Highly Skilled Professional
高度専門職
A points-based status for advanced professionals. Scores of 70 or more unlock a five-year stay and a faster route to permanent residence.
Or find a firm to handle it →What it asks of you
The same checks the eligibility check runs, so the two never disagree.
- 01
Scored as the Ministry of Justice ordinance scores them. 70 points qualify; 80 shorten permanent residence to one year.
- 02
Specialist and management work also need at least ¥3 million a year.
- 03
A job offer from an employer in Japan.
The documents
13 for everyone. Some nationalities are asked for more.
- 1Application Form申請書
- 2Passport (Current)
- 3Residence Card — only required if already living in Japan在留カード
- 4Photo (4cm × 3cm, white background)
- 5Employment Certificate在職証明書
- 6Tax Withholding Slip源泉徴収票Most recent year
- 7Company Registration Certificate登記事項証明書Issued within 3 months
- 8Corporate Tax Return法人税納税証明書Most recent year
- 9HSP Points Calculation Sheetポイント計算表
- 10Explanation of Activities活動内容説明書
- 11Organization Chart組織図
- 12Degree Certificate or DiplomaWith certified Japanese translation if not in Japanese/English
- 13Annual Salary CertificateConfirming salary ≥ ¥3M
Where you apply
From abroad
A Certificate of Eligibility is applied for in Japan, by someone acting for you — often your firm. With it, you get the visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate.
Already in Japan
If you hold another status, you apply to change it at your regional immigration bureau.
Where it leads
- Highly Skilled Professional
- Permanent Resident
See what you already meet.
Five minutes, no account needed.
General information, not advice on your case. Immigration decides each application on its documents.