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Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) Visa
Japan’s points-based visa for researchers, engineers, and business executives. Minimum 70 points required. 80+ points unlocks PR in just 1 year.
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Requirements and fees may change. Always verify with the official embassy or immigration authority before applying.
Three HSP Categories
HSP (i)(a)
Advanced Academic Research
University professors, researchers
Min. Income: ¥3M+ JPYHSP (i)(b)
Advanced Specialized/Technical
Engineers, IT specialists, consultants
Min. Income: ¥3M+ JPYHSP (i)(c)
Advanced Business Management
Company executives, directors, managers
Min. Income: ¥3M+ JPYPoints Table
Minimum 70 points required. 80+ points enables PR after 1 year.
Education
| Qualification | (a) | (b) | (c) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doctoral degree (PhD) | 30 | 30 | 20 |
| Master’s degree | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Bachelor’s degree | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Dual degree bonus | +5 | +5 | +5 |
Work Experience
Category (a)
7+ years15 pts
5-7 years10 pts
3-5 years5 pts
Category (b)
10+ years20 pts
7-10 years15 pts
5-7 years10 pts
3-5 years5 pts
Category (c)
10+ years25 pts
7-10 years20 pts
5-7 years15 pts
3-5 years10 pts
Annual Income (Categories a & b, varies by age)
| Salary | <30 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ¥10M+ JPY | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 |
| ¥9-10M JPY | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 |
| ¥8-9M JPY | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| ¥7-8M JPY | 25 | 25 | 25 | — |
| ¥6-7M JPY | 20 | 20 | 20 | — |
| ¥5-6M JPY | 15 | 15 | — | — |
| ¥4-5M JPY | 10 | — | — | — |
| ¥3-4M JPY | 5 | — | — | — |
Annual Income (Category c — Business Management)
| Salary | Points |
|---|---|
| ¥30M+ JPY | 50 |
| ¥25-30M JPY | 40 |
| ¥20-25M JPY | 30 |
| ¥15-20M JPY | 20 |
| ¥10-15M JPY | 10 |
Age (Categories a & b only)
Under 3015 pts
30-3410 pts
35-395 pts
40+0 pts
Japanese Language Ability
JLPT N1 or BJT J1+15 pts
JLPT N2 or BJT J2+10 pts
Graduated from Japanese university10 pts
Bonus Points
Top-tier Japanese/global university graduate10 pts
SGU (Super Global University) program graduate10 pts
Employed by innovative SME10 pts
National Strategic Special Zone work10 pts
Contract with national R&D organization5 pts
Business Japanese test (JITCO)5 pts
Investment in Japan-based company (1B+ JPY)5 pts
PR Fast Track
80+ points1 year of continuous residence
70+ points3 years of continuous residence
Standard (non-HSP)10 years of continuous residence
HSP Benefits
5-year visa period
Permission for multiple activities across visa categories
Spouse can work in Japan
Can bring parents under certain conditions
Can hire domestic workers under certain conditions
Priority immigration processing
FAQ
What is the minimum salary for HSP?
The minimum annual income is ¥3 million JPY regardless of points. However, you need sufficient income points (combined with other categories) to reach the 70-point threshold.
How does HSP compare to J-Skip?
HSP uses a comprehensive points system evaluating education, experience, salary, age, language, and bonuses. J-Skip bypasses points entirely and only requires a high salary (¥20M+). Both can lead to PR in 1 year (HSP with 80+ pts, J-Skip always).
Can I change employers with an HSP visa?
Yes. However, if you change employers, your new position must still qualify for HSP status. You should recalculate your points to ensure you still meet the 70-point minimum.
Does JLPT N1 really give 15 bonus points?
Yes. JLPT N1 (or BJT J1+) gives 15 points in the language category. JLPT N2 gives 10 points. These are not cumulative (you get the higher of the two). University graduation bonus (10pts) can be added on top.
Official Sources
Verify requirements and fees directly with these government sources:
Last updated: 2026-03-15