The Highly Skilled Professional visa is a Status of Residence for foreigners with advanced expertise or skills to thrive in Japan. We support smooth visa acquisition by utilizing a preferential system based on a points calculation.
What is the Status of Residence ‘Highly Skilled Professional’?
The Highly Skilled Professional visa is a Status of Residence utilizing a preferential system based on points calculation, divided into the following activities.
| Type | Activity Content | Period of Stay |
|---|---|---|
| Highly Skilled Professional 1-i | Advanced Academic Research Activities | 5 years |
| Highly Skilled Professional 1-ro | Advanced Specialized/Technical Activities | 5 years |
| Highly Skilled Professional 1-ha | Advanced Business/Management Activities | 5 years |
| Highly Skilled Professional 2 | Continuation of the above activities | Indefinite |
Mechanism of Points Calculation
The Highly Skilled Professional visa calculates points based on items such as educational background, work experience, annual income, research achievements, and Japanese language ability, and is certified with 70 points or more. For details, please see the Points Calculation Table (Immigration Services Agency).
Main Preferential Measures
- Permission for multiple activities
- 5-year period of stay
- Special provision for permanent residence application (1st category 3 years, Highly Skilled Professional 2nd category 1 year)
- Employment of spouse
- Relaxation of requirements for accompanying parents and domestic workers
About J-SKIP
As a special route for highly skilled personnel with an annual income of 20 million yen or more, there is also a system called J-SKIP.
Do you have any of these concerns?
If you have concerns about obtaining a Highly Skilled Professional visa, please consult our office. The initial consultation is free.
Main Required Documents
- Application form
- Certificates related to points calculation (educational background, work experience, annual income, etc.)
- Copy of passport
- Copy of residence card (if already residing in Japan)
Application Process
Initial consultation (free)
Preparation of required documents
Creation of application documents
Application to the Immigration Services Agency
Notification of results and visa issuance
Estimated Duration and Fees
| Application Type | Government Fee | Our Fee (Estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Eligibility Application | Free | 165,000円〜 |
| Period of Stay Renewal Application | ¥5,500 | 88,000円〜 |
| Change of Status Application | ¥5,500 | 132,000円〜 |
※The above fees are estimates only and may vary depending on case complexity and individual circumstances. See fee schedule or free consultation for details.
Three Reasons to Choose Our Office
- Support in 5 languages for peace of mind
- Free initial consultation for easy access
- Handled by application proxy administrative scriveners with extensive experience and expertise
Frequently Asked Questions
- How is the points calculation done?
- Points are calculated based on items such as educational background, work experience, annual income, research achievements, and Japanese language ability, and are certified with 70 points or more.
- What is the special provision for permanent residence application?
- Permanent residence application is possible with 3 years of stay under Highly Skilled Professional 1st category and 1 year under Highly Skilled Professional 2nd category.
- Is it possible for family members to accompany?
- The requirements for the employment of spouses and the accompaniment of parents and domestic workers have been relaxed.
Related Visa Links
- Permanent Residence Visa
- Business/Management Visa
- Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services Visa
- J-SKIP
- Application Process
- Fee Guide
Contact Us
For inquiries regarding the Highly Skilled Professional visa, please feel free to contact us at the contact details below.
| Inui Gyoseishoshi Corporation | Room 201, Fuji Heights, 1-6-6 Tenjinbashi, Kita-ku, Osaka City |
| TEL | 06-6949-8756 |
| Reception Hours | Weekdays 9:00-17:00 (Thursday 9:00-13:00), Closed on weekends and holidays |
Disclaimer
The information on this page is as of May 2026. Please check the official website for the latest information.