Points-Based Immigration System for Highly-Skilled Foreign Professionals
Since May 2012, the Japanese Immigration Bureau has implemented a points-based system to facilitate
the immigration of highly-skilled foreign professionals.
The employment activities of persons deemed to be “highly-skilled foreign professionals” are
classified into three categories: “advanced academic research activities,” “advanced
specialized/technical activities,” and “advanced business management activities.” Foreign nationals
who are employed in Japan by Kyoto University, are eligible for the “advanced academic research
activity” category. The status of residence conferred on persons in this category is “Highly Skilled
Professional (i)(a).”
Foreign nationals who are granted entry to and residence in Japan as a highly-skilled professionals
receive the following forms of preferential treatment:
-
Permission to engage in multiple types of activity (e.g., with a single status of residence,
they are permitted to provide services to a company while being employed as a researcher at a
university).
- Granting of a five-year period of stay.
- Easing of requirements for permanent residence.
- Permission for their spouses to work.
-
Permission for their parent(s) to accompany them to Japan under certain circumstances (e.g., the
highly-skilled foreign professional has a child under seven years of age, and the parent(s) live
together with them and care for the child).
-
Permission for a domestic worker to accompany them to Japan under certain circumstances (e.g.,
the highly-skilled foreign professional has a child under thirteen years of age).
- Quick processing of entry and residence procedures.
Eligibility for the “Highly Skilled Professional (i)(a)” Residence Status
Applicants must satisfy the following two conditions:
-
Applicants must be foreign nationals who are eligible to work in the fields of research,
research guidance, or education at a Japanese university. They must be employed under a contract
and receive a salary for the work (e.g. visiting research scholar, program-specific researcher,
etc.).
-
o calculate eligibility, points are allocated to the applicant based on the characteristics of
their employment activities. The points are allocated in categories such as “academic
background,” “professional career,” “annual salary,” etc. If the total number of points
allocated is 70 or greater, the applicant will be deemed a highly skilled foreign professional,
and will be granted preferential immigration treatment. (For details of point allocation, please
refer to the
Point Calculation Table
.)
Application to Change Status of Residence to “Highly-Skilled Foreign Professional”
Persons currently resident in Japan who wish to change their status of residence to “Highly-Skilled
Foreign Professional” must submit the following items to the Immigration Bureau.
Please Note:
All documents issued in Japan, such as enrollment certificates, tax withholding certificates, etc.,
must have been issued within three months prior to making the application.
Items Required for Application
-
Application forms for the change of status of residence:
Excel
PDF
Note: Please ask your office of affiliation to complete the “organization” section.
-
One ID photo (4 x 3 cm, taken within six months prior to the date of application)
- Passport
- Residence card
-
Processing fee of ¥4,000, to be paid by revenue stamp (shunyu inshi)
Note: Revenue stamps are available at post offices and convenience stores.
-
Point Calculation Form
(please refer to the
Point Calculation Table
)
*A total of at least 70 points are required for the application.
-
Documentary evidence for the points (Nos. 1–15)
*It is not necessary to provide documentary evidence for all items (1–15),
as long as the evidence provided verifies at least 70 points.
*If the total number of points exceeds 70, the excess points do not influence the examination.
Note:
The documentary evidence for item No. 9, “Works for an organization which receives financial
support measures related to innovation (measures provided for separately in a public
notice),” can be provided by Kyoto University’s International Service Office. If you require
this document, please contact the International Service Office (Email:
kuiso-coe@mail2.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp).
If a Highly-Skilled Foreign Professional is Accompanied by their Spouse/Children
The spouse or children of a highly-skilled foreign professional must obtain the residence status of
“Dependent” in order to stay in Japan beyond the period allowed by their country’s “Temporary
Visitor” visa. To obtain “Dependent” visas, the highly-skilled foreign professional should first go
to their local immigration bureau to apply for a “Certificate of Eligibility (Dependent)” for each
of their family members. Once obtained, the certificates should be sent to the family members, who
should then submit them, together with the other necessary documents, to the Japanese
Embassy/Consulate in their country to apply for the “Dependent” visa.
Eligibility
The following are the main eligibility requirements:
-
The spouse/child will live together with the highly-skilled foreign professional in Japan under
his/her financial support.
-
The applicant must be the spouse or child of the highly-skilled foreign professional.
Application Materials
Applicant: spouse or child of a highly-skilled foreign professional.
-
Application form for the Certificate of Eligibility for Dependent Status
Excel
PDF
- ID photo (4 x 3cm, taken within six months prior to application).
- A copy of the applicant’s passport.
-
Original or official copy of a certificate such as a marriage license, birth certificate, or
family register that indicates the relationship between the highly-skilled foreign professional
and the applicant.
-
A copy of the front and back of the highly-skilled foreign professional’s Residence Card or
Certificate of Residence
-
Official documents that show the highly-skilled foreign professional’s income or ability to
support their family during their entire stay in Japan. (If the highly-skilled foreign
professional has income in Japan, a tax receipt, certificate of employment, etc. may be provided
for this purpose.)
Please Note:
- Additional documents may be required by the immigration bureau.
-
Documents such as enrollment certificates, tax withholding certificates, etc. must have been
issued within three months prior to making the application.
-
If the marriage/birth certificate is written in a language other than English or Japanese, a
brief translation in English or Japanese must be provided.
-
In principle, documents and materials which have been submitted will not be returned. If you
submit any original documents or materials which you require to be returned, you must notify the
immigration staff when you file your application.
If a Highly-Skilled Foreign Professional is Accompanied by their Parent(s) or Parent(s)-in-Law
If the parent(s) or parent(s)-in-law of a highly-skilled foreign professional intend to live with
them in Japan beyond the period allowed by their country’s “Temporary Visitor” visa (for example, in
order to assist with their family), they must obtain the residence status of “Designated Activity.”
To obtain a “Designated Activity” visa, the highly-skilled foreign professional should first go to
their local immigration bureau to apply for a “Certificate of Eligibility (Designated Activity)” for
each person. Once obtained, the certificates should be sent to the relevant family member(s), who
should then submit them, together with the other necessary documents, to the Japanese
Embassy/Consulate in their country to apply for the “Designated Activity” visa.
Eligibility
The following are the main eligibility requirements:
-
The parent(s) or parent(s)-in-law must live together with the highly-skilled foreign
professional in Japan.
-
The highly-skilled foreign professional’s annual household income* must be 8 million yen or
more.
(*The total annual salary of the highly-skilled foreign professional and his/her spouse
combined.)
-
The Parent(s) or Parent(s)-in-law will do one of the following:
-
Assist in taking care of a child younger than seven years of age belonging to the
highly-skilled foreign professional or his/her spouse.
-
Care for a highly-skilled foreign professional who is pregnant.
-
Care for the pregnant spouse of a highly-skilled foreign professional.
Application Materials
Applicants: parent(s) or parent(s)-in-law of a highly-skilled foreign professional.
-
Application form for “Designated Activity” Certificate of Eligibility.
Excel
PDF
- ID photo (4 x 3cm, taken within six months prior to application).
- A copy of the applicant’s passport.
-
Original or official copy of a certificate such as a marriage license, birth certificate, or
family register that indicates the relationship between the highly-skilled foreign professional
and the applicant.
-
Official documents showing the highly-skilled foreign professional’s annual household income.
(If the household income is earned in Japan, tax receipts, certificates of employment, etc. may
be provided for this purpose.)
-
A copy of the front and back of the highly-skilled foreign professional and his/her spouse’s
Residence Cards.
-
(1) If the parent(s) or parent(s)-in-law will assist in taking care of a child younger than
seven
years of age belonging to the highly-skilled foreign professional or his/her spouse: A copy of
the front and back of the child’s Residence Card or passport.
(2) If the parent(s) or parent(s)-in-law will care for a highly-skilled foreign professional who
is
pregnant or care for the pregnant spouse of a highly-skilled foreign professional: Documents
which prove that the highly-skilled foreign professional or highly-skilled foreign
professional’s spouse is pregnant (e.g. medical certificate, copy of mother and child healthcare
handbook).
Please Note:
- Additional documents may be required by the immigration bureau.
-
Documents such as enrollment certificates, tax withholding certificates, etc. must have been
issued within three months prior to making the application.
-
If the marriage/birth certificate is written in a language other than English or Japanese, a
brief translation in English or Japanese must be provided.
-
In principle, documents and materials which have been submitted will not be returned. If you
submit any original documents or materials which you require to be returned, you must notify the
immigration staff when you file your application.
