Japan guides

HSP scores points across academic background, professional experience, age, salary, Japanese language ability, university quality, and research achievements. Reaching 70 points unlocks the HSP status of residence with multiple advantages: a longer initial period of stay, multiple permitted activities, dependent work permission, and PR eligibility after 3 years. Reaching 80 points cuts that to 1 year on the standard track and ties into the J-Skip route.

J-Skip is a fast-track route for very high-skilled / high-income workers (annual income ≥¥20M or ≥¥40M with an academic background and relevant work experience). J-Find is a job-search route giving up to 2 years of residence to recent graduates from top-200 global universities. Both were introduced in April 2023 to attract globally mobile talent.

Most spouses of Engineer / Specialist visa holders enter on a Dependant status, which does not by default allow work. To work, your spouse must apply for an Activity Outside Status permission, which limits work to 28 hours per week. By contrast, HSP-A/B/C dependants can work full-time once they have applied for a Designated Activities permission, and HSP holders can also bring parents in some circumstances.

Standard permanent residence requires 10 continuous years of residence with at least 5 years on a work or stable status. The HSP fast-track shortens this to 3 years, and J-Skip applicants with sufficient income can qualify in 1 year. Spouses of Japanese nationals/PRs typically qualify after 3 years of marriage and 1 year of residence in Japan.

Yes. Within 14 days of moving in to a Japanese residence, you must register at the local city or ward office (shiyakusho or kuyakusho). The address is recorded on your Residence Card and links you to national health insurance, the My Number tax ID system, and pension enrolment.