Highly Skilled Professional Visa
A status for top talent,
with generous benefits.
Designed to attract experts in science, technology, medicine, culture and more. Points are awarded for education, experience, salary, age, research, Japanese ability and qualifications — 70 points or more qualifies.

Academic research
Professors and researchers invited by Japanese institutions.
Specialized / technical
Specialists, engineers and researchers employed by Japanese companies.
Business management
Investors and entrepreneurs, whose company must meet the new Business Manager standards (¥30 million+ capital, etc.).
HSP (i) 70–79 POINTS
- 5-year period of stay
- After 3+ years, switch to (ii) or apply for PR
- With 80+ points, apply for PR after 1 year
HSP (ii) 80+ POINTS
- Unlimited period of stay
- For holders of (i) with 3+ years of activity
- Broader permitted activities
Fast-track PR
Permanent residency in as little as 1 year.
Priority processing
COE applications reviewed within about 10 days.
Spouse can work
No limit on your spouse's working hours.
Bring your parents
Possible with a child under 7, among other conditions.
Choose your category and score
Confirm that you reach 70 points.
Apply for a COE
Submit proof of education, employment, qualifications and income.
Immigration review
First the long-term status, then the HSP requirements. Below 70 points, another suitable status may be granted.
Visa application
Take your COE to a Japanese embassy or consulate to apply for your visa.
Arrival
A HIGHLY-SKILLED visa is placed in your passport.
You need an employment contract or your own company in Japan. Costs vary widely by category — please contact us for details.
Free consultations on property management, renovation, buying, investing, renting, studying in Japan and visas. Our team speaks Chinese, Japanese, English, Vietnamese, Indonesian and Nepali.