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When a 3rd-generation Japanese descendant takes a job in Japan, is it better to apply for 定住者 or 技人国?

Foreigners Employment Support Organization (FESO)　／　Published 22 October 2026　／　Supervised by 佐藤拓行政書士

This article is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails. Read the Japanese original（日本語版を読む）

Who this article is forAn enquiry from the applicant themselves about how to choose a status of residence when a 3rd-generation Japanese descendant takes a job in Japan.

Answer

Considering the document preparation situation, we consider it better first to obtain 在留資格「技術・人文知識・国際業務」 (Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services), and then change to 「定住者」 (Long-Term Resident) as soon as the documents proving the family relationship are ready. If there is no problem with your activities in Japan under 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」 in the first place, changing to 「定住者」 is not necessarily required. Also, if you are thinking of permanent residence or naturalization in the future, we recommend avoiding long periods outside Japan as much as possible.

What is this enquiry about?

An enquiry from the applicant themselves about how to choose a status of residence when a 3rd-generation Japanese descendant takes a job in Japan.

Subject: choice of status of residence (定住者 or 技術・人文知識・国際業務)
Application type: 在留資格認定証明書交付申請 (Application for Certificate of Eligibility)
Situation: The applicant is a 3rd-generation Japanese descendant of Peruvian nationality. As an elementary school child, the applicant once resided in Japan as 「定住者」. Everyday Japanese conversation is no problem, and a job in Japan has been offered. Collecting documents showing the relationship to the ancestor is difficult and looks likely to take about 3 months. On the other hand, the applicant also meets the requirements for 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」, and those documents look likely to be gathered in 2 weeks to 1 month. After starting work, the applicant will work in Japan for several years, and then, 2 to 3 years later, may be seconded to a group company in Mexico while remaining employed by the Japanese company. The secondment would be long, such as 3 years, and the applicant expects to be away from Japan for several years. The spouse lives in Japan with 「定住者」 status in their own right, and plans to return to Japan several times a year even during the secondment. The applicant wants to move the family's base to Japan while the children are young, and in the future is considering applying for permanent residence or naturalization as a family.
Question: In such a case, is it better to apply for 「定住者」 (Notice No. 4) or 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」?

Which status of residence should I apply for first?

We consider it better first to obtain 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」, and then change to 「定住者」 as soon as the documents proving the family relationship are ready.

Considering the document preparation situation, we consider it better first to obtain 在留資格「技術・人文知識・国際業務」, and then change to 「定住者」 as soon as the documents proving the family relationship are ready.

Is it all right to stay with 技人国 and not change to 定住者?

If there is no problem with your activities in Japan under 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」, changing to 「定住者」 is considered unnecessary.

If there is no problem with your activities in Japan under 在留資格「技術・人文知識・国際業務」 in the first place, changing to 「定住者」 is considered unnecessary.

Is there anything to watch out for if I am thinking of permanent residence or naturalization in the future?

We recommend avoiding long periods outside Japan as much as possible.

If you are thinking of permanent residence or naturalization in the future, we recommend avoiding long periods outside Japan as much as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should a 3rd-generation Japanese descendant do if collecting the documents for 「定住者」 takes time?

We consider it better first to obtain 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」, and then change to 「定住者」 as soon as the documents proving the family relationship are ready.

If I can work under 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」, do I need to change to 「定住者」?

If there is no problem with your activities in Japan, changing to 「定住者」 is considered unnecessary.

If I am thinking of permanent residence or naturalization in the future, does an overseas secondment affect it?

If you are thinking of permanent residence or naturalization in the future, we recommend avoiding long periods outside Japan as much as possible.

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This article provides general information. Immigration rules change, and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Please check the Immigration Services Agency website or consult a qualified specialist.
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Because it is a translation, the meaning may differ from the original in places. Where something affects a decision you are making, please check the Japanese version or ask us. The supervision by a 行政書士 is of the Japanese version.