Highly Skilled Professional Points
70+ pointsEducation, professional experience, income, age, research achievements, Japanese ability and other factors are scored. A total of 70 points or more may qualify for HSP (i).
WORK VISA
Work Visas in Japan
We review the applicant, job duties, academic/professional background, employer documents, remuneration and current residence status, then organize the appropriate application route.
WORK VISA
More than Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services.
01
Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services
IT, sales, trade, interpreting, planning, marketing and other professional work. We organize the relationship between duties and education/work experience.
02
Highly Skilled Professional
We review points, salary, education, professional experience, research or management achievements and supporting evidence.
03
Intra-company Transferee
Transfers from an overseas entity to a Japanese entity or branch, including proof of corporate relationship, prior employment and duties.
04
Job-change / Certificate of Authorized Employment
Support for reviewing whether duties after a job change fit the current status and for preparing for the next renewal.
HIGHLY SKILLED PROFESSIONAL / J-SKIP
Dedicated HSP GuidanceHighly Skilled Professional
Highly Skilled Professional
and J-SKIP.
Japan has both the ordinary Highly Skilled Professional points system and J-SKIP (Special Highly Skilled Professional), which is based on specified education or professional experience plus a high annual-income threshold. We compare the two routes and organize the application strategy.
J-SKIPPOINTS
NOT REQUIREDA separate route from the points system
NOT REQUIREDA separate route from the points system
Advanced Academic Research / Specialized-Technical Activities
¥20M+ / yearIn addition to annual income of at least JPY 20 million, the applicant must generally have either a master's degree or higher or 10+ years of relevant professional experience. No points calculation is required.
Advanced Business Management
¥40M+ / yearAt least 5 years of business management experience and annual income of at least JPY 40 million. This is the J-SKIP route for qualifying managers and executives.
J-SKIP ADVANTAGES
Key benefits for Special Highly Skilled Professionals
01
HSP (ii) after as little as 1 year
A person who has engaged in activities as J-SKIP / HSP (i) for at least one year may be able to move to Highly Skilled Professional (ii).
02
Permanent Residence after as little as 1 year
Special Highly Skilled Professionals may benefit from a one-year residence-period exception for permanent residence, subject to the applicable requirements.
03
Broader work options for a spouse
There are special rules allowing a spouse to engage in certain professional employment more broadly than under ordinary dependent status.
04
Domestic workers / priority lanes
Subject to conditions, employment of up to two domestic workers and use of priority lanes at major airports may be available.
What we check
J-SKIP is not determined by income alone. We review the activity category, education and professional experience, planned duties or management activities, employment/contract structure and evidence of annual income, and compare the case with the ordinary HSP points route.
FEE
Indicative professional fees
Status / ServiceProfessional fee (tax incl.)Notes
Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International ServicesFrom ¥80,000Online filing may be used depending on the case
Highly Skilled Professional / J-SKIPIndividual quotationQuoted after reviewing points/J-SKIP requirements, activity category and supporting evidence
DependentFrom ¥50,000May vary depending on family relationship and document volume
Extension of Period of StayFrom ¥50,000Individual quotation where there has been a job change or other complexity
Change of Status of ResidenceFrom ¥80,000Varies depending on the change and complexity
* All amounts above are indicative professional fees including consumption tax. HSP / J-SKIP is quoted individually. Final fees are presented in writing in advance.
* Government filing/issuance fees payable to Immigration, translation costs, certificate acquisition costs, travel expenses and fees of other professionals are charged separately where applicable.
RELATED BLOG
Read the articlePermanent Residence is not the only goal.
For internationally active executives and high-income professionals, Highly Skilled Professional (ii) may fit their lifestyle better than permanent residence in some cases.