Japan’s Highly Skilled Professional Visa: The No-Stress, Lawyer-Approved Guide

Speaking as someone who has escorted more than 300 applicants through Japan’s immigration maze, I know two things for certain: the HSP visa is worth every minute of prep, and that minute always takes longer than you expect.

If you’re weighing the leap, this guide is your backstage pass. We’ll unpack the points system, paperwork, fees, and—most importantly—the bottlenecks that derail first-timers. By the end you’ll have a clear, lawyer-vetted checklist that you can hand to your future self (and maybe your future boss).

Why the Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) Visa Matters

Japan introduced the HSP framework in 2012 to compete with talent magnets like Singapore and Canada. The visa:

• awards “points” for academic background, work experience, salary, and research output,
• bundles you and certain family members into one simplified residence status,
• fast-tracks permanent residency eligibility (one to three years instead of ten), and
• unlocks side gigs (limited), domestic help sponsorship, and multiple-entry re-entry permits.

Think of it as a VIP FastPass at Tokyo Disneyland, minus the popcorn.

1. Eligibility Criteria

1.1 The Three Activity Baskets

Japan divides highly skilled activities into three baskets. Your proposed work must fall into one of them:

1. Advanced academic research (code: Highly Skilled Professional 1 (a))
2. Advanced specialized/technical activities (code: HSP 1 (b))
3. Advanced business & management activities (code: HSP 1 (c))

Tip: Software engineers usually qualify under basket (b); founders and C-suite hires use basket (c); post-docs pick (a).

1.2 The 70-Point Threshold

You need 70 points on the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) scale. Below is the lawyer’s cheat-sheet (abridged—full form is 2.5 pages of micro-print in Japanese):

Small quirks that surprise my clients:

• Salary points are pre-tax. Your ¥9M offer letter may shrink after deductions, but the MoJ still counts the gross figure.
• Age points apply only up to 34. Sorry, Gen X—you’ll have to make up those points elsewhere.

1.3 HSP(Ⅱ): The Upgrade

After 3 years on an HSP(Ⅰ)—or just one year if you score 80+ points—you can switch to HSP(Ⅱ). The activities are identical, but the residence status is effectively permanent (renew every 5 years, no point recalculation). Think of it as Gold status in the Japanese immigration loyalty program.

2. Required Documents

Below is the “short” list. Expect to produce both originals and Japanese translations unless otherwise noted.

2.1 Core Package

• COE application form (Form 3, plus the HSP points calculation sheet)
• Passport copy (ID page and all stamped pages)
• Japan-side sponsor docs
• Letter of guarantee
• Employment contract or research invitation letter
• Company registration shōhō tōkibo tōhon (within 3 months)
• Resume in Japanese (rirekisho) and English
• Highest degree certificates (with apostille or consular legalization)
• Work experience letters—must state job title, full-time/part-time, exact dates
• Proof of annual salary
• If in Japan: latest gensenchoshuhyō (tax withholding)
• If abroad: notarized employer statement or signed offer

2.2 Points Evidence Add-Ons

• Research output: copies of peer-reviewed journals, citation counts, patent letters
• Language: JLPT certificate, BJT score, or university transcript in Japanese
• Age: birth certificate if passport lacks date of birth detail
• Awards & recognitions: yes, your ACM Best Paper ribbon counts

Call-out: Every non-Japanese document—except passports—needs a “faithful translation.” I’ve seen files rejected because the translator switched American MM/DD/YYYY to Japan’s DD/MM/YYYY. Triple-check dates.

2.3 Family Members

Spouse and dependent children attach:

• Copies of marriage / birth certificates with Japan-friendly translation
• Completed Dependents COE forms
• Proof of relationship maintenance if living separately (screenshots of chats and air-ticket stubs work)

3. Costs and Processing Times

Timelines

I’ve had one HSP client sail through in 21 days door-to-door because his employer was a blue-chip keiretsu, and he submitted Japanese-language academic certificates. For startups or borderline-70-point cases, budget three months.

4. Step-by-Step Application (Roadblocks Highlighted)

4.1 Reality Check & Points Audit

1. Download the MoJ Excel sheet (English version is hidden on page 7—seriously).
2. Enter conservative numbers; immigration audits borderline scores.
3. Still hovering around 68–69? Explore “salary topping.” Asking HR for an extra ¥500k base is cheaper than adding a PhD.

Pro-tip: Clients often forget to count internships longer than 3 months. Paid or unpaid, they still score work-experience points.

4.2 Gather Documentation

Obstacle #1: Employer reference letters
Foreign companies love generic HR letters. Japan needs exact start & end dates and job duties. Push HR early; large firms may take 4–6 weeks.

Obstacle #2: Degree legalization
If your country doesn’t participate in the Hague Apostille (looking at you, Canada!), you’ll need consular or notarized copies plus embassy verification.

4.3 File Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

Who files:
• You, if already in Japan under a different status, or
• Your Japanese employer/agent.

Roadblock #3: Immigration queries (tsuuchi)
Roughly 30% of HSP COEs trigger a query—additional docs or clarification. Respond within the deadline (usually 10 business days). Miss it, and the whole case resets.

4.4 Embassy/Consulate Visa Issuance

Present COE, passport, photo, and application form (yes, another one). Some consulates request tax returns or bank statements, so check local rules.

Funny but true: One Paris applicant stalled because his bank stamped the statement on pink paper. The consular officer politely suggested white A4. Bureaucracy loves monochrome.

4.5 Arrival & Residence Card

At Narita or Haneda, the officer prints “Highly Skilled Professional” on your residence card. Double-check spelling before leaving the counter. Fixes after exit require a second airport trip or a trek to Shinagawa.

4.6 Register Address & MyNumber

Within 14 days, take your residence card and lease contract to the ward office. You’ll receive:

• Jūminhyō (resident certificate)
• MyNumber card application—do it; many HSP perks (e.g., e-Tax) depend on it.

4.7 Path to HSP(Ⅱ) and PR

Keep tax returns, salary slips, and research proof organized annually. At the 12- or 36-month mark, file for HSP(Ⅱ) or PR with another funky Excel sheet plus your ward’s tax payment certificate. Missed pension payments are PR-killers.

From the Lawyer’s Files: Classic Pitfalls

1. Underreporting bonuses – Variable bonuses still count in the salary points calculation if written in the contract. Structure offer letters wisely.
2. Out-of-sync passports – Renewing mid-process forces re-issue of the COE. Plan ahead if you’re within 12 months of expiry.
3. DIY translations – Fine for simple docs, disaster for transcripts with academic jargon. Every “cum laude” mistranslated into Japanese becomes “with difficulty” (yes, it happened).
4. Ignoring the dependent spouse’s work rights – HSP spouses can hold any job up to 28 hours/week on “designated activities” or full-time by filing a simple side petition. Don’t leave talent on the bench.

FAQs You Were Too Polite to Ask

Q: Can I switch employers?
A: Yes, but notify immigration within 14 days. Points are re-evaluated at extension, so don’t drop below 70.

Q: Remote work for overseas clients?
A: Limited freelancing is tolerated if your main Japanese employer remains primary. Exceed 25% of income and you risk “unauthorized activity.”

Q: Is the HSP visa better than the Business Manager visa?
A: If you hit 70 points, absolutely. Faster PR. But if you’re under 70 and running a startup, Business Manager is your route. Compare with our France vs. Italy for creative expats piece for broader EU alternatives.

Q: Post-pandemic, are digital nomads welcome?
A: The HSP requires a Japan-based salary. Pure nomad freedom still belongs to programs like Costa Rica’s Rentista residency.

The Bottom Line

Japan’s Highly Skilled Professional visa rewards meticulous planning. Nail the 70-point audit, over-document everything, and anticipate immigration’s love of precise dates. Do that, and you’re looking at cherry blossoms on fast-forward to permanent residency.

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