HSP 80 Points and Japan Permanent Residency: One-Year Rule and Family Implications

2025年9月8日

約 6 分

HSP 80 Points and Japan Permanent Residency: One-Year Rule and Family Implications

By Masakazu Murai, Managing Director, Continental Immigration Administrative Scrivener Corporation

One-Year PR Eligibility for HSP Applicants

Many foreign professionals in Japan obtain Permanent Residency (PR) after only one year of residence by reaching
80 points under the Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) system. Typical applicants include IT engineers
employed at Japan’s large corporations or global enterprises. Holding an MBA or master’s degree, earning an annual
salary of JPY 10 million or more, and passing JLPT N1 are common factors that contribute to exceeding 80 points.

The Family Question: Can Dependents Obtain PR in One Year?

A recurring issue is whether family members—spouses and children—can obtain PR at the same time as the principal applicant.
The answer, under current practice, is no. The one-year fast-track PR is limited strictly to the principal
HSP visa holder.

Family members must reside in Japan for at least three years before they are eligible to apply for PR. Importantly,
this requirement is not written in statute but derives from Immigration Services Agency practice
(as confirmed in official Q&A guidance).

Practical Example

Consider a family of four: a father who qualifies under the HSP system, a mother, and two children. If the father
secures PR after one year, the rest of the family will initially shift from “Dependent” status to the
“Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” status. Only after completing three years of residence in Japan will
the mother and children become eligible to apply for PR.

Ongoing Obligations of the PR Holder

When dependents later apply for PR, the already-approved PR holder (for example, the father) will again come under review.
Authorities will assess his income, pension and tax compliance, and even matters such as traffic violations. These factors
can impact the family’s PR application.

Practice Insight: At Continental, we advise families on long-term scheduling and interim compliance matters
to ensure that family PR applications proceed smoothly. Maintaining proper tax, pension, and insurance records is essential.

Japan’s HSP one-year PR track provides a unique fast path for top professionals, but the privilege applies to the
principal applicant only. Families must plan for a longer timeline. With careful preparation and professional guidance,
it is possible to structure a family’s transition to permanent residency without unnecessary delays.

Professional Consultant

Masakazu Murai
Immigration Consultant & Financial Advisor with 18 years of investment banking experience at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley, advising over 500 entrepreneurs and executives.