Japan Highly Skilled Professional Visa Guide

高度専門職ビザ申請ガイド

Japan's Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) visa (高度専門職) is designed to attract top global talent with a points-based system. It offers significant benefits including a fast track to permanent residency — as little as 1 year with 80+ points.

Three Categories of HSP Visa

1. Advanced Academic Research Activities (高度学術研究活動)

• University professors, researchers
• R&D at public or private institutions

2. Advanced Specialized/Technical Activities (高度専門・技術活動)

• Engineers, IT specialists, scientists
• Working for companies in Japan

3. Advanced Business Management Activities (高度経営・管理活動)

• Business executives, managers
• Running or managing companies in Japan

Points Calculation System

You need 70 points or more to qualify. Points are awarded across these categories:

Academic Background (学歴)

Professional Experience (職歴)

Experience points depend on which of the three HSP fields you apply under.

Annual Salary (年収)

A salary below ¥4M earns no points, and ¥3M is the minimum annual salary the ISA requires for the professional/technical and business-management fields regardless of your score. Bonuses (賞与) count toward annual salary; commuting, housing and overtime allowances do not.

Age (年齢)

Bonus Points (加算ポイント)

Key Benefits of HSP Visa

With 70+ Points

1. 5-year visa granted immediately
2. Spouse can work in fields such as 技術・人文知識・国際業務 or 教育 without meeting the usual degree/experience requirements — they still need the matching 特定活動 status and must live with you
3. Bring parents to Japan (under certain conditions with children under 7)
4. Bring domestic workers from home country
5. Permanent residency in 3 years (instead of standard 10 years)
6. Priority processing at immigration

With 80+ Points (Additional Benefits)

7. Permanent residency in just 1 year — The fastest route to PR in Japan
8. All benefits of 70+ points

Application Process

Step 1: Calculate Your Points

Use the official points calculation sheet to determine your score. You must provide documentation for every claimed point.

Step 2: Prepare Documents

1. Application form — Certificate of Eligibility or Change of Status form
2. Points calculation sheet with supporting evidence for each item
3. Passport and Residence Card (if in Japan)
4. Employment contract or appointment letter
5. Academic certificates (degree certificates, transcripts)
6. Work experience certificates from all previous employers
7. Tax certificate — not on the HSP(i) list; the ISA asks for tax and pension records when you later apply for HSP(ii) or permanent residence
8. Company documents — Registration, financial statements

Step 3: Submit Application

• From abroad: Your employer applies for a Certificate of Eligibility at the local Immigration Bureau
• From Japan: Apply for Change of Status at the Immigration Bureau with jurisdiction over your residence

Step 4: Receive Decision

Processing typically takes 1-3 months. HSP applications receive priority processing.

Processing Time

Common Mistakes

1. Not documenting every point — Every claimed point needs supporting evidence
2. Salary calculation errors — Annual salary means the pay you will receive from your employer including bonuses (賞与); reimbursement-type allowances (commuting, housing, dependants) and overtime pay do not count
3. Forgetting language certificates — JLPT N1/N2 can add 10-15 critical points
4. Outdated certificates — Some documents must be issued within 3 months

Path from HSP to Permanent Residency

This makes HSP the most efficient path to permanent residency in Japan.

Calculate Your Points with NipponVisa

NipponVisa helps you calculate your HSP points, prepare your application documents, and generate official forms. Scan your residence card and passport to auto-fill your application in minutes.