Japan's Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) visa — formally called the Points-Based Preferential Immigration Treatment for Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals — is a special residence status designed to attract and retain top foreign talent. Applicants who score 70 points or more on a point-calculation table (based on academic background, career history, annual income, age, and Japanese language ability) are granted a suite of preferential benefits not available under standard work visas.
Three Categories of Highly Skilled Professional
① HSP Category 1-i: Advanced academic research activities (research, education, and instruction at universities and research institutes)
② HSP Category 1-ro: Advanced specialist and technical activities (R&D or professional work in natural/human sciences at private companies or organizations)
③ HSP Category 1-ha: Advanced management and administration activities (running or managing a business in Japan)
④ HSP Category 2: Upper-tier status available after 3+ years of Category 1 residence; no activity restrictions
How the Point System Works
A combined score of 70 points or more (for Categories 1-i and 1-ro) across the following elements is required for HSP designation:
- Academic degree: Doctoral degree (30 pts), master's degree (20 pts), bachelor's degree (10 pts)
- Career history: 10+ years (20 pts), 7+ years (15 pts), 5+ years (10 pts), 3+ years (5 pts)
- Annual income: ¥10M+ (40 pts) to ¥3M+ (10 pts), on a sliding scale
- Age: Under 30 (15 pts), under 35 (10 pts), under 40 (5 pts)
- Japanese language proficiency: JLPT N1 equivalent (15 pts), N2 equivalent (10 pts)
- Graduation from a Japanese university or graduate school (10 pts)
- Research achievements (patents, papers, awards): 5–20 pts per item
- Bonus points: Employment at a high R&D expenditure SME (10 pts), employment in a growth-sector field (10 pts), employment at a Ministry of Justice-certified innovative company (10 pts), etc.
The Immigration Services Agency provides an online point-calculation tool for self-assessment.
Key Preferential Benefits
- Multiple permitted activities: HSP holders may engage in activities beyond their primary designation, including certain side work, within the same status.
- 5-year residence period: Most standard work visas are granted for 1–3 years; HSP Category 1 holders receive up to 5 years.
- Expedited permanent residence — as little as 1 year: Standard permanent residence requires 10 years of continuous residence. HSP holders can apply after 3 years (70+ points) or just 1 year (80+ points) of continuous residence in HSP status.
- Spouse's work permission: A spouse holding a "Family Stay" visa is generally not permitted to work, but the spouse of an HSP holder may work under certain conditions.
- Parent accompany permission: Under certain conditions, HSP holders may bring their parent (or their spouse's parent) to Japan — not normally permitted under standard work visas.
- Priority application processing: HSP applications are processed with priority.
- Live-in domestic helper permission: Subject to income requirements, HSP holders may employ a foreign domestic helper.
Points to Watch When Applying
- Supporting documents for each scored item (degree certificates, employment history letters, income certificates) must be accurate and complete.
- Misrepresentation of points carries a risk of refusal or subsequent status revocation.
- When changing from a current residence status, confirm the timing and document requirements in advance.
- The 1-year permanent residence track (80+ points) requires continuous residence in HSP status for the full preceding year.
How Sakura Central Legal Office Can Help
We assist with HSP point calculations, preparation of application documents, and residence status change procedures, including coordination with permanent residence applications. Free initial consultation available.
For HSP point calculations, application preparation, and residence status changes, contact Sakura Central Legal Office.
Free initial consultation available.