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Highly Skilled Professional Visa

Work PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

14-28 days

Application Fee

9,000 JPY

Stay Duration

5 years

Renewable

Yes

Job Offer

Required

Dependents

Allowed

PR Pathway

Available

Remote Work

Not Required

Official Information

Living in Japan

Cost of Living

25% cheaper than United States

Avg Salary¥4,800,000

Quality of Life

161/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

Points-based visa with fast-track to permanent residence (1-3 years) for highly qualified professionals.

Japan's Highly Skilled Professional visa is a points-based status for professionals in academic research, technical, or business management roles. Candidates must score at least 70 points across education, career history, annual income, and age, and have a qualifying job offer with a minimum income of ¥3 million.

HSP holders receive a 5-year stay, renewable, with an accelerated PR pathway: 3 years at 70 points or 1 year at 80 points. Spouses may work in white-collar roles; parents or a domestic helper can also accompany in some cases. The visa fee is ¥3,000 single-entry or ¥6,000 multiple-entry.

This visa is ideal for high-earning foreign professionals with a Japanese job offer who want a streamlined, renewable work status and a faster route to permanent residence.

Fee Breakdown

Single-entry visa fee	3,000 JPY
Multiple-entry visa fee	6,000 JPY

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

5 years

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

Japan

Permanent Resident (永住者)

ValidityIndefinite

Processing4-6 months

View Visa Details

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must score at least 70 points on the official points-based evaluation system.

Points are awarded based on academic background, professional career, annual income, age, and specific achievements (e.g., patents, research papers).

Must have a job offer or be currently employed in Japan in a field related to the points claimed.

Must meet the minimum annual income requirement (typically 3 million yen, though higher for certain categories).

Must intend to engage in activities classified under Advanced Academic Research, Advanced Specialized/Technical Activities, or Advanced Business Management.

KEY CRITERIA

Job Offer

Required

Min. Income

3,000,000 EUR/yr

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

Passport photos

Points calculation sheet

Educational certificates

Employment contract

Research publications

Age and language certification

Company registration (sponsor)

Financial statements (sponsor)

Employment offer letter (sponsor)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Fast-track PR (1-3 years)
Can bring parents and domestic help
Multiple activities allowed
Preferential processing

Worth Knowing

Must score 70+ points
Points favor youth, high salary, top education

Application Process

Calculate points: Determine points using official points calculation system (need 70+ points)

Prepare documents: Gather credentials, employment contracts, financial documents

Employer applies for COE: Company submits Certificate of Eligibility with points calculation

Receive COE: Immigration Services Agency approves and issues COE

Apply for visa: Submit visa application at embassy with COE

Pay visa fee: Pay 6,000 JPY

Receive visa: Visa stamped in passport

Application Forms

Application for Certificate of Eligibility - Highly Skilled Professional	—
Points Calculation Sheet	—

Verified Claims (22)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Application Steps	Calculate points: Determine points using official points calculation system (need 70+ points); Prepa…	mofa.go.jp
Dependent Visa	Dependents allowed	english.visajapan.jp
Fee Breakdown	Single-entry visa fee: 3000 JPY; Multiple-entry visa fee: 6000 JPY	mofa.go.jp
Fees	¥3,000 (single) / ¥6,000 (multiple)	mofa.go.jp
Forms	Application for Certificate of Eligibility - Highly Skilled Professional; Points Calculation Sheet	mofa.go.jp
Included Nationalities	—	mofa.go.jp
Job Offer Required	true	mofa.go.jp
Application Portal	—	mofa.go.jp

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Overview

Points-based visa with fast-track to permanent residence (1-3 years) for highly qualified professionals.

This visa is ideal for high-earning foreign professionals with a Japanese job offer who want a streamlined, renewable work status and a faster route to permanent residence.

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must score at least 70 points on the official points-based evaluation system.

Points are awarded based on academic background, professional career, annual income, age, and specific achievements (e.g., patents, research papers).

Must have a job offer or be currently employed in Japan in a field related to the points claimed.

Must meet the minimum annual income requirement (typically 3 million yen, though higher for certain categories).

Must intend to engage in activities classified under Advanced Academic Research, Advanced Specialized/Technical Activities, or Advanced Business Management.

KEY CRITERIA

Job Offer

Required

Min. Income

3,000,000 EUR/yr

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

Passport photos

Points calculation sheet

Educational certificates

Employment contract

Research publications

Age and language certification

Company registration (sponsor)

Financial statements (sponsor)

Employment offer letter (sponsor)

Application Process