Japan IT Engineering Visa Guide for Humanities Graduates: Subject Relevancy & Tips (2026)
Can Humanities Graduates Get a Japan IT Engineering Visa? Relevancy and Success Tips
“I graduated from a liberal arts college, but I want to work as an IT engineer in Japan.” “We want to hire a non-STEM international student for an IT position, but we’re worried about visa approval.”
These are common concerns. To get straight to the point: Yes, it is entirely possible for humanities graduates to obtain a working visa (Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services) as an IT engineer.
However, compared to STEM graduates, you must provide a much more meticulous explanation regarding the “relevancy” between your university studies and your job duties. This guide explains the key points for a successful application in 2026.
Conditions for Humanities Graduates to Obtain an “IT Visa”
To work as an IT engineer under the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” status, you must clear two main hurdles: “Educational Background” and “Job Relevancy.”
Educational Requirements: University vs. Vocational School
First, check which category your educational background falls into.
| Final Education | Key Points for Screening |
| University (Bachelor/Associate) | Relevancy is screened “flexibly.” Opportunities exist regardless of your major. |
| Japanese Vocational School | “Close relevancy” is required. Approval is extremely difficult unless you studied IT. |
If you are a university graduate (including overseas universities), you can still get approved even if your major doesn’t match your job 100%, provided you can prove relevancy through specific subjects you studied.
The Most Important Point: Relevancy Between Major and Job Duties
Immigration law requires that you possess the knowledge necessary for the duties you will perform. For humanities majors, the rule of thumb is to explain how your humanities-based knowledge (logic, marketing, linguistics, etc.) is applied to building or operating IT systems.
Beneficial Subjects by Department for IT Visa Applications
Which subjects from your transcript should you highlight? Here are some hints by department.
Economics & Business (Marketing, Statistics, Management Info)
Understanding business mechanisms is highly valued in the upstream processes of system development.
- Relevant Subjects: Statistics, Management Information Systems, Econometrics, Marketing Theory.
- Point of Argument: Emphasize your suitability for “data-driven system design” or “implementing ERP packages to solve business challenges.”
Law (Intellectual Property, Contract Law, Logical Thinking)
Engineers need rigorous logical thinking skills.
- Relevant Subjects: Intellectual Property Law, Civil Law, Logic, Information Law.
- Point of Argument: Highlight your “logical thinking skills required for programming” and your understanding of “contracts and compliance” in system development.
Literature & Languages (Translation, Localization, Technical Writing)
In global development environments, language ability itself is treated as a “technical skill.”
- Relevant Subjects: Translation Theory, Communication Theory, Intercultural Studies, Language Practicums.
- Point of Argument: Explain the connection to “software localization” or “bridge engineering” between overseas teams.
“Red Flag” Job Duties That Lead to Rejection
Simply having a job offer from an IT company is not enough. If Immigration judges your primary duties to be the following, the risk of rejection increases.
Beware of Simple Data Entry or Basic Testing
Manual tasks that “anyone can do” are not eligible for the visa.
- Simple copy-paste tasks.
- Basic testing that only follows a manual without technical judgment.
- Help desk roles (limited to primary intake without technical troubleshooting).
These are rarely recognized as “duties requiring academic knowledge.”
Physical Labor or Customer Service
Even if hired as an “engineer,” if the training period is too long and involves mainly “retail sales” or “warehouse work,” the visa may be rejected as it deviates from the intended purpose.
Required Documents and How to Write a “Statement of Reasons”
For humanities applicants, the “Statement of Reasons” (explaining why this specific person is necessary) is the most critical document.
How to Highlight Your Transcripts
Don’t just submit the documents. Highlight relevant subjects with a marker and create a comparison table showing how those subjects connect to your job duties. For example, passing a Statistics course proves your potential in Data Science.
Appealing “Career Path” and “Training Programs”
When hiring an inexperienced humanities graduate, Immigration may doubt if the person can actually perform the work.
- Provide a specific training curriculum (e.g., a 3-month Java boot camp).
- Present a roadmap of how the company will develop the individual into a professional engineer.
Conclusion: It’s All About the “Power of Explanation.”
Visa applications for humanities IT talent are not impossible. However, the “logical explanation” in your documents will determine your success.
- Are my credits enough for approval?
- How should I write a Statement of Reasons for diverse hires?
- My application was already rejected once.
In such cases, feel free to contact Ishinagi Office in Osaka. We provide the best application strategies based on our extensive track record of supporting humanities IT engineers.
Ishinagi Administrative Scrivener Office
If you would like to renew or change your work visa quickly and reliably, or if you feel uncertain about the application process, please feel free to consult with our office in Yodogawa-ku, Osaka. We provide support for clients from all over Japan, making use of our extensive experience in dealing with the Immigration Bureau.
If you wish to proceed with your work visa renewal or change of status smoothly and with confidence, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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