Skills and Residence Status Required for Foreigners to Work as CAD Operators in Japan

CAD operators, who create design drawings, are essential in various industries such as manufacturing, construction, and design. Recently, due to a shortage of engineers in Japan, more companies in the manufacturing and construction industries are actively hiring foreign CAD operators.
This article introduces the skills and residence status required for foreigners to work as CAD operators in Japanese companies.

Skills Required for CAD Operators

CAD Software Operation Skills

To work as a CAD operator, you need to know how to operate CAD software. Nearly all CAD software is used worldwide. The same software is often used by Japanese companies as well, so your experience abroad can be fully utilized.

[Main Software Used in Japan]

• AutoCAD®: Architecture, civil engineering, mechanical design, electrical design, and other fields
• SolidWorks®: Mechanical design, automotive, aerospace, manufacturing
• CATIA®: Automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, electronics
• Revit®: Architecture, construction, civil engineering, interior design
• ArchiCAD®: Architecture, interior design, urban planning

Job listings for CAD positions usually specify the software used. Additionally, during interviews, companies will explain which software is needed.

Communication Skills in Japanese

CAD operators create, revise, and adjust drawings according to the instructions of designers and engineers. Therefore, you need to have a level of Japanese proficiency that allows you to understand and confirm instructions.
Often, instructions are given while looking at drawings, so it’s okay if you don’t understand everything immediately. You can learn on the job.
While some workplaces have employees from the same country as you, these companies are still few, so having higher Japanese proficiency is advantageous.

Are Qualifications Needed to Be a CAD Operator?

You do not need special qualifications to work as a CAD operator in Japan. However, Japan has certifications like the " CAD利用技術者試験(CAD Utilization Technology Examination)" that can prove your CAD skills. If you have time, it’s worth trying to get these certifications as they can serve as proof of your skills.

Residence Status Required for Foreigners to Work as CAD Operators

Foreigners need a valid residence status to work in Japan. Those with Permanent Resident (PR), Spouse or Child of Japanese National (SCJN), Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident (SCPR), or Long-Term Resident (LTR) status can work in any occupation. To work as a CAD operator, the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (ESI) status is required.

Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (ESI)

The Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (ESI) status allows foreigners to work in jobs that require advanced technology, specialized knowledge, or sensitivity. This is necessary for specialized jobs such as engineers, interpreters, designers, and marketing professionals.
If you qualify for the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (ESI) residence status, you can work as a specialist in natural science fields like physics and engineering.

[Conditions for Obtaining Residence Status]

• Graduation from a university, graduate school, or junior college in Japan or overseas
• Graduation qualifications from a specialized school in Japan

If you do not meet the educational requirements, 3 to 10 years of practical experience is required
The school must be in a specialized field where you can acquire relevant knowledge and skills (e.g., mechanical engineering for manufacturing, civil engineering for construction). For foreign universities or graduate schools, you need a certificate proving that your qualifications are equivalent to those of a Japanese university graduate.

Note that overseas specialized schools are not recognized.

Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan - "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services"

Important Points for Foreigners Working as CAD Operators

When working with the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (ESI) status, you cannot perform tasks that are considered simple labor. Examples of simple labor include:
filing, answering phones, data entry etc.

It’s acceptable to do filing and phone answering as part of your main duties, but be aware that you cannot perform tasks not permitted by your residence status.

How to Find CAD Operator Job Listings for Foreigners

• Use job search websites
• Check social medias such as Facebook and LinkedIn
• Check company and translation agency websites
• Attend IT job fairs and consultation events

In Japan, it is common to use job search websites. Some job search websites offer multilingual support for foreigners. You can search for jobs by occupation and location and apply. 

If you have a specific company you want to work for, check their website too. Job openings are usually listed on the "Recruitment Information" page.

Conclusion

Being a CAD operator in Japan requires knowledge and experience with CAD software, and often does not require business-level Japanese proficiency. The same software used abroad is often used in Japanese companies, so your overseas experience can be fully utilized. Additionally, companies expanding abroad or working with foreign firms may value your language skills.
JOB JOURNEY lists many job openings for CAD operators and mechanical designers. If you find a job that interests you, feel free to apply!

🔎 Find job openings on JOB JOURNEY

Residence Status Required for Foreigners to Work as Programmers

Foreigners need a valid residence status to work in Japan. Those with Permanent Resident (PR), Spouse or Child of Japanese National (SCJN), Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident (SCPR), or Long-Term Resident (LTR) status can work in any occupation. To work as a programmer, you need the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (ESI) or Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) status.

Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (ESI)

The Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (ESI) status allows you to work in jobs that require advanced technology, specialized knowledge, or sensitivity. It is necessary for specialized jobs such as engineers, interpreters, designers, and marketing professionals.

If you qualify for the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (ESI) residence status, you can work as a specialist in natural science fields like physics and engineering.

[Conditions for Obtaining Residence Status]

• Graduation qualifications from a university, graduate school, or junior college in Japan or overseas
• Graduation qualifications from a specialized school in Japan

Your school must be in a specialized field where you can acquire relevant knowledge and skills as a programmer, such as information engineering.

For foreign universities or graduate schools, you need a certificate proving that your qualifications are equivalent to those of a Japanese university graduate. Note that overseas specialized schools are not recognized. If you do not meet the educational requirements, 3 to 10 years of practical experience is required.

Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan - "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services"

Highly Skilled Professional (i) (b)

The Highly Skilled Professional (i) (b) status targets foreigners engaged in work that requires knowledge and skills equivalent to those of university graduates in science and humanities fields. This status is for foreigners active in fields like engineering and specialized professions.

The Highly Skilled Professional (i) (b) visa uses a points system. Points are calculated based on education, work experience, income, Japanese language proficiency, and other factors. You need at least 70 points to qualify. Meeting the following conditions is advantageous for obtaining the Highly Skilled Professional (i) (b) status:

• Graduated from specific universities or graduate schools
• Income above a certain level
• Age up to 39 years
• Graduated from a Japanese university
• Passed JLPT N1 or N2

For detailed conditions, check the Immigration Services Agency of Japan's website.
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan - "Points-based Preferential Immigration Treatment for Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals"

Important Points When Working with Residence Status

The Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (ESI) and Highly Skilled Professional (i) (b) statuses are for specialized jobs. If you receive the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (ESI) status as an engineer, you cannot work in low-skilled jobs like assembly line work in factories.
However, as long as the job is within the scope of your residence status, other job types might be allowed. For example, an IT engineer can do technical translation related to IT as part of their duties.

How Foreigners Can Find Programmer Job Listings in Japan

• Use job search websites
• Check social medias such as Facebook and LinkedIn
• Check company and translation agency websites
• Attend IT job fairs and consultation events

In Japan, it is common to use job search websites. Some job search websites offer multilingual support for foreigners. You can search for jobs by occupation and location and apply. 

Conclusion

Due to the shortage of IT personnel in Japan, more Japanese companies are seeking foreign programmers who have studied or gained experience overseas. If you want to work or change jobs in Japan, having programming skills is essential. Additionally, improving your Japanese communication skills and understanding Japanese corporate culture will help you with your job search.
JOB JOURNEY lists programmer and engineer job openings. If you find a job that interests you, feel free to apply!

🔎 Find programmer and engineer jobs on JOB JOURNEY