20/08/2025
Immigration Authorities Launch Investigation into Dispatch Workers under "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" (Gino-Jin-Koku) Status
On August 16, 2025, Japan's Immigration Services Agency (ISA) announced that it will begin investigations into the employment practices of foreign nationals working under the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (Gino-Jin-Koku) residence status, commonly known as the Engineer/Specialist visa. The ISA has identified several troubling patterns, including engagement in non-specialized or "simple" tasks, unpaid wages, and activities beyond the permitted scope of their visa.
In response, the ISA will convene a panel of experts soon to discuss and implement concrete corrective measures.
The Engineer/Specialist visa is meant for individuals who possess university-level education or equivalent skills and are engaged in professional work in Japan. As of end of 2024, around 410,000 foreign nationals held this status—the highest number recorded—marking an increase of approximately 56,000 compared to the previous year. Among them, an estimated 10% (about 40,000) are employed through dispatching agencies, mainly working in areas like production management or interpretation. However, the emerging trend of being assigned simple, non-specialized tasks is now under scrutiny.
For foreign residents in Japan with this visa type, this development highlights the importance of ensuring that your dispatched work matches the job description approved in your visa application. If you suspect that your work duties have shifted to non-specialized tasks or that your working conditions are not as agreed, consider seeking advice from immigration consultation services or legal experts.
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📎 Source: KYODO News (August 16, 2025)
🔗 https://news.jp/i/1329420019241566705?c=302675738515047521?c=302675738515047521