JETRO Invest Japan Report 2023
Chapter3. Recent Government Measures Section9. Establishment of a "New System" for Accepting Highly-Skilled Foreign Professionals (from April 2023)

With the introduction of the Japan System for Special Highly-skilled Professionals (J-Skip), in addition to the existing points-based system for highly-skilled professionals, those with academic background or professional career and annual income above a certain level will be granted "highly-skilled professional" status of residence and receive more preferential treatment as "special highly-skilled professional" than what they currently receive.

With the introduction of the Japan System for Future Creation Individual Visa (J-Find), those who have graduated from high-caliber overseas universities and colleges have been granted the status of residence of "Designated Activities" (Future Creative Human Resources) if they engage in "Job hunting" or "Entrepreneurship Preparation Activities" in Japan, enabling them to stay in Japan for up to two years.

Outline of Japan System for Special Highly-skilled Professionals (J-Skip) and Future Creation Individual Visa (J-Find)

Japan System for Special Highly- Skilled Professionals (J-Skip)

Requirements

Advanced academic research activities (university professors, researchers, etc.), Advanced Specialized/technical activities (engineers working in companies, etc.)

Master's degree or higher + annual income of 20 million yen or more
More than 10 years of work experience + annual income of 20 million yen or more

Advanced business/management Activities (corporate managers, etc.)

More than 5 years of professional career + annual income of 40 million yen or more

Preferential treatment (excerpts)

Entitled to apply for permanent residency after 1 year stay
Visa allowance up to 2 personal helpers, such as house keepers
Relaxation of work permit for spouse

Japan System for Future Creation Individual Visa (J-Find)

Requirements

Graduates from a university ranked in the top 100 in at least two of the three world university rankings, or those who have completed a graduate course at one of those universities and have been awarded a degree or professional degree（80KB）
Within five years of graduation
Possession of 200,000 yen for living expenses in the initial stay

Preferential treatment (excerpts)

The status of residence "Designated Activities" will be granted, allowing job hunting or preparation activities for starting a business, for up to 2 years.
It is allowed to work supplementally during that time.
Family members are allowed to accompany.

Source: Immigration Bureau website

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