The Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) visa (高度専門職) is Japan's flagship points-based immigration status, designed to attract the world's most talented professionals, researchers, and business leaders. By rewarding academic achievement, professional accomplishment, income level, and Japan-related credentials, the points system provides a transparent and merit-based pathway to privileged residence in Japan.
The HSP visa offers a range of significant advantages over standard work visas: longer initial residence periods, the ability to engage in multiple permitted activities simultaneously, permission for dependent family members to work in Japan, and crucially, an accelerated pathway to permanent residency. Standard work visa holders must typically wait 10 years before applying for permanent residency; HSP holders scoring 70 points can apply after 3 years, and those scoring 80+ points after just 1 year.
Japan has expanded and refined the HSP program over the years, adding bonus points for graduates of top global universities (including institutions ranked highly in QS, THE, and Shanghai rankings), patent holders, and recipients of competitive government research funding. The program reflects Japan's commitment to competing internationally for talent and is increasingly popular among professionals who seek a high-quality life in Japan with a clear long-term immigration pathway.
Who Is This For
- ✓Senior professionals and executives with high earning power and advanced qualifications
- ✓Leading researchers and academics with distinguished publication records
- ✓Entrepreneurs and business founders with significant investment and management experience
- ✓Foreign nationals seeking an accelerated path to permanent residency in Japan
Validity Periods
Single Residence Period: Type 1: Up to 5 years; Type 2: Indefinite (unlimited renewals)
Requirements
- •Achieve a score of 70 points or more under the Highly Skilled Professional Points-Based System
- •Points are awarded for academic background (PhD, master's, bachelor's), annual salary, age, Japanese language proficiency, advanced degrees from top-ranked universities, and other factors
- •A concrete activity in Japan (employment contract, research appointment, or business establishment) matching one of three categories (i, ii, or iii)
- •Continuous residence in Japan (for transitioning to Type 2 or permanent residency)
- •Clean immigration and professional record
Costs & Fees
Full breakdown of Immigration fees, scrivener rates, and all other costs for this visa type.
Required Documents
- Valid passport
- Application for Certificate of Eligibility
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Points calculation worksheet (ポイント計算表) with supporting evidence
- University degree certificates (bachelor's, master's, doctorate)
- Employment contract or appointment letter
- Salary evidence (pay slips, offer letter specifying annual compensation)
- Academic publications list or research achievements
- Certifications for special bonuses (e.g., top university bonus, Japanese language proficiency)
- Business plan (for entrepreneurs — Category iii)
Where to Apply
Application Process
- 1Calculate your points score using the official Highly Skilled Professional Points Table
- 2Gather all supporting documents corresponding to your claimed points
- 3Have the Japanese employer or institution apply for a Certificate of Eligibility designating Highly Skilled Professional status
- 4Receive the COE and apply for a visa at the Japanese Embassy or Consulate
- 5Enter Japan and register your address within 14 days
- 6Maintain your qualifying activities and keep records for future renewal or permanent residency application
Apply for the Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
Once you've chosen your visa, your Japan-side sponsor (employer / school / family) files the COE with Immigration — then you exchange it for a visa at the embassy.
Residence Status (COE) Review Time
Average processing days as of Jun 2026, based on official Ministry of Justice statistics.
Highly Skilled Professional Visa (Type 1 & Type 2) — 1(a) Academic Research
Highly Skilled Professional Visa (Type 1 & Type 2) — 1(b) Specialized/Technical
Highly Skilled Professional Visa (Type 1 & Type 2) — 1(c) Business Management
Highly Skilled Professional Visa (Type 1 & Type 2) — Type 2
Figures include waiting time for supplementary documents. Denied and withdrawn applications are excluded.
Renewal and change-of-status 'notice' figures include the wait between review completion and pickup at Immigration Bureau.
Work Restrictions
Family & Dependents
Renewal & Extension
Common Visa Transition Paths
These are the most common paths — many other transitions are possible if you meet the eligibility criteria for another residence status.
Important Notices
- ⚠Points must be calculated strictly according to the Immigration Bureau scoring table; overestimating is a common problem
- ⚠Submitted proof of academic qualifications, annual income, publications, etc. must be verifiable
- ⚠Points may change after changing jobs; must re-confirm eligibility
- ⚠The condition for applying for Type 2 is holding Type 1 for at least 3 years
Practical Tips
- →The points table can be downloaded from the Immigration Bureau website for self-calculation; simulation in advance is recommended
- →Annual income, academic qualifications, and work experience are the main scoring factors; JLPT N1 also adds points
- →80+ points allows permanent residence application after 1 year; 70+ points after 3 years
- →Highly Skilled Professional visa reviews are usually faster than regular work visas, approximately 10 business days