Points-based Highly Skilled Professional route with PR in as little as one year.
HSP → PR eligibility
1 year (80+ points) or 3 years (70+ points)
SSW industries
16
Standard path to PR
10 years residence
Digital Nomad visa duration
6 months
Overview
Japan opened its labour market decisively over the last decade — the Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) points system lets top scorers qualify for PR after just 1–3 years, the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa fills labour gaps across 16 industries, and the J-Find and Digital Nomad visas welcome graduates and remote workers. Standard work visas remain sponsor-tied and category-specific (Engineer/Humanities/International Services, Instructor, Business Manager, etc.).
How the immigration system works
The Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA), under the Ministry of Justice, runs all statuses of residence. Employers file a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) on behalf of the migrant; the migrant then converts the COE to a visa at a Japanese consulate abroad. Residence cards are issued at arrival for stays over 3 months.
Best for
Engineers, IT specialists and language professionals (Engineer/Humanities/International Services)
Rules change frequently. Always confirm current requirements on the official portal before applying.
Visa pathways
7 structured pathways into Japan
work
Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services
Medium
The main skilled-worker status covering engineers, IT, marketers, translators, designers, language teachers, consultants and similar white-collar roles.
Who it's for: Bachelor's degree holders (or 10 years' related experience; 3 years for international services translation/interpretation) with a Japanese job offer matching their field.
Points-based work status offering benefits such as multiple work activities, preferential PR (1 year at 80+, 3 years at 70+ points) and household staff sponsorship.
Who it's for: Advanced academic, technical or business professionals scoring 70+ points on the HSP grid (education, income, experience, age, language).
Timeline
1–3 months
Cost
JPY 4,000
Documents
5 items
Requirements
70+ HSP points
Annual income JPY 3M+ (varies by activity)
Japanese employer or self-employment plan
Process
1Score self on HSP calculator
2Employer files COE marking HSP
3Consulate issues visa
4Receive 5-year residence card
Documents
• Passport
• Degree(s)
• Employment contract
• Salary evidence
• Language certificates (JLPT)
Common mistakes
• Missing bonus points for JLPT N1 (15 points) or a Japan-issued degree
The most common are Engineer/Humanities/International Services (white-collar skilled work), Instructor (school teaching), Business Manager (entrepreneurs), Highly Skilled Professional (points-based), and Specified Skilled Worker (labour-shortage sectors).
Can foreigners become permanent residents of Japan?
Yes. Standard PR requires 10 years' residence (5 of them on a work visa). Highly Skilled Professionals with 80+ points qualify in 1 year, and 70+ points qualify in 3 years.
How does the Highly Skilled Professional points system work?
Points are awarded for academic background, professional career, annual salary, age, research achievements, Japanese language ability (JLPT N1/N2), and Japan-issued degrees. 70+ points unlock HSP status, 80+ unlocks the 1-year PR track.
Do I need to speak Japanese?
Not always — many white-collar roles in Tokyo work in English. However, JLPT N1/N2 unlocks HSP bonus points, a wider job market, and easier daily life. SSW requires JFT-Basic or JLPT N4 minimum.
Can I bring my family?
Yes on most work visas (Dependant status) except SSW(i) and short-term statuses. Highly Skilled Professionals may also sponsor a parent and one household employee under specific conditions.
How much can I earn in Japan?
Entry-level engineers earn JPY 4–6M/year; senior specialists in Tokyo tech firms JPY 10–20M+; HSP-scoring executives significantly more. Income tax is progressive up to 45%.
What is the J-Find visa?
A 2-year visa for graduates of top-100 world universities within 5 years of finishing, allowing job search or business preparation in Japan without a prior job offer.
