFR B2) requirement would strictly mean passing the exam, or if alternative proof of proficiency, such as university-level Japanese coursework, could be accepted.
Second, any new requirement may apply only to applicants entering Japan on a 技人国 (Gijinkoku) visa for the first time. Foreign nationals already in Japan on student visas who transition directly into this visa category could be exempt.
Third, reports suggest that language requirements would only apply to jobs where Japanese is actually used.
At this stage, these details remain undefined, and no official policy has clarified how such criteria would be determined.
What is the Engineering, Specialist in Humanities, and International Services Visa?
Before we discuss the exact revisions, we need to understand the exact visa that is being affected. The Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa, known in Japanese as 技術・人文知識・国際業務 (Gijutsu, Jinbun Chishiki, Kokusai Gyoumu), is one of the most common work visas for foreign professionals in Japan. It is often abbreviated as 技人国 (Gijinkoku).
The gijinkoku is a flexible, wide-reaching work visa allowing foreigners to engage in a variety of industries that fall under engineering, humanities, or international services. Below is a breakdown of typical roles covered by the gijinkoku visa.
| Engineering/Technical Roles | Humanities | International Services |
| Software engineering, data scientist, digital designer, developers | Marketing, human resources, sales, general affairs, and finance | Translation & interpretation, international sales, public relations, language teaching |
Basically, almost anything can fall under these broad categories, from software, marketing, consulting, creative, to even English teaching. So, it might be easier to define what this visa is not:
- It is not a blue-collar labor visa
- It is not meant for factory or construction work
- It is not meant for hospitality or food service work (waiter, bartender, etc.)
Currently, the visa requires either a bachelor’s degree or some years of work experience in an industry relevant to the visa’s permitted work scope. To receive the visa, you do not need any Japanese language ability.
Why is Japan Making These Revisions?
What the gijinkoku visa is, the type of work it permits, and its eligibility criteria lead us directly into why Japan is planning to make revisions to its language requirements. The government believes that many foreigners enter the country with the gijinkoku visa but end up working in sectors that do not fall under its permitted scope. So, the government feels that the visa’s lack of language proficiency requirements is partly to blame for this.
There are currently 468,068 gijinkoku visa holders according to the Ministry of Labor, Health, and Welfare (MLHW), making it the second most common visa after the permanent resident visa. With the number of foreign workers the visa brings into the country, Japan wants to ensure that all the foreigners meet qualifications while preventing visa holders from working in sectors not allowed under the gijinkoku work criteria. So, requiring proof of Japanese ability could bar candidates who don’t have that baseline qualification, as well as allow in more foreigners, more likely to integrate into Japanese society.
So, it’s for this purpose that we are starting to hear claims that the JLPT N2 is going to be required for getting the visa.
Recent policy discussions in Japan have also focused on tightening requirements for permanent residency. Specifically, government panels and ruling party officials are considering introducing a Japanese language requirement for permanent residency applicants as part of broader immigration reforms.
What Language Requirements Are Actually Being Proposed?
According to government officials, as early as mid-April 2026, Japan plans to revise the language requirement for the gijinkoku visa. Currently, they are considering making the Japanese language requirement around the CEFR B2 level, which is approximately equivalent to the JLPT N2.
However, nothing has been officially decided as of yet, and there are some important caveats you should keep in mind:
1. Applicable Only to Roles Needing Japanese
These changes are only applicable to roles that require Japanese language ability. Since the gijinkoku visa is so flexible and covers a wide range of roles, certain positions such as English teaching (often covered by the gijinkoku), recruitment, inbound marketing, and certain engineering/technical roles likely wouldn’t be applicable for the new language requirement changes if no Japanese is required.
2. Revisions Likely Won’t Apply to Visa Status Changes or Renewals
The revisions also won’t be applied to foreigners seeking to change their visa status, such as university students changing their visa to the gijinkoku or current workers who are renewing their visa. So, if you’ve just changed jobs and will be needing to renew your visa, you won’t need to rush to pass the N2. The revision is mainly targeted at foreigners entering Japan for the first time and requiring a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
3. JLPT N2 is One of Many Accepted Documents Proving Japanese Skills
The biggest elephant in the room is whether the JLPT N2 certificate will actually be a strict requirement for visa eligibility. It seems the government just wants proof of language ability at the CEFR B2 standard, which they feel is equivalent to the N2. So, an N2 certificate would be sufficient proof of language ability, but it doesn’t have to be the only one.
Other exams that show equivalent abilities, such as the Business Japanese Test (BJT), would also be sufficient. Other documents and certifications from Japanese language courses at universities or language schools could also be submitted to demonstrate Japanese language skills.
About the JLPT N2 or CEFR B2
The N2 is the second-highest level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), an exam that evaluates Japanese language abilities. The N2 is considered sufficient for working in Japanese, meaning you can engage in complicated dialogue, read articles, conduct meetings, and meet the diverse language demands of a working setting in Japanese.
However, it seems that the policy will stipulate submitting documents proving you’re at the CEFR B2 level, which is said to correspond to the N2. The CEFR, or the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, is a global standard that measures language proficiency. According to the website, the B2 level means you can comfortably communicate with native speakers as well as understand concrete and abstract texts and discussions. You can also produce detailed writings on a range of subjects you are knowledgeable in.
There is no test for the CEFR specifically, so Japan considers the N2 to be an indicator of being at the CEFR B2 level. But note that the JLPT N2 might not be the only certificate the government will consider; other Japanese tests or even language school credits might also prove you are at the CEFR B2 level.
Who Will Need the JLPT N2 Under These New Revisions?
As mentioned, not every person seeking the gijinkoku visa will be subject to the new revisions. The main target of the revision is foreigners who are still living in their home country and need a COE. The revisions will be part of the eligibility requirements for receiving the COE, which is needed for granting the gijinkoku visa. However, these revisions are only applicable for job descriptions requiring Japanese language skills.
Here are some typical roles that could require Japanese and fall under the gijinkoku qualifications:
- Client-facing positions, such as consulting or sales
- Domestic marketing positions
- Translation and interpretation between Japanese and English
- Any company where all operations are conducted in Japanese
So, let’s break down who does and does not apply for the Japanese language requirements when seeking the gijinkoku visa:
| Applicable Visa Seekers | Non-applicable Visa Seekers |
| Visa seekers working in positions requiring Japanese skills | Visa seekers working in positions where Japanese skills are not needed |
| Visa seekers living outside of Japan and coming for the first time | Foreign residents seeking to change their status of residence |
| Visa seekers needing a COE | Foreign residents seeking to renew their visa |
Impact on the Japanese Job Market & How to Prepare
So, what do these revisions mean for companies hiring and sponsoring foreign workers? Hiring companies will need to comply by ensuring that job descriptions clearly disclose language requirements, and the interview process will also need to thoroughly screen the candidates to determine if they actually meet the language demands of the role.
This means if you apply for a role, you will need to submit proof of language abilities to both your job and the Japanese embassy in your home country for your COE. The Japanese job market might have a higher barrier to entry as the government now requires proof of language proficiency via certifications like the JLPT N2, and companies might become stricter about language screening. On the other hand, this change could potentially decrease the pool of candidates, making the job market in Japan less crowded.
So, how can you prepare for getting a job in Japan that requires Japanese and showing proof of language skills for your visa? Here’s what you will need to know:
1. Start Preparing for Japanese Language Tests
While many exams will likely be accepted for the gGijinkoku visa, we highly recommend getting the JLPT N2. It has already been cited as sufficient for getting the visa and is considered equivalent to the CEFR B2. It is also the most accepted certification for Japanese language proficiency for companies, government agencies, and universities. Whichever exam you choose, just ensure it is considered to be equivalent to the CEFR B2 level.
To get started on preparing for the N2, consider joining JLPT prep courses at Coto Academy!
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2. Get the Certificate
Once you pass the exam, you will need to be sure you download and print the certification, which you will need to submit to the Japanese embassy for your COE. Additionally, you might need to show proof of your language proficiency to the hiring company. They probably won’t ask for the certificate, since they will test your Japanese during the interview, but it might be good to have an extra copy or a digital one ready in case they ask for it.
3. Prepare for Japanese Interviews
Preparing for Japanese interviews will be just as essential as preparing for the JLPT, since you need the company to hire and sponsor you to come into Japan. While the Japanese you studied for the JLPT will be handy, it’s best to prepare specifically for Japanese job interviews by practicing responses to common interview questions, mastering your 自己紹介 (jikoshokai) or self-introduction, and brushing up your Japanese keigo. With practice, you will get the hang of how interviews work in Japanese, like interviews anywhere else, always be confident, and be yourself!
4. Apply & Submit the Documents for the COE
As mentioned, we are still getting updates on how the process will work with the new revisions. The current process generally goes as follows:
- Once you land a job, you will need to submit all necessary immigration documents to your employer
- Your employer will submit documents on your behalf for the COE
- Once you receive your COE, you go to the Japanese embassy of your home country to apply for the visa by submitting your COE, passport, and other documents.
- Once everything is approved, you will have to pick up your passport and visa
- Upon arriving in Japan, your passport will get the official visa page, and you will receive a residence card
Final Verdict: Will the JLPT N2 be Required for Working Visas?
Since the government plans to add language requirements for the gijinkoku visa, the JLPT N2 is probably the safest for proving your language abilities are equivalent to the CEFR B2. However, alternative documents can be used as proof as well. Additionally, the planned revisions only apply to roles with job descriptions specifically requiring Japanese language skills. It will not apply to people already in Japan who are planning to renew or change their visa residence status.
Still, nothing has been officially confirmed yet by the Japanese government, so we recommend keeping an eye out on the news before making any life-changing decisions.
If you are planning on getting a job in Japan that requires Japanese skills, we highly recommend taking our JLPT preparation courses at Coto Academy! The course will break down the exam piece by piece, allowing a chance to understand the test’s sections, structure, and questions inside and out. If you’re worried about getting the certificate to meet the new language requirements, sign up today to be sure you’re ready to pass!
FAQ:
Will you need a JLPT N2 for working in Japan?
The Engineering, Specialist in Humanities, and International Services visa is the only work visa that will start requiring language proficiency equal to CEFR B2, which is equal to the JLPT N2. However, the N2 is not the only accepted certification, and this requirement only applies to overseas applicants who will work in jobs requiring Japanese.
What visa will start requiring Japanese language skills?
Japan plans to revise language requirements for the Engineering, Specialist in Humanities, and International Services visa, which is a work visa meant for college graduates to work in jobs related to their field of study or experienced professionals.
What type of work is covered in the Engineering, Specialist in Humanities, and International Services visa?
The visa generally covers white-collar work and technical roles such as data science, software engineering, technical engineering, marketing, sales, design, creative, finance, accounting, translation, interpretation, and language education.
What language level is the JLPT N2?
The JLPT N2 is considered to be equivalent to the CEFR B2, which is the global standard measure for language proficiency. Both of these levels indicate a high level, not necessarily complete fluency, of language proficiency. By this level, you express yourself comfortably with natives and explain details of a variety of different areas in which you are knowledgeable.
Read more:
What to Know About Japan’s New Foreign Worker System Starting 2027
Tourists Can No Longer Take the JLPT Exam In Japan From 2026