Who this is for
- People who will conduct research, teach, or perform professional work in Japan
- People considering a change to or extension of Highly Skilled Professional (i)
- People and accepting companies considering a transition to Highly Skilled Professional (ii)
Main application and consultation offices:Applications for a Certificate of Eligibility are filed with the regional immigration services bureau with jurisdiction over the accepting organization’s location, and applications for a change or extension are filed with the bureau with jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence. For entry from overseas, apply for a visa at a Japanese diplomatic mission after the Certificate of Eligibility is issued.
Activities covered and basic requirements for (i)
Highly Skilled Professional (i)(a) covers research, research guidance, or education under a contract with an organization in Japan. (i)(b) covers work using specialized knowledge or skills in the natural sciences or humanities under a contract. (i)(c) covers business management or administration at an organization in Japan. Choose the category based on the actual duties, not just the job title.
Under the points-based system, calculate points for factors such as education, work experience, and annual remuneration that match your activities, and provide evidence of a total of at least 70 points. You must also meet the standards for the corresponding work activities; 70 points alone do not guarantee permission. Categories (i)(b) and (i)(c) have a minimum annual remuneration requirement of ¥3 million. The period of stay for (i) is five years.
Confirming the application type and points
If entering Japan from overseas for the first time, apply for a Certificate of Eligibility for (i). If changing from another status of residence while in Japan, apply for a change of status. Changing your affiliated organization while holding (i) also requires an application to change status and notification of the affiliated organization. Apply for an extension if continuing the same designated activities.
Annual remuneration is based on the remuneration you expect to receive for the activities covered by your application. Bonuses are included, but uncertain overtime pay is not. Falling below 70 points during your stay due to factors such as age does not mean you immediately lose your status. However, an extension based on the points system requires at least 70 points and a good record of residence.
Transition to (ii) and differences from J-Skip
For a standard change to (ii), you must have engaged for at least three years in activities as a Highly Skilled Professional (i) or under the designated activities status for highly skilled foreign professionals under the former system, and have at least 70 points at the time of application. Your conduct and whether you serve Japan’s interests are also reviewed. Although (ii) has no fixed period of stay, it permits other work activities in addition to Highly Skilled Professional activities; it is not the same as Permanent Resident status.
J-Skip is a separate recognition method that does not use a points calculation. For categories (i)(a) and (i)(b), you need a master’s degree or higher, or at least 10 years of relevant work experience, as well as annual remuneration of at least ¥20 million. For (i)(c), you need at least five years of business management experience and annual remuneration of at least ¥40 million. Those who meet these criteria and have engaged in activities as (i) for at least one year are eligible for a special provision for transitioning to (ii). Having 80 points under the standard points system alone does not allow you to transition to (ii) after just one year.
Check amendments if conducting business management activities
The amendment that took effect on October 16, 2025 also applies to Highly Skilled Professional (i)(c), which is based on business management activities. The new criteria include at least one eligible full-time employee, capital or equivalent of at least ¥30 million, Japanese-language proficiency equivalent to or above B2 for the applicant or a full-time employee, and a relevant master’s degree or higher, or at least three years of business management experience. A designated professional must also review the business plan.
For extensions by people already residing in Japan before the amendments took effect, transitional measures apply until October 16, 2028. An application will not be refused solely because the new criteria are not met; the business situation, prospects for meeting the criteria, and other factors will be reviewed. A comprehensive assessment will also be made in certain cases after that date. However, after the amendments take effect, those changing from (i)(c), which is based on business management activities, to (ii), or applying for permanent residence, must meet the new criteria. Do not confuse this with the transitional measures for extensions.
Supporting materials:[4]
Checking required documents and where to obtain them
The documents listed are representative examples. Required materials vary depending on the type of application, such as an application for a Certificate of Eligibility, change, or extension, as well as your current status of residence, affiliated organization, nationality, and family relationships. Additional materials may be requested for individual cases.
Main documents the applicant prepares for the application and points
Application form / photograph meeting the specifications
- Purpose
- To state the activities you intend to undertake and the details of your application.
- Issuing office / document preparer
- The applicant and affiliated organization complete the Immigration Services Agency’s forms. Obtain the photograph from a photo studio or similar provider.
- Points to check
- Applications for a Certificate of Eligibility, change of status, and extension use different forms. Choose the form that matches your activities; for (ii), use the application for change of status. For a paper application for a Certificate of Eligibility, also prepare a return envelope.
Passport and residence card
- Purpose
- To verify the applicant’s identity and current status of residence.
- Issuing office / document preparer
- Documents held by the applicant and issued by the passport-issuing authority or immigration services.
- Points to check
- Present these for a change or extension application. For a Certificate of Eligibility application, a copy of the passport, if available, can help confirm the applicant’s name.
Supporting materials:[1]
Points calculation sheet and evidence for additional points
- Purpose
- To show the total points for the selected category and the grounds for additional points.
- Issuing office / document preparer
- The applicant completes the Immigration Services Agency’s calculation sheet. Language test providers, patent-issuing authorities, and other issuing bodies provide supporting evidence.
- Points to check
- Submit for a Certificate of Eligibility, change of status, or extension under the points-based system. If at least 70 points can be confirmed, evidence for every item is not required. Substantiate additional points for Japanese-language proficiency, research achievements, and similar factors if claiming them. No calculation is required for J-Skip.
Degree certificates and employment history certificates
- Purpose
- To substantiate education and experience in relevant work.
- Issuing office / document preparer
- The university from which you graduated, former employers, and others.
- Points to check
- Prepare documents according to the education and work experience you claim. Employment history documents should specify the period and duties. For J-Skip, provide evidence of the selected education or experience criterion.
Documents proving expected annual remuneration
- Purpose
- To confirm the annual remuneration requirement and points.
- Issuing office / document preparer
- Remuneration certificates, contracts, and similar documents prepared by the contracting party or employer.
- Points to check
- Show the expected annual remuneration at the time of the Certificate of Eligibility, change of status, or extension application. A past withholding tax certificate alone cannot replace evidence of expected annual remuneration.
Documents to be prepared by the accepting organization or business being managed
Contract and explanation of job duties
- Purpose
- To show the relationship between the work, period, position, remuneration, and activity category.
- Issuing office / document preparer
- Accepting companies, universities, research institutions, and similar organizations.
- Points to check
- Follow the document guidance for the status of residence corresponding to the activity you will engage in. When changing jobs, prepare documents from the new organization; for an extension, prepare documents relating to your continuing activities.
Documents showing the organization’s business activities, scale, and continuity
- Purpose
- To verify the accepting organization’s business and the actual nature of the activities.
- Issuing office / document preparer
- Contact the relevant department at the organization. Obtain a certificate of registered matters from the Legal Affairs Bureau.
- Points to check
- The required documents, such as registration records, financial statements, and business information, vary depending on the activity and the organization’s category. For Business Manager, documents concerning matters such as capital, qualifying full-time employees, business premises, Japanese-language ability, and a business plan that has been reviewed may also be checked individually.
Documents on public obligations subject to additional checks when changing to Highly Skilled Professional (ii)
Certificates of residence tax assessment and payment, and payment records
- Purpose
- To verify income and the payment status of resident tax.
- Issuing office / document preparer
- The municipality for the relevant fiscal year. Keep receipts, passbooks, and similar records yourself.
- Points to check
- In principle, the most recent five years. Three years may be sufficient for those who have maintained 70 points and continuously resided in Japan as a highly skilled professional for at least three years; one year may be sufficient for those who have maintained 80 points and continuously resided for at least one year. For J-Skip, one year. Payment records are also checked for periods when tax was not deducted from salary.
National tax payment certificate, “Certificate 3”
- Purpose
- To show that there are no unpaid amounts as of the date the certificate is issued.
- Issuing office / document preparer
- Tax office with jurisdiction over your place of residence.
- Points to check
- For Highly Skilled Professional (ii), the five tax categories specified in the official guidance are checked: withholding income tax, self-assessed income tax, consumption tax, inheritance tax, and gift tax. No specific period is required.
Documents on enrollment in and payment of public pension and health insurance
- Purpose
- To verify enrollment in the applicable systems and whether premiums were paid by the due dates.
- Issuing office / document preparer
- Pension offices, Nenkin Net, insurers, municipalities, and receipts or other records kept by the applicant.
- Points to check
- For Highly Skilled Professional (ii), in principle, the most recent two years. One year applies to those meeting conditions such as having maintained 80 points and continuously resided in Japan for at least one year, as well as to J-Skip applicants. Periods when the applicable system changed are also checked, and designated identification numbers must be redacted. Employers at establishments subject to coverage must also provide the establishment’s payment records.
Consultation and application preparation process
- 1
1. Determine the activity and type of application
Check the job duties, contracting organization, and current status of residence, then select category (i), (ii), or (iii), and an application for a Certificate of Eligibility, change of status, or extension. For a transition to Highly Skilled Professional (ii), also organize your activity history.
- 2
2. Check the points or J-Skip criteria
Calculate your points based on your age at the time of application and expected remuneration, and count only additional points that you can substantiate. For J-Skip, separately check the applicable combination of academic background, work experience, and annual income.
- 3
3. Gather documents from the applicant and the organization
Request documents from your employer or university for each purpose they need to substantiate. For Highly Skilled Professional (ii), also check the required number of years for tax, pension, and insurance records, and organize the reasons for any missing documents.
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4. Apply to the office with jurisdiction and respond to any additional checks
Check that the application form is consistent with the supporting documents, then submit it. After the Certificate of Eligibility is issued, proceed with the visa and landing procedures, and complete any required notifications after residing in Japan.
Points to check before applying
- The documents listed are examples of the main documents, not a complete list of requirements that applies to everyone. As a rule, certificates issued in Japan must have been issued within the past three months; foreign-language documents must be accompanied by Japanese translations, and you must also respond to requests for additional documents.
- Even where a priority-processing system applies, it does not guarantee processing times or approval. Check which items qualify for additional points and the applicable Business Manager criteria against the official guidance in effect at the time of application and your individual circumstances.
This page provides general information about the system and does not determine individual cases or guarantee permission or approval. Required documents and requirements vary depending on individual circumstances. When applying, check the latest official information and consult an administrative scrivener about the procedures suited to your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I have 70 points, will I definitely be able to obtain Highly Skilled Professional status?
No. Your actual activities must be eligible, and you must also meet the applicable criteria. Your points are verified using supporting documents, not just your own declaration.
If I obtain Highly Skilled Professional (ii), can I stay in Japan freely even if I stop working?
Highly Skilled Professional (ii) is premised on engaging in activities as a highly skilled professional. Even if the period of stay is indefinite, it is not permanent residence, and the requirement to engage in activities or fulfill notification obligations does not disappear.
Can my family members also work or obtain permanent residence automatically?
No. A dependent spouse or child must apply for a status such as Dependent. Preferential work authorization for a spouse and accompanying parents are reviewed under separate conditions. Exceptions to the residence-history requirement for the applicant’s permanent residence do not automatically extend to family members.
Official Immigration and Legal Affairs Sources
Check the following official pages for application forms and the latest required submission materials. Official materials are displayed in Japanese or other languages provided by each organization.
- [1] Immigration Services Agency of Japan: Status of Residence “Highly Skilled Professional” (Highly Skilled Professional Points-Based System)
- [2] Immigration Services Agency of Japan: Highly Skilled Professional Points-Based System Q&A
- [3] Immigration Services Agency of Japan: Special Highly Skilled Professional System (J-Skip)
- [4] Immigration Services Agency of Japan: Amendments to the Ministerial Ordinance on Landing Standards, etc. Relating to the Status of Residence “Business Manager”