Who is Eligible for a Highly Skilled Professional Visa for Japan?

There are three categories under which the Highly Skilled Professional Visa for Japan is issued:

advanced academic research activities

Highly Skilled Professional Visa for advanced academic research activities, issued to foreigners who will engage in education, research, or research guidance in a public or private organization in Japan.

advanced specialized or technical activities

Highly Skilled Professional Visa for advanced specialized or technical activities, issued to foreigners who have specialized skills or knowledge in the field of natural sciences or humanities and who will work for a public or private organization in Japan.

advanced business management activities

Highly Skilled Professional Visa for advanced business management activities, issued to foreigners who will operate or manage a public or private organization in Japan.

In addition, if you fall under one of the categories listed above, you still have to:

Reach at least 70 points on the point-based system; and
Work only for the company that sponsored your visa. If you want to change employers, you have to apply for a new Certificate of Eligibility if the work you will do still qualifies for the Highly Skilled Program. If it does not, you have to change the category of visa to a standard Japan Work Visa.

The Point Criteria for a Japan Highly Skilled Professional Visa

When you apply for a Japan Highly Skilled Professional Visa, you have to reach at least 70 points on the Point Evaluation Mechanism in order to qualify. You must fill out a Point Calculation Form (as described on the website of the Japan Immigration Bureau), where you outline all your qualifications along with the corresponding points, and add them up to a total in the end.

The points you receive are divided into four main categories:

Your professional career
Your academic background
Your annual salary
Your age

Then, you will receive additional points if you fulfill certain requirements, such as:

You will work for an organization receiving financial support measures (10 points)
You have a degree issued by a Japanese higher education institution (10 points)
You have a Level N1 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test or you have graduated from a foreign institution with a major in the Japanese language (15 points)
You have a Level N2 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (10 points)
You have previous research achievements (15 – 20 points)

What Documents do I Need for a Japanese Highly Skilled Professional Visa Application?

Passport-size pictures with Japan following specifications:
1. Dimensions: 4cm x 3cm
2. Taken within the last three months
3. Plain white background, without any patterns and shadows
4. You must be starting straight ahead, with a neutral facial expression
5. Your face has to be fully visible
6. The picture must be good quality (focused, clear, and sharp)
Documents detailing your position in the company/organization, the salary you will receive, and the duration of the work (eg. a work contract)
Proof of your academic qualifications (diplomas, certificates, transcripts, etc.)
Proof of previous professional background (work certificate, letter of reference, etc.)
If you are applying for “Change of Status of Residence”:
1. Your current Residence Card
2. Proof of previous Tax Payments
Documents related to the organization hiring you, such as company registration, statement of profit and loss, etc.
Any additional documents supporting your application (eg. the results of your Japanese Language Proficiency Test, proof of Research Achievements, etc.)

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