HIGHLY SKILLED PROFESSIONAL / 高度専門職 (hereinafter “HSP“) is a visa status granted to individuals who wish to work in Japan in professional fields and are recognized as experts based on their career achievements and the HSP point system. The HSP visa allows holders to engage in activities such as academic research, specialized technical work, or business management. In addition, it offers attractive preferential immigration benefits, such as a 5-year period of stay and a faster path to Permanent Resident status.
HSP is divided into 3 categories. You should select the category that best matches the activities you plan to carry out as an HSP at an organization or entity in Japan. Next, check your score according to the HSP point table. If your HSP score is 70 points or higher and you can provide the required supporting documents, you are eligible to apply for the HSP visa.
There are also two types of HPS visa status: HSP1（高度専門職1号） and HSP2（高度専門職２号）.
HSP2 grants an “indefinite period of stay”, but you must first obtain HSP1. You can apply to change your visa status to HSP2 at least 3 years after receiving the HSP1 visa.
You can also refer to the Immigration Office Website for more information >> Preferential immigration treatment based on the point-based system for highly skilled professionals
In addition, you may check J-Skip HSP, a higher HSP status that can be applied for without considering the HSP score >> J-Skip HSP
IF YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH VISA PROCEDURES IN JAPAN, JUMP TO INTRODUCTORY PAGES BELOW FIRST:
HSP CATEGORIES
HSP is divided into the following three categories.
You should apply for the category that corresponds to your activities (job responsibilities) as a highly skilled professional.
Confirm which category applies to you and check your score according to the HSP POINT TABLE for each category.
Advanced Academic Research Activities (HSP-a / 高度専門職イ)
This category covers activities related to academic research, including guidance and instruction, based on a contract with a private or public organization in Japan. You may also engage in business management activities related to your research while working on the research project.
Advanced Specialized / Technical Activities (HSP-b / 高度専門職ロ)
This category covers activities that require knowledge and skills in the fields of Humanities and Natural Sciences (*) based on a contract with a private or public organizations in Japan. You may engage in multiple activities related to your career and academic background, such as project planning, public relations, and/or business management, while also participating in product development.
(*) The term “knowledge and skills in the fields of Humanities and Natural Sciences” does not include “International Services” type work, which is allowed under the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (Engineer/Humanities)” visa status.
Advanced Business Management Activities (HSP-c / 高度専門職ハ)
This category covers activities related to the business management of private or public organizations, law firms, or any type of company in Japan. You may also establish your own company for related business while working as a business manager at another company. If you wish to apply for this category by establishing a new company, you must also meet the requirements for the BUSINESS MANAGER visa.
HSP2 / 高度専門職2号
HSP2 （高度専門職2号） is an HSP visa status that grants an “indefinite period of stay”.
The HSP2 visa allows you to remain in Japan indefinitely while engaging in activities permitted under HSP visa status.
In addition to the activities allowed under HSP-a（高度専門職イ）, HSP-b（高度専門職ロ）, and HSP-c（高度専門職ハ）, HSP2 visa holders may also engage in other activities permitted under different visa status, such as Professor, Artist, Religious Activities, Journalist, Legal/Accounting Services, Medical Services, Instructor, Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/Int’l Services, Care Worker, Entertainer, and Skilled Worker.
Here is a comparison between HSP2 and Permanent Resident (PR):
| HSP2 / 高度専門職2号 | PR / 永住者 | |
|---|---|---|
| Period of Stay | Indefinite | Indefinite |
| Type of Activity | Limited to work allowed under HSP | Not limited |
| Notification related to Activity | Need to submit | No need to submit |
| Preferential Treatment for HSP | Applicable | Not applicable |
Merits of HSP2
- HSP2 allows preferential treatments
One of the key features of HSP2 is that it retains the privilege of HSP preferential immigration treatments, which even a PERMANENT RESIDENT (PR) cannot obtain >> PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT - No need to limit the entity or organization for your work as an HSP
HSP2 holders are not required to limit the organization they belong to for their HSP visa status. Therefore, the “Designation (指定書)” slip, which designates the organization you belong to and the activities you engage in, will not be issued with the Residence Card for HSP2. You also don’t need to apply for a Change of Visa Status each time you change your workplace or contract.
Demerits of HPS2
- You must continue to engage in HSP-related work
Unlike Permanent Resident (PR), HSP2 holders must continue to engage in activities permitted under the HSP visa. On your Residence Card, it will be stated that your visa is “limited to work based on the activity permitted under the visa status (在留資格に基づく就労活動のみ可)”, rather than “not limited to work (就労制限なし)”. If you are not working in HSP-related activities, your HSP2 visa status may be subject to revocation. - You may need to submit Notification required for other work-type visa status
You may also need to submit Notification regarding accepting/contracting organization (所属機関に関する届出), etc., when required for other work-type visa statuses.
Compared with HSP2, Permanent Resident (PR) is not limited to specific activities, and you are free to engage in any work or activity. Under PR status, you do not need to continue to engage in HSP-related activities or satisfy HPS requirements. Once you obtain PR visa status, you can even retire in Japan. You should consider applying for PR if you don’t require privileges exclusive to HSP, such as bringing your parents to Japan or hiring a domestic worker.
PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT
The following is a list of preferential treatments available to HSP visa holders:
1. Engaging in Multiple Activities during the Period of Stay
Generally, a visa allows you to engage in activities permitted under that particular visa status.
Under HSP visa status, however, you may engage in multiple activities related to your HSP career. For example, you can work as an advanced researcher or professor at a university (activities permitted under the PROFESSOR visa) while also managing business related to your field of research or study (activities permitted under the BUSINESS MANAGER visa).
2. 5-Year Period of Stay
The Immigration Office grants 5 years of period of stay to each HSP visa holder.
You can extend your period of stay by applying for an EXTENSION of PERIOD of STAY. In addition, you may consider applying for a CHANGE of VISA STATUS to HSP2 or applying for PERMANENT RESIDENT in a few years if you continue to engage in activities as an HSP.
3. Relaxation of Requirements for PERMANENT RESIDENT Application
You have the opportunity to apply for PERMANENT RESIDENT (PR) one year or three years after obtaining the HSP visa, depending on the HSP score you have achieved at the relevant time.
4. Relaxation of Requirements for Spouse’s Employment
Your spouse may engage in activities permitted under visa statuses such as INSTRUCTOR or ENGINEER/HUMANITIES, even if he or she doesn’t meet the usual requirements regarding work experience or educational background.
5. Permission to Bring Parents
Parents of the HSP or the HSP’s spouse may enter and stay in Japan under the following circumstances:
- To take care of HSP’s child under 7 years old (including adopted child), or
- To take care of a pregnant HSP or a pregnant HSP’s spouse.
Major Requirements:
- The HSP’s household annual income must exceed 8 million yen.
- The parent(s) must live with the HSP during their stay in Japan.
- This permission is limited to the parents of either the HSP or the HSP’s spouse.
6. Permission to Bring a Domestic Worker (housekeeper)
HSP visa holders may bring a foreign domestic worker to Japan under the following circumstances:
- Continuation of Employment of a Domestic Worker Already Employed Before Entering Japan
- The HSP’s household annual income must be at least 10 million yen.
- Only one domestic worker may be brought.
- The monthly salary for the domestic worker must be at least 200,000 yen.
- The domestic worker must have been employed by the HSP for at least one year prior to entering Japan.
- The domestic worker is expected to leave Japan with the HSP if the HSP leaves Japan or ceases HSP visa status.
- Hiring a New Domestic Worker Not Covered by (1) above:
- The HSP’s household annual income is at least 10 million yen.
- Only one domestic worker may be hired.
- The monthly salary for the domestic worker must be at least 200,000 yen.
- The HSP must have certain family circumstances (e.g. a child under 13 years old or a spouse unable to do housework due to illness or for other reasons).
- HSP Engaging in Investment Management Activities:
- The HSP’s household annual income must be at least 10 million yen.
- The HSP may hire up to two domestic workers. However, the household annual income must be at least 30 million yen if employing two domestic workers.
- The monthly salary for each domestic worker must be at least 200,000 yen.
7. Priority Handling of Immigration Procedures
Applications for HSP visas are given preferential processing. Typically, a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) application is processed within about 10 business days, and applications for a Change of Visa Status or an Extension of Period of Stay are processed within about 5 business days.
[IMPORTANT NOTE]
Although the Immigration Office announces preferential processing for HSP applications as described above, processing times may be much longer in practice. Currently, it generally takes around two months or more, similar to other work-type visas. The priority processing period should not be assumed.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
Regardless of which visa status you apply for, you must satisfy the basic criteria listed on the WHAT IS VISA STATUS? page.
Your intended activities in Japan must fall under one of the HSP categories described above (HSP-a, HSP-b, HSP-c).
- Your HSP score must be at least 70 points on the HSP Point Table for the relevant HSP category under which your activity falls (HSP-a, HSP-b or HSP-C) .
Download ENGLISH version >> HSP POINT TABLE (Immigration Office Website)
Download JAPANESE version >> ポイント計算表（出入国在留管理局ウェブサイト） - Items “Academic Background” and “Professional Career” on the HSP POINT TABLE must be related to the activities for which you are applying.
- You will need to prove your HSP score with supporting documents such as a Certificate of Degree or Certificate of Employment to verify your previous career. If you cannot provide sufficient proof, the Immigration Office will not recognize the corresponding points.
- The Annual Salary for the HSP score must be calculated based on your expected annual salary in Japan as an HSP, not on your past or current salary. Note that it is not based on your past or current salary. You must provide evidence of the expected salary you will receive during the 12 months following your HSP application.
- [In case of HSP-b or HSP-c]
The Annual Salary to be paid for work in Japan as an HSP must be at least 3 million yen (or equivalent amount if paid in another currency). - [In case of HSP-c by setting up a new corporate entity]
You need to establish a corporate entity before applying for the HSP visa. The corporate entity must meet the requirements for the Business Manager visa status. >> BUSINESS MANAGER
- In general, your employer will act as your visa sponsor. The sponsoring organization or company must be financially stable and properly managing its business in Japan. >> VISA SPONSOR
- In the case of applying under HSP-c (Advanced Business Management Activities), the entity you will manage in Japan – which may be a subsidiary or branch of a foreign company – can serve as your visa sponsor or proxy. This entity must meet the requirements for the BUSINESS MANAGER visa status (e.g. initial capital, physical office etc.).
POINTS TO NOTE
The contracting organization or your own company must meet the requirements for the corresponding visa category.
Although the HSP visa status is granted based on your HSP score, your application will not be approved if your contracting organization, corporation, or your own company fails to satisfy the necessary requirements. The entity must submit the documents required according to your activities and other relevant circumstances.
If the entity is newly established company, it must provide a business plan to demonstrate its financial and operational stability. In particular, if you plan to apply for HSP-c based on a company newly established through your own investment – where you will serve as the CEO or Representative Director – your business activities will fall under the Business Manager visa category and must satisfy the requirements as well. In such a case, you must establish a corporate entity that fulfills all Business Manager visa requirements and be fully prepared to commence business operations.
After approval
You will receive the following documents together with your HSP Residence Card:
- Acknowledgement Notice for HSP Score / 在留資格「高度専門職」に係る計算結果通知書
This notice informs you of the result of your HSP score. The specific score is not stated; instead, you will see a score range such as “less than 70 points”, “70 – 79 points”, or “80 points or more”. You should keep the original notice for future applications, such as a Change of Visa Statsu or an application for Permanent Resident. - Designation / 指定書
This is a slip stapled to your passport, designating the name of the contracting entity for which you work as an HSP. You must keep it attached to your passport while holding HSP visa status.
When you change your contracting entity/organization
YOU NEED TO APPLY FOR a CHANGE of VISA STATUS WHEN YOU CHANGE YOUR CONTRACTING ENTITY;
For HSP visa holders, your contracting entity (organization, company, university etc. – visa sponsor you work for as an HSP) is indicated on the Designation / 指定書 slip when you receive your Residence Card. In addition, your HSP visa status is granted based on your HSP score under the circumstances at the time of application, including the contracting entity.
Therefore, when you change your contracting entity, your HSP score must be calculated based on the new entity, and you must apply for a Change of Visa Status to have it acknowledged.
In other words, you are required to apply for a Change of Visa Status every time you change your contracting entity as an HSP visa holder.
HOW to PROCESS
If you are currently residing outside Japan yet or staying in Japan as a temporary visitor, follow the steps for:
>> INTRODUCTION
>> COE APPLICATION
If you are already staying in Japan under another visa status and hold a Residence Card, follow the steps for:
>> CHANGE of VISA STATUS
NOTE:
Unlike other work-type visa status, you must apply for a Change of Visa Status to the same HSP visa category every time you change your organization or company stated on the Designation / 指定書.
PERIOD of STAY
The Highly Skilled Professionals (HSP) visa status is granted with a 5-year period of stay.
If you wish to extend your period of stay, you may apply for an Extension of Period of Stay before the expiry date.
>> EXTENSION OF PERIOD OF STAY (VISA RENEWAL)
You may also be eligible to apply for a PERMANENT RESIDENT status after a relatively short period of stay:
>> PERMANENT RESIDENT
If you plan to travel outside Japan temporarily while holding HPS visa status, you should apply for a Re-entry Permit:
>> RE-ENTRY PERMIT
BASIC REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
You are required to provide documents that certify your eligibility for the visa status you are applying for. The specific documents required may vary depending on the circumstances of each applicant and the contracting entity (organization, company, university etc. for which you work as an HSP).
Below is a list of the basic documents typically required for a COE application, CHANGE of VISA STATUS and EXTENSION of PERIOD of STAY.
- APPLICATION FORM for 高度専門職 (Highly Skilled Professional; HSP)
- PHOTO
Jump to the Immigration Office Website for the details. - RESIDENCE CARD and PASSPORT
Required for all applications except for the COE application. - HSP POINT TABLE
- Complete in the format provided by the Immigration Office and signed by the applicant.
- Downlad (Excel): HSP POINT TABLE – the Immigration Office Website
- Documents to certify the contracting entity (organization, university, company, etc.)
Some of the following documents may be omitted depending on the type and situation of the entity.- Company Brochure or Leaflet
- Certificate of Company Registration (登記事項証明書)
- Financial Statement for the Last Fiscal Year
- Records for Salary Payment and Withholding Tax for the Previous Year (前年分の職員の給与所得の源泉徴収票等の法定調書合計表)
- In case of a newly-established entity:
- One-year Business Plan
- Notification of Establishment of Salary Payment Office (給与支払事務所開設届出書)
- Payment Slip for Withholding Tax – past three months (3ヶ月分の源泉納付書) or Application for Payment of Withholding Income Tax on a Semi-annual (源泉所得税の納期の特例の承認に関する申請書).
- Documents to Certify Your Score
Check the “Basic Example Documents” tab in the HSP POINT TABLE (Excel file) available on the Immigration Office website. You must provide supporting documents to certify the points you claim, but it is not necessary to submit all the items listed in the sheet.
Here are some examples of documents:- CV
- Certificate of Degree
- Employment Contract and Certificate of Expected Annual Salary for one year for the work as an HSP
- Certificate of Employment, Confirmation Letter or equivalent documents which can prove your past career (e.g. occupation, position, period of work etc. issued by the ex-employers or authorities)
- Documents to certify your qualifications and licenses: e.g. Certificate of JLPT level
- List of papers listed in the academic journal database such as Thomson Reuters or Elsevier (you must be listed as the corresponding author)
- Copy of Written Notice of the Grants-in-aid
- List of Universities ranked in the top 300
NOTE / REMARK
- All documents written in a foreign language must be accompanied by a Japanese translation.
- The Immigration Office may request additional documents during the screening process.
- Some documents may be exempt if your visa sponsor falls under specific categories, as follows:
- Listed corporations, government-related organizations, Independent administrative institutions, and other organizations specified in this category
- The total amount of annual withholding tax on the latest Records of Salary Payments and Withholding Tax (給与所得の源泉徴収票等の法定調書合計表) is 10 million JPY or more
- Your visa sponsor can submit a copy of the latest Records of Salary Payments and Withholding Tax
- Any certificate issued by the Japanese authorities (e.g. Tax/Income Certificate, Certificate of Residence, Certificate of Company Register) must have been issued within 3 months prior to the application date.