How to Obtain a Permanent Resident Visa Using the Point System for Highly Skilled Human Resources

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1. What is highly skilled personnel?

Firstly, let me introduce the definition of highly skilled personnel as determined by the Immigration Bureau.

(From the report of the Council for Promotion of Acceptance of Highly Skilled Personnel dated May 29, 2009)
In summary, this definition can be succinctly summarized as “talented individuals capable of advancing the Japanese economy through new ideas and skills.”
Highly skilled personnel are broadly categorized into three genres, each with different evaluation criteria:
1. Engaging in activities requiring knowledge or skills or conducting educational activities. (e.g., IT engineers)
2. Engaging in research, research guidance, or educational activities. (e.g., university professors)
3. Engaging in business management or administration. (e.g., company executives)

To be recognized as highly skilled personnel, individuals must achieve a certain number of points calculated according to the point calculation table established by the Immigration Bureau.

1-1. About the point system for highly skilled human resource

To be recognized as highly skilled personnel, individuals must achieve a score of “70 points” or higher on the following point table.
For more details, please refer to the following page:

Click here to view the page for obtaining highly skilled personnel

As you can see on the linked page, points are allocated for criteria such as “educational background,” “work experience,” “annual income,” and “Japanese language proficiency.” Accumulating points in each category contributes to meeting the overall threshold.
Therefore, aspiring individuals should aim to achieve at least “70 points” to be certified as highly skilled personnel.

1-2. About the preferential treatment for highly skilled personnel

What are the benefits of being certified as highly skilled personnel and obtaining the highly skilled professional visa?
Immigration Bureau have established the following 7 preferential treatments for highly skilled personnel:

In this column, we will specifically introduce the relaxation of requirements for Permanent Resident, listed as item 7 above.
But before that, let’s review the requirements for obtaining Permanent Resident.

2. Basic requirements for obtaining a Permanent Resident visa

In principle, the following 3 requirements must be met to obtain a Permanent Resident visa.

We have prepared a page that explains the requirements for a Permanent Resident visa in an easy-to-understand manner. Please refer to the following column:

Click here to view the Requirements for a Permanent Resident visa

2-1. What are the requirements for a Permanent Resident visa that are relaxed for highly skilled personnel?

We have introduced the requirements for a Permanent Resident visa above, but the requirements for a Permanent Resident visa that are relaxed for highly skilled personnel are as follows:

Permanent Resident visas generally require a continuous residency of 10 years or more in Japan. However, individuals recognized as highly skilled personnel have their residency duration reduced to either “3 years” or “1 year” in Japan.
Therefore, individuals scoring between 70 and less than 80 points on the highly skilled human resource points calculation can apply for Permanent Resident after a minimum of “3 years” of residency, while those scoring 80 points or higher can apply after just “1 year” of residency.

3. Is it possible to apply for Permanent Resident visa without being highly skilled personnel?

It has been mentioned that recognition as highly skilled personnel leads to relaxation of the residency requirements for a Permanent Resident visa.
Now, the question arises: Is it necessary to change to the visa for highly skilled personnel before applying for a Permanent Resident visa if one wants to obtain it as quickly as possible?
For instance, for those holding a visa such as the Technology/Humanities/International Affairs visa and scoring above 70 points, would they need to obtain the visa for highly skilled personnel to benefit from the relaxation of the requirements for a Permanent Resident visa?
The conclusion is that even for those who do not hold a visa for highly skilled personnel, if they score above a certain number of points according to the highly skilled professional points calculation, they are eligible for the relaxation of the residency duration requirement when applying for a Permanent Resident visa, equivalent to the visa for highly skilled personnel.
In other words, even individuals holding visas such as the Technology/Humanities/International Affairs visa can apply for a Permanent Resident visa utilizing the relaxation of the residency duration requirement granted under the preferential treatment for highly skilled personnel, without needing to switch to the visa for highly skilled personnel.

4.Explanation of the Points calculation table for highly skilled personnel

Now, let’s focus on explaining the method for calculating points to be recognized as highly skilled personnel, highlighting the items that are additional scored.

5.Cases where Permanent Resident visa can be applied for using the points system for highly skilled human resource

Here are some cases of individuals who would be recognized as highly skilled personnel based on the points system for highly skilled human resource.
Please check to see if any of these cases apply to you:

①Individuals under 30 years old at present + Graduation from a university in Japan (eligible university for additional points) + JLPT N1 certification + Annual income exceeding 4 million yen at present and 3 years ago

② Individuals under 34 years old at present + Graduation from a university overseas (eligible university for additional points) + JLPT N1 certification + Over 5 years of practical work experience + Annual income exceeding 5 million yen at present and 3 years ago

③ Individuals under 39 years old at present + Completion of a Master’s degree + Over 10 years of practical work experience + Annual income exceeding 7 million yen at present and 3 years ago

We also offer free initial consultations regarding point calculations for highly skilled personnel so please feel free to contact us clicking the picture below.

6.Cases where points system for highly skilled human resource may pose challenges

Utilizing the point system for highly skilled human resource for applying for Permanent Resident involves considering the points both at the time of application, referred to as the “present,” and either 1 or 3 years prior, denoted as the “past.”
As time passes, changes in income and work history may lead to variations in points. Therefore, in this discussion, we will explore 4 scenarios to illustrate cases where Permanent Resident application is feasible or not.

6-1. Cases where Permanent Resident visa can be applied for using points system for highly skilled human resource

Case1

In the above cases, although the points temporarily dropped to 65 within the 3 years period, both the points at the time of application and those from 3 years prior are at 70 points, making the Permanent Resident application feasible under the points system for highly skilled human resource.

Case2

Similarly, in the above case, despite the points at the time of application being lower than those from 1 year prior, both the points at the time of application and those from 1 year prior are at 80 points, making the Permanent Resident application feasible under the points system for highly skilled human resource.

6-2. Cases where Permanent Resident visa can NOT be applied for using the points system for highly skilled human resource

Case1

In the above cases, although the points from 1 year prior exceed “80 points,” the points at the time of application do not exceed “80 points,” thus making it impossible to apply for Permanent Resident under the points system for highly skilled human resource.
Furthermore, although the points at the time of application exceed “70 points,” the points from 3 years prior are below “70 points,” thus making it impossible to apply for Permanent Resident under the points system for highly skilled human resource.

Case2

Similarly, in the above case, although the points at the time of application are “80 points,” the points from 1 year prior do not exceed “80 points,” hence making it impossible to apply for Permanent Resident under the points system for highly skilled human resource.
Additionally, although the points at the time of application exceed “70 points,” the points from 3 years prior are below “70 points,” thus making it impossible to apply for Permanent Resident under the points system for highly skilled human resource.

7. Q&A for Permanent Resident visa application by highly skilled personnel

Below, we have summarized frequently asked questions when applying for a Permanent Resident visa for highly skilled personnel.

8. Summary

Even if you don’t have a highly skilled personnel visa, you may actually meet the requirements for applying for Permanent Resident if you score above a certain threshold on the highly skilled human resource points calculation table, even if you haven’t resided in Japan for over 10 years.
This article might prompt you to calculate your highly skilled human resource points.
Especially for those who have graduated from a Japanese university or graduate school and have obtained JLPT N1 certification, many cases show that they reach a score of 70 points or higher.
However, the highly skilled human resource points calculation table has many items, making it challenging to accurately calculate your own score.
Moreover, while meeting the score is important, it’s also crucial to determine the best timing for applying for Permanent Resident after meeting the score.
At Administrative Scrivener Daiichi Sogo Office, we will conduct a professional calculation of your points based on hearing your situation and assess whether you meet the requirements for Permanent Resident. By consulting with experts, it’s possible to obtain Permanent Resident earlier than anticipated.
We offer free consultations for questions and inquiries about Permanent Resident using the points system for highly skilled professionals, so please feel free to contact us.