Foreign nationals who are certified as Highly-Skilled Professionals in Japan are granted significant advantages over regular work visas.
1. Expansion of the range of jobs available
With a regular work visa, you can only work in jobs that are limited to your visa, but with a Highly-Skilled Professional visa, you can conduct research activities and manage a company by utilizing your skills.
2. 5-year visa is always granted.
Highly-Skilled Professional visa holders are always granted a five-year visa, the longest visa available.
3. Permanent residence can be applied for immediately.
Highly-Skilled Professional visa holders can apply for permanent residence after only one year of stay in Japan, while ordinary visa holders must have stayed in Japan for at least 10 years to apply for permanent residence.
4. Husband or Wife Working in Japan
In the case of a general work visa, the requirements for a work visa must be met and changed if the spouse, such as a wife, works in Japan. However, in the case of the spouse of a Highly-Skilled Professional, he/she may work in white-collar or other occupations without having to fall under the work visa category.
5. Calling one's parents
Except for some exceptional treatment, there is no visa in Japan for foreigners to bring their parents to Japan. Therefore, no matter how much effort a foreigner makes in Japan, he/she cannot live in Japan with his/her parents in his/her home country. However, Highly-Skilled Professionals can live in Japan with their parents for a long period of time if they meet certain requirements below.
Household income of 8 million yen or more
Live together with your parents.
The applicant or his/her spouse or either parent must live with the applicant.
6. Employment of Maids
Bringing maids hired overseas to Japan has been limited to certain foreign nationals such as company executives, diplomats, and lawyers, but Highly-Skilled Professionals may hire foreign maids under certain conditions.
Annual household income of 10 million yen or more
One maid is allowed.
Maids must be paid at least 200,000 yen.
The maid must return home with the applicant when he/she leaves Japan.
etc. (There are more)
7. Preferential treatment for visa application
Highly-Skilled Professionals will receive preferential processing within 5 to 10 days when applying for a visa. For general work visas, it may take 30 to 60 days.
Please refer to or PR visa web page.
We offer a wide range of services from consultation to document preparation and procedural support, so please feel free to contact us.
