Highly Skilled Professional Visa (HSP) Complete Guide [Points Calculation, Preferential Treatment, Shortcut to Permanent Residence]
The Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) Visa is a status of residence obtained by evaluating academic background, work history, annual income, etc., with a point system, requiring 70 points or more. Compared to the regular Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa, it offers more preferential treatment and can shorten the path to permanent residency to a minimum of 1-3 years, making it a popular choice for foreign nationals building a career in Japan.
This page provides a comprehensive explanation in Japanese, covering all point calculation items, the differences between Type 1(a), (b), and (c), the extensive preferential treatment, and the application process.
Many individuals currently working on an Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa already meet the 70-point threshold but have not switched to a Highly Skilled Professional visa. Changing to a Highly Skilled Professional visa shortens the required period of residence for permanent residency from 10 years to 3 years (or 1 year if you have 80 points or more). Let's check your points first.
- Types of Highly Skilled Professionals (Type 1(a), (b), (c), Type 2)
- Benefits and Preferential Treatment
- Point Calculation Table (All Items Explained)
- Bonus Items to Increase Points
- Shortcut to Permanent Residency (70-point & 80-point routes)
- List of Required Documents
- Application Flow
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Consult VisaSHOGUN
1. Types of Highly Skilled Professionals (Type 1(a), (b), (c), Type 2)
Highly Skilled Professional Type 2 is a top-tier status of residence that can be applied for after residing in Japan for at least three years with a Type 1 visa, with almost no restrictions on work activities.
2. Benefits and Preferential Treatment
For Type 1, a uniform period of stay of 5 years is granted. Switching from a 1-year Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa offers significant stability.
The usual 10-year residency requirement for permanent residency is shortened to 3 years with 70 points or more, and 1 year with 80 points or more.
In addition to your primary activity, self-employment in related businesses is permitted (for Type 1(b)). Side jobs and entrepreneurship are more flexible than with an Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa.
Spouses can engage in white-collar work even with a "Dependent" visa (normally requiring permission for activity other than that permitted under the status of residence).
Under certain conditions, you can bring your parents or domestic servants to Japan (normally not allowed).
By stating your desire for priority processing in the application documents, your application will be processed preferentially.
3. Point Calculation Table (All Items Explained)
Points are calculated from categories such as "academic background," "work history," "annual income," "age," "research achievements," "qualifications," and "special additions." Below is the main point table for Type 1(b) (the most common application for Advanced Specialized/Technical Activities).
For Type 1(b) and Type 1(c), even if your total points are 70 or more, you will not be certified as a highly skilled professional if your annual income is less than 3 million yen. An annual income of 3 million yen or more is the minimum requirement.
① Academic Background Points
| Academic Background | Points |
|---|---|
| Doctorate (excluding professional degrees) | 30 |
| Master's Degree or Professional Degree (MBA, Juris Doctor, etc.) | 20 |
| Bachelor's Degree (University Graduate) | 10 |
| Multiple Degrees (e.g., Doctorate + Master's) | +5 |
② Work History Points
| Years of Work Experience | Points |
|---|---|
| 10 years or more | 20 |
| 7 to under 10 years | 15 |
| 5 to under 7 years | 10 |
| 3 to under 5 years | 5 |
③ Annual Income Points
| Annual Income (gross) | Points | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| 10 million yen or more | 40 | |
| 9 million to under 10 million yen | 35 | |
| 8 million to under 9 million yen | 30 | |
| 7 million to under 8 million yen | 25 | |
| 6 million to under 7 million yen | 20 | |
| 5 million to under 6 million yen | 15 | |
| 4 million to under 5 million yen | 10 | |
| 3 million to under 4 million yen | 0 | No points (but application is possible) |
| Under 3 million yen | — | Application not possible |
④ Age Points
| Age | Points |
|---|---|
| ~29 years old | 15 |
| 30~34 years old | 10 |
| 35~39 years old | 5 |
| 40 years old or more | 0 |
📄 Immigration Services Agency of Japan | Point Calculation Table (PDF)
📌 Immigration Services Agency of Japan | Point Evaluation System
4. Bonus Items to Increase Points
If you meet the following criteria, additional points will be added. Utilizing these can significantly help you reach 70 points.
| Bonus Item | Points |
|---|---|
| Graduated from a Japanese university or completed a graduate program | +10 |
| Passed JLPT N1, or majored in Japanese at a foreign university and graduated | +15 |
| Passed JLPT N2 (cannot be combined with N1 above) | +10 |
| Graduated from a university ranked in the top 300 of world university rankings | +10 |
| Graduated from a Super Global University (designated by MEXT) | +10 |
| Engaged in advanced business in a growth sector recognized by the government | +10 |
| Working for an SME or mid-sized company (with a research and development expenditure ratio of 10% or more) | +10 |
| Holds a national qualification (e.g., IT Strategist, lawyer, certified public accountant) | +10 |
| Working for an institution that has received innovation promotion support measures | +10〜25 |
5. Shortcut to Permanent Residency (70-point & 80-point routes)
The greatest advantage of the Highly Skilled Professional visa is that it significantly shortens the required period of residence for permanent residency.
Please note that in addition to the shortened period of residence, permanent residency applications also require meeting the regular conditions for permanent residency, such as proper fulfillment of tax obligations, social insurance, and reporting duties. For details, please refer to How to Obtain Permanent Residency (Permanent Residence Permit) - Conditions and Review Points [2026 Edition].
- Quick reference chart for academic background, work history, annual income, and age points
- List of bonus points (including easily overlooked items)
- "Deemed Highly Skilled Professional" determination checklist
- Procedure flow for changing from Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services to Highly Skilled Professional
6. List of Required Documents
Here are the main required documents when changing from an Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa to a Highly Skilled Professional Type 1(b) visa.
| Document | Remarks |
|---|---|
| Application for Change of Status of Residence (for Highly Skilled Professional) | Attach photo (4cm x 3cm). Use the latest form. |
| Passport・Residence Card | Present at the counter. |
| Point Calculation Sheet | Use the official Excel form from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan. |
| Academic Transcripts (Graduation Certificate・Degree Certificate) | Attach Japanese translation. Proof for academic background points. |
| Work History Certificates (Certificate of Employment・Resume) | Proof for work history points. |
| Documents proving annual income (Withholding tax slip・Employment Contract) | Both current annual income and projected income for the next year. |
| Documents for bonus points | JLPT Certificate, National Qualification Certificate, etc. |
| Overview documents of the employer | Company-related documents according to the category. |
| Graduation certificate from a university in a world university ranking | Only if graduated from a university ranked in the top 300. |
7. Application Flow
The Highly Skilled Professional visa comes with a "Designation Document" that specifies your workplace. When changing jobs, simply submitting a notification is not enough; you will need to apply for a change of visa status or renewal. Please note that this procedure differs from changing jobs with a Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
- Highly Skilled Professional Point Simple Checklist
- Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services → Highly Skilled Professional Change Procedure Step Guide
- Permanent Residency Application Shortened Route Judgment Checklist
Official Reference Links
📌 Immigration Services Agency of Japan | Status of Residence "Highly Skilled Professional"
📄 Point Calculation Table (PDF・Japanese)
📊 Point Evaluation System (Immigration Services Agency of Japan)
❓ Highly Skilled Professional Point System Q&A (Immigration Services Agency of Japan)