Acquiring a permanent residency visa in Japan typically takes around 10 years. However, opting for the Highly Skilled Professional visa can significantly reduce the time required for permanent residency. Many foreigners residing in Japan have obtained permanent residency ahead of schedule through this system. On February 17th, the Japanese government, aiming to attract more foreign talent, introduced a new visa category called the "Special Highly Skilled Professional," building upon the existing Highly Skilled Professional visa.
Compared to the previous Highly Skilled Professional system, the "Special Highly Skilled Professional" visa introduces three key "special" features:
- Holders of a master's degree or higher with an annual income of 20 million JPY or more.
- Individuals with over 10 years of work experience and an annual income of 20 million JPY or more.
- Those engaged in managerial roles for over five years with an annual income of 40 million JPY or more.
Applicants meeting any of these criteria can apply for the Highly Skilled Professional Type 1 visa with a validity of five years without undergoing the point-based evaluation. After one year, they can transition to a Type 2 visa or directly apply for permanent residency in Japan.
In summary, the Japanese government is offering a green light to foreigners with education, skills, and financial capacity. It's worth noting that with an annual income of 20 million or 40 million JPY, the personal income tax to be paid is around 8 million or nearly 20 million JPY, respectively. For the Japanese government, this represents a high return on investment.
For those familiar with the Highly Skilled Professional visa, achieving 80 points allows for permanent residency after one more year of work in Japan. Compared to the various point-based systems under the Highly Skilled Professional visa, the "Special Highly Skilled Professional" streamlines the criteria to focus on education/work capability/business management and high income, making it suitable for individuals excelling in two distinct areas.
In the global race to attract talent, Japan's introduction of the "Special Highly Skilled Professional" visa underscores its desire for high-caliber professionals. However, individuals with an annual income of 20 million JPY are undoubtedly at a distinguished level. Whether individuals at this level are willing to forsake countries like the United States or Europe in favor of Japan remains to be seen.
This "Special Highly Skilled Professional" system is expected to officially launch in April, with more specific terms and regulations to be released. The actual impact on attracting qualified individuals to Japan remains to be observed, but providing an additional pathway is certainly a positive development for foreign individuals.
