Highly Skilled Professional

The Highly Skilled Professional visa is a fast-track pathway established by Japan to attract foreign talent with high education, high skills, or high income. It uses a points-based evaluation system that scores applicants based on factors such as educational background, work experience, annual income, age, and Japanese language ability. Upon reaching a certain score, applicants can obtain a residence status that offers benefits such as priority processing, permission for a spouse to work freely, and the possibility of bringing parents. Higher scores lead to longer periods of stay and earlier eligibility for permanent residency. The pathway is divided into three categories: Highly Academic Research Activities, Highly Specialized Technical Activities, and Highly Managerial Business Activities.

• Meet conditions in education, work experience, annual income, age, Japanese language ability, and professional qualifications.
• Achieve the required score through the points-based evaluation (official score threshold applies).
• Secure a formal job or research position in Japan.
• Meet a minimum annual income level.

1. Assess your qualifications to determine if you can achieve the required points.
2. Find a Japanese employer or research institution and obtain a job offer or employment contract.
3. The employer or you submit an application for a Certificate of Eligibility to the Regional Immigration Bureau.
4. After approval, apply for a visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate abroad using the Certificate of Eligibility.
5. Upon arrival in Japan, receive a residence card at the airport or designated counter and register your address.

• Carefully review the points table before applying and ensure you submit sufficient supporting documents.
• Provide evidence of Japanese language ability or professional qualifications to increase your points.
• Consider consulting an administrative scrivener or lawyer to ensure complete and accurate documentation.
• Note that points standards may change; check the latest official information.