What Are the Requirements and Benefits of the Japan J-Skip Visa?

J-Skip status provides expanded preferential treatment beyond that of the current Highly Skilled Professional visa.

What Is the Special Highly Skilled Professional (J-Skip)?

The Japan System for Special Highly Skilled Professionals (J-Skip) is a new framework under which individuals who meet specified educational or professional experience requirements and income thresholds are granted a five-year “Highly Skilled Professional” status of residence with enhanced benefits.

These benefits include: (1) the ability to employ up to two domestic helpers, (2) expanded work activities for the spouse of the J-Skip holder (including roles in entertainment, art, culinary work, etc.), and (3) access to priority lanes at airports.

Eligibility Requirements for J-Skip

For professionals (academics, engineers, company employees):
• Master’s degree or higher or at least 10 years of professional experience
• Annual income of at least JPY 20 million

For business owners:
• At least 5 years of management experience
• Annual income of at least JPY 40 million

Unlike the traditional Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) visa which requires point calculation based on education, experience, income, qualifications, and Japanese language ability, the J-Skip visa is granted solely based on the above two criteria. Individuals who meet these requirements are considered equivalent to an HSP with 80 points, making them eligible to apply for permanent residency after just one year of residence.

Who Might Qualify?

Professionals with a master’s degree or higher and a salary exceeding JPY 20 million will likely meet the criteria. This system is particularly beneficial for senior foreign professionals in IT, finance, or consulting fields who do not speak Japanese or lack qualifying academic credentials from Japanese universities, and thus struggle to meet the 80-point threshold under the traditional HSP system.

For example, an English-only Vice President over 40 years old working for a multinational financial or IT firm with an advanced degree in engineering or finance and earning JPY 30 million or more would likely qualify under J-Skip.

Positive News for Entrepreneurs?

Foreign business owners who may not hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree but generate JPY 40 million or more in annual executive compensation now have a viable pathway. If they have struggled to obtain a three-year visa under Business Manager status, J-Skip may allow them to qualify for PR after one year of residence.

About Compensation

The income requirement refers to the estimated annual salary in Japan for work performed under the J-Skip designation, including any compensation from both the Japanese and foreign entities. For example, if a candidate is seconded to Japan and receives USD 100,000 from their home company and JPY 12 million from a Japanese branch, they would meet the JPY 20 million threshold.

Important Considerations

All documentation related to career history and income must be credible. Applicants from newly established or small companies may face closer scrutiny regarding whether the company can actually afford the compensation levels required by J-Skip. This mirrors existing review practices under the HSP system.

Professional

Masakazu Murai
18 years of experience in investment banking at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley. Provided financial advisory services to over 500 entrepreneurs and corporate executives.

As an executive committee member of the employee union, he promoted diversity in the workplace and worked on improving labor conditions. He specializes in visa and permanent residency applications for highly skilled professionals and foreign business owners.

Certified Administrative Scrivener (Immigration Representative)
Chartered Member Analyst (CMA, Japan)
Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
MBA in Entrepreneurship

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