Japan introduced its points system for highly skilled foreign professionals in 2012 and created a separate residence status for them in 2015. Points are awarded for academic background, professional experience, annual salary, age, research record, Japanese ability, graduation from a leading university and other factors. A score of 70 qualifies. There are three categories: academic research, specialised and technical work, and business management.
The status comes with practical benefits. First-type holders get the maximum five-year period of stay, can engage in related business activities, and are processed with priority. Their spouses can work without meeting the usual education or experience requirements, and under conditions they can bring a parent or a domestic worker. After three years, a holder can move to the second type, which has no time limit. Most important for many applicants, permanent residency is available after three years at 70 points, or after one year at 80 points.
In April 2023 Japan added the J-Skip route, which bypasses the points calculation. Researchers and specialists qualify with annual income of 20 million yen or more plus a master's degree or ten years of experience; business managers with income of 40 million yen or more and five years of management experience. J-Skip holders are treated as if they had 80 points.
What it means for a foreign employer
- Many senior hires already qualify. Salary carries heavy weight in the points table. A senior manager with a degree and a solid Japanese-market salary is often above 70.
- It is a recruiting point. Faster permanent residency, a working spouse and parental support matter to candidates moving their families to Japan.
- The calculation needs care. Points must be evidenced with documents, and salary is what the employer will actually pay. A small change in offer can move someone over or under a threshold.
- Status is tied to the job. First-type holders who change employer need a new permission, unlike holders of the standard work visa.
Sources
- Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, Appended Table I(2) (Highly Skilled Professional), and Ministry of Justice ordinance on the points-based criteria.
- Immigration Services Agency, guidance on the Highly Skilled Professional points system and the Special Highly Skilled Professional (J-Skip) system, introduced April 2023.
- Immigration Services Agency, permanent residency guidelines.