Both "past actual income" and "projected future income" are important for annual income.
Both "past actual income" and "projected future income" are subject to examination.
Basically, it is said that the screening process is based on past performance, but it is possible to obtain a Highly Skilled Professional visa even if you do not have past performance but only "projected future income".
*Some sites say that only past performance is eligible, but projected future income is also eligible.
Income Concept
If you have worked, both "past actual income" and "projected future income" will be considered.
If you have no employment record, only "projected future income" is subject to examination.
For foreign nationals already working in Japan with a work visa, both past and projected income will be subject to examination.
For foreign nationals who have not yet worked in Japan, such as international students, only their "projected future income" will be subject to screening.
Income will be considered at face value.
There are two ways of thinking about income: "face value" before taxes are deducted and "take-home pay" after taxes are deducted.
The income concept for the Highly Skilled Professional visa is the "face value" before taxes are deducted.
The take-home pay after social insurance is deducted will result in a lower amount, so we hope that you can calculate it using the amount before taxes are deducted.
Annual income covers "base salary" and "fixed overtime pay.
Highly Skilled Professional visas are awarded points for various items, but one of the most difficult to determine is "income.
Income includes various items such as "base salary," "fixed overtime," "overtime pay," "bonus (bonus)," "transportation expenses," and "housing allowance.
What is included in annual income？
Base salary
Fixed overtime pay
Bonus (bonus) *only those that are fixed
Basically, there are three items that can be included in the income of a Highly Skilled Professional visa.
Bonuses" for which payment has been confirmed are eligible.
Of these, "bonuses" are the ones that require attention. We mentioned that bonuses can be included in income, but only for confirmed bonuses.
Bonuses that are "performance-based" cannot be included because they are not fixed.
This may be thought of as, "Well, we've had bonuses in the past, so why can't we include the same bonus amounts?" However, since there is a possibility that the amount may not be paid depending on performance, it can no longer be added to income.
If you receive a certificate from the company certifying that the bonus is scheduled to be paid or the projected annual income for the current season, you can include the bonus.
The minimum annual income requirement is also fixed.
The annual income addition for Highly Skilled Professional 1 (Technical, Humanities, International Business, etc.), which is the most common type of visa, starts at 4 million yen or more.
Points to note
If your annual income is less than 3 million yen, you will not be granted a Highly Skilled Professional visa even if you have 70 or more points in other points.
Undetermined "bonus" and "overtime" are not included in annual income.
Highly Skilled Professional visa income does not include "performance-based bonuses" and "overtime pay.
Income is subject to fixed income, and bonuses and overtime paid based on performance are considered to be undetermined.
However, as an exception, it is possible to include income from one or three years prior to the year in which it is proven.
Overtime work that is fixed and paid on a regular basis, such as fixed overtime pay, can be included.
Items not included in annual income
Bonuses (bonuses)* paid based on performance
Overtime work
Transportation expenses
Rent allowance
About Overtime Pay
Overtime pay is paid when you have to work overtime based on the nature of your work.
Therefore, "When and how many hours of overtime will I work in the future?" cannot be included in the annual income for the Highly Skilled Professional visa due to uncertainty.
Even if the actual results from last year show that you worked an average of 00 hours of overtime per month, it is not certain that you will work the same amount of overtime in the current fiscal year.
For example, if the company can issue a certificate confirming that overtime work will be at least 00 hours per month again this year, it will be possible to include that amount of income.
Transportation and rent allowances are not included.
In many cases, transportation expenses and rent subsidies are included in the monthly salary paid by the company.
Transportation expenses, rent allowances, and other auxiliary expenses are not included in the income of the Highly Skilled Professional visa, since they are not paid as compensation for work.
