Status of Residence: Highly Skilled Professional

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa Name	Highly Skilled Professional (i) and (ii)
Period of Stay	(i) Not stated; (ii) Indefinite
Application Cost	Not stated in the source
Eligibility Threshold	Total score of 70 points or more
Eligibility Timing	(ii) requires 3+ years under (i)
Work Rights	Relaxed restrictions on permitted activities
Study Rights	Not stated in the source
Public Medical Insurance	Proof of payments required for (ii)
Travel Facility	Not stated in the source
Citizenship Pathway	Not stated in the source
Family Sponsorship	Not stated in the source
Residence Record	Good residence record/conduct required

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Purpose

The "Highly Skilled Professional" status of residence attracts foreign nationals with advanced specialized capabilities to contribute to academic research and economic development in Japan. Permitted activities are relaxed compared to standard work statuses.

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Status Categories

• Highly Skilled Professional (i): Points-based status categorized into:
  • (i)(a): Academic research activities (e.g., Professor, Researcher).
  • (i)(b): Advanced specialized/technical activities (e.g., Engineer, Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Intra-company Transferee, Legal/Accounting, Medical).
  • (i)(c): Business management activities (e.g., Business Manager, Legal/Accounting).
• Highly Skilled Professional (ii): Available to individuals who have resided in Japan under category (i) or qualifying "Designated Activities" for a designated period. Provides an indefinite period of stay and substantially relaxed activity restrictions.

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Eligibility Requirements

For Highly Skilled Professional (i)

• The intended activity must fall under category (i)(a), (i)(b), or (i)(c).
• The applicant must meet all applicable ministerial standards.
• The applicant must achieve a total score of 70 points or more under the points calculation sheet (evaluating academic background, career history, annual income, etc.).

For Highly Skilled Professional (ii)

• Intended activities must correspond to category (ii).
• Total score must be 70 points or more.
• The applicant must have resided in Japan for three years or more under "Highly Skilled Professional (i)" or qualifying "Designated Activities."
• The applicant must demonstrate good conduct.
• Residence must be in the interests of Japan and must not adversely affect Japanese industry or public life.

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Period of Stay & Point Maintenance Rules

• Highly Skilled Professional (i): Maintaining 70+ points at all times during your stay is not required. A drop in points (due to age, income changes, etc.) does not cause immediate loss of status. However, you must score 70 points or more at the time of applying for an extension of stay.
• Highly Skilled Professional (ii): Period of stay is indefinite.

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Required Documents

General Document Guidelines

• All certificates issued in Japan must have been issued within three months prior to submission.
• Foreign-language documents must include a Japanese translation.
• Application forms must be printed one-sided on Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) A4 paper.
• Submitted documents are generally not returned. To retrieve irreplaceable originals, request return at the time of filing.
• Photographs: Must meet standard specifications. Note: From June 14, 2026, photos are required for applicants aged 1 year or older (prior to this date, persons under 16 were exempt).

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Application-Specific Documentation

1. Certificate of Eligibility (COE) — Category (i) (First-Time Entry)

• Prescribed COE Application Form matching the activity:
  • (i)(a): Form I (Professor) or Form N (Researcher).
  • (i)(b): Form L (Intra-company Transferee), Form N (Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services), or Form U (Legal/Accounting/Medical).
  • (i)(c): Form M (Business Manager) or Form U (Legal/Accounting).
• One photograph.
• Self-addressed return envelope with simplified registered mail postage.
• Activity-specific supporting documents (per Appended Table III of the Immigration Control Ordinance).
• Points calculation sheet and supporting evidence showing a score of 70 points or more (evidence is only required for points necessary to meet the threshold).
• Copy of passport (recommended if the name on the COE may differ).
• Proof of authorization if submitted by an agent.

2. Change of Status of Residence — Category (i)

• Application form corresponding to the intended category/activity.
• One photograph.
• Presentation of passport and residence card.
• Activity-specific documents.
• Points calculation sheet and proof of 70+ points.
• Note: Existing (i) holders changing affiliated organizations or activity contents must apply for a Change of Status.

3. Extension of Period of Stay — Category (i)

• Application for extension of stay.
• One photograph.
• Presentation of passport and residence card.
• Activity-specific documents.
• Points calculation sheet and proof of 70+ points.

4. Change of Status of Residence — Category (ii)

• Application for change of status.
• One photograph.
• Presentation of passport and residence card.
• Activity-specific documents.
• Points calculation sheet and proof of 70+ points (or 80+ points if utilizing shortened evidentiary periods).
• Tax and Income Documents (Past 5 years standard):
  • Municipal Inhabitant Tax: Assessment/exemption and payment certificates. (Submit past 3 years if maintaining 70+ points; past 1 year if maintaining 80+ points). Include bankbooks/receipts if tax was not salary-withheld.
  • National Taxes: Tax Payment Certificate (No. 3) proving no unpaid withholding tax, declared income tax, consumption tax, inheritance tax, or gift tax.
  • Other Income Proof: Bankbook copies or equivalent.
• Public Pension and Medical Insurance Records (Past 2 years standard):
  • Pension: Insured person inquiry responses (Payment I/II), full-period Nenkin Teikibin, Nenkin Net printouts, or National Pension receipts. (Past 1 year if maintaining 80+ points).
  • Health Insurance: Health Insurance / National Health Insurance certificates, premium payment certificates, or receipts. (Past 1 year if maintaining 80+ points).
  • Business Owners: Establishments subject to social insurance must also provide proof of corporate social insurance premium payments.

5. Acquisition of Status of Residence — Category (i)

• Application for acquisition of status.
• One photograph.
• Category-specific proof (loss of Japanese nationality, birth in Japan, or other applicable reason).
• Presentation of passport.
• Activity-specific documents, points calculation sheet, and proof of 70+ points.

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Bonus Points (Special Additions)

Bonus points can be earned for specific qualifications and circumstances:

• Bonus 4: Innovation promotion measures.
• Bonus 6: Specified foreign qualifications and awards.
• Bonuses 8 & 9: Japanese-language ability.
• Bonus 10: Advanced businesses in projected growth fields.
• Bonus 11: Designated universities (world ranking lists, Top Global University Project subsidies, or Innovative Asia Project partner schools).
• Bonus 12: Innovative Asia Project participation.
• Bonus 14: Investment management activities.
• Bonus 15: Local government initiatives promoting highly skilled foreign professionals.

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Obligations & Notifications

Residents must submit official notifications to immigration authorities when:

• Establishing a place of residence after landing.
• Changing residence address.
• Updating information recorded on the residence card (other than residence address).

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Related Program: J-Skip

The Special Highly Skilled Professional System (J-Skip) is an alternative track to the Points System. It grants "Highly Skilled Professional" status with expanded benefits to individuals who satisfy specific high-level thresholds for annual income combined with academic background or professional experience.