What is a Special Highly Skilled Professional (J-Skip)?
This page provides a simple explanation of the Special Highly Skilled Professional (J-Skip) system.
Conventionally, visas for highly skilled foreign nationals in Japan have included the “Highly Skilled Professional Type 1” and “Highly Skilled Professional Type 2.” However, as a new system offering more advanced preferential treatment, the Special Highly Skilled Professional System (J-Skip) was introduced in April 2023.
Separate from the previous highly skilled professional points-based system, the “Highly Skilled Professional” status of residence is now granted if the applicant’s academic or professional background and annual income meet a certain standard. This allows for expanded preferential treatment for “Special Highly Skilled Professionals” compared to the existing system.
Requirements (Conditions) of the Special Highly Skilled Professional System
◎ The status of residence “Highly Skilled Professional” has the following three types, depending on the activities the foreign national will perform in Japan:
(1) “Advanced Academic Research Activities” (Highly Skilled Professional Type 1 (a)): Activities involving research, research guidance, or education based on a contract with a public or private institution in Japan (e.g., university professors, researchers, etc.)
(2) “Advanced Specialized/Technical Activities” (Highly Skilled Professional Type 1 (b)): Activities involving work that requires knowledge or skills in the fields of natural sciences or humanities, based on a contract with a public or private institution in Japan (e.g., individuals who develop new products at a company, international lawyers, etc.)
(3) “Advanced Business Management Activities” (Highly Skilled Professional Type 1 (c)): Activities involving business management or administration at a public or private institution in Japan (e.g., managers of companies that conduct global business, etc.)
◎ The requirements for a “Special Highly Skilled Professional” are as follows for each of the activity types (1) to (3) mentioned above:
[For those in activity types (1) and (2)] Must meet one of the following conditions:
- Has a master’s degree or higher AND an annual income of ¥20 million or more.
- Has 10 or more years of practical experience related to the duties to be performed AND an annual income of ¥20 million or more.
[For those in activity type (3)]
- Has 5 or more years of practical experience in business management or administration AND an annual income of ¥40 million or more.
Main Preferential Measures for Special Highly Skilled Professionals (J-Skip)
In the case of a “Special Highly Skilled Professional,” you can receive the following expanded preferential measures, which are more extensive than those under the Highly Skilled Professional points-based system.
Note: If recognized as a “Special Highly Skilled Professional,” a Special Highly Skilled Professional Certificate will be issued, and “Special Highly Skilled Professional” will be written in the margin on the back of your residence card.
In the case of Status of Residence “Highly Skilled Professional Type 1”
- Permission for multiple activities
- Grant of a “5-year” period of stay
- Relaxation of permanent residency requirements based on residency history
- Spouse’s employment
- Accompaniment of parents under certain conditions
- Employment of domestic helpers under certain conditions
- Use of priority lanes at major airports, etc.
- Priority processing for immigration and residency procedures
In the case of Status of Residence “Highly Skilled Professional Type 2” (The “Highly Skilled Professional Type 2” is a status of residence that can be transitioned to by those who have been engaged in activities as a “Highly Skilled Professional Type 1” (Special Highly Skilled Professional) for one year or more.)
- It is possible to engage in almost all work-related activities in conjunction with the activities of “Highly Skilled Professional Type 1.”
- The period of stay becomes indefinite.
- The preferential measures from item 3 to 7 above can be received.
Furthermore, The period of stay required for permanent residency is 1 year.
[Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan homepage, as of January 2025]
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