Japan Highly Skilled Professional Visa (HSP): Points Table & J-SKIP Guide (2025)
Japan's Highly Skilled Professional visa uses a points system to fast-track residence for top talent. This guide explains the full points table, J-SKIP for 80+ points, income requirements, and the accelerated permanent residence pathway.
Japan's Shift Toward Global Talent Competition
Japan has historically maintained one of the world's most restrictive immigration systems. That has changed substantially since 2012, when the Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) visa was introduced, and accelerated in 2022 with the launch of J-SKIP — a dedicated fast-track allowing applicants who score 80+ points to bypass many standard requirements and reach permanent residence in as little as one year.
For tech companies like Sony, Toyota, SoftBank, Fujitsu, NTT, and the country's growing startup scene centred in Tokyo and Osaka, the HSP pathway has become the standard immigration tool for attracting international specialists who don't speak Japanese.
Three HSP Activity Categories
Japan's HSP visa is divided into three activity-based sub-categories:
| Category | Eligible Activities |
|---|---|
| HSP-1 (i) | Advanced academic research — university researchers, corporate R&D scientists |
| HSP-1 (ii) | Advanced specialized/technical activities — engineers, IT specialists, analysts, finance professionals |
| HSP-1 (iii) | Advanced business management — company directors, executive managers |
Your points are calculated independently for each category. Most internationally recruited workers apply under HSP-1 (ii).
The HSP Points Table
Points are awarded across five dimensions. You must reach 70 points minimum for HSP status, or 80 points to qualify for J-SKIP.
Academic Qualifications
| Qualification | Points |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree (PhD) | 30 |
| Master's degree | 20 |
| Bachelor's degree | 10 |
Professional Experience
| Years of Relevant Experience | Points |
|---|---|
| 10 or more years | 20 |
| 7–9 years | 15 |
| 5–6 years | 10 |
| 3–4 years | 5 |
Annual Salary (at time of application)
| Annual Salary (JPY) | Points |
|---|---|
| ¥10,000,000 or more | 40 |
| ¥9,000,000–¥9,999,999 | 35 |
| ¥8,000,000–¥8,999,999 | 30 |
| ¥7,000,000–¥7,999,999 | 25 |
| ¥6,000,000–¥6,999,999 | 20 |
| ¥5,000,000–¥5,999,999 | 15 |
| ¥4,000,000–¥4,999,999 | 10 |
Minimum income floor varies by age: under 30 must earn ¥3M+, 30–34 must earn ¥4M+, 35–39 must earn ¥5M+, 40+ must earn ¥6M+.
Age Bonus
| Age | Points |
|---|---|
| Under 30 | 15 |
| 30–34 | 10 |
| 35–39 | 5 |
| 40 and over | 0 |
Special Bonus Points
| Criterion | Points |
|---|---|
| Japanese university (national or select private) graduate | 10 |
| Japanese language proficiency: JLPT N1 or N2 | 15 / 10 |
| Work in designated growth fields (AI, green energy, biotech, fintech) | 10 |
| Patents held (2 or more) | 15 |
| Published research (3+ papers in academic journals) | 15 |
| Funded by national or prefectural government projects | 10 |
| Completed Japanese government-designated training | 5 |
Worked Example
A 28-year-old software engineer with a Master's degree, 4 years of experience, annual salary of ¥8M, and JLPT N2:
| Criterion | Points |
|---|---|
| Master's degree | 20 |
| 4 years experience | 5 |
| ¥8M salary | 30 |
| Age under 30 | 15 |
| JLPT N2 | 10 |
| Total | 80 |
With 80 points, this applicant qualifies for J-SKIP — the accelerated track.
J-SKIP: The 80-Point Fast Track (Launched 2022)
J-SKIP (J-Skip Highly Skilled Professional) was introduced in June 2022 to cut through Japan's traditionally slow immigration process for top talent.
Eligibility: 80+ points on the HSP scoring table
Key J-SKIP benefits compared to standard HSP:
| Feature | Standard HSP (70 pts) | J-SKIP (80+ pts) |
|---|---|---|
| Residence status | HSP (5-year permit) | J-Skip (5-year permit, unlimited work scope) |
| Permanent residence eligibility | After 3 years | After 1 year |
| Spouse work rights | Permitted | Permitted |
| Domestic worker | Allowed (if salary ¥10M+) | Allowed |
| Activity restrictions | Category-limited | Very broad |
HSP Benefits Over Standard Work Visa
- Multiple activities permitted: Can combine work with research, teaching, or business management without separate permits
- Longer initial permit: 5 years vs 1–3 years for standard visas
- Permanent residence in 3 years (standard HSP) vs 10 years for most other categories
- Spouse can work: Spouse may engage in work not otherwise permitted on a standard dependent visa
- Parents and domestic workers: Under specific income conditions (¥8M+ for parents, ¥10M+ for domestic workers), HSP holders can bring family in ways standard visa holders cannot
Pathway to Permanent Residence and Citizenship
| Route | Permanent Residence Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Standard HSP (70–79 points) | After 3 years with HSP status |
| J-SKIP (80+ points) | After 1 year |
| Standard work visa | After 10 years total legal stay |
Japanese citizenship requires 5 years of permanent residence and typically demands renouncing prior nationality. Japan does not generally permit dual citizenship.
Application Process
- Certificate of Eligibility (COE): Your Japanese employer applies to the Immigration Bureau on your behalf for a COE. Processing: 1–3 months.
- Visa application: Present COE at Japanese consulate in your country for a work visa (usually processed in 3–5 business days).
- Points declaration: Include your HSP points calculation sheet (standard form) with your COE application.
- Residence card: Issued at the port of entry on arrival in Japan.
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