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Before you sign, we calculate your points item by item to confirm you reach 80 or more, and tell you honestly how strong your case is; if you fall short, we advise which bonus points you could add.
Japan talent visas
Japan Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) Visa
A professional visa sponsored by a Japanese employer, with no investment and no business risk. We focus on applicants with 80 points or more, who can apply for permanent residence after one year in Japan.
Reviewed by Oscar Yip · Updated October 2026
Programme overview
The Highly Skilled Professional visa uses a points system covering education, work experience, annual income, age and Japanese ability. In our programme you are employed and sponsored by a Japanese company (HSP (i)(b), the specialised/technical category), so there is no investment, no company to set up and no business risk. We focus on applicants with 80 points or more and match you with a suitable Japanese employer; with 80 points you can apply for permanent residence after one year in Japan.
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InvestmentNone, and no business risk
SponsorshipEmployed and sponsored by a Japanese company
Permanent residenceAfter one year with 80+ points
FamilySpouse and children; parents or domestic staff in some cases
Summary
Our Japan HSP programme is built on employment and sponsorship by a Japanese company: no investment, no company to set up and no business risk. We focus on applicants with 80 points or more (the official threshold is 70) and match you with a Japanese employer; with 80 points you can apply for permanent residence after one year in Japan. Holders receive a period of stay of up to five years, your spouse can work full-time in specified fields (such as research, teaching, engineering, humanities or international services) if conditions are met, and parents (household income of at least JPY 8 million, among other conditions) or domestic staff (at least JPY 10 million, among other conditions) can join you.
Key benefits of Japan HSP
- Permanent residence after one yearWith 80+ points you can apply for permanent residence after one year in Japan; with 70+ points, after three, versus ten years normally.
- No investment, employer-sponsoredYou apply as an employed professional: no investment, no company to set up and no business risk.
- Five-year stay granted as standardHSP (i) holders are always granted the legal maximum period of stay of five years, which can be extended.
- Indefinite stay after three yearsAfter three years in HSP (i) with 70+ points, you can move to HSP (ii), which has no time limit on the period of stay.
- Spouse can work full-timeYour spouse can work full-time in research, teaching, engineering, humanities or international-services roles without meeting the usual degree or experience requirements.
- Bring your parentsParents can join you to care for a child under 7 or a pregnant spouse, if household income is at least JPY 8 million.
- Bring a foreign domestic helperWith household income of at least JPY 10 million and, for example, a child under 13, you can bring a foreign domestic worker.
- Priority processingImmigration aims to process Certificates of Eligibility within 10 days and extensions or changes within 5 days (when documents are complete).
- Combine several activitiesAlongside your main job you may also run a related business, whereas ordinary work visas cover only one category of activity.
Why Global Immigrate for Japan HSP
- families approved
- 12+
- approval rate
- 97%
- offering this programme since
- 2019
Matching you with a Japanese employer
Based on your background and points, we match you with a suitable Japanese company to employ and sponsor you, and coordinate the employment contract, salary and status application.
Planning for renewal and permanent residence
From the first application we plan for the conditions of renewal and permanent residence, not just the first step of entry.
Clear, transparent fees
All service fees and third-party costs are set out in writing before you sign — no hidden charges — and our refund terms are explained clearly.
Requirements
Applicants generally need to meet the following:
- 80 points or more (the official threshold is 70), scored on education, work experience, annual income, age and other factors
- Employment with, and sponsorship by, a Japanese company (we help match you with an employer)
- Annual salary of at least JPY 3 million (the official minimum)
- No adverse immigration or criminal record
Our three guarantees
Full service-fee refund if refused
Guaranteed in your service agreement: if your application is refused, we refund the service fees you have paid in full — or you can switch to another suitable programme at no extra charge.
No extra charge for further documents or resubmission
If the authorities request further documents, or an application must be resubmitted, we handle it at no additional service fee.
Handled by professionals, fee fixed at signing
Every application is prepared and reviewed by our professional immigration team. Your service fee is fixed when you sign, with no additional charges afterwards.
Service fees exclude investment amounts, government fees and third-party costs. Refusals caused by false or incomplete information, or by the applicant not cooperating as required, are not eligible for a refund. Full terms are set out in the service agreement.
Free Japan HSP brochure
Covers the requirements, process and timeline, a fee overview and FAQs. Leave your details and we’ll send it to you.
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If you can’t see it, please check your spam folder. A consultant may also contact you to answer any questions about the programme.
Application process
- Points assessment and employer matching2–8 weeksWe calculate your points item by item and match you with a suitable Japanese employer.
- Employer-sponsored application1–3 monthsYour employer sponsors the application for a Certificate of Eligibility; the official target is 10 days once documents are complete, and the overall time is typically 1–3 months depending on the case.
- Visa and entryA few weeksReceive your visa, enter Japan and start work.
- Permanent residenceAfter one yearWith 80 points or more, apply for permanent residence after one year in Japan.
Pathway to PR and citizenship
- Highly Skilled Professional visaStatus review about 1–3 months
A visa sponsored by your Japanese employer, always with a 5-year period of stay; your spouse can work full-time in specified fields if conditions are met, and parents (household income of at least JPY 8 million, among other conditions) or domestic staff (at least JPY 10 million, among other conditions) can join.
While on this statusLive in Japan and stay in the relevant job with your sponsoring company
- Permanent residenceAfter 1 year in Japan with 80+ points (3 years at 70)
Japanese permanent residence, with no more renewals and no limits on work.
Keeping permanent statusNo renewals, but you must leave Japan with a re-entry permit; the special re-entry permit covers returns within 1 year, and failing to return in time can lose your permanent residence
- Japanese nationalityLaw: 5+ years’ residence; in practice about 10 years since April 2026
Apply to naturalise for Japanese nationality and a passport. You generally need to be 18 or over, have worked in Japan for at least 3 of the 5 years, show good conduct and stable income, and read and write basic Japanese (about third-grade elementary level, assessed at interview). Japan does not allow adult dual nationality, so you must give up your current nationality.
Residence for citizenshipThe law requires 5+ years of continuous residence, but since April 2026 the Ministry of Justice is reported to generally expect about 10 years in practice (subject to the Ministry’s latest review practice); in practice a single trip of about 3 months or more, or long total absences in a year, can be treated as breaking residence
General information only; requirements follow each country’s latest rules and can vary with your circumstances.
Japan HSP client stories
Client storyScoring over 80 points, and permanent residence after one year
Mr Lam’s Japan HSP experience. He wanted to move his family to Japan and settle long term.
Read the full storyClient storyConfirming the rules for bringing a parent, and three generations move to JapanMr Wong’s Japan HSP experience. He wanted to bring his mother with him to Japan.
Read the full storyClient storyA researcher moves to Japan on a Highly Skilled Professional visaDr Wong’s Japan HSP experience. He wanted to research in Japan and settle there long term.
Read the full storyCompared with other options: Japan
See the Japan overview| Programme | Investment | Status | Typical timeline | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) VisaThis programme | No investment; sponsored by a Japanese employer (80+ points) | HSP status; permanent residence after as little as one year | Status review about 1–3 months | Professionals with 80+ points who can be employed by a Japanese company |
| Japan Business Manager Visa | Capital of JPY 30,000,000 | Business Manager status | Status review about 1–3 months | Entrepreneurs opening and running a business in Japan |
Japan HSP FAQ
How are points calculated?
Mainly on education, work experience, annual income and age, with bonus points for things such as Japanese ability and graduating from certain universities.
Do I need to speak Japanese?
Japanese is not required, but Japanese ability earns bonus points.
Can my family come with me?
Yes. Your spouse and children can come with you, and you may bring parents (household income of at least JPY 8 million, to care for a child under 7 or a pregnant spouse) or domestic staff (household income of at least JPY 10 million, among other conditions).
Do I need to find a Japanese employer myself?
No. Based on your background and points, we match you with a suitable Japanese company to employ and sponsor you; there is no investment, no company to set up and no business risk.
Can I apply with fewer than 80 points?
Yes — the official threshold is 70 points, but permanent residence then takes three years in Japan. We first look at which bonus points you could add to reach 80.
Sources
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