Highly Skilled Professional Visa
The Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) Visa is a status of residence designed to promote the acceptance of highly skilled foreign professionals in Japan through a points-based system. Points are awarded based on factors such as educational background, professional experience, annual income, and other qualifications. Applicants who obtain a total of 70 points or more may be eligible for various preferential immigration benefits.
1. Categories of Highly Skilled Professional (1)
Highly Skilled Professional (1) is divided into the following three categories according to the nature of the applicant's activities in Japan.
Category | Main Activities | Examples of Relevant Statuses of Residence |
Advanced academic research activities: "Highly Skilled Professional 1-a"「高度専門職1号(イ)」 | Activities involving research, research guidance, or education conducted under contract with public or private institutions in Japan. | Professor, Researcher, Instructor, etc. |
Highly specialized and technical activities: "Highly Skilled Professional 1-b", 「高度専門職1号(ロ)」 | Activities involving work requiring knowledge or skills in the fields of natural science or humanities, conducted under contract with public or private institutions in Japan. | Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Intra-company Transferee, etc. |
Advanced Management and Administration Activities: "Highly Skilled Professional 1-c".「高度専門職1号(ハ)」 | Activities involving the management or administration of a business in a public or private institution in Japan. | Business Manager |
Please note: Under "Highly Skilled Professional 1-b"「高度専門職1号(ロ)」, activities categorized as “International Services” under the standard Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status—such as translation and interpretation, foreign language instruction, and international business transactions—are generally not eligible.
This is because International Services are considered activities requiring ways of thinking or sensitivity based on foreign cultures, which do not fall within the concept of “highly skilled specialized or technical activities” contemplated under this category.
2. Main Benefits of Highly Skilled Professional (1)
Permission to Engage in Multiple Activities
Normally, foreign nationals may engage only in activities permitted under their authorized status of residence. However, Highly Skilled Professionals may be permitted to engage in multiple activities that would otherwise fall under different statuses of residence.
For example, a person may work as an engineer for an IT company while also managing a venture business related to their primary professional activities.
A Five-Year Period of Stay
A five-year period of stay, which is the longest period of stay available under the Immigration Control Act, is granted.
Relaxed Requirements for Permanent Residence
Normally, an applicant for permanent residence must have resided continuously in Japan for at least 10 years. However, the points-based Highly Skilled Professional system can significantly shorten this requirement.
70 points or more: Eligible to apply for permanent residence after 3 years.
80 points or more: Eligible to apply for permanent residence after only 1 year.
Employment Opportunities for the Spouse
The spouse of a Highly Skilled Professional may obtain a Designated Activities status of residence and engage in full-time work in activities corresponding to certain work-authorized statuses, such as Instructor or Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services.
In such cases, the spouse may be permitted to work without meeting the educational or professional experience requirements normally required for the relevant work visa.
Permission for Parents to Accompany the Highly Skilled Professional
Under certain conditions, parents may be permitted to accompany the Highly Skilled Professional to Japan.
For example, this may be possible where the Highly Skilled Professional or their spouse is caring for a child under seven years of age, provided that the applicable requirements are met.
Permission for a Domestic Worker to Accompany the Highly Skilled Professional
Under certain conditions, a foreign domestic worker may be permitted to accompany and work for the Highly Skilled Professional in Japan.
Requirements generally include meeting a specified household income threshold—typically JPY 10 million or more per year—as well as certain employment conditions, such as a monthly salary of at least JPY 200,000.
Priority Processing of Immigration Procedures
Applications for immigration and residence procedures may be processed on a priority basis, allowing for faster examination.
3. Main Points Requirements and Important Considerations
To obtain Highly Skilled Professional status, an applicant must generally score 70 points or more under the applicable points calculation system.
The following are some of the main requirements and important considerations.
Minimum Annual Income Requirement for "Highly Skilled Professional 1-b"1号(ロ) or "1-c"、1号(イ)
Even if an applicant obtains a total of 70 points or more, an application for "Highly Skilled Professional 1-b"1号(ロ) or "1-c"1号(イ) will generally not be approved if the applicant's annual income is less than JPY 3 million.
How Annual Income Is Calculated
Annual income generally refers to the remuneration the applicant is expected to receive from their affiliated organization during the following one-year period.
Generally included:
Base salary
Bonuses
Allowances paid at a fixed monthly amount under clearly established rules, such as fixed overtime allowances
Generally excluded:
Commuting allowances
Family allowances
Housing allowances to the extent they reimburse actual expenses on a tax-exempt basis
Uncertain or variable overtime payments
Educational Background and Professional Experience
The term “university” includes junior colleges. Certain qualifications, such as Advanced Diploma (Kōdo Senmonshi), may also qualify for points.
Only professional experience directly related to the work the applicant will engage in is generally recognized.
Periods of research or study at an educational institution are not counted as professional experience.
Private-sector qualifications are generally not included among the qualifications eligible for additional points.
Additional Points Related to Universities
Graduates of certain designated universities may be eligible for additional points. These include, for example:
Universities designated based on major international university rankings
Universities selected under the Top Global University Project
Partner universities under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Innovative Asia Initiative
4. Changing to Highly Skilled Professional (2)
A person who has engaged in activities as a Highly Skilled Professional (1) for at least three years may be eligible to apply for a change to Highly Skilled Professional (2).
Benefits of Highly Skilled Professional (2)
The period of stay becomes indefinite.
The preferential benefits available under Highly Skilled Professional (1), such as permission to engage in multiple activities and special employment provisions for a spouse, generally continue to apply.
Unlike Highly Skilled Professional (1), designation of the affiliated organization by the Minister of Justice is no longer required.
Main Requirements
To qualify for Highly Skilled Professional (2), the applicant must generally:
Have engaged in activities as a Highly Skilled Professional (1) for at least three years;
Maintain a score of 70 points or more under the applicable points calculation system at the time of application; and
Have a good record of conduct, including properly fulfilling obligations such as the payment of taxes and social insurance contributions.
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
