Highly Skilled Professional Visa: Your Fast-track to Japan

Japan offers highly skilled professionals an exceptional opportunity to significantly impact their careers and experience a unique lifestyle in one of the world's safest, most innovative, and economically robust countries.

This guide delves into the Highly Skilled Professional Visa (often referred to as HSP Visa) – Japan's premier immigration pathway for top foreign talent. It's a strategic route to fast-track your career and permanent residency in a dynamic economy.

What is the HSP Visa?

The HSP Visa is a special status of residence introduced by the Japanese government to actively attract highly skilled foreign professionals. It offers preferential immigration treatment, recognizing the significant contributions these individuals can make to Japan's economy and innovation.

Who is the HSP Visa for?

Foreign nationals with high-level expertise, strong academic backgrounds, extensive professional experience, and competitive incomes are deemed valuable and in demand, providing them with a streamlined and beneficial immigration experience.

Three main categories of professionals:

1. Advanced Academic Research Activities (i)(a): For researchers, scientists, and educators in universities or research institutions.
2. Advanced Specialized/Technical Activities (i)(b): For technical experts like engineers (IT, electronics, manufacturing), architects, and other specialists with advanced skills.
3. Advanced Business Management Activities (i)(c): For company executives, directors, or senior managers involved in Japanese business operations.

Unmatched Benefits

• Multi-Activity Permission: Engage in multiple related professional activities, offering incredible career flexibility.
• Longer Period of Stay: The initial HSP (i) visa is typically granted for 5 years, providing significant stability and fewer renewals.
• Accelerated Path to Permanent Residency: This is a major advantage.
• Spouse's Expanded Work Opportunities: Your spouse can engage in a wider range of full-time work activities than typically allowed for dependents.
• Bringing Parents (Under Conditions): If you or your spouse have a child under 7, or if your spouse is pregnant, you may bring parents to assist with childcare, provided certain income conditions are met.
• Bringing Domestic Workers: Under specific conditions, you may also hire and bring a foreign domestic worker to Japan.
• Priority Processing: Applications for the HSP visa often receive priority processing at immigration bureaus, leading to faster approval times.

The Points System Explained

The HSP Visa operates on a points-based system.

To qualify, you must achieve a minimum score of 70 points. Points are awarded based on factors reflecting your professional value and contribution potential.

Here’s a breakdown of the key categories and how points are generally allocated:

• Academic Background: Points for higher education (e.g., Doctorate: 30 points, Master's: 20 points, Bachelor's: 10 points).
  • Additional points for multiple degrees or specific qualifications.
• Professional Experience: Points increase with years of experience (e.g., 3+ years: 5 points, 10+ years: 20 points).
• Annual Salary (Projected): This is a critical factor, with higher salaries earning significantly more points. The minimum acceptable salary is ¥3 million.
  • ¥3M to <¥4M: 10 points
  • ¥4M to <¥5M: 20 points
  • ¥5M to <¥6M: 30 points
  • ¥6M to <¥7M: 40 points
  • ¥8M to <¥9M: 50 points
  • ¥10M or more: 50 points (Salary points may vary slightly by age for certain brackets).
• Age: Points are awarded for being younger (e.g., Under 30: 15 points, 30-34: 10 points).
• Bonus Points: These can significantly boost your score:
  • Japanese Language Proficiency: JLPT N1 (15 points) or N2 (10 points).
  • Graduation from a Top-Ranked University: 10 points (from specific global rankings).
  • Holding a Japanese Qualification/License: 5-10 points.
  • Involvement in Specific Government Programs/Projects: 10 points.
  • Having a Japanese spouse or child: 10 points (for certain categories).
  • Working for a company receiving government support: 10 points.

Your total score from these categories determines your eligibility. It's essential to honestly assess your points and gather robust evidence for each claim.

The Application Journey: Step-by-Step

Let’s break down the application process in manageable steps.

1. Secure a Job Offer in Japan: You need a concrete employment contract from a Japanese company or institution aligning with an HSP category.
   1. Tip: Utilize global job boards (LinkedIn), specialized recruiters (Robert Walters, Hays), and official platforms like JETRO.
2. Calculate Your Points: Use the official points calculation table to self-assess your score. You need at least 70 points.
3. Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE): The CoE is a crucial pre-approval from the Immigration Services Agency, certifying your eligibility. Your sponsoring employer in Japan usually submits the CoE application on your behalf to a regional immigration bureau.
   1. Required documents:
      1. Points calculation form
      2. Resume
      3. Proof of academic and professional qualifications
      4. Proof of annual salary
      5. Bank deposit certificate
      6. Company-related documents
   2. The immigration office reviews documents and may request more information. This is the primary application step.
   3. Once issued, it's sent to your sponsor, who forwards it to you. Your sponsoring employer in Japan usually submits the CoE application on your behalf to a regional immigration bureau.
   4. If already in Japan on another visa, you might apply for a "Change of Status of Residence" directly.
4. Receive CoE & Apply for Visa: Once the CoE is issued, use it to apply for the actual HSP Visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country. Required documents (Non-Japanese documents typically require certified Japanese translations) :
   1. Visa application form
   2. Passport (original & copy)
   3. Passport-sized photo
   4. Original CoE or printed copy of the digital CoE
   5. Points calculation form
   6. Proof of academic/professional qualifications
   7. Employment contract
   8. Company documents (often provided by your employer)
   9. Any additional documents specifically requested by the embassy/consulate (e.g., proof of residency in your current country, health certificate for certain nationalities, family documents for dependents).
5. Enter Japan & Receive Residence Card: Upon approval and arrival, immigration officers at the airport will issue your Residence Card, your official ID and proof of visa status.

Timeline and Costs

• Timeline: On average, 1.5 to 4 months from CoE submission to visa in hand.
  • CoE processing typically ranges from 1 to 3 months.
  • HSP Visa issuance from an embassy/consulate usually takes 5 to 10 working days.
• Costs: Direct government fees for the HSP visa are minimal.
  • There is generally no fee for the CoE application itself.
  • The visa issuance fee is typically around ¥3,000 JPY for single-entry or ¥6,000 JPY for multiple-entry (approx. $20-$40 USD).
  • The main "cost" will be your time and effort in gathering documents, and potential translation/courier fees.

Life After Securing the Visa

Congratulations! Once you have your HSP Visa and Residence Card, your exciting journey in Japan truly begins.

Japan's immigration system is designed to encourage long-term settlement for highly skilled individuals, offering a clear and expedited pathway to upgrade your status:

• Transition to HSP (ii) Status: After maintaining your HSP (i) status for 3 years, you become eligible to apply for the HSP (ii) Visa. This significant upgrade grants an indefinite period of stay, eliminating future visa renewals and offering even broader permissions for your activities.
• Fast-Track to Permanent Residency (PR): As mentioned, the HSP visa offers the quickest route to Japanese PR.
  • If you consistently maintain a score of 70-79 points, you can apply for PR after just 3 years of continuous residence.
  • If you maintain a score of 80 points or more, you can apply for PR after only 1 year of continuous residence.

Visa Maintenance and Compliance

Maintaining your HSP visa status requires adherence to Japanese immigration laws and the conditions of your visa.

• Renewal: The HSP(i) visa is granted for a fixed term.
• To continue your stay beyond this period, you must apply for a renewal or transition to HSP(ii) or Permanent Residency before your current visa expires.
• Job Changes: The HSP visa is tied to your employer.
• If you change jobs, you must notify the Immigration Services Agency within 14 days and may need to apply for a change of status of residence.
• Consequences of Non-Compliance: Failure to renew on time or adhere to visa conditions (e.g. notifying immigration of job changes or providing false information) can lead to visa invalidation, refusal of renewal, and may reset your permanent residency eligibility period.

How to Obtain Permanent Residency

Obtaining PR is a separate application process from your initial HSP visa. Here's a general overview of how to apply for this status:

1. Meet Residency & Point Requirements:
   • You must have continuously resided in Japan for the required period.
   • You must demonstrate that you maintained the required HSP points score (70+ or 80+) not just at the time of your PR application, but also at the relevant past benchmark (1 year ago for 80+ points, 3 years ago for 70+ points).
2. Demonstrate Good Conduct & Compliance:
   • You must have:
     • Clean legal record (no criminal offences, fines or immigration violations) in Japan.
     • Minor traffic infractions might be considered.
     • Consistent and timely payment - Japanese taxes (national and local) and public social insurance premiums (pension and health insurance).
     • Immigration authorities will scrutinize your payment history (typically the last 2-3 years).
     • Adhered to all immigration procedures, including timely notifications of job changes or address updates.
3. Prove Financial Stability: Show that you have sufficient assets or a stable income to support yourself (and any dependents) independently in Japan. While there's no strict minimum, an annual income of at least ¥3 million (higher with dependents) is generally expected.
4. Secure a Guarantor: They must be a financially stable Japanese national or another Permanent Resident (moral, not legal, obligation).
5. Prepare Comprehensive Documents (All non-Japanese documents require certified Japanese translations) :
   • Completed Permanent Resident application form and a recent photograph.
   • Your Residence Card and Passport.
   • Proof of HSP points calculation (both current and past, with supporting evidence for each point claimed).
   • Certificates of employment and income (including tax certificates for national and local taxes for the required years).
   • Proof of public pension and health insurance premium payments for the required period.
   • A Certificate of Residence and potentially a Family Registry, if married to a Japanese national.
   • Documents proving your assets (e.g., bank passbooks, real estate registration).
   • A Letter of Reason explaining your motivation for applying for PR and your contributions to Japan.
   • Guarantor's documents (ID, employment certificate, tax/income proof, Certificate of Residence).
6. Submit Application: Submit to the Regional Immigration Services Agency of Japan office with jurisdiction over your residence.
   • Application fee is typically ¥8,000 JPY and processing times vary (several months to over a year), so apply well before your current HSP visa expires.

Why Professional Guidance Matters

Even with a clear pathway like this visa can be challenging to navigate. From accurately calculating your points and gathering the precise documentation to understanding the nuances of the application process, expert guidance can make a significant difference.

Use Your Skills in Japan

The Highly Skilled Professional Visa is your ideal pathway to a rewarding career and life in Japan. It offers unparalleled opportunities for global talent, so if you're a skilled professional ready for new challenges in Japan, this visa is your starting point. Don't let the administrative process deter you; with the right support, your future in Japan is within reach.

At Omnilinks, we help skilled professionals and businesses like you, expand to Japan. We offer tailored support to ensure your application is robust and correctly submitted, maximizing your success. We guide you through Japanese immigration law, saving you time, stress, and pitfalls.

Ready to fast-track your career in Japan?

Get a free consultation to see how