Japan · skilled migration · Leads to settlement
Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) Visa
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Points-based visa for highly skilled foreign professionals — the fastest route to Japanese permanent residence (1–3 years).
- Processing time
- 2–4 weeks for Certificate of Eligibility (COE); 1–2 weeks for visa at consulate.
- Government fees
- COE: free; visa fee varies by nationality (typically ¥3,000–¥6,000).
- Typical duration
- 5 years; with fast-track PR after 1–3 years.
- Sponsorship required
- Yes
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
Overview
The Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) visa uses a points-based system scoring academic background, professional career, annual salary, age, and bonus criteria (Japanese language, Japanese university degree, research achievements). 70 points qualifies for HSP status; 80+ points qualifies for accelerated permanent residence after 1 year (vs. 3 years at 70 points). HSP is divided into three categories: (i) advanced academic research, (ii) advanced specialised/technical activities, and (iii) advanced business management. HSP holders enjoy preferential treatment including concurrent activities, preferential PR processing, longer stay periods, and spouse work rights.
Guidance by nationality
Specific information for applicants from these countries. Don’t see yours? The general eligibility criteria above apply to everyone.
Indian applicants
Indian HSP holders concentrate in IT (particularly in Tokyo's tech corridor). Indian degrees from IITs and top-50 NIRF i…
Chinese applicants
Chinese nationals are the largest HSP cohort in Japan. Chinese 985/211 university degrees score well. Many Chinese HSP h…
American applicants
American HSP holders concentrate in finance, tech, and academia. US degrees are well-recognised. The salary component is…
South Korean applicants
South Korean nationals benefit from geographic proximity and strong educational ties with Japan. Korean university degre…
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Score 70+ points on the HSP points calculation table (academic background, career, salary, age, bonus items).
- ✓Job offer or current employment with a Japanese entity in a qualifying activity (research, specialised work, or business management).
- ✓Annual salary generally at or above ¥3,000,000 (but points are scored — higher salary = more points).
Common blockers
- !Points score below 70 — particularly common for younger applicants with limited experience and no Japanese-language bonus.
- !No job offer from a Japanese employer (HSP requires a sponsoring entity).
Typical evidence
- ·Completed points calculation sheet (available on ISA website).
- ·Employment contract or appointment letter.
- ·Degree certificates (higher degrees score more points).
- ·Evidence of annual salary.
- ·JLPT certificate (N1 or N2 scores bonus points).
Application pathway
Calculate your points score
Use the ISA points table to calculate your score. 70 points = HSP qualification; 80+ = accelerated PR eligibility after 1 year.
Employer applies for Certificate of Eligibility
The Japanese employer applies to the regional immigration bureau for a COE designating you as "Highly Skilled Professional".
Apply for visa at consulate
With the COE, apply for an HSP visa at the Japanese consulate in your country.
Enter Japan and register
Enter Japan and register your address at the municipal office within 14 days.
Apply for permanent residence
After 1 year (80+ points) or 3 years (70+ points), apply for PR. This is the fastest PR route in Japan.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicant + sponsorPrepare HSP residence application ↗
Applicant and Japanese host confirm HSP category, points evidence, and COE or status-change documents.
Immigration Services Agency (ISA) · verified
- Official guidanceApplicantApply for visa with COE ↗
Applicant uses the COE to file the entry visa application at the competent Japanese embassy or consulate.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) · verified
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Frequently asked questions
How fast can I get permanent residence in Japan on an HSP visa?+
If you score 80+ points: 1 year. If you score 70–79 points: 3 years. This is dramatically faster than the standard 10-year continuous-residence requirement. HSP holders also receive preferential PR processing times.
Does Japanese language ability help my HSP application?+
Yes, significantly. JLPT N1 (highest level) scores 15 bonus points. JLPT N2 scores 10 points. A Japanese university degree also scores bonus points. These bonuses can be the difference between 65 and 80 points, which determines whether you wait 1 year or 3 years for PR.
Can my spouse work on an HSP visa?+
Yes. HSP holders' spouses can work without the occupation-type restrictions that apply to standard "Dependent" status holders. This is one of the preferential benefits of HSP status.
What salary do I need for the HSP visa?+
There is no single salary threshold — salary is one component of the points system. Higher salary scores more points: ¥3M–¥4M scores 10 points, ¥5M–¥7M scores 15 points, ¥7M–¥10M scores 20 points, and ¥10M+ scores 25 points. A minimum of ¥3,000,000 annual is generally required to be classified as HSP, but you need enough total points from all categories to reach 70.
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