"Highly Skilled Professional" is a status of residence granted to persons who score 70 points or more in total under a points system that evaluates academic background, professional career, annual salary and other factors. It carries preferential treatment not available under other work statuses.
Eligible activities
Highly Skilled Professional Visa
| Category | Activities |
|---|---|
| Highly Skilled Professional (i)(a) - Advanced academic research activities | Research, research guidance and education |
| Highly Skilled Professional (i)(b) - Advanced specialized/technical activities | Work requiring knowledge or skills in the natural sciences or humanities |
| Highly Skilled Professional (i)(c) - Advanced business management activities | Operation or management of a business |
Main preferential treatment (HSP (i))
- Permission to engage in activities covering multiple statuses of residence
- A period of stay of "5 years"
- A shorter period of residence required for permanent residence (3 years with 70 points or more, 1 year with 80 points or more)
- The spouse may work
- Parents or domestic workers may accompany the holder under certain conditions
- Priority processing of entry and residence procedures
Highly Skilled Professional (ii)
For persons who have engaged in activities as HSP (i) for three years or more. The period of stay becomes indefinite, and the holder may engage in almost all activities permitted under the work statuses.
Special Highly Skilled Professional (J-Skip)
Regardless of the points calculation, a person who meets either of the following is granted "Highly Skilled Professional (i)":
- Research / technical activities: a master's degree or higher and annual income of JPY 20 million or more, or at least 10 years of work experience and annual income of JPY 20 million or more
- Business management activities: at least 5 years of work experience and annual income of JPY 40 million or more
Our office assists you from the points calculation, through preparation of supporting documents, to filing the application on your behalf. We also advise with a view to a future application for permanent residence.
- Permission to engage in activities covering multiple statuses of residence
- A period of stay of "5 years"
- A shorter period of residence required for permanent residence (3 years with 70 points or more, 1 year with 80 points or more)
- The spouse may work
- Parents or domestic workers may accompany the holder under certain conditions
- Priority processing of entry and residence procedures
Highly Skilled Professional (ii)
For persons who have engaged in activities as HSP (i) for three years or more. The period of stay becomes indefinite, and the holder may engage in almost all activities permitted under the work statuses.
Special Highly Skilled Professional (J-Skip)
Regardless of the points calculation, a person who meets either of the following is granted "Highly Skilled Professional (i)":
- Research / technical activities: a master's degree or higher and annual income of JPY 20 million or more, or at least 10 years of work experience and annual income of JPY 20 million or more
- Business management activities: at least 5 years of work experience and annual income of JPY 40 million or more
Our office assists you from the points calculation, through preparation of supporting documents, to filing the application on your behalf. We also advise with a view to a future application for permanent residence.