Japan Special Highly Skilled Professionals Syestem（J-Skip）
English
Starting in April 2023, Japan introduced the Special Highly Skilled Professionals (J-Skip) system. This system operates separately from the existing points-based system for highly skilled professionals. It grants the "Highly Skilled Professional" visa status to individuals who meet certain academic or professional experience and annual income standards, allowing them to be designated as "Special Highly Skilled Professionals" and receive expanded preferential treatment.
J-Skip System Overview
Requirements The "Highly Skilled Professional" visa has three categories, based on the activities the foreign national will perform in Japan:
"Highly advanced academic research activities" (Highly Skilled Professional 1(i)): Activities such as research, research guidance, or education based on a contract with a public or private institution in Japan (e.g., university professors, researchers, etc.).
"Highly advanced specialized/technical activities" (Highly Skilled Professional 1(ii)): Activities requiring knowledge or skills in the fields of natural or human sciences, based on a contract with a public or private institution in Japan (e.g., individuals involved in new product development at a company, international lawyers, etc.).
"Highly advanced business management activities" (Highly Skilled Professional 1(iii)): Activities related to business management or administration at a public or private institution in Japan (e.g., executives of companies with global operations, etc.).
The requirements for "Special Highly Skilled Professionals" are as follows, depending on the activity category:
For activity categories (1) and (2):
Hold a master's degree or higher AND have an annual income of at least 20 million yen.
OR have at least 10 years of practical experience related to the intended work AND have an annual income of at least 20 million yen.
For activity category (3):
Have at least 5 years of practical experience in business management or administration AND have an annual income of at least 40 million yen.
Immigration and Residence Privileges
"Special Highly Skilled Professionals" can receive more extensive benefits than those provided by the points-based system.
If recognized as a "Special Highly Skilled Professional," an official certificate is issued, and the back of the residence card will be marked with "特別高度人材" (Special Highly Skilled Professional).
For "Highly Skilled Professional 1" visa holders:
Permission to engage in multiple types of residence activities.
A period of stay of 5 years.
Relaxed requirements for permanent residency based on period of residence.
Spouse is permitted to work.
Parents are permitted to accompany under certain conditions.
Domestic servants can be employed under certain conditions.
Access to priority lanes at major airports.
Priority processing for immigration and residence procedures.
For "Highly Skilled Professional 2" visa holders:
The "Highly Skilled Professional 2" visa is for individuals who have held the "Highly Skilled Professional 1" (Special Highly Skilled Professional) visa for at least one year.
Permission to engage in almost all types of work activities, in addition to the "Highly Skilled Professional 1" activities.
An unlimited period of stay.
Eligible for the same benefits as points 3 through 8 above.
The required period of residence for applying for permanent residency is reduced to 1 year.
Application Process
For those seeking to newly enter Japan as a "Highly Skilled Professional 1 (Special Highly Skilled Professional)":
Please apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for "Highly Skilled Professional 1" (i, ii, or iii).
You must submit documents proving that you meet the requirements for the intended activity and request recognition as a "Special Highly Skilled Professional."
The COE obtained through this application is required for the visa application at a Japanese embassy or consulate abroad.
With the COE, the eligibility for landing conditions will have been pre-screened, leading to a smoother visa issuance and landing inspection process at Japanese airports and seaports.
For those currently residing in Japan on a visa other than "Highly Skilled Professional 1" and wishing to change to "Highly Skilled Professional 1 (Special Highly Skilled Professional)":
Please apply for a Change of Status of Residence to "Highly Skilled Professional 1" (i, ii, or iii).
For those already holding the "Highly Skilled Professional 1" visa under the points-based system and wishing to receive the benefits of a "Special Highly Skilled Professional":
If the remaining period of stay is approximately 3 months or less, you can request to be designated as a "Special Highly Skilled Professional" when applying for an extension of your period of stay.
If the remaining period of stay is more than 3 months, please apply for a Certificate of Authorized Employment and request recognition as a "Special Highly Skilled Professional" during that application.
Regardless of the above, if your spouse or domestic servant applies for the special highly skilled professional benefits, the primary applicant's "Special Highly Skilled Professional" designation will be processed along with their application.