Engineer visa Japanese rule: N2 or BJT 400

Short answer

Not every applicant needs JLPT N2 for the Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services visa. For applications from 15 April 2026, the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) asks for CEFR B2 in the language of the job when the employer is in category 3 or 4 and the job mainly uses language ability, such as translation or hotel front-desk work; for Japanese, JLPT N2 or BJT 400 count. In other cases, including renewal for the same work, you do not have to submit proof, but ISA may ask for it.

Who the rule applies to

The rule applies to applications filed on or after 15 April 2026 when two conditions are met. The employer is in category 3 or 4, and the person will mainly do work that uses language ability. ISA gives examples, not a full list: translation and interpreting, and customer-facing work such as a hotel front desk. Its list of documents describes the same cases as interpersonal work and the like (taijin gyōmu).

In those cases ISA asks for an extra document: proof of language ability at CEFR B2 in the language used in the work. CEFR is the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, and B2 is one of its levels. Outside those cases the notice does not require the proof, but ISA says it may still ask for it depending on the application, and an employer may set its own level.

The visa is 技術・人文知識・国際業務 (gijutsu, jinbun chishiki, kokusai gyōmu), often shortened to 技人国 (gijinkoku). ISA's English name is Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services.

B2 in the language of the job, not always Japanese

ISA does not ask for Japanese B2 as such. It asks for B2 in the language your duties use. If the job is in Japanese, you need B2 Japanese, and the list below shows what counts. If the job is in another language, for example English, the proof is about that language, and a Japanese test does not help.

What ISA counts as B2 Japanese

Source: ISA, Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services page, note 1, as of 10 November 2026
Proof	What ISA asks for
JLPT, the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test	N2 or higher
BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test	A score of 400 or more
EJU, the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students	200 or more in Japanese, as the total of reading, listening and listening-reading
JPT Japanese Proficiency Test	A score of 525 or more
Years in Japan	20 years or more as a mid- to long-term resident
Study in Japan	A degree from a Japanese university, or the specialised or advanced course of a Japanese college of technology or vocational school
School in Japan	Compulsory education in Japan and graduation from high school

ISA's wording is that it treats these cases as having Japanese ability equivalent to CEFR B2. Other Japanese tests are not on the list. Most people compare JLPT N2 and BJT 400; how the two relate is in Is a BJT score of 400 the same as JLPT N2?

Which applications need the proof

Coming from abroad

Certificate of Eligibility

Proof is required when the rule applies, that is, an employer in category 3 or 4 and a job that mainly uses language ability.

Already in Japan

Change of status, for example from student

Proof is required in the same cases. ISA names change of status and acquisition of status in the same note, although some websites say otherwise.

Check first

Renewal after new duties or a new job

If a change of duties or a job change means you will now mainly do language-based work, you must submit proof with the renewal. ISA also asks for extra documents at the first renewal after you move to an employer in category 3 or 4.

Usually not needed

Renewal for the same work

If you keep doing the same kind of work as before, proof is not required. ISA may still ask for it during the review, so keep it ready if you have it.

Employer categories

Source: ISA, Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services page, as of 10 November 2026. Abridged.
Category	Who is in it
1	Companies listed on a Japanese stock exchange, national and local governments, and other public bodies and companies that ISA lists
2	Organisations or individuals whose withholding tax on salaries in the previous year's statutory summary was ¥10 million or more
3	Organisations or individuals that filed the previous year's statutory summary, other than category 2
4	Organisations or individuals that fit none of the above, including when no such document can be submitted

Ask your employer which category applies before you plan anything else.

Key dates

16 Oct 2025 Business Manager visa: the applicant or a full-time employee needs B2 Japanese. A separate rule, see the Business Manager guide.
15 Apr 2026 Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services: B2 proof in the work language for category 3 or 4 employers and language-based jobs.
16 Oct 2028 Business Manager visa: the transition period for renewals ends.

Source: ISA pages on both visas, as of 10 November 2026

How the Business Manager rule differs

The Business Manager rule also asks for B2 Japanese, but from the applicant or a full-time employee, and its list is shorter. It names JLPT N2 or higher, BJT 400 or more, 20 years in Japan, graduation from a Japanese university or other higher-education institution, and Japanese compulsory education plus high school. EJU and JPT are not on that list.

What to do now

Ask your employer which category it is in and whether your job counts as mainly language-based.
Name the language of your duties. If it is not Japanese, the proof is about that language.
If you need B2 Japanese and have no proof yet, BJT has no fixed dates: you can apply any time and sit on a day the test centre is open, you get a score report at the centre, and the certificate can be printed three days later. The steps are in How to book BJT in Japan.
If you renew for the same work, keep any proof you already have. ISA may still ask for it.

If you are choosing between the two tests, BJT or JLPT for your visa compares dates and results.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Visa decisions depend on your whole application. The ISA notice shows no publication date; we checked it on 10 November 2026. Check the Immigration Services Agency pages below or ask an immigration specialist (gyōseishoshi).

Questions people ask

Do I need JLPT N2 to renew my Engineer visa?

Not if you keep doing the same kind of work. ISA says proof is not required at renewal in that case, but it may ask for it during the review. If new duties or a new job mean you will now mainly do work that uses language ability, you must submit proof with the renewal application.

Will you need a JLPT N2 for working in Japan?

Not for every job. Under the ISA rule for applications from 15 April 2026, the Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services visa asks for B2 proof when the employer is in category 3 or 4 and the job mainly uses language ability, such as translation, interpreting or customer-facing work. Outside those cases ISA does not require it but may ask for it depending on the application, and an employer can set its own Japanese level.

Is BJT accepted for the Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services visa?

Yes, where the April 2026 rule applies and the job uses Japanese. ISA lists a BJT score of 400 or more among the things it treats as CEFR B2 Japanese, next to JLPT N2 or higher.

Does the rule apply to a change of status, for example from student to Engineer?

Yes. ISA's note names applications for a Certificate of Eligibility, for a change of status of residence and for acquisition of status of residence. Some websites say a change of status is not covered; the ISA page says it is.

Is JLPT N3 enough for the Engineer visa?

Not where the April 2026 rule applies and the job uses Japanese. ISA's list starts at JLPT N2 or a BJT score of 400. Outside those cases the notice does not require language proof, but ISA says it may still ask for it depending on the application, and an employer may set its own level.

Do you need N2 for the Engineer visa? The April 2026 rule