This article series will provide useful insights into the changing investment and innovation environment, and new business opportunities in Japan.
Section 2. Visas and Status of Residence
2.11 Points-based preferential immigration treatment for Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals
2.11.1 Points-based system for Highly-Skilled Foreign Professionals (May 2012)
This is the preferential immigration control system for Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals who receive at least a certain number of points (70 points) by utilizing the points-based system for Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals, which was designed to promote acceptance of Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals who can be expected to contribute to Japanese economic growth, etc. and have a high level of ability. For the Highly Skilled Foreign Professional who newly enters Japan, the status of residence “Highly Skilled Foreign Professional (i)” and preferential treatment are provided first. For the foreign professional who has been working in Japan for more than three years after receiving the status of residence called Highly Skilled Foreign Professional(i), Highly Skilled Foreign Professional (ii) and further preferential treatment are provided.
*For details of the system, please see the following website :
2.11.2 Point evaluation
The activities of Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals are classified into the following categories, and points are assigned for “educational attainment,” “professional experience,” “annual salary,” “research performance,” etc. based on the nature of the category of activity.
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(1)
Advanced academic research activities: “ Highly Skilled Foreign Professional(i)(a)”
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(2)
Advanced specialized/technical activities: “ Highly Skilled Foreign Professional(i)(b)”
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(3)
Advanced business management activities: “ Highly Skilled Foreign Professional(i)(c)”
For details of the point calculation method, please see the following website.
2.11.3 Preferential treatment
For those certified as Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals, the following preferential treatment for immigration control and residency management is granted.
In case of “Highly Skilled Foreign Professional(i)”:
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(1)
Permission for multiple purposes of activities
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(2)
Grant the “five years” period of stay
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(3)
Easing of requirements for permanent residence
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(4)
Permission for spouse of the Highly Skilled Foreign Professional to work
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(5)
Permission for the parent(s) to accompany the Highly Skilled Foreign Professional to Japan under certain conditions
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(6)
Permission for a domestic worker to accompany the Highly Skilled Foreign Professional to Japan under certain conditions
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(7)
Preferential processing of entry and residence procedures
In case of “Highly Skilled Foreign Professional(ii)”:
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(1)
In conjunction with the activities of “Highly Skilled Foreign Professional(i),” permitted to engage in almost all of the activities of statuses of residence based on employment
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(2)
Granted an indefinite period of stay
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(3)
Eligible for the preferential treatments of the abovementioned (3) to (6)
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*
Those who have been active as a Highly Skilled Foreign Professional (i) for three years or more can qualify as a Highly Skilled Foreign Professional (ii).
2.11.4 Relaxations of requirements for certification as Highly-Skilled Foreign Professionals
In order to promote acceptance of Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals, point adding up-measures have been taken since April 2017.
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(1)
Addition to foreign nationals who are engaged in leading edge projects involving relevant ministries in growing fields, such as IT (10 points)
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(2)
Addition to significant investors (5 points)
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(3)
Addition to graduates from top-notch universities (10 points)
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(4)
Addition to foreign nationals who completed human resources development projects using ODA (5 points)
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(5)
Addition to graduates from universities, etc. in advanced academic research activities (10 points)
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(6)
Addition to foreign nationals who hold multiple master’s degrees or doctor’s degrees (5 points)
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(7)
Addition to foreign nationals who have a certain level of Japanese ability, such as the level of N2 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (10 points)
2.11.5 Review of period of stay required for application of permission for permanent residence (Establishment of Japanese Green Cards for Highly-Skilled Foreign Professionals)
In order to promote acceptance of Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals, the period of stay required for application of permission for permanent residence is reviewed, and the so-called “Japanese Green Card for Highly-Skilled Foreign Professionals” is established. (April 26, 2017)
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(1)
For foreign nationals who are certified as Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals with 70 points or higher, the period to stay required for application of permission for permanent residence was shortened from five years to three years.
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(2)
For foreign nationals who are recognized as especially Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals, those who certified with 80 points or higher, the period of stay required for application of permission for permanent residence was shortened greatly from five years to one year.
2.11.6 Expansion of universities eligible for special additions for the Points-based System for Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals
Under the Points-based System for Highly-Skilled Foreign Professionals, which provides preferential treatment to highly skilled personnel in terms of immigration control, the number of universities eligible for "universities specified by the Minister of Justice in a public notice" (for special addition of 10 points) has been expanded (March 2019).
2.11.7 Expansion of preferential measures in the point-based system for Highly-Skilled Foreign Professionals to become an international financial center
To improve the convenience related to status of residence, Financial Services Agency has introduced preferential measures to those involved in the asset management business, etc., as of July 2021.
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(1)
Among foreign nationals who fall under Highly Skilled Foreign Professional (i) (b) or (c), those who engage in Type II Financial Instruments Business, Investment Advisory and Agency Business, or Investment Management Business (hereinafter referred to as “Investment Management Business, etc.”) are eligible for extra points (10 points).
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(2)
Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals who engage in the Investment Management Business, etc., can now employ a certain number of domestic helpers who meet the necessary requirements according to their annual household income, even if they do not meet the existing provisions related to family circumstances or accompaniment at the time of entry.
- 10 million yen or more but less than 30 million yen: one person
- 30 million yen or more: two persons
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(3)
Foreigners who attain registration as Investment Management Business, etc., while residing in Japan with “Temporary Visitor” status can now change their statuses of residence to “Highly Skilled Foreign Professional” or “Business Manager.”
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(4)
The spouses of a Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals intending to work are subjects to the same priority processing for immigration and residency procedures as the Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals.
2.11.8 Introduction of Japan System for Special Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals (J-Skip)
Highly-skilled foreign professionals will be granted “Highly Skilled Foreign Professional (i)” status of residence if their academic or professional background and annual income are above a certain level (April 2023).
In addition, it is possible to change to “Highly Skilled Foreign Professional (ii)” one year after entering Japan.
As a Highly Skilled Foreign Professional (ii), you will be able to engage in almost all activities of the work qualification, along with the activities of “Highly Skilled Foreign Professional (i),” and you will receive the following preferential treatment and your period of stay will be indefinite.
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(1)
Advanced academic research activities (university professors, researchers, etc.)
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(2)
Advanced specialized/technical activities (engineers working in companies, etc.)
- Those with a master’s degree or higher and annual income of 20 million yen or more
- Those with at least 10 years of work experience related to the business, etc. they intend to engage in and annual income of 20 million yen or more.
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(3)
Advanced business/management activities (corporate executives, etc.)
- Those who have at least 5 years of work experience related to the business etc. they intend to engage in and annual income of 40 million yen or more.
Preferential treatment:
As a Special Highly Skilled Foreign Professional, you will be able to receive the following expanded preferential treatment in addition to the preferential treatment under the Highly Skilled Foreign Professional point system.
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*
“Special Highly Skilled Foreign Professional Certificate” will be issued and will be marked “Special Highly Skilled Foreign Professional” in the margin on the back of the residence card.
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1.
Permission of multiple residence activities
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2.
Granting of "five years" period of stay
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3.
Relaxation of requirements for permanent residence permit regarding residence history: An application for a permanent residence permit can be filed with a period of “one year”
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4.
Spouse's employment:
- Visa holder’s spouse is allowed to work more than 28 hours a week in activities falling under the statuses of residence of “Professor,” “Artist,” “Religious Activities,” “Journalist,” and “Skilled Labor” in addition to the statuses of residence of “Researcher,” “Instructor,” “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” and “Entertainer,” even if they do not satisfy the requirements for background, etc.
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5.
Accompaniment of parents
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6.
Employment of household workers:
- If the annual household income is 30 million yen or more, it is possible to employ up to 2 foreign domestic workers.
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7.
Use of priority lanes at large airports, etc.
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8.
Preferential processing of immigration (entry and residence) procedures
2.11.9 Introduction of Japan System for Future Creation Individual Visa (J-Find)
If an outstanding foreign university graduate meets the following three requirements and engages in “employment activities” or “preparatory activities for starting a business” in Japan, he/she will be granted the status of “Designated Activities” (Future Creation Individual) and can stay in Japan for up to two years (from April 2023).
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1.
The applicant must have graduated from a university ranked in the top 100 in at least two out of the following three world university rankings, or been conferred a degree or professional degree after completing a graduate course at one of those universities.
(1) QS World University Rankings published by Quacquarelli Symonds
(2) The World University Rankings published by The Times
(3) Academic Ranking of World Universities published by Shanghai Ranking Consultancy -
2.
Within five years after graduation
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3.
Possession of 200,000 yen for living expenses at the beginning of stay.
Those who meet all of the three requirements are eligible for employment, and their activities are either “job hunting,” “startup preparation activities,” or “employment to supplement the funds necessary to carry out the above activities.”
The spouse/children to be supported by the eligible person are granted a status of residence of “Designated Activities” (spouse of J-Find, etc.) and can accompany. In addition, “permission to engage in an activity other than those permitted under the status of residence previously granted” is required for the spouse or children to be employed.
Section2: Contents & Reference
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2.1
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2.2
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2.3
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2.4
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2.5
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2.6
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2.7
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2.8
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2.9
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2.10
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2.11
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2.12
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2.13
Section2. Documents businesses are required to submit to authorities
Materials listed as ‘Reference’ contain samples of documents regarding registration, visa, taxation, personnel and labor matters that are necessary when a foreign company establishes a corporation or other entity in Japan. These documents are not published by competent authorities and therefore are not official. For those who are going through the official procedures, please obtain the latest official documents from the competent authorities and related bodies or consult a person who specializes in advising on such information and procedures.
The information contained in this documents should be used at the reader’s independent discretion. While JETRO makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it provides, no responsibility is accepted by JETRO for any loss or damage incurred as a result of actions based on the information provided in these documents or provided by the external links listed on these pages.
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