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The Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) visa is Japan's points-based immigration category designed to attract talented professionals from overseas. Applicants who meet the points threshold receive preferential treatment compared to standard work visa holders, including significantly faster access to permanent residence. This page explains how the points system works, what benefits it offers, and how to apply.
📌At a Glance
📌At a Glance
Minimum points required: 70 points
Permanent residence eligibility: From 1 year (80+ points) or 3 years (70+ points)
Visa categories: Three types — Advanced Academic Research, Advanced
Specialized/Technical, Advanced Business Management
COE required: Yes — employer or applicant submits to Immigration Services Agency
📌Three HSP Categories
📌Three HSP Categories
Japan's HSP visa is divided into three categories depending on your professional background. Each uses the same points calculation method.
Category i — Advanced Academic Research Activities For researchers, educators, and academics engaged in research or teaching at universities, research institutions, or equivalent organizations in Japan.
Category i — Advanced Academic Research Activities For researchers, educators, and academics engaged in research or teaching at universities, research institutions, or equivalent organizations in Japan.
Category ii — Advanced Specialized / Technical Activities The most common category. For professionals engaged in specialized or technical work at a Japanese company, including engineers, IT specialists, analysts, financial professionals, and similar roles.
Category ii — Advanced Specialized / Technical Activities The most common category. For professionals engaged in specialized or technical work at a Japanese company, including engineers, IT specialists, analysts, financial professionals, and similar roles.
Category iii — Advanced Business Management Activities For executives and senior managers running business operations in Japan. Requires a management or representative role within a Japan-based entity.
Category iii — Advanced Business Management Activities For executives and senior managers running business operations in Japan. Requires a management or representative role within a Japan-based entity.
📌How the Points System Works
📌How the Points System Works
Points are calculated based on your individual profile. You must reach a total of at least 70 points to qualify. Points are awarded across the following criteria:
Academic background Points vary depending on your highest qualification. A doctoral degree earns the most points; a bachelor's degree earns fewer. Holding a degree from a designated top-ranked university adds bonus points.
Academic background Points vary depending on your highest qualification. A doctoral degree earns the most points; a bachelor's degree earns fewer. Holding a degree from a designated top-ranked university adds bonus points.
Professional experience Points increase with years of work experience in a relevant field. Experience of 10 years or more earns the maximum in this category.
Professional experience Points increase with years of work experience in a relevant field. Experience of 10 years or more earns the maximum in this category.
Annual salary A higher salary earns more points. The salary threshold also varies by age — younger applicants receive additional points at lower salary levels.
Annual salary A higher salary earns more points. The salary threshold also varies by age — younger applicants receive additional points at lower salary levels.
Age Applicants under 30 receive the highest age bonus. Points decrease gradually for applicants aged 30 and above.
Age Applicants under 30 receive the highest age bonus. Points decrease gradually for applicants aged 30 and above.
Research achievements and qualifications Additional points are available for published research papers, patents, or holding nationally recognized professional qualifications in Japan.
Research achievements and qualifications Additional points are available for published research papers, patents, or holding nationally recognized professional qualifications in Japan.
Bonus categories Extra points may be awarded for factors such as graduating from a Japanese university, completing Japanese language training, working for a company designated as an innovation-promoting employer, or having a contract with a Small and Medium Enterprise (SME).
Bonus categories Extra points may be awarded for factors such as graduating from a Japanese university, completing Japanese language training, working for a company designated as an innovation-promoting employer, or having a contract with a Small and Medium Enterprise (SME).
Note: the full points calculation table is published by Japan's Immigration Services Agency. We recommend using the official calculator or consulting us to confirm your score before applying.
📌Benefits of the HSP Visa
📌Benefits of the HSP Visa
Compared to a standard work visa, the HSP visa offers several significant advantages:
Accelerated permanent residence eligibility Standard work visa holders must typically wait 10 years before applying for permanent residence. HSP holders can apply after just 3 years (70+ points) or 1 year (80+ points). This is one of the most significant practical benefits of the HSP category.
Accelerated permanent residence eligibility Standard work visa holders must typically wait 10 years before applying for permanent residence. HSP holders can apply after just 3 years (70+ points) or 1 year (80+ points). This is one of the most significant practical benefits of the HSP category.
Permission for multiple activities HSP visa holders may engage in a wider range of professional activities than standard work visa holders, including side roles such as directorships or advisory positions at other companies.
Permission for multiple activities HSP visa holders may engage in a wider range of professional activities than standard work visa holders, including side roles such as directorships or advisory positions at other companies.
Spouse employment permission The spouse of an HSP visa holder may be permitted to work in Japan without needing a separate work visa, depending on their activities.
Spouse employment permission The spouse of an HSP visa holder may be permitted to work in Japan without needing a separate work visa, depending on their activities.
Extended period of stay HSP visa holders are typically granted a 5-year period of stay, compared to shorter initial periods under standard work visas.
Extended period of stay HSP visa holders are typically granted a 5-year period of stay, compared to shorter initial periods under standard work visas.
Priority immigration processing Applications from HSP holders receive preferential handling at immigration counters and during administrative procedures.
Priority immigration processing Applications from HSP holders receive preferential handling at immigration counters and during administrative procedures.
Parent and domestic worker visas Under certain conditions, HSP visa holders may bring a parent or domestic worker to Japan — options not available under standard work visa categories.
Parent and domestic worker visas Under certain conditions, HSP visa holders may bring a parent or domestic worker to Japan — options not available under standard work visa categories.
📌Requirements
📌Requirements
Points threshold A minimum of 70 points calculated using the official Immigration Services Agency points table. Points are assessed at the time of application.
Points threshold A minimum of 70 points calculated using the official Immigration Services Agency points table. Points are assessed at the time of application.
Sponsoring employer For Categories ii and iii, a sponsoring company in Japan is required. The employer must be a legally registered entity in Japan and must submit the Certificate of Eligibility application.
Sponsoring employer For Categories ii and iii, a sponsoring company in Japan is required. The employer must be a legally registered entity in Japan and must submit the Certificate of Eligibility application.
Salary requirement Annual salary must generally be at least ¥3,000,000, though a higher salary contributes additional points and strengthens the overall application.
Salary requirement Annual salary must generally be at least ¥3,000,000, though a higher salary contributes additional points and strengthens the overall application.
Relevance of role The job activities must correspond to the HSP category applied for. A mismatch between your stated qualifications and your actual job duties is a common reason for rejection.
Relevance of role The job activities must correspond to the HSP category applied for. A mismatch between your stated qualifications and your actual job duties is a common reason for rejection.
📌Application Process
📌Application Process
Step 1 — Calculate your points Use the official Immigration Services Agency points calculator or consult us to confirm your score before beginning the application. Applying with fewer than 70 confirmed points will result in rejection.
Step 1 — Calculate your points Use the official Immigration Services Agency points calculator or consult us to confirm your score before beginning the application. Applying with fewer than 70 confirmed points will result in rejection.
Step 2 — Prepare documents Gather academic certificates, employment history documentation, payslips or salary confirmation, and any additional materials supporting bonus point claims (research papers, professional qualifications, etc.).
Step 2 — Prepare documents Gather academic certificates, employment history documentation, payslips or salary confirmation, and any additional materials supporting bonus point claims (research papers, professional qualifications, etc.).
Step 3 — Certificate of Eligibility (COE) application Your employer submits the COE application to the Regional Immigration Services Bureau in Japan. Processing typically takes 1 to 3 months.
Step 3 — Certificate of Eligibility (COE) application Your employer submits the COE application to the Regional Immigration Services Bureau in Japan. Processing typically takes 1 to 3 months.
Step 4 — Visa issuance Once the COE is issued, you apply for the visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country. Processing at this stage is generally faster.
Step 4 — Visa issuance Once the COE is issued, you apply for the visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country. Processing at this stage is generally faster.
Step 5 — Entry and residence registration After arriving in Japan, register your address at your local municipal office within 14 days of arrival.
Step 5 — Entry and residence registration After arriving in Japan, register your address at your local municipal office within 14 days of arrival.
📌HSP Visa vs Standard Work Visa — Key Differences
📌HSP Visa vs Standard Work Visa — Key Differences
📌Is the HSP Visa Right for You?
📌Is the HSP Visa Right for You?
The HSP visa is worth considering if you meet most of the following:
You hold a university degree (master's or doctoral degree strengthens your score significantly)
Your annual salary in Japan will be ¥5,000,000 or more
You have 3 or more years of relevant professional experience
You are planning a long-term stay in Japan and want the fastest path to permanent residence
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If you are unsure whether you reach 70 points, we can review your profile and calculate your score during a consultation.
📌Get Started with a Free Consultation
📌Get Started with a Free Consultation
Email us first. We will review your background, calculate your provisional points score, and advise on the most appropriate visa category — before any paid commitment.
Initial email consultation: Free First consultation session: 30 minutes, no charge
📩 Contact us: support@maeda-int.com Or use the contact form:
Full consultation session (detailed eligibility assessment and application strategy): JPY 22,000 → Visa Consultation details
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