Author: Attorney Hikari Tsuji

1.Significant Reduction in the Screening Period for Foreign Engineers’ Residency Status

In November 2023, Fukuoka city introduced a new system to significantly reduce the screening period for residency status for foreign engineers employed by companies within the city. This initiative is based on the National Strategic Special Zone Foreign Engineer Employment Promotion Project established in October 2023.

Japan has been facing a shortage of IT engineers, and there has been an increasing demand to attract and hire skilled IT engineers from overseas. However, when companies invite foreign engineers, the standard screening period for the residency status typically takes one to three (1-3) months. For startups and other companies with less established/functional business foundations, the screening time can take even longer.

The National Strategic Special Zone Foreign Engineer Employment Promotion Project aims to expedite and clarify the screening process for foreign engineers under “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” resident category. This is achieved through collaboration between local governments of the designated National Strategic Special Zones and the national government.

Fukuoka City became the first city in Japan to implement this system. When a foreign engineer applies for a Certificate of Eligibility, the screening period can be reduced to approximately one (1) month by attaching the “Accreditation Certificate” issued by Fukuoka City.

A notable case was reported in January 2024, where an applicant’s residence status was approved within just five (5) days of application. (Nikkei on February 8, 2024, “First Visa Status Granted Under Fukuoka City Engineer Visa System to Vietnamese IT Company”)

2.Application Procedure for “Accreditation Certificate” in Fukuoka City

This new system applies to foreign engineers seeking residence status under the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” category. There are requirements for company and foreign engineers which can apply for “Accreditation Certificate” in Fukuoka City as follows:

(1) Companies

• ● The company must not be listed on the stock exchange and should have a business office in Fukuoka City and intend to employ foreign engineers at their offices.
• ● The company’s business activities must fall under specific IT-related activities as defined in the National Strategic Special Zone Foreign Engineer Employment Promotion Project Implementation Guidelines (hereinafter referred to as “Cabinet Office Implementation Guidelines”). Additionally, the company’s financial stability will be verified by Fukuoka City, including through consultation with small and medium enterprise management consultants.
• ● Another requirement is that the company must be a supporter of the “Engineer-Friendly City Fukuoka Initiative”.

(2) Foreign Engineers

• ● The work/tasks that foreign engineers are expected to perform at the companies must fall under specific IT-related operations and associated duties outlined in the Cabinet Office’s Implementation Guidelines.

(3) Application Procedure

• ● Applications and required documents should be submitted via email to Fukuoka City’s New Industry Promotion Section. There is no fee for submitting the application.
• ● If Fukuoka city determines that the applying company and foreign engineer meet the requirements provided in Cabinet Office Implementation Guidelines, the city will issue the “Accreditation Certificate” to the company. The issuance fee for the Accreditation Certificate is three hundred yen (JPY 300).
• ● By including the Accreditation Certificate in the application for the foreign engineer’s resident status, the screening period can be significantly reduced.