Transitioning from “Highly Skilled Professional” to Permanent Resident and Aiming to Start a Business.— Long-Term Career Planning in Japan Using the Point System —

In the previous article, we explained what the “Highly Skilled Professional” status entails and why foreign business owners currently holding a “Business Manager” status should consider this option.

One of the main reasons foreign entrepreneurs consider the “Highly Skilled Professional” status is that it makes it easier to apply for permanent residency. Some people plan to first join another company, switch to Highly Skilled Professional Type I (b) status, and then, after becoming permanent residents, consider starting their own business again.

If you are thinking about your life in Japan five or ten years from now, it is important to plan your career with a view toward future permanent residency, rather than focusing solely on your current status of residence.

In this article, we will explain the relationship between the Highly Skilled Professional Points System and permanent residency.

Why Are “Highly Skilled Professionals” and Permanent Residency Related?

When applying for permanent residency in Japan, applicants must generally meet several requirements, such as having resided in Japan continuously for a certain period or longer.

However, special provisions regarding residency history have been established for highly skilled foreign professionals.

Those who receive a certain minimum score under the point system may be eligible to apply for permanent residency after a shorter period of residence than usual.

This is one of the major benefits of considering permanent residency through the “Highly Skilled Professional” status.

“3 Years” Is a General Benchmark for 70 Points

Under the Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals Point System, if you score 70 points or more, the required period of continuous residence for applying for permanent residency is reduced to 3 years, provided certain conditions are met.

In other words, if you have resided in Japan continuously for at least 3 years as a highly skilled foreign professional with 70 points or more, you can consider applying for permanent residency.

Under the standard permanent residency application process, 10 years of continuous residence in Japan is still required. Compared to that, this is a significant preferential measure.

If you have 80 points, “1 year” is a key benchmark

Furthermore, if your score is 80 points or higher, there are even more favorable provisions regarding your period of residence.

You can consider applying for permanent residency after 1 year or more of continuous residence.

Therefore, when considering a position as a highly specialized professional,

it is important to check not only whether you have “exceeded 70 points,” but also whether you “have the potential to reach 80 points.”

For example, even if you currently have 75 points, your score may change depending on your future annual income, work history, Japanese language proficiency, and other factors.

It is important to consider your future career path, rather than focusing solely on your current score.

“Current points” alone are not enough

This is extremely important.

For example, just because you currently have 80 points does not mean “if I stay in Japan for one year, I will definitely be able to apply for permanent residency.”

It’s not that simple.

In addition to having 80 points or more at the time of application for permanent residency, you must also confirm that you had 80 points or more one year prior to the application.

Similarly, for the three-year special exception for 70 points, your points three years prior—not just at the time of application—are crucial.

Therefore, if you are considering permanent residency,

it is crucial to check not only “how many points you have today” but also “when you first met the point requirement.”

Is this special provision available only to those holding a Highly Skilled Professional visa?

This is a question we often hear from foreign nationals.

Some people think, “I currently hold a Business Manager visa. I’m not a Highly Skilled Professional, so I can’t use the 3-year or 1-year special provisions, right?”

However, this is not necessarily the case.

Even if you are currently residing in Japan under a different status of residence, such as “Business Manager” or “Technical, Humanistic Knowledge, and International Services,” you can still calculate your points. If it is determined that you had 70 or 80 points or more at the required time, you can consider applying for permanent residency as a Highly Skilled Foreign Professional.

In other words,

the countdown toward permanent residency does not necessarily begin only after you switch to the “Highly Skilled Professional” status.

This is a very important point for foreign nationals who have worked in Japan for a long time, as well as those who are already running a company on a “Business Manager” visa.

Why This Is Important for Foreign Business Owners

For example, let’s consider someone who is currently running a company under the “Business Manager” status.

If that person

• has a high level of educational attainment
• has extensive management experience
• has an annual income above a certain threshold
• and has additional qualifying factors such as Japanese language proficiency

then, upon calculating the Highly Skilled Professional points, they may score 70 points or 80 points or more.

In that case, even while retaining their current “Business Manager” status of residence, they may be able to consider applying for a permanent residence permit using the points earned as a Highly Skilled Foreign Professional.

That is why it is important not to assume from the outset that “since I am a Business Manager, the Highly Skilled Professional category does not apply to me.”

However, if you plan to apply for permanent residency while holding the “Business Manager” status, you must meet the new requirements taking effect in October 2025.

Similarly, if you wish to change from “Business Manager” to “Highly Skilled Professional Type I (c),” you must also meet the new requirements.

So, is there no point in changing to the “Highly Skilled Professional” status?

That’s not necessarily the case.

The Highly Skilled Professional status offers not only relaxed requirements for permanent residency but also

• a five-year period of stay
• the ability to engage in a variety of residence activities
• employment for a spouse under certain conditions
• the ability to bring parents under certain conditions
• the ability to bring domestic helpers under certain conditions
• priority processing for entry and residence procedures

and various other preferential measures.

Permanent residency is not determined solely by “years of residence”

And there is one point you should pay the most attention to.

Looking at figures like “3 years for 70 points” or “1 year for 80 points,” you might assume that “permanent residency will be granted once that period has passed.”

However, this is a special provision regarding the residency history required for applying for permanent residency.

Permanent residency is not automatically granted simply because a certain number of years has passed.

Applications for permanent residency are comprehensively reviewed based on various requirements, including your residency status, income, and compliance with legal obligations.

Therefore,

it is not appropriate to assume that “since I have 80 points, I will definitely be granted permanent residency after one year.”

You should also ensure that you properly pay your taxes and social insurance premiums on a daily basis.

If you are aiming for permanent residency in the future, you should not focus solely on the point system.

As you live, work, and run a business in Japan, it is also important to properly fulfill your public obligations, including taxes and social insurance.

Rather than frantically checking your status right before applying for permanent residency, if you hope to obtain permanent residency in the future, it is important to build up a solid record of proper residency and payment compliance from an early stage.

Start by finding out “your own point total”

If you are considering applying for permanent residency through the Highly Skilled Professionals Program, the first step is to calculate your points.

Here are the key points to check:

• What is your current point total?
• What was your point total one year ago?
• What was your point total three years ago?
• In which categories can you earn points?
• Can you prove those points with supporting documents?

The last point is particularly important.

“Can you prove it?”

Even if you personally believe, “This work history should count toward points,” if you cannot substantiate it with the necessary documents, those points may not be recognized.

Calculating your points is not merely a matter of self-assessment.

It is crucial for the actual application to verify whether you can substantiate that score with objective documentation.

Summary

Under the Highly Skilled Professional Points System, there are significant preferential measures regarding the length of residence required for a permanent residence permit application.

3 years with 70 points or more.

1 year with 80 points or more.

However, the numbers aren’t the only important factor.

You must verify not only at the time of application but also whether you possessed the required points one year or three years prior, and whether you can prove those points with supporting documents.

Furthermore, even if you do not currently hold the “Highly Skilled Professional” status of residence, if you can prove that you possess the required points, you may be eligible to consider a special exception for permanent residency as a highly skilled foreign professional.

Continue as a business manager.

Switch to the “Highly Skilled Professional” status.

Work as a professional at a company.

And obtain permanent residency to start a business again.

There isn’t just one “right” answer.

Your future in Japan isn’t defined by a single visa. It’s defined by the choices you make.

Don’t just focus on your current status of residence; think about the kind of life you want to lead in five or ten years.

Working backward from that vision to plan your status of residence and career is the crucial first step toward building a long-term future in Japan.

*Regarding System Information

Since decisions regarding permanent residency vary depending on individual circumstances, it is important to check the latest regulations and guidelines when actually applying.

Professionai Tips

When considering permanent residency through the Highly Skilled Professional Points System, I believe it’s important to look beyond simply asking, “How many points do you have?” and to also consider

“What kind of life do you want to lead in Japan from here on out?”

For example,

Do you want to continue running your own business?

Do you want to build a career as a specialist at a company?

Do you want to live in Japan with your family for the long term?

Once you obtain permanent residency, how do you plan to live in Japan?

The answers to these questions will determine which residence status you should choose and when you should begin preparing.

Residence status is not an end in itself.

It is one of the systems designed to help you realize your desired career and lifestyle in Japan.

That is precisely why, when it comes to permanent residency, it is important to consider not just “the fastest way to obtain it,” but to think about it in conjunction with your medium- to long-term career plans.