What is the Special Highly Skilled Human Resources System?
This page provides a brief explanation of Specially Skilled Human Resources.
Traditionally, visas for highly-skilled foreign nationals in Japan include “Highly Skilled Professional No. 1” and “Highly Skilled Professional No. 2.” However, as a new system with more developed preferential treatment, the Special Highly Skilled Human Resources System (J-Skip) was introduced in April 2023.
In addition to the previous highly-skilled human resources point system, if the applicant has an educational background or work experience and an annual income above a certain level, he or she will be granted the status of residence of a “highly skilled professional” and will be granted preferential treatment as a “specially highly-skilled human resource.”
Requirements (conditions) of the Special Highly Skilled Human Resources System
◎ There are three types of “highly skilled professionals” status of residence, depending on the activities that the foreigner himself or herself conducts in Japan.
(1) “Advanced academic research activities” (Highly Skilled Professional No. 1 (a): Research conducted based on a contract with a public or private institution in Japan, or activities that provide research guidance or education (e.g., university professors, researchers, etc.)
(2) “Highly specialized and technical activities” (Highly Specialized Professionals No. 1 (b): Activities that require knowledge or skills in the fields of natural sciences or humanities conducted based on contracts with public or private organizations in Japan (e.g., persons who develop new products at companies, international lawyers, etc.)
(3) “Highly Motivated Management and Management Activities” (Highly Skilled Professional No. 1 (c): Activities engaged in the management or management of businesses at public and private institutions in Japan (e.g., managers of companies that conduct global business development, etc.)
◎ The requirements for “Specially Skilled Human Resources” are as follows for each type of activity in (1) ~ (3) above.
[For those who are involved in (1) and (2)]
The applicant must meet one of the following requirements:
・Those who have a master’s degree or higher and an annual income of 20 million yen or more
・ Those who have at least 10 years of work experience related to the work they intend to engage in and have an annual income of 20 million yen or more
[For those who are in the activity type of (3)]
・ Those who have at least 5 years of practical experience related to business management or management, and have an annual income of 40 million yen or more.
Preferential treatment
In the case of “Specially Highly Skilled Human Resources”, you can receive the following preferential treatment, which is enhanced from the preferential treatment provided by the advanced human resources point system.
- If you are recognized as a “Specially Highly Skilled Human Resource”, you will be issued a Certificate of Special Highly Skilled Human Resources, and “Specially Highly Skilled Human Resources” will be written in the margin outside the column on the back of your residence card.
In the case of the status of residence “Highly Skilled Professional No. 1”
Tolerance of complex residency activities
Grant of 5 years of stay
Relaxation of permanent residence permit requirements for residence history
Spouse’s employment
Accompanied by a parent under certain conditions
Employment of domestic servants under certain conditions
Use of priority lanes installed at large airports, etc.
Priority processing of immigration and residency procedures
In the case of the status of residence “Highly Skilled Professional No. 2” (“Highly Skilled Professional No. 2” is a status of residence that can be transferred to those who have been active in “Highly Skilled Professional No. 1” (Special Highly Skilled Professional) for more than one year. ）
In addition to the activities of “Highly Skilled Professional No. 1”, almost all activities of the employment qualification can be carried out.
The period of stay will be indefinite.
You can receive preferential treatment from 3 to 7 above.
In addition, the period of stay required for a permanent residence permit is “one year”
[Source: Immigration Services Agency website as of January 2025]
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