Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) Visa

Japan’s Highly Skilled Professional Visa rewards top talent with five-year residence, simplified renewals, and a one-year fast-track to permanent residency. Below, our immigration attorneys explain exactly how to qualify, calculate your points, and leverage HSP status for career—and family—advantages.

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What Is the Highly Skilled Professional Visa?

The HSP Visa is Japan’s flagship points-based work status for researchers, engineers, senior managers, and startup founders. Meeting—or exceeding—70 points unlocks:

• Five-year validity (no annual renewals)
• One-year pathway to Permanent Residency (80-point holders)
• Permission to start or manage a side business
• Ability to invite parents to Japan for childcare
• Priority processing at Immigration—often in 30 days or less

 

HSP Visa Categories: 1-a, 1-b, 1-c & 2

Category	Main Activity	Typical Applicant
HSP 1-a	Research / University Teaching	Professors, post-doc researchers
HSP 1-b	Specialized / Technical Work	Engineers, IT, finance & consulting professionals
HSP 1-c	Business Management	CEOs, executive directors, startup founders
HSP 2	Indefinite Practically All Activities	HSP 1 holders after 3+ years & good conduct

HSP 1 holders may manage a side business related to their primary field—e.g., a biotech professor joining a biotech startup. Unrelated businesses (e.g., opening a restaurant) are not permitted under HSP rules.

 

HSP Point System: How to Reach 70+ Points

Points are awarded for academic background, professional experience, annual salary, Japanese proficiency, and industry-specific bonuses (e.g., finance, advanced IT). You need 70 points at the time of application and renewal.

Annual Income Threshold: The Ministry of Justice requires an expected salary of at least ¥3 million for HSP eligibility. High earners (¥10 million+) can even bypass certain criteria or jump directly to the one-year PR track. Learn more about income point

Case Studies

Case A: 26-year-old with a Japanese master’s degree, 3 years’ experience, ¥6 million salary → 70+ points via education + salary.

Case B: 35-year-old bachelor’s (overseas), 10 years’ experience, JLPT N2, ¥7 million salary → 70+ points via experience + income.

Key Benefits & HR Advantages

• Permanent Residency in as little as one year (80-point holders)
• Five-year visa term—no mid-contract renewals
• Spouse can work full-time without job restrictions
• Parents can stay up to one year to assist with childcare
• Up to two domestic helpers allowed (certain criteria apply)
• Fast-lane immigration counters at major airports

Changing Employers or Roles

HSP 1 visas are employer-linked. A job change requires a fresh HSP assessment and submission to Immigration. Plan ahead—especially for HR teams negotiating start dates.

Application Timeline

• HSP 1-a / 1-b: ~1 month
• HSP 1-c: 1–2 months (varies by corporate size)
• HSP 2: 1 month (after 3-year eligibility)

Professional filing by an experienced gyoseishoshi often reduces document queries, saving weeks of processing time.

 

About the Author

Masakazu Murai
Gyoseishoshi (Licensed Immigration Lawyer)
Co-head of Tokyo Gyoseishoshi Association Minato Branch
CFP, CMA, MBA

18-year investment-bank alum (Mitsubishi UFJ × Morgan Stanley JV) now leading Continental Immigration & Consulting. Advises global executives and HR directors on Japanese visa strategy, compliance and cross-border finance.

 

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