Point Evaluation System
Point Evaluation System
A point system is used when applying for a visa for a Highly Skilled Foreign Professional (Highly Skilled Professional), including initial certification and renewal. Points are added according to the activities the foreign national will engage in from the three categories below, and a total of 70 points or more is required. Please see the details below.
(The following is an excerpt from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan’s website, as of January 2025.)
1. Three Activity Types
The activities of highly skilled foreign professionals are classified into three types:
- Advanced Academic Research Activities “Highly Skilled Professional Type 1(a)”
- Advanced Specialized/Technical Activities “Highly Skilled Professional Type 1(b)”
- Advanced Business Management Activities “Highly Skilled Professional Type 1(c)”
For each of these three categories, points are set for items such as “academic background,” “professional experience,” “annual income,” and “research achievements” according to the characteristics of the activities. An evaluation based on point calculation is then performed for the category that corresponds to the activities the applicant wishes to engage in.
2. Point Calculation Table
- Point Calculation Table Reference Form (Excel) (Japanese)
- For details on the point calculation table, please refer to this (PDF) (Japanese).
Documents Related to Bonus Points in Point Calculation
- List of support measures for promoting innovation (PDF in Japanese) (Please refer to Ministry of Justice Public Notice Appendix 1 and Appendix 2) (as of May 2024)
- List of foreign qualifications/awards, etc. (PDF)
- List of Japanese language abilities (PDF in Japanese)
- List of cutting-edge businesses in fields expected to grow and develop in the future (PDF in Japanese) (as of May 2024)
- List of support measures to promote the acceptance of highly skilled foreign professionals by local governments in order to strengthen international competitiveness and form international economic activity hubs (PDF in Japanese)
- ⇒ Please see here for the application guide page for local governments.
- List of universities designated by the Minister of Justice via public notice:
- Universities eligible for additional points based on world university rankings (PDF) (as of September 2023)
- Since this list was created based on the university rankings as of September 2023, please be sure to also check the latest three world university rankings (※) when applying.
- (※) World University Rankings
- (1) QS World University Rankings published by Quacquarelli Symonds (https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings)
- (2) THE World University Rankings published by Times Higher Education (https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings)
- (3) Academic Ranking of World Universities published by Shanghai Ranking Consultancy (https://www.shanghairanking.com/rankings)
- Universities that have received subsidies under the “Top Global University Project” (Top Type and Global Type) (links to Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology website).
- Universities designated as “Partner Schools” in the “Innovative Asia” project implemented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (PDF in Japanese)
- Innovative Asia Project (links to Ministry of Foreign Affairs website).
- Reference form regarding financial professionals for measures aimed at realizing an international financial center open to the world (PDF in Japanese)
(The above is an excerpt from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan’s website, as of January 2025.)
In point calculation, it is necessary to calculate carefully in accordance with the various rules stipulated by the Immigration Services Agency.
Furthermore, the selection of documents to prove additional points is also important.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office at any time. (Consultation is free)
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