What Is the Highly Skilled Professional Visa? Points Calculation, Required Documents, and Special Benefits Explained
Guide to Japan's Highly Skilled Professional visa, including points calculation, required documents, benefits, and application checkpoints.
What You Will Learn from This Article - What the Highly Skilled Professional visa is - The points calculation system and the difference between 70 and 80 points - The categories of 1(i), 1(ii), 1(iii) and 2 - The content of special benefits for Highly Skilled Professionals - Required documents and key checkpoints for the application
Conclusion The "Highly Skilled Professional" residence status is a preferential work-based residence status granted to foreign nationals who achieve 70 or more points under the points-based system for highly skilled professionals. It comes with multiple special benefits not available under ordinary work visas, including a shortened residence period for permanent residence applications, ability to bring family members, and relaxed restrictions on a spouse's employment. It is a system with significant advantages for companies and individuals considering employing or residing as foreign nationals with advanced specialized knowledge.
Body
What Is the Highly Skilled Professional Visa?
The "Highly Skilled Professional" residence status was established as an independent status in 2015 to promote Japan's acceptance of foreign nationals with advanced specialized knowledge and skills.
Unlike ordinary work visas (such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services), eligibility is determined by a points-based system called the "Highly Skilled Professional Points System," which assigns numerical values to academic background, work experience, annual income, age, and other factors. When the total reaches 70 points or more, an application can be made as a Highly Skilled Professional.
Differences Between Category 1 and Category 2
| Category | Overview | Period of Stay |
|---|---|---|
| Highly Skilled Professional 1(i) | Academic research field (research, research guidance, education) | 5 years |
| Highly Skilled Professional 1(ii) | Technical/specialized field (natural science or humanities-based knowledge and technology) | 5 years |
| Highly Skilled Professional 1(iii) | Management field (business management) | 5 years |
| Highly Skilled Professional 2 | Highly skilled foreign nationals who have engaged in Category 1 activities for 3 or more years | Indefinite (almost all work activities are possible) |
How the Points System Works
Points for Highly Skilled Professional 1 are composed mainly of the following items (example for Category 1(ii)):
| Evaluation Item | Main Content |
|---|---|
| Academic background | 30 points for a doctorate, 20 points for a master's degree, etc. |
| Work experience | 20 points for 10+ years, 15 points for 7+ years, etc. |
| Annual income | 40 points for ¥10 million+, 25 points for ¥7 million+, etc. (combined with age and work experience) |
| Age | 15 points for age 29 or under, 10 points for age 34 or under, etc. |
| Bonus items | Japanese language ability (15 points for JLPT N1, etc.), graduation from a Japanese university, research achievements, etc. |
> The points calculation differs for each of Categories 1(i), 1(ii), and 1(iii). The combination of annual income with age and work experience can make calculations complex, so an accurate calculation before the actual application is important.
70 points or more: Eligible to apply for Highly Skilled Professional 1 80 points or more: Special provision to shorten the residence period for permanent residence application to 1 year 70 points or more (under 80): Special provision to shorten the residence period for permanent residence application to 3 years
Special Benefits of Highly Skilled Professional Status
Multiple special benefits not available under ordinary work visas are provided:
| Benefit | Content |
|---|---|
| Combined activities permitted | Multiple activities are possible (e.g., working while operating a related business) |
| 5-year period of stay | A 5-year period of stay is granted as the maximum |
| Spouse's employment | Spouse can work under certain conditions |
| Bringing parents | Parents of the holder or spouse can be brought under certain conditions |
| Bringing domestic help | Domestic workers (housekeepers, etc.) can be brought under certain conditions |
| Shortened permanent residence application | Permanent residence application is possible in 3 years (70+ points) or 1 year (80+ points) |
| Priority processing of entry and residence procedures | Applications are processed with priority |
Main Required Documents
| Document | Content |
|---|---|
| Application for Certificate of Eligibility or Application for Change of Status | — |
| Highly Skilled Professional Points Calculation Form | Submit the form for the applicable category (i, ii, or iii) |
| Academic certificate (graduation certificate, diploma, etc.) | With translation if in a foreign language |
| Work history certificate / employment certificate | Documents proving years of work |
| Income proof (withholding tax statement, employment contract) | Proof of income points |
| Japanese language ability proof (if applicable) | JLPT certificate, etc. |
| Research achievement documents (if applicable) | Papers, patents, etc. |
| Certificate of registration of the employing organization | Confirmation of the employing company |
Comparison with Other Work Visas
| Item | Highly Skilled Professional | Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services |
|---|---|---|
| Screening method | Points system (70+ points) | Individual screening (academic background and work history) |
| Period of stay | 5 years (2 is indefinite) | Up to 5 years |
| Combined activities | Possible | In principle not possible |
| Permanent residence shortening | Yes (1 year or 3 years) | No (standard 10 years) |
| Spouse's employment | Relaxed requirements | Family Stay (28 hours/week) |
FAQ
Q1. What should I do if I cannot reach 70 points for the Highly Skilled Professional? Consider applying under an ordinary work visa such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services. Accumulating points through Japanese language qualifications or professional certifications and re-applying is also an option.
Q2. If I change jobs, what happens to my Highly Skilled Professional status? A change or renewal application is required upon job change. It is a condition that the points remain at 70 or more at the new employer.
Q3. What happens if I change to Highly Skilled Professional 2? The period of stay becomes indefinite and almost all work activities become possible. However, 3 or more years of Category 1 activity is required.
Q4. What procedures are required from the company's side? Documents submitted by the employing organization (certificate of registration, financial statements, employment contract, etc.) are required. The HR manager at the company will need to cooperate in preparing documents for the applicant.
Q5. Does the applicant calculate the points themselves? Points are self-reported, but documents substantiating the basis for each point must be submitted with the application. Since errors in calculation can lead to denial, it is recommended to have an administrative scrivener review the calculation.
Key Points of This Article
- The Highly Skilled Professional status is a preferential work visa obtained through a points system (70+ points)
- There are categories 1 (i, ii, iii) and 2, with different activity scopes and periods of stay
- Shortened permanent residence period (3 years at 70 points, 1 year at 80 points) is one of the greatest advantages
- Special benefits not available under ordinary work visas include spouse's employment and bringing parents
- Points calculation is complex; consultation with a specialist is recommended
Considering a Consultation?
If you want to obtain a Highly Skilled Professional visa, or want to confirm whether a foreign employee at your company qualifies, please feel free to contact us. Arch Administrative Scrivener Office is based in Osaka City and serves clients nationwide online. We also support companies with foreign national employment. Consultations are available in Japanese, English, and Chinese.
📩 Contact form / LINE / WeChat / Phone consultations available.
RELATED ARTICLES