Japanese, Singaporean and Korean work routes

Work statuses and passes in Japan, Singapore and South Korea, as the official pages described them in October 2026.

Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services

Also called Engineer visa, gijinkoku, work visa Japan

What: The Japanese status of residence most software engineers hold, granted for 3 months or 1, 3 or 5 years, based on a degree or relevant experience that matches the job.
Why: It is the standard work route; the employer usually applies for the Certificate of Eligibility first.

Watch out

A job description on the application that does not match your degree or experience.

Highly Skilled Professional

Also called HSP, points-based visa Japan

What: A Japanese status for people scoring at least 70 points on education, experience, salary, age and other factors.
Why: It gives a 5-year stay, a working spouse and permanent residence after 1 year with 80 points or 3 years with 70.

Watch out

Ignoring it; the Immigration Services Agency publishes a points sheet you can score yourself on.

Employment Pass

Also called EP

What: Singapore's work pass for professionals, applied for by the employer, with a minimum qualifying salary of 5,600 Singapore dollars a month until the end of 2026 (higher with age, and 6,000 from 1 January 2027).
Why: It is the route for most foreign tech hires in Singapore; a first pass lasts up to two years.

Watch out

Thinking the salary floor is enough; the COMPASS test must also be passed.

COMPASS

What: Singapore's points framework for Employment Pass applications: 40 points needed from salary, qualifications, workforce diversity and local employment, plus bonuses for shortage skills and strategic priorities.
Why: It decides many applications that meet the salary floor, and it explains why employers ask about your qualifications.

Watch out

Claiming qualification points without verification proof.

E-7 visa

Also called specially designated activities visa, E-7 professional visa

What: Korea's visa for foreign professionals employed by a Korean organisation in occupations designated by the Minister of Justice, with conditions that depend on the occupation.
Why: It is the usual route for foreign engineers in Korea; the employer often obtains a visa issuance confirmation first.

Watch out

Trusting a blog summary instead of the current official occupation list on HiKorea.

Certificate of Eligibility

Also called COE

What: A document from Japan's Immigration Services Agency, applied for by your employer in Japan, confirming you meet the conditions of a status of residence before you apply for the visa.
Why: With it, the visa application at the Japanese embassy in your country is usually quick.

Watch out

Sending degree details that differ from your CV or certificate, which slows the check.

Qualification verification

What: Proof that a degree or diploma is genuine, which Singapore's Ministry of Manpower asks for when an Employment Pass application claims COMPASS points for qualifications.
Why: Without it the application cannot score qualification points, which can decide whether it passes.

Watch out

Leaving verification until the employer submits, when it can take weeks.

East Asia visa table

What: The main work routes for Japan, Singapore and South Korea, with the official sites, as read in October 2026.
Why: One place to check who applies and where the rules live before you trust a summary.

Code

Japan: Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/
  International Services; employer files CoE
  Highly Skilled Professional: 70+ points
  isa.go.jp | moj.go.jp/isa
Singapore EP: 5,600 SGD a month to end of 2026
  (6,000 from Jan 2027), rises with age
  COMPASS: 40 points | mom.gov.sg
Korea E-7: employer in a designated occupation
  hikorea.go.kr
Read: October 2026. Check again before you act.

Watch out

Using a qualifying salary from a past year.

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