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

In Japan, there is a shortage of IT personnel, and more companies are eager to hire programmers with experience from abroad. Among those studying at Japanese universities, some might be thinking, "I want to work as a programmer in Japan."
This article explains the residence status required for foreigners to work as programmers in Japan and the growing demand for foreign IT personnel.

The Demand for Foreign IT Personnel is Growing in Japan

The demand for IT personnel in Japan continues to increase. Reasons include a "shortage of IT personnel" and "business globalization." As more companies engage in transactions with overseas companies, there is a need for personnel who can communicate in languages other than Japanese.

Differences Between Programmers and System Engineers

In addition to programmers, there are system engineers in IT-related jobs. Although these jobs are often thought to be similar, there are differences between them.

Differences in Job Description

• System Engineer: Mainly designs systems and services.
• Programmer: Implements the designs made by system engineers to make them operational.

In Japan, the stages handled by engineers are called "upstream processes," while the stages handled by programmers are called "downstream processes." Sometimes, multiple programmers work in a team under one engineer.

Differences in Required Skills

Both programmers and system engineers need programming knowledge.

System engineers require programming knowledge, as well as management skills to lead programmers and communication skills.
Programmers need programming skills essential for their work and communication skills to collaborate with colleagues and superiors. Many programmers advance to system engineers by gaining experience.

Differences in Salary

When comparing salaries, companies often offer higher salaries for more critical positions.
Some Japanese companies seek individuals who can handle both design and programming, referred to as "system engineer and programmer." Therefore, there might not be a significant salary difference between programmers and system engineers in some companies.
Moreover, whether you are a programmer or a system engineer, having extensive experience and valuable skills can help you find better-paying jobs.

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!

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