🏛️ 1． How to Obtain Permanent Residency in the Shortest Time

For foreign residents seeking stability in Japan, Permanent Residency (PR) is one of the most important residence statuses.
Normally, applicants are required to live in Japan for 10 consecutive years.
However, those who are recognized by the Ministry of Justice as Highly Skilled Professionals can apply for PR in as little as one year.

Both the Highly Skilled Professional and Special Highly Skilled Professional (J-Skip) programs fall under the same residence status:
“Highly Skilled Professional (HSP)” as defined by Japan’s Immigration Services Agency.

🌟 2．What Is the Highly Skilled Professional Point System?

The Highly Skilled Professional Point System quantifies your credentials — including educational background, annual income, professional experience, research achievements, and Japanese language ability — and awards points accordingly.
Applicants who score 70 points or higher are recognized as Highly Skilled Professionals (HSP).

Those who achieve 80 points or more become eligible to apply for permanent residency after just one year of residence in Japan.

This system was established to attract talented foreign professionals — researchers, engineers, and executives — who possess advanced expertise and substantial experience.
The latest point chart from the Immigration Services Agency clearly outlines bonus points for graduate degrees (Master’s/PhD), income levels, research achievements, management experience, and Japanese proficiency.

💼 3．What Is the “Special Highly Skilled Professional” (J-Skip) Program?

Introduced in 2023, the Special Highly Skilled Professional (J-Skip) system is a newly established fast-track program.
While it shares the same residence category (Highly Skilled Professional) as the standard point-based system, it allows for direct qualification without point calculation.

It targets world-class business leaders, researchers, and highly skilled professionals who meet the following stringent criteria:

Field Key Requirements
Academic / Technical / Professional Master’s degree or higher and annual income over ¥20 million, or over 10 years of relevant experience and annual income over ¥20 million
Management / Executive At least 5 years of management experience and annual income over ¥40 million

Those certified under J-Skip are also granted the Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) visa status
and are eligible to apply for Permanent Residency after one year.

In addition, J-Skip holders enjoy extended privileges such as:

Free employment eligibility for spouses

Permission to employ domestic workers

Priority entry lanes at airports

These benefits go beyond those offered to standard Highly Skilled Professionals.

🏠 4．Life After Obtaining Permanent Residency

Acquiring permanent residency dramatically expands your freedom and opportunities in Japan.

🏡 Easier mortgage approval and smoother real estate purchases.

💼 Freedom to start your own business or establish a company without visa restrictions.

🎓 Broader options for education, long-term residence, and investment planning.

Permanent residency is not the end — it is the beginning of a new chapter in Japan.
With a stable foundation, you and your family can step confidently into the next stage of life.

💡 5．Seikohsya’s Comprehensive Support

Seikohsya provides total support for foreign professionals aiming to obtain permanent residency:

📘 Point-based eligibility diagnosis for Highly Skilled Professionals
📘 J-Skip qualification and eligibility check
📘 Post-PR support for housing, entrepreneurship, and investment

Permanent residency is not the finish line — it’s a new start.
Seikohsya will be your trusted partner in taking root and realizing your dreams in Japan.

📎 Download & Reference Materials

👉 View Official Overview of the Special Highly Skilled Professional (J-Skip) System

📘 Sources & References

This article is based on official publications by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA).
Some content has been interpreted and reorganized by Seikohsya to provide practical guidance for international readers.

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