Highly skilled professional

The Immigration Services Agency introduced this system of preferential immigration treatment based on the point-based system for highly skilled foreign professionals on May 7, 2012 in order to promote the acceptance of more highly skilled foreign professionals.
The activities of highly skilled foreign professionals are divided into three categories: “Advanced academic research activities,” “Advanced specialized/technical activities,” and “Advanced business and management activities.” Depending on the nature of their activities, points are allocated according to academic background, employment background, and annual income. In order to promote the acceptance of highly skilled foreign professionals to Japan, preferential immigration treatment will be granted if they score 70 points or higher.

Foreign nationals who score 70 points or higher are eligible for application.

Key elements： Academic history, Work history, Age, Annual Salary, Japanese language skills, University rankings, Special additions, etc.

Possibility of bringing parents to Japan under certain conditions
Relaxation of requirements to apply for Permanent residence
(10 years of consecutive residence in Japan →3 years, 1 year)
Permission to employ a domestic worker (Entering Japan with a domestic worker, for family reasons)
Spouse is allowed to work under certain conditions
Permission for Multiple purposes of activities
Period of stay：5 years (Class 1) or Unlimited duration (Class 2）
Priority and early processing is given to highly skilled foreign professionals for entry and residence inspection

Complicated application documents
(including documents certifying the foreign national’s work history)
Applying for a change of status is required when foreign nationals want to change their jobs

Benefits	Securing excellent human resources, Lack of flexibility on job switch
Disadvantages	Complicated application documents