What is a highly skilled foreign professional and how to obtain permanent residency under this system

2022-10-04

Among the residence statuses available in Japan, permanent residence is characterized by particularly strict requirements for its issuance.

However, if you fall into the category of highly skilled professionals, the original stringent requirements for the issuance of permanent residency are relaxed.

Therefore, in this article you will learn how to obtain a permanent residence permit as a highly skilled professional.

What is a highly skilled professional?

Highly skilled professionals are foreigners with advanced knowledge who are expected to contribute to the development of Japan’s economy and science.

Whether or not you are considered a highly skilled foreign professional is determined by the points table published by the Immigration Bureau.

If the total score according to the table is 70 points or more, you are considered a highly skilled professional.

.

Types of highly skilled professionals

There are a total of three types of highly skilled professionals. If you score 70 points or more on any of the point calculations, you are considered a highly skilled professional.

  • Advanced Academic Research Activities  (Highly Skilled Professional (i) (a))

This includes research, research consulting, and education. It applies primarily to teachers and researchers.

  • Advanced Specialized/Technical Activities (Highly Skilled Professional (i) (b))

Includes occupations requiring knowledge and skills in the humanities and sciences, the so-called white-collar class of business.

  • Highly Skilled Management and Leadership Activities (Highly Skilled Professional (i) (c)).

Includes enterprise managers engaged in the management and administration of commercial and other enterprises.

Requirements for permanent residence are relaxed for highly skilled professionals

Highly skilled foreign professionals have several advantages when it comes to settling in Japan. One of them is the easing of requirements for permanent residence.

Normally, strict requirements must be met in order to obtain permanent residency.

In particular, the requirements for permanent residency include having lived in Japan for at least 10 years.

However, if you fall under the category of highly skilled professionals, you will be recognized as eligible for residency if you meet the following requirements.

  • If the point calculation results in 70 points or more and you have lived in Japan as a highly skilled worker for at least 3 years
  • If you have continuously resided in Japan for at least 3 years and the point calculation results in 70 points or more, based on the score that is 3 years prior to the date of application for permanent residence.
  • If you have more than 80 points and have been continuously residing in Japan as a highly professional worker for more than 1 year.
  • If you have been continuously residing in Japan for more than 1 year and have 80 points or more in the point calculation based on the score of 1 year before the date of application for permanent residence.