Points-based 5-year visa with the world's fastest path to permanent residence (1-3 years vs 10 standard). Octobered J-SkIP variant for >¥20M earners gives 5-year visa + 1-year PR.
Official name: 高度専門職 (Highly Skilled Professional)
Not legal or immigration advice
This page summarizes publicly available information from official immigration authorities. Visa rules change frequently and individual circumstances matter. Verify with the relevant consulate, embassy, or a licensed immigration attorney before applying.
$1,200–$4,500
14–90 days
60 months
Yes
The Highly Skilled Professional (HSP, 高度専門職) visa is Japan's premier skilled-migration category, established by Cabinet Order in 2012 and significantly upgraded by the J-Find / J-SkIP reforms of October 2023. It uses a points-based system (0-100+ pts) scoring age, education, work experience, salary, Japanese language, and bonuses for STEM / innovative companies. 70+ pts qualifies for HSP status; 80+ pts unlocks the fastest PR pathway in Japan (1 year vs the standard 10). The 2023 reform created J-SkIP (Specially Highly Skilled Professional) for top-tier earners (>¥20M / ~$134K) — 5-year visa + 1-year PR fast-track. HSP holders enjoy preferential treatment: dependent parent and live-in domestic-worker permits, family employment authorization without separate visa. The 2024 reform tightened some criteria (dual-citizenship treatment, language requirements) but expanded the J-Find category for top-100-global-university graduates seeking work in Japan.
Government fee
$30
Lawyer / agent
$500–$2,500
All-in (incl. medical, translation, travel)
$1,200–$4,500
Minimum income/savings: ~$0/year. No fixed income floor — but salary contributes major points. ¥10M (~$67K) typical for Advanced Specialised; ¥20M (~$134K) for J-SkIP fast-track.
Initial visa
60 months
Path to residency
1 years
Path to citizenship
5 years
HSP holders are Japanese tax residents on worldwide income from arrival (or non-permanent-resident status for first 5/10 years, depending on residency type). National income tax 5-45% + Reconstruction surtax 2.1% + Resident Tax 10% = combined top ~55%. Capital gains 20.315% flat. The non-permanent-resident regime (first 5 of 10 years) limits Japanese tax to Japan-source income + foreign-source income remitted to Japan — major planning opportunity for first 5 years. Inheritance tax up to 55% — among highest globally (worldwide-asset reach for long-term residents). See /tax/calculator/jp.
Triggering threshold: more than 183 days physical presence.