Home ／ Articles & Guides ／ Work visa

A doctorate and 15 years of experience. Do I qualify for 高度専門職?

Foreigners Employment Support Organization (FESO)　／　Published 24 April 2025　／　Last updated 21 August 2026　／　Supervised by 五十嵐博幸行政書士・社会保険労務士

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）

Who this article is forAn enquiry from someone offered a job as a leader in AI research and development at a major Japanese IT company.

Answer

If you hold a doctorate and have 15 years or more of research and development experience, it is very likely that you qualify. 高度専門職 is a status of residence in which education, work experience, annual income, Japanese ability, research achievements and similar items are scored, and permission is granted where the total meets the standard. The application is in principle a 在留資格認定証明書交付申請 (Application for Certificate of Eligibility), made before entry to Japan.

What is this enquiry about?

An enquiry from someone offered a job as a leader in AI research and development at a major Japanese IT company.

Subject: about 高度専門職
Application type: new application
Situation: Indian national, male, 45 years old. He obtained a doctorate in computer science at a university in his home country, and has 15 years or more of research and development experience in IT. He has an offer of employment from a major Japanese IT company as project leader for AI research and development.
Question: does he qualify for 高度専門職? And what are the benefits?

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

A points-based status of residence, granted where your total score meets the standard.

This is a status of residence created to encourage people with advanced specialised knowledge or skills, or with management ability, to be active in Japan. Items such as education, work experience, annual income, Japanese ability and research achievements are scored, and permission is granted where the total meets a set standard (70 points or more, or 80 points or more).

Where do the points build up?

In 4 places: education, work experience, annual income and research achievements.

Education: a doctorate is rated very highly
Work experience: a long career leads to a high score
Annual income: as a project leader at a major company, you are likely to meet the income requirement
Research achievements: depending on how many years you have spent on research and development, you may also gain points under this item

Please check your own score against the points calculation table published by the 出入国在留管理庁 (Immigration Services Agency of Japan). You may also like to read What are the benefits of a 高度専門職 visa? How it differs from an ordinary work visa.

What favourable treatment do I get?

There are 7 forms of favourable treatment, starting with a shorter wait before you can apply for permanent residence.

The requirements for permanent residence are relaxed
Normally 10 years or more of residence is needed, but you can apply for permanent residence after 3 years or more at 70 points or more, and 1 year or more at 80 points or more. This is the biggest advantage.
Combined activities
You may combine several activities, which an ordinary status of residence that permits work does not allow (for example research and development together with business management).
A period of stay of 「5年」
In principle you are given 5 years.
The spouse's ability to work
Your spouse is allowed to work, provided certain conditions are met.
Bringing your parents
Subject to conditions, you can bring your parents to Japan and live together. This is limited to cases where the parent you support is raising a child under 7 years old, or where you need daily care because of illness or the like.
Employing a domestic worker
Subject to conditions, you can bring a domestic worker over from abroad.
Priority handling of procedures
Applications and renewals are generally handled as a priority.

How does the application work?

It starts with the 在留資格認定証明書交付申請, made before entry to Japan. The company can apply on your behalf.

Working with the employer
Start by getting in touch with their HR staff. The company may prepare documents or support the application.
Preparing the documents
Certificates of education, certificates of employment, the employment contract, documents proving your annual income, the points calculation table, and so on.
Calculating the points
Check whether you reach the standard score.
在留資格認定証明書交付申請
The employing company can also make the application as your representative.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I always get it if I have a doctorate?

Not always. The total of your education, work experience, annual income and other items must meet the standard. That said, a doctorate is rated very highly.

How much shorter is the wait for permanent residence?

Instead of the usual 10 years, you can apply after 3 years or more of residence at 70 points or more, or 1 year or more at 80 points or more.

Can I bring my parents to Japan?

You can, subject to conditions. This is limited to cases where the parent you support is raising a child under 7 years old, or where you need daily care because of illness or the like.

Do I make the application myself?

It is in principle a 在留資格認定証明書交付申請 made before entry to Japan, and the employing company can also make it as your representative.

Free consultation

Tell us your situation. A 申請取次行政書士 from a partner office will answer you directly. Consultations in Japanese, English and other languages.

Get a free consultation

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. Because it is a translation, the meaning may differ from the original in places. Where something affects a decision you are making, please check the Japanese version or ask us. The supervision by a 行政書士 is of the Japanese version.