Can I Apply for Permanent Residency After 3 Years with 70+ HSP Points?

If you have 70 or more Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) points, including a Japanese degree, JLPT N1 certification, and a sufficient salary, and have maintained this score for the past three years, you may now be eligible to apply for permanent residency (PR) in Japan.

Fast-Track PR for Highly Skilled Professionals (HSP 70+)

Japan has introduced relaxed PR requirements for highly skilled foreign professionals who meet the HSP 70-point criteria. This applies not only to individuals under the Highly Skilled Professional visa but also to those on a Professor Visa, Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services Visa (GIJYUTSU・JINBUNCHISHIKI・KOKUSAIGYOUMU VISA), or Spouse Visa, as long as they meet the HSP 70+ point requirement.

Key Benefits of the HSP Fast-Track PR System

• Standard PR requirement: 10 years of residence (including 5 years of work)
• For HSP 70+ individuals: Reduced residency period to 3 years
• For HSP 80+ individuals: PR eligibility in just 1 year

✅ No need to currently hold an HSP visa—as long as your point calculation meets the 70+ threshold, you can apply for PR under any work-eligible visa.

Eligibility Criteria for PR Under HSP 70+

To qualify for PR under the HSP 70+ pathway, applicants must meet the following conditions:

HSP Point Requirements:

1. Score 70+ points at the time of PR application
2. Score 70+ points as calculated three years before the application

For individuals under the HSP 1a (Professor, Researcher), 1b (Company Employee, Engineer), or 1c (Business Manager) categories, points are assigned for education, university ranking, professional experience, income, and Japanese proficiency.

🔹 Example: An applicant under HSP 1b (Engineer, Specialist in Humanities, International Services) must have at least 70 points at both the time of application and three years prior to qualify for PR.

HSP Point Calculation Criteria

How Are HSP Points Determined?

HSP points are awarded based on:

• Academic Background: Higher degrees = more points
• Work Experience: Longer career = more points
• Annual Salary: Higher income = higher points
• Age Factor: Younger applicants receive more points
• Japanese Language Skills: JLPT N1/N2 scores additional points

💡 Additional Points: Graduates from top-ranking universities (QS/THE), recognized IT certification holders, researchers, and financial professionals may receive bonus points.

Who Typically Meets the HSP 70+ PR Criteria?

✅ CASE 1: Young Professional (20s, Master’s Degree in Japan, 3 Years’ Experience)

• Master’s Degree (Japan) = 25 points
• Japanese University Graduate = +10 points
• High-Ranking QS/THE University = +10 points
• Annual Salary (6M+ JPY) = 20 points
• Professional Experience (3+ years) = 10 points
• JLPT N1 = 15 points

➡️ Total: 70+ points → Eligible for PR in 3 years

✅ CASE 2: Mid-Career Professional (35-39, Bachelor’s Degree, 7M JPY Salary)

• Bachelor’s Degree = 10 points
• 10+ Years of Experience = 20 points
• Annual Salary (7M+ JPY) = 30 points
• JLPT N2 = 10 points

➡️ Total: 70+ points → Eligible for PR in 3 years

PR Requirements Beyond HSP Points

Having 70+ HSP points alone does not guarantee PR approval. Applicants must also meet Japan’s general PR requirements:

1. Good Conduct & Legal Compliance

• No history of criminal offenses, fines, or immigration violations
• Minor offenses (e.g., multiple traffic violations) may affect eligibility

2. Financial Stability

• Minimum income requirement: 3M+ JPY annually for the past 1-3 years
• Higher income required if supporting dependents (~800,000 JPY per dependent)
• Frequent job changes may impact PR approval

3. Contribution to Japan’s National Interests

• Must have held HSP 70+ points for 3 years (or HSP 80+ for 1 year)
• Must have timely paid all taxes & social insurance
• Visa status must be 3+ years before applying for PR

4. Health & Public Safety Requirements

• No history of substance abuse (drugs, stimulants, etc.)
• No record of public health violations (e.g., contagious diseases)

5. Guarantor Requirement

• A Japanese citizen or permanent resident must act as a guarantor
• The guarantor must have a stable income and paid taxes properly

Processing Time & PR Approval Rates

• Standard PR processing time: 8–10 months
• Stricter screening measures have lowered PR approval rates
• Timely tax and pension payments improve approval chances

Our Expert Opinion: Should You Apply for PR Under HSP 70+?

For professionals with HSP 70+ points, PR eligibility is significantly accelerated compared to the standard 10-year requirement. However, the PR examination process remains strict, and preparation is essential.

Need professional assistance? Contact Continental Consulting today!

HSP-PR Application Fees

• PR Application Fee: 170,000 JPY (including tax: 187,000 JPY)
• Government Document Handling & Residence Card Processing: +50,000 JPY

About Our Immigration Expert

Masakazu Murai – Immigration Consultant & Financial Advisor

📌 18+ years in Investment Banking (Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley)
📌 Certified Immigration Lawyer (Gyoseishoshi)
📌 CMA (Certified Financial Analyst, Japan)
📌 CFP (Certified Financial Planner)
📌 MBA in Entrepreneurship

🔹 Industry Expertise: Business immigration, startup advisory, investment strategy, and corporate structuring for foreign entrepreneurs.
🔹 Diversity & Inclusion Advocate: Spearheaded initiatives to support foreign professionals in Japan’s corporate landscape.

📢 Ready to Apply for PR? Get expert guidance on your Highly Skilled Professional PR application. Contact Continental Consulting today for a consultation and customized PR strategy.