Short answer: Japan’s Highly Skilled Professional No. 1 has three categories, based on what you do in Japan: academic research (i), specialised or technical work (ii) and business management (iii). After time on No. 1, you can move to No. 2, with wider activities and no time limit.
The three categories
| Category | Activity | Typical applicants | Points focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| (i) Advanced academic research | Research and teaching in Japan | Professors, researchers | Education, research output |
| (ii) Advanced specialised or technical | Professional or technical work for a Japanese company | Engineers, finance and IT professionals | Education, experience, pay |
| (iii) Advanced business management | Running or managing a Japanese business | Business owners, executives | Experience, pay, investment |
Choosing a category
- Go by what you will actually do in Japan, not past job titles.
- Employed by a Japanese company: usually (ii).
- Running your own Japanese company: (iii) — also compare the Business Manager visa.
- At a university or research institute: (i).
No. 1 vs No. 2
| No. 1 | No. 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Period of stay | Generally five years | Indefinite |
| Activities | Main activity and related business | Wider, including most other statuses’ activities |
| When | Meet the points or J-Skip | After three years on No. 1; one year for J-Skip |
No. 2 or permanent residence?
Both are indefinite, but permanent residence isn’t tied to your job and needs fewer renewals, while No. 2 still requires HSP activities. Many go straight to PR — see HSP: 80 points, PR in one year.
Our advice
Fix the category by your actual work in Japan, then calculate points or check J-Skip. As of October 2026; subject to the Immigration Services Agency’s latest rules.