With 高度専門職, after how many years can I apply for permanent residence? A guide to the preferential treatment

This article is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails. Read the Japanese original（日本語版を読む）

What is this enquiry about?

A guide to the preferential treatment for permanent residence, for people who hold the 高度専門職 status of residence.

What kind of status of residence is 高度専門職?

It is a status of residence with lighter restrictions on activities, created for highly skilled people who reach a certain score under the points system.

高度専門職1号 (Highly Skilled Professional (i)) was created as a status of residence with lighter restrictions on activities than other general work statuses, in order to encourage the acceptance of foreign nationals with highly specialised ability who are expected to contribute to academic research and economic development in Japan. Under the points system for highly skilled foreign professionals, points are given for items such as education, work history and annual income, and it is granted to people whose total reaches at least 70 points.

高度専門職2号 (Highly Skilled Professional (ii)) is a status of residence for people who have resided in Japan for a certain period on 高度専門職1号. The period of stay becomes indefinite and the restrictions on activities are greatly relaxed. It is granted to people whose total points reach at least 80.

What categories does 高度専門職 have?

It is divided into 3 categories, イ, ロ and ハ, according to the activity.

• 高度専門職1号（イ）・2号: research, guidance of research, or education, carried out under a contract with a public or private organisation in Japan
• 高度専門職1号（ロ）・2号: work requiring knowledge or skills in the field of the natural sciences or the humanities, carried out under a contract with a public or private organisation in Japan
• 高度専門職1号（ハ）・2号: managing a business, or engaging in its administration, at a public or private organisation in Japan

How far is the residence requirement for permanent residence shortened?

To at least 3 years for 高度専門職1号, and at least 1 year for 高度専門職2号.

On an ordinary status of residence, you need to have lived in Japan for at least 10 years to obtain permanent residence. If you hold the 高度専門職 status of residence, there is preferential treatment which shortens the number of years of residence, as follows.

1. 高度専門職1号
   You need to have lived in Japan continuously for at least 3 years.
2. 高度専門職2号
   You need to have lived in Japan continuously for at least 1 year.

Under the 高度専門職 points system, points are awarded on the basis of education, work experience, Japanese language ability, annual income and so on. Because it is a system that recognises concrete skills and experience, meeting the conditions lets you aim for permanent residence sooner than usual.

Who has been using this preferential treatment?

There are examples of IT engineers and researchers who reached at least 70 points and applied after 3 years of residence.

An IT engineer

This is the example of a person who graduated from a university abroad and then joined an IT company in Japan on 高度専門職1号（ロ）. He had specialised skills and more than 2 years of work experience, and scored 70 points under the points system. He applied for permanent residence after 3 years of residence. His tax and social insurance payment record was also good, so screening went smoothly and he obtained permanent residence.

A researcher

This is the example of a person who obtained a doctorate at a university abroad and was then appointed as a professor at a university in Japan. She obtained the status of residence 高度専門職1号（イ）, and applied for permanent residence after 3 years of residence. Her research record was recognised, giving her 75 points under the points system, she had also passed JLPT N2, and she met the good conduct requirement, so the application went smoothly.

What steps does the application involve?

You gather the documents and apply to the 地方出入国在留管理局 with jurisdiction over your place of residence; after screening, you are notified of the result.

1. Preparation
   Put your residence history and work history in order, and prepare the necessary documents. Your 在留カード (Residence Card), 納税証明書 (tax payment certificate), certificate of residence (住民票), employment contract and so on are asked for.
2. Submitting the documents
   Once the documents are in order, submit the application form to the 地方出入国在留管理局 (Regional Immigration Services Bureau) with jurisdiction over your place of residence. Please note that this is not the Legal Affairs Bureau (法務局). On the application form you set out your years of residence and your work history in detail.
3. Screening and notification of the result
   The screening period is said to be usually around 3 to 6 months. If you pass screening, permanent residence is granted.
4. After permission is granted
   Even after you obtain permanent residence, you still need to renew your 在留カード and to deal with social insurance procedures.

It is important to check your own circumstances and to prepare in a planned way. If anything worries you, please consult a gyoseishoshi registered to submit applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

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This article provides general information. Immigration rules change, and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Please check the Immigration Services Agency website or consult a qualified specialist.
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.