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Highly Skilled Professional (高度専門職) Visa

Japan's points-based premium work visa. Reaching 70 points across academic background, career, salary, age, and bonus categories unlocks a 5-year visa, spouse work permission, the right to invite parents, and an expedited PR pathway (1-3 years instead of 10). Three subcategories. 1号イ, 1号ロ, 1号ハ. Each fitting a different work profile.

Last reviewed: · Source: 出入国在留管理庁 official guidance

Subcategory recommender

Work activity

Your principal work activity determines which of the three HSP subcategories applies. For exact points scoring, use the dedicated HSP Points Calculator.

Profile

Bonus categories

The three subcategories

1号イ, 1号ロ, 1号ハ. Which one fits

HSP-1 splits into three subcategories under one umbrella visa status. Each uses a slightly different points table and corresponds to a distinct type of work activity. Choose the subcategory that matches your principal daily work. Misclassification is a frequent rejection cause.

1号 (i)

Academic research activities

高度学術研究活動

Research, research instruction, and education at universities, public or private research institutes, and corporate R&D divisions.

Typical roles

  • University professor, associate professor, lecturer
  • Post-doctoral research fellow
  • Corporate R&D scientist (pharma, biotech, materials, semiconductor)
  • Public-research-institute researcher (理研, 産総研, etc.)

Points-table emphasis

PhD heavily weighted. Research achievements (patents, peer-reviewed papers, competitive grants) each score 15-25 points and stack.

1号 (ii)

Specialized / technical / humanities

高度専門・技術活動

Knowledge work in natural sciences or humanities. The most common subcategory and the natural upgrade path from the standard Engineer/Specialist (技人国) visa.

Typical roles

  • Software engineers, data scientists, system architects
  • Finance analysts, M&A bankers, asset managers
  • Marketing leads, product managers, business strategists
  • Lawyers (foreign-licensed), management consultants
  • Designers (with 国際業務 component)

Points-table emphasis

Salary band heavily weighted. Career experience years compounds with degree level. Most engineers reach 70 points in their early-to-mid career.

1号 (iii)

Business management activities

高度経営・管理活動

Managing or operating a business. For executives, country managers, division heads, and business founders. A different scoring weight emphasizes management years and earnings.

Typical roles

  • CEO, CFO, COO, CTO of Japanese subsidiaries
  • Country / regional manager
  • Division head with P&L responsibility
  • Founder / co-founder of a Japanese company
  • General manager / 部長 of a major business unit

Points-table emphasis

Management experience years and high salary band dominate. MBA helps but is not required. Founders score additional points for capital invested + employees hired.

Points overview

How the 70-point threshold works

Each subcategory uses a published points table that scores the candidate across the same overall categories with slightly different weights. Reaching 70 points unlocks HSP-1; reaching 80 unlocks the 1-year fast-PR track on top of that. The categories are stable. The scoring is mechanical once the inputs are documented.

Scoring categories (common to all three subcategories)

  • Academic background: PhD = 30, Master = 20, Bachelor = 10. Multiple degrees stack to a cap.
  • Career experience: Years in the relevant domain. 10+ years = 20 points; brackets below.
  • Annual salary: The largest single contributor. Brackets every ¥1-2M; ¥10M+ typically caps the salary score for the candidate's age.
  • Age: Younger candidates score higher (the curve incentivizes long-term contribution to Japan).
  • Research achievements: Patents, peer-reviewed papers, competitive grants. Heavier weight in 1号イ.
  • Japanese language: JLPT N1 = 15 points, N2 = 10 points. The highest-leverage bonus.
  • Bonus. Japanese university alumni: +10 for graduates of designated Japanese universities.
  • Bonus. Designated areas: +10 for work in designated growth fields (AI, biotech, semiconductors, etc.).

For precise scoring against the published tables, use the dedicated tool:

Open the HSP Points Calculator →

HSP benefits

What HSP unlocks vs the standard 技人国 visa

5-year initial visa

First-grant period is 5 years (vs 1, 3, or 5 years discretionary on 技人国). Significantly fewer renewal cycles.

Spouse work permission (full-time)

Spouse files for 特定活動 instead of the standard dependent visa, lifting the 28-hour weekly cap. The biggest benefit for dual-career couples.

Fast permanent residence

70 points → PR after 3 years residence. 80 points → PR after just 1 year. Compare to the standard 10-year PR requirement on other work visas.

Parent invite (conditional)

Parents can be invited to live in Japan if the household includes a child under 7 or a pregnant spouse. Restricted to one set of parents.

Domestic helper sponsorship

Households earning ¥10M+ annually can sponsor one foreign domestic helper. Requires a separate continuous employment relationship.

Multiple permitted activities

1号ロ and 1号ハ holders can work across multiple activities / employers within their subcategory's scope (vs the single-employer constraint on 技人国).

Preferred Immigration treatment

Faster CoE processing, simpler renewal, and priority handling at major airports on entry. Small but real day-to-day quality-of-life upgrade.

Documents

Required documents (candidate + employer)

The HSP application is documentation-heavy: every scored item on the points table must be backed by a verifying document. The employer side also files standard work-visa documents (company registration, financials, employment contract, role description). Subcategory-specific documents differ. Research achievements for 1号イ; salary documentation for 1号ロ; management track record for 1号ハ.

For the candidate

Candidate documents

  • CoE application form (在留資格認定証明書交付申請書) Or 在留資格変更許可申請書 for status changes from inside Japan
  • Points table self-assessment (ポイント計算表) The published Immigration form; each scored item ticked with evidence reference
  • Diplomas + transcripts (with translation) Each degree being scored. Foreign degrees may need verification through equivalency
  • Employment certificates (in 在職証明書 format) From all prior employers, documenting the years claimed for career experience
  • Salary documentation Recent payslips, employment contract with stated salary, prior tax certificates
  • JLPT certificate (if claiming language bonus) N1 or N2. Original certificate, or official certified copy
  • Research achievements (1号イ. Patents, papers, grants) Patent registration documents, publication lists with co-authors and citations, grant award letters
  • Japanese university alumni proof (if claiming +10) Degree certificate; the school must be on the designated list

For the employer

Employer documents

  • Company registration extract (履歴事項全部証明書) From the Legal Affairs Bureau, issued within last 3 months
  • Most recent financial statements (決算書) Annual report + balance sheet + P&L; demonstrates ability to pay HSP-level salary
  • Employment contract (雇用契約書) Must specify the role, duties, compensation, work hours, term
  • Detailed job description (詳細な業務内容) Must show that the role aligns with the claimed subcategory
  • Reason for employment letter (招へい理由書) Why this candidate, why HSP (not 技人国), alignment with role
  • Tax withholding summary (法定調書合計表) For smaller employers (Category 4)

Timeline

Process and timeline (typical 1-3 months)

Day 1

Score yourself

Use the dedicated points calculator to confirm 70+ points. Identify the subcategory (イ/ロ/ハ) that matches your principal work activity.

Week 1-3

Compile evidence

Diplomas, transcripts, employment certificates, salary documentation, JLPT certificate, research achievements. Every scored item needs paper backing.

1-3 months

CoE issuance (or status change)

Employer files at Immigration. HSP applications often see preferred (faster) processing. Well-prepared cases issue in under 2 months.

5-10 days

Embassy stamp + entry

Candidate flies to Japan, receives 5-year residence card at the major airport. Spouse can immediately apply for full work permission.

1-3 years

Fast PR application

After accumulating residence (3 years at 70 pts; 1 year at 80 pts), file the PR application directly. HSP-2 (after 3 years on HSP-1) is also an option.

Costs

What it costs to file an HSP application

Estimated cost breakdown

高度専門職 1号 (HSP-1)

CoE application fee

Free at filing. ¥4,000 stamp duty for status changes from inside Japan

¥0 – ¥4,000

Embassy visa stamp (overseas only)

Single-entry ¥3,000 / multiple-entry ¥6,000 (varies by embassy)

¥3,000 – ¥6,000

Translation / certification

Diplomas, transcripts, prior employment certificates not in EN/JP

¥10,000 – ¥30,000

JLPT exam (if claiming bonus)

One-off cost for the language bonus (10-15 points)

¥7,000 – ¥8,000

Gyoseishoshi support (optional)

Many HSP-eligible candidates self-file. Complex cases (foreign-degree equivalency, 1号ハ founder) benefit from professional support

¥0 – ¥200,000

Spouse 特定活動 application (optional)

For full-time work permission. Filed separately after the principal's HSP grant

¥4,000

Direct + advisory fees only. HSP applications are typically lower-cost than other work visas at the support layer.

Rejection reasons

Most common HSP rejection causes

HSP rejections are typically more about documentation gaps than judgment calls. The points table is mechanical, but each scored item must be paper-backed. These are the leading rejection triggers per ISA published guidance and gyoseishoshi practice patterns.

Subcategory misclassification

Management role applying as 1号ロ, or pure-research role applying as 1号ロ instead of 1号イ. Subcategory should match daily work activity.

Insufficient points (under 70)

Self-assessment over-counts. Common over-counting: years of experience without backing certificates, salary band claimed at gross when net or wrong currency.

Salary documentation weak

Salary claim not supported by both the new employment contract and recent prior payslips / tax certificates. The salary band score depends on this evidence.

Foreign degree equivalency unclear

Foreign degrees from less-known institutions sometimes require explicit equivalency documentation. Translation alone is not enough for niche programs.

Research achievements unverified

For 1号イ: papers without DOIs / journal reference, patents without registration documentation, grants without award letters. Each claim needs a verifiable source.

Job description contradicts subcategory

Employer's job description describes work that doesn't fit the claimed subcategory (e.g. mostly clerical work claimed under 1号ロ). The role itself, not just the title, is reviewed.

HSP-2 & PR

From HSP-1 to HSP-2 and permanent residence

HSP-2 (高度専門職2号). Indefinite stay

After 3 years on HSP-1, candidates can apply for HSP-2. The status is granted indefinitely (no renewal cycle), permits a broader set of work activities, and removes most of the employer-tied constraints. HSP-2 is essentially a step short of permanent residence. Many holders eventually convert to PR for the additional flexibility, but HSP-2 itself is a stable long-term status.

Fast PR. The headline benefit

Standard PR requires 10 years of continuous residence (5 working). HSP-1 holders qualify earlier:

  • 70+ points → 3 years of continuous residence required
  • 80+ points → 1 year of continuous residence required

The points are evaluated at both filing time and (typically) at the original HSP grant. Workers who entered Japan on 技人国 first and switched to HSP later should note that the relevant residency clock may start from the HSP grant date depending on the case officer's reading.

Switching employers

Allowed within the same subcategory. You must notify Immigration within 14 days of the change. Strongly recommend obtaining a 就労資格証明書 (Certificate of Authorized Employment) before joining the new employer to confirm the new role still qualifies under your existing HSP status.

Switching subcategory (e.g. 1号ロ → 1号ハ)

Possible, but treated as a substantive change requiring a fresh status application. Common case: a senior IC engineer (1号ロ) is promoted to a country-manager role and needs to re-file as 1号ハ.

Frequently asked

Highly Skilled Professional (高度専門職) FAQ

What is the Highly Skilled Professional (高度専門職) visa?

Japan's points-based premium work visa. Splits into three subcategories. 1号イ (research / academic), 1号ロ (specialized / technical / humanities), 1号ハ (business management). Reaching 70 points unlocks a 5-year visa, spouse work permission, an expedited PR pathway (1-3 years instead of 10), and the right to invite parents under specific conditions.

What are the three subcategories?

1号イ covers academic research and education (researchers, professors, R&D scientists). 1号ロ covers specialized / technical / humanities work and is the most common subcategory (engineers, IT specialists, finance, marketing, legal, consulting). 1号ハ covers business management (executives, country managers, business founders). Each subcategory uses a slightly different points table.

How many points do I need?

70 points unlocks HSP-1 (the 5-year visa with all benefits). 80 points additionally unlocks the 1-year fast PR track. Points come from academic background, career experience, annual salary, age, research achievements, Japanese language ability (JLPT N1 / N2), and bonus categories like Japanese university alumni status.

Which subcategory should I apply under?

Choose based on your principal work activity. Researchers and professors → 1号イ. Engineers, IT, finance, marketing, legal, consulting professionals → 1号ロ (most common). Executives, business founders, country managers, division heads → 1号ハ. Misclassification is a frequent rejection cause; choose the subcategory that matches your daily work.

Can my spouse work on the HSP visa?

Yes. Full-time work, not just the 28-hours-per-week limit imposed on standard dependent visas. The spouse files for 特定活動 (designated activities) and is then unrestricted in working hours. This is one of the most powerful HSP benefits for dual-career couples.

What is the fast PR track?

Standard PR requires 10 years of continuous residence in Japan (5 working). HSP-1 holders with 70+ points qualify for PR after just 3 years; 80+ points qualify after just 1 year. This is the single biggest reason ambitious foreign professionals pursue HSP over the standard 技人国 visa.

Can I invite my parents on the HSP visa?

Yes, under specific conditions: typically the household must include a child under age 7, OR a spouse who is pregnant. Parent visa is restricted to one set of parents (yours or your spouse's) and the parents must be over a defined age. The rule is designed to support childcare, not general elder care.

What is the difference between HSP-1 and HSP-2?

HSP-1 is the entry status with the 5-year visa, 70-point threshold, and all the benefits described on this page. HSP-2 is reached after 3 years on HSP-1 and offers indefinite stay (no renewal cycle), broader work permissions, and easier maintenance. HSP-2 is essentially a step short of permanent residence.

How is HSP different from the Engineer/Specialist (技人国) visa?

技人国 is the workhorse work visa. Anyone with a degree-aligned job qualifies, regardless of points. HSP requires reaching 70 points but in exchange unlocks: 5-year initial grant, spouse work permission, fast PR, parent invite, multiple work activities allowed (1号ロ・ハ). Many professionals start on 技人国 and switch to HSP once they accumulate the points.

Does my degree need to be from Japan?

No. Foreign degrees count fully, but bonus points are awarded for graduates of designated Japanese universities (a published list, including the WPI partner universities and others). The bonus is an extra 10 points which can push a borderline candidate over 70.

What if my application is rejected?

HSP rejections most often trace to (1) misclassification of the subcategory, (2) insufficient documentation of scored items, or (3) salary documentation that doesn't match the threshold for the claimed band. There is no formal appeal. Fix the gap and re-file. The standard 技人国 visa remains a fallback for almost all 1号ロ candidates.

Can I do multiple jobs on HSP?

Yes for 1号ロ and 1号ハ holders. The HSP framework explicitly allows the worker to engage in multiple permitted activities across different employers, provided the additional activities fall within the same subcategory's scope. This is more flexible than the single-employer constraint of the standard 技人国 visa.

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Related tools and guides

HSP Points Calculator

The dedicated tool for precise scoring against the published Immigration points tables for all three subcategories.

Open the calculator

Engineer/Specialist (技人国) Visa

The standard work visa most professionals start on before switching to HSP. Eligibility checker, document checklist, timeline, costs, and rejection reasons.

Open the visa page

Visa & Immigration hub

Browse all Japan work visas, eligibility checkers, and immigration guides for hiring foreign professionals.

Open the hub

Sources

Important. This page provides general information based on Immigration Services Agency published guidance for the Highly Skilled Professional program. It does not constitute legal advice. The points tables and bonus categories are updated periodically; always confirm against the current published table before filing. For complex cases (foreign-degree equivalency, 1号ハ founder applications, prior rejection), retain a licensed gyoseishoshi (行政書士) familiar with HSP filings.