Main scoring items
- Education: higher degrees score more
- Work experience: years of relevant experience
- Annual income: scored by income level for each category
- Age: younger applicants score more
- Bonus points: Japanese ability, graduating from certain universities and more
Points and benefits
| Points | When you can apply for permanent residence |
|---|---|
| 70 or more | After three years |
| 80 or more | After one year |
Holders can be granted a stay of up to five years, spouses can work in Japan, and parents or domestic staff can come if conditions are met.
Three categories
Academic research, specialised/technical and business management, each scored slightly differently.
Our advice
Score each item first, then see whether a Japanese test could add points. One applicant found after scoring each item that they already had more than 80 points, and could apply for permanent residence after one year.