Japan HSP Points Calculator 2026 — Full Official Point Table, All Categories & PR Timeline | VisaSHOGUN
Japan HSP Points Guide 2026
Complete Calculator & Every Point Explained
The Highly Skilled Professional (高度専門職) points system is the fastest route to Japan Permanent Residency. This page has the full official point table, an interactive calculator that updates in real time, and a complete guide to maximising your score.
- Every point category — academic, career, salary, age, and all bonus points
- Interactive calculator — see your score and PR timeline instantly
- 1号イ・ロ・ハ — which HSP type applies to you
- All HSP benefits beyond PR — work freedom, multiple activities, family
- How to change your status to HSP from a work visa
- The full Japanese-language guide is also linked below
Based on the official ISA point table and real casework. Official reference: ISA: Highly Skilled Professional Status. Last updated: June 2026.
What Is the Highly Skilled Professional (高度専門職) Visa?
The Highly Skilled Professional (高度専門職, HSP) status is a points-based residence status designed to attract highly qualified foreign professionals to Japan. It is the most powerful accelerator for Permanent Residency available in the Japanese immigration system.
Prefer a narrative walkthrough before diving into the table below? Read the complete HSP Visa: Requirements, Points System & Benefits guide →
The two key PR thresholds:
| Score | PR Eligible After | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 70–79 points | 3 years of HSP status | 7 years faster than the standard 10-year route |
| 80+ points | 1 year of HSP status | 9 years faster than the standard route |
The fast track timeline starts from the date you are granted HSP status — not from the date you first arrived in Japan or the date you calculated your score. If you believe you qualify, the first step is filing a Change of Status application to obtain HSP designation. See the How to Apply section below.
高度専門職1号 イ・ロ・ハ — Which Type Are You?
HSP status is divided into three sub-types under 高度専門職1号. Each uses the same point table but covers different professional activities. Which type you apply under determines what activities you are permitted to conduct in Japan.
- University professors and associate professors
- Government or corporate research scientists
- R&D roles at designated research institutions
- Software engineers, data scientists, product managers
- Finance, consulting, legal, medical professionals
- Most corporate professionals at Japanese companies
- Company founders and CEOs
- Corporate directors managing Japan operations
- Senior executives with strategic responsibility
After holding 高度専門職1号 for 3 years, you can upgrade to 高度専門職2号 — which removes virtually all restrictions on permitted activities in Japan. Almost everything is permitted, making it the most flexible status short of PR. Many people use 2号 as a stepping stone before PR.
Full Official HSP Points Table (2026)
Points are awarded across 5 main categories. Most categories have a single applicable score — choose the highest bracket that applies to you in each. Bonus categories can be stacked. The total of all categories is your HSP score.
| Qualification | Conditions / Notes | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | PhD or equivalent. Includes professional doctorates. | 30 |
| Master's degree | MA, MSc, MBA, or equivalent graduate degree. | 20 |
| Bachelor's degree | 4-year university degree (or equivalent).Only one degree level is awarded — use the highest that applies. | 10 |
| Multiple degrees bonus | Holds two or more university degrees (e.g., MBA + Bachelor's in different fields).Added on top of the highest degree above. Maximum +5 pts. | +5 |
| Japanese university graduate | Completed a degree programme at a Japanese university or graduate school.Added on top of degree points above. | +10 |
| Years of Professional Experience | Notes | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 10 years or more | Cumulative years of relevant professional employment. | 20 |
| 7 years or more (under 10) | 15 | |
| 5 years or more (under 7) | 10 | |
| 3 years or more (under 5) | 5 | |
| Under 3 years | 0 | |
| Research achievement bonus | Published research, registered patents (3+), or designated projects.Multiple sub-categories — up to 25 pts for exceptional research output. | +5 to +25 |
| Annual Salary (Japan) | Notes | Points |
|---|---|---|
| ¥10,000,000 or more | Gross annual salary including bonuses.Use the salary stated in your employment contract or most recent tax records. | 40 |
| ¥9,000,000 – ¥10,000,000 | 35 | |
| ¥8,000,000 – ¥9,000,000 | 30 | |
| ¥7,000,000 – ¥8,000,000 | 25 | |
| ¥6,000,000 – ¥7,000,000 | 20 | |
| ¥5,000,000 – ¥6,000,000 | 15 | |
| ¥4,000,000 – ¥5,000,000 | 10 | |
| ¥3,000,000 – ¥4,000,000 | Only applies if applicant is under 30 years old. | 5 |
An applicant earning under ¥3,000,000 per year cannot qualify for HSP status regardless of scores in other categories. The minimum salary threshold is an absolute floor, not a points deduction.
| Age at Time of Application | Notes | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Under 30 years old | Age is assessed at the date the application is submitted. | 15 |
| 30 to 34 years old | 10 | |
| 35 to 39 years old | 5 | |
| 40 years old or over | No age points awarded. | 0 |
Each age bracket crossing costs 5 points. If you are currently 29 and have 70+ points, apply before your 30th birthday. If you are 34 with 70–74 points, losing age points at 35 could push you below the threshold.
| Bonus Condition | Notes | Points |
|---|---|---|
| JLPT N1 (or equivalent Japanese proficiency) | Highest Japanese language bonus. Cannot be combined with N2 bonus.Studying from N2? See our N2 → N1 study guide → | +15 |
| JLPT N2 (or BJT Business Japanese) | Only if N1 bonus not claimed above.BJT score of 480+ qualifies. Cannot stack with N1 bonus. | +10 |
| Graduated from a top-ranked global university | University must appear on the ISA's designated list (QS World Top 300 / Times Top 200 etc.).Applies to both overseas and Japanese institutions on the list. | +10 |
| Currently employed at a METI-designated innovative company or startup hub | Company must be on the current METI designation list.Check the METI website for the current list — designations change periodically. | +10 |
| Working on a government-designated advanced project (特定研究等活動) | Specific government-designated innovation projects. | +10 |
| Small or medium enterprise (SME) bonus | Working for a company classified as an SME under Japanese SME Law. Not combinable with METI bonus. | +10 |
| Spouse who has JLPT N1 or studied at a Japanese university | Bonus applies if the applicant's spouse meets either language condition. | +5 |
| Currently raising a child in Japan | Applies if the applicant has a child and is raising them in Japan. | +5 |
Full HSP Points Calculator
Select all items that apply. Your total updates in real time. This covers all standard point categories from the official ISA table.
Benefits of Highly Skilled Professional Status
The PR fast track is the most well-known benefit, but HSP status comes with a range of additional privileges that make everyday life in Japan significantly more flexible.
How to Change to HSP Status
Most people applying for HSP are already in Japan on a work visa and switching via a Change of Status application. The process is the same as any Change of Status — but the eligibility assessment is based entirely on your HSP points score.
| Step | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calculate your precise score | Use this calculator, then verify against the official ISA table for any research achievement sub-categories that may apply |
| 2 | Confirm your sub-type (1号イ・ロ・ハ) | Match your current job activities to the correct sub-type |
| 3 | Gather supporting documents for each point category | Degree certificates, employment history, salary records (源泉徴収票), JLPT certificate, employer METI designation certificate if applicable |
| 4 | File Change of Status application | At the Immigration Bureau for your registered address |
| 5 | Receive HSP status and start the PR clock | The PR qualifying period starts from your HSP grant date — keep documentation of this date |
For a comprehensive guide to HSP in Japanese — including the full point table sub-categories, application documents, and 1号 vs 2号 details — see the existing Japanese-language guide: 高度専門職ビザ（HSP）完全ガイド →
Articles & Tools
HSP Points FAQ
Reviewed by a licensed Administrative Scrivener based on real cases.
Don't leave PR years on the table
Most people who qualify for HSP status don't realise it — and spend unnecessary years on the standard 10-year route. Use this calculator, then get a professional review of your application strategy.
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