Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) is a points-based status that trades qualifications for privileges — a uniform 5-year period, a working spouse, and permanent residency after just 3 years (1 year at 80+ points). If you score 70 points, applying is almost always worth it.
Key facts
- Threshold
- 70 points (80 for fast track)
- PR eligibility
- 3 years / 1 year at 80+
- Period granted
- Uniform 5 years
- Spouse
- May work full-time
- Parents / helper
- Possible under conditions
Why HSP is underused
Plenty of foreign professionals in Japan already score 70 points without knowing it — a master’s degree (20), age under 30 (15), salary above ¥6 million (perhaps 20+ depending on age), N1 (15) adds up fast. Yet many stay on gijinkoku for years, missing the shortcut: HSP at 70 points cuts the PR wait from 10 years to 3; at 80 points, to one year.
Count your points before your next renewal
The official sheet scores three tracks (research / technical / management). The big levers:
| Item | Typical points |
|---|---|
| PhD / Master’s | 30 / 20 |
| Annual salary ¥10M+ | 40 (scales down by bracket) |
| Age under 30 | 15 |
| JLPT N1 / N2 | 15 / 10 |
| Japanese university degree | 10 |
Salary is the dominant variable — which is why engineers at international pay levels (see salary ranges) often clear 80 without effort.
HSP versus just waiting for PR
HSP’s privileges matter most if your spouse wants to work full-time, you want your parents to help with a newborn (allowed under conditions), or you want permanent residency on a 1–3 year clock. If none of those apply, gijinkoku’s flexibility — no employer-tied status — can be the better daily driver. Score yourself, then decide.
Common mistakes & warnings
- Points are scored at application and must still exist at renewal/PR time — a salary drop below a threshold can silently cost you the points you counted on.
- HSP (i) is tied to your employer; changing jobs requires a new points assessment with the new employer.
- Keep the evidence — degree certificates, salary statements, JLPT results, publication lists. The PR application re-examines your score history.
Frequently asked questions
Where do points come from?
Age, education, salary, work experience, Japanese ability, and bonuses — a doctorate, JLPT N1, a degree from a Japanese university, or working in a growth field each add points. MOJ publishes the official calculation sheet.
What is J-Skip?
A 2023 fast lane — annual income of ¥20 million or more plus a degree or 10 years' experience qualifies you directly as "Special Highly Skilled" without counting points, with even broader privileges.
What is HSP (ii)?
After 3 years on HSP (i) you can move to HSP (ii): an indefinite period, permission to run side businesses, and nearly all activity restrictions lifted. Many people take PR instead, but (ii) suits those keeping ties abroad.
Official sources
This page provides general information only and is not legal advice. Immigration rules change; always confirm details with the official sources listed above before making decisions.