Japan work visa for Indian engineers: COE, documents and timelines (2026)

• 1–3 monthsISA’s standard processing period for a Certificate of Eligibility (ISA)
• 47.1 daysAverage COE processing for this status, decisions in Aug 2026 (source)
• 3 monthsHow long a COE stays valid; enter Japan within it (ISA Q&A)
• 4+ working daysMinimum visa processing at the Embassy of Japan in India (Embassy)

Which status do engineers use?

Most engineers hired by a company in Japan work under the status of residence “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” (技術・人文知識・国際業務, often shortened to gijinkoku). It is granted for 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 3 months (ISA).

The documents ISA asks for include proof of your degree or of relevant work experience, or a pass certificate from a recognised IT examination. India’s DOEACC “A”, “B” and “C” level certificates appear on ISA’s list of recognised IT qualifications (ISA). Whether you qualify is decided case by case; check with your employer or a 行政書士 (gyōseishoshi).

The process from India, step by step

1. Offer and contract. Your employer gives you a written statement of working conditions.
2. COE application (in Japan). Your employer, or a gyōseishoshi acting for it, applies to a regional immigration bureau in Japan for your Certificate of Eligibility (ISA).
3. COE arrives by email. Since 17 March 2023 a COE can be issued electronically, so your employer can forward it to you by email (ISA, JETRO).
4. Visa application in India. You submit the COE and your documents at a VFS Global Japan Visa Application Centre (VFS checklist). A COE is not a visa; you still need the visa (ISA Q&A).
5. Travel. Enter Japan while the COE is still valid, which is three months from issue (ISA Q&A).

The Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

ISA sorts employers into categories 1 to 4. For category 1 and 2 employers, other supporting documents are in principle not required; category 3 and 4 employers must submit more (ISA). Ask HR which category your employer is in.

From 15 April 2026, applications also need a declaration about the company’s representative (代表者に関する申告書). For work that uses a language to deal with customers, ISA now looks for CEFR B2-level ability, and JLPT N2 or above counts as B2 (ISA).

Documents

For category 3 and 4 employers, ISA lists documents including (ISA):

• a document setting out your working conditions (contract or labour conditions notice);
• your CV;
• proof of education (degree certificate or similar);
• proof of work experience (e.g. experience letters), or an IT exam pass certificate;
• the employer’s certificate of registered matters, company brochure, and recent financial statements.

Certificates issued in Japan must be no more than three months old, and documents in other languages need a Japanese translation (ISA).

How long it takes in 2026

ISA’s standard processing period for a COE is one to three months (ISA). Its published averages for COEs under this status were (ISA processing times):

Days are counted from receipt to issue, including time waiting for extra documents, and exclude refusals. Work-visa processing tends to lengthen around Japan’s April hiring season.

Getting the visa in India

• Where: a VFS Global Japan Visa Application Centre, such as Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru (VFS Global).
• What to bring: visa application form with photo, passport, covering letter, the COE (original and copy), an employment certificate or relieving letter, and your degree certificate if you are a recent graduate (VFS checklist).
• How long: the Embassy says at least 4 working days (Embassy). VFS lists minimums of 6 working days in Bengaluru and 5 in Delhi, 10 days in Mumbai, and 12 in Pune, Ahmedabad and Goa (VFS Global).
• Fees: the Embassy page gives a visa fee of Rs.550 for Indian nationals (from 1 April 2022), while the VFS Bengaluru page shows INR 500 from 1 April 2026 plus an INR 800 VFS service charge. The two official pages disagree, so confirm the current fee with your centre before you go.

Things to watch

• A COE is not a visa. Get the visa and enter Japan within the COE’s three-month validity (ISA Q&A).
• ISA’s Immigration Services Information Center answers questions on 0570-013904, or +81-3-5796-7112 from abroad (ISA).
• On JapanSetu you can filter the job list to roles whose posting says the employer sponsors visas. Every label comes from the employer’s own posting.

Sources

1. Immigration Services Agency (ISA): “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” status (Japanese)
2. ISA: application for a Certificate of Eligibility
3. ISA: electronic (email) Certificates of Eligibility
4. ISA: Q&A on entry procedures
5. ISA: residence application processing times (days)
6. ISA processing times for decisions made in August 2026 (PDF)
7. JETRO: Certificate of Eligibility and electronic issuance
8. Embassy of Japan in India: long-term visas
9. VFS Global Japan Visa Application Centre, Bengaluru
10. VFS Global long-term visa checklist (PDF)

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