Japan’s Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) visa is a points-based immigration pathway designed to attract top-tier foreign talent. By scoring points across categories like education, work experience, salary, and Japanese language ability, qualifying professionals gain access to one of Japan’s most advantageous visa statuses – including faster permanent residence, family accompaniment, and unrestricted work permissions for spouses.
What Is the Japan Highly Skilled Professional Visa?
The Highly Skilled Professional visa (高度専門職, Kodo Senmon Shoku) is a special status of residence created by Japan’s Immigration Services Agency (ISA) to encourage highly qualified foreign professionals to live and work in Japan. Unlike a standard work visa, which is tied to a single occupation category, the HSP visa uses a comprehensive points-based evaluation system that rewards candidates for a combination of attributes.
The system awards points based on your educational background, professional experience, age, annual salary, Japanese language proficiency, and special achievements. If you accumulate 70 points or more, you qualify for the HSP visa. Reaching 80 points unlocks even greater benefits, including a significantly faster path to permanent residence.
Japan introduced this system in 2012 as part of its broader strategy to compete for global talent. It has been revised several times since then, most recently to lower thresholds and expand benefits to make the country more attractive to skilled professionals from around the world.
The HSP Points System Explained
The points system evaluates candidates across multiple categories, each with a defined weight. You do not need to excel in every category – the system is designed so that strong performance in some areas can compensate for lower scores in others.
Points Allocation Table
| Category | Criteria | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Education | Doctoral degree (Ph.D.) | 30 |
| Master’s degree (or professional graduate degree) | 20 | |
| Bachelor’s degree | 10 | |
| Dual degree (master’s or higher) from designated institutions | 5 | |
| MBA or MOT from designated institutions | 5 | |
| Work Experience | 10+ years | 20 |
| 7-9 years | 15 | |
| 5-6 years | 10 | |
| Annual Salary | ¥10 million or more | 40 |
| ¥8-10 million | 30 | |
| ¥6-8 million | 20 | |
| ¥5-6 million | 15 | |
| ¥4-5 million | 10 | |
| ¥3-4 million | 5 | |
| Age | Under 30 years old | 15 |
| 30-34 years old | 10 | |
| Japanese Language | JLPT N1 or equivalent | 15 |
| JLPT N2 or equivalent | 10 | |
| Graduate of Japanese university | 10 | |
| Special Achievements | Patent holder, published researcher, award winner | 15-25 |
| Pass holder (OECD country contributions) | 10 | |
| Investment activities recognized by METI | 10 | |
| Bonus Points | Employment at designated innovative promotion organization | 10 |
Reaching the 70-Point Threshold: A Practical Example
A software engineer with a master’s degree (20 points), 7 years of experience (15 points), annual salary of ¥7 million (20 points), age 32 (10 points), and JLPT N2 certification (10 points) would score 75 points – comfortably above the 70-point threshold. This shows that you do not need to be at the very top of every category to qualify.
Three Categories of HSP Visa
The Highly Skilled Professional visa is divided into three sub-categories, each designed for a different type of professional profile. While all three require 70 points, they evaluate candidates differently.
Type 1(a): Advanced Academic Research (高度学術研究活動)
This category targets researchers, professors, and academic professionals who conduct advanced research at universities, research institutions, or government laboratories. Points are weighted heavily toward academic credentials, published research, and scholarly achievements.
Typical candidates: University professors, postdoctoral researchers, lab directors, government research scientists.
Type 1(b): Advanced Specialized/Technical Activities (高度専門・技術活動)
This is the most common HSP category and covers professionals in engineering, IT, science, law, finance, and other specialized fields. The points system rewards a balance of education, technical experience, and salary.
Typical candidates: Software engineers, IT architects, data scientists, financial analysts, attorneys, medical professionals.
Type 1(c): Advanced Business Management Activities (高度経営・管理活動)
This category is designed for executives, directors, and senior managers who run or oversee business operations in Japan. Candidates are typically sponsored by a Japanese company and hold C-level or senior management positions.
Typical candidates: Company directors, branch managers, senior executives, startup founders with significant investment.
Type 2: Highly Skilled Professional Type 2
After holding a Type 1 HSP visa for three years, you may apply for Type 2 status. Type 2 offers indefinite visa validity and additional benefits. However, it is important to note that Type 2 was restructured and candidates should verify current eligibility criteria with ISA or their immigration attorney.
HSP Visa Requirements and Eligibility
To qualify for the Highly Skilled Professional visa, you must meet all of the following criteria:
- Minimum 70 points on the official points evaluation system
- Employment offer or contract from a Japanese employer (except for certain Type 1(a) academic positions)
- Salary meets or exceeds the threshold for your age group and category
- No criminal record in Japan or your home country
- Valid passport with sufficient remaining validity
- Proper qualifications – degrees must be from accredited institutions; professional experience must be documented
The salary thresholds are indexed to age to account for the fact that younger professionals typically earn less than their senior counterparts. A 25-year-old applicant may qualify with a lower salary than a 40-year-old applicant in the same field.
Benefits of the Japan HSP Visa
The HSP visa offers significant advantages over a standard work visa:
| Benefit | HSP Visa (70+ points) | HSP Visa (80+ points) | Standard Work Visa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa duration | 5 years | 5 years | 1, 3, or 5 years |
| Permanent residence pathway | 3 years | 1 year | 10 years |
| Spouse work permission | Unrestricted | Unrestricted | Requires separate visa |
| Bring parents to Japan | Yes (with conditions) | Yes (with conditions) | No |
| Bring domestic workers | Yes (Type 1 only) | Yes (Type 1 only) | No |
| Priority processing | Yes | Yes | No |
The accelerated permanent residence pathway is the single most valuable benefit of the HSP visa. For most foreign professionals in Japan, obtaining permanent residence requires 10 years of continuous residence. HSP holders with 70 points can apply after just 3 years, and those with 80 points after only 1 year – a reduction of up to 90%.
How to Apply for the HSP Visa
The application process follows two main steps:
Step 1: Obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
Your employer in Japan typically initiates this step. They submit the COE application to the regional immigration bureau along with:
- Completed COE application form
- Points calculation form with supporting documents
- Employment contract or letter of appointment
- Company registration documents
- Your academic transcripts and degree certificates
- Proof of work experience (employment certificates, reference letters)
- Japanese language proficiency certificate (if claiming language points)
- Evidence of special achievements (patents, publications, awards – if applicable)
The immigration bureau evaluates your points and either approves or denies the COE.
Step 2: Apply for the Visa
Once the COE is approved, you apply for the actual visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate in your country of residence. Present the COE along with your passport, application form, and photo. Visa issuance typically takes 5 business days at the embassy.
If you are already in Japan on a different visa status (such as a standard work visa), you can apply for a change of status to HSP directly at the immigration bureau without leaving the country.
Documents to Prepare in Advance
- Certified copies of all academic degrees and transcripts
- Employment reference letters covering your full work history
- Signed employment contract with the Japanese employer
- JLPT certificate or equivalent Japanese language test results
- Salary documentation from your current and/or prospective employer
- Any patents, research publications, or professional awards
HSP Visa Processing Time
The processing time for the HSP visa is generally faster than for standard work visas:
- COE processing: Approximately 1 to 3 months, depending on the immigration bureau and the completeness of your application
- Priority consideration: HSP applications receive preferential treatment and are often processed more quickly than standard work visa applications
- Visa issuance at embassy: Typically 5 business days after submitting the COE
Overall, from the time your employer submits the COE to the day you receive your visa stamp, the process usually takes 6 to 10 weeks.
HSP Visa vs. Standard Work Visa
If you are weighing the HSP visa against a standard work visa, consider these key differences:
| Factor | HSP Visa | Standard Work Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Points-based (70+) | Job offer + qualifications |
| Visa duration | 5 years guaranteed | 1, 3, or 5 years |
| PR pathway | 1-3 years | 10 years |
| Spouse employment | Automatic permission | Separate application |
| Parent inclusion | Possible | Not possible |
| Application complexity | Higher (points documentation) | Standard |
If you qualify for the HSP visa based on your points, it is almost always the better choice. The accelerated path to permanent residence alone makes the additional documentation effort worthwhile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for the HSP visa without a job offer in Japan?
No, you generally need an employment offer or contract from a Japanese employer. The exception is Type 1(a) academic research, where a university or research institution appointment serves this role.
How is the annual salary requirement calculated?
The salary requirement is based on your annual income from the Japanese employer. Bonuses, housing allowances, and other regular compensation may be included, but stock options and one-time payments are typically excluded. The threshold varies by age group and points category.
Can I switch from a standard work visa to an HSP visa while in Japan?
Yes. You can apply for a change of status at your regional immigration bureau. You do not need to leave Japan to make the switch. Your employer will need to provide updated documentation supporting the points calculation.
Does the HSP visa guarantee permanent residence?
No, but it dramatically shortens the waiting period. You still need to meet all permanent residence requirements (continuous residence, tax compliance, good conduct) during the 1-year or 3-year HSP period.
Is there an age limit for the HSP visa?
There is no formal upper age limit, but the age category only awards points to applicants under 35. Older applicants can still qualify by earning more points in other categories such as salary, work experience, and achievements.
Can my spouse work on the HSP visa?
Yes. Spouses of HSP visa holders automatically receive permission to work in Japan without restrictions on hours or occupation type. This is a significant advantage over the standard dependent visa.
What happens if my points drop below 70 after receiving the HSP visa?
If your circumstances change (e.g., salary decrease, job change), the impact on your visa status depends on the nature of the change. You should consult with an immigration lawyer or the ISA, as maintaining your qualifying points is generally expected during the validity of the visa.
Is the HSP visa renewable?
Yes. Type 1 HSP visas are issued for 5 years and can be renewed. After three years on Type 1, you may apply for Type 2 status, which offers indefinite validity.
Do I need to speak Japanese to get the HSP visa?
No, Japanese language proficiency is not mandatory. However, holding JLPT N1 or N2 certification earns you 10-15 bonus points, which can be the difference between qualifying and not qualifying.
For a complete overview of all Japan visa categories, see our Japan visa types guide. If you need information on general visa requirements, visit our Japan visa requirements page. For details on fees, check the Japan visa fee guide.
