Japan Highly Skilled Professional visa

There are three activity types: (i)(a) advanced academic research, (i)(b) advanced specialised or technical work, and (i)(c) advanced business management. Points are given for academic background (for example a doctorate or a master's degree), professional experience, annual salary, age (younger applicants score more in (a) and (b)) and bonuses such as Japanese ability (JLPT N1 or N2), a degree from a Japanese university, research achievements or employment at a company receiving innovation support. You need a total of 70 points; categories (b) and (c) also require a minimum annual salary of JPY 3 million.

Since April 2023 the Special Highly Skilled Professional system (J-Skip) grants the status without points. Researchers and engineers qualify with a master's degree or higher, or ten years of experience, combined with annual income of at least JPY 20 million. Executives qualify with five years of management experience and annual income of at least JPY 40 million. J-Skip holders get extra benefits, including a wider range for domestic workers and a move to HSP (ii) after one year.

Your employer files a Certificate of Eligibility for HSP (i) with the points calculation sheet and evidence for every claimed item, such as diplomas, employment certificates, salary statements and language certificates. If you are already in Japan under another work status, you can change to HSP inside the country. The embassy then issues the visa on the strength of the certificate.

Mid- to long-term residents receive a residence card at Narita, Haneda, Chubu, Kansai and other major airports (elsewhere it is mailed after address registration). Within 14 days of finding a home you must register your address at the city, ward or town office, which also enrols you in National Health Insurance and the National Pension unless your employer covers you under its schemes.

Changes of employer or school, marriage status and address must be notified to the immigration bureau within 14 days. Leaving Japan for up to one year (or until your status expires, if sooner) is possible without a re-entry permit by ticking the special re-entry box at departure.

Extensions and changes of status are filed at the regional immigration bureau up to three months before expiry, or online. From 1 October 2026 the counter fee depends on the period granted: JPY 33,000 for one year, JPY 48,000 for more than one and less than three years, JPY 64,000 for three to under five years and JPY 75,000 for five years. Applications received by 30 September 2026 still pay the former JPY 6,000. Standard processing is two weeks to one month for extensions and one to two months for changes of status.

HSP (i) holders receive the maximum five-year period, may combine activities, can have their spouse work in skilled jobs without meeting education requirements, may bring a parent to care for a child under seven (subject to a household income condition) and may employ a foreign domestic worker under conditions. Applications are processed with priority. After three years as HSP (i) you can move to HSP (ii), which is indefinite.