In recent years, the Japanese government, in an effort to attract top talent from around the world, has introduced theHighly Skilled Professional Visa (HSP Visa)In 2025, the visa policy receives a major overhaul, including optimization of the scoring criteria, streamlining of the application process, and expansion of the fast track.How to meet scoring requirements quickly? How can I increase my approval rate? In this article, we will analyze in detailLatest Scoring Criteria, Application Process and Fast Approval TipsIt's easy for you.Immigration to JapanPermanent residency!
1. What is the Japanese Highly Qualified Person visa?
Japan's Highly Skilled Person visa (HSP visa) is forHighly educated, highly paid, highly skilledThe HSP visa is a special visa created for foreign professionals. Compared with ordinary work visas, HSP visas have the advantage ofShorter permanent residence application cycle, greater family convenienceand can enjoy a number ofimmigrantsPolicy preferences.
Good for the crowd:
✔ Talents in high technology industries such as IT, artificial intelligence, finance, healthcare, academic research, etc.
✔ Professionals with a master's or doctoral degree with a certain annual salary level
✔ Want to be in JapanPermanent work, business or residencepersons
Advantages of the Highly Talented Person Visa:
✅ You can apply for permanent residency in as little as 1 year(10 years for an ordinary visa)
✅ Spouse can work freely in JapanNo need to apply for a separate work visa
✅ Parents and domestic helpers can be brought along to immigrate(eligible)
✅ Entry and residence privilegesThe application for permanent residence or entry clearance has been facilitated.
2. Key Changes in the New Visa Policy for Japanese Highly Qualified Personnel in 2025
🔹 Scoring criteria optimized for easier approval of tech talent
- New Deal 2025Added bonus points for talents in artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, robotics, biotechnology and other fields, applicants who fit into these industries are more likely to meet the criteria.
- Applicants with internationally recognized awards, patents or technical certifications will receive additional pointsThe
🔹 Annual Salary Requirements Fine-Tuned, Younger, Higher-Paid Talent Preferred
- While the HSP visa is a good choice forHigher annual salary requirements (generally more than 8 million yen)But the New Deal in 2025 willAdjust scoring to make it easier for high potentials under 35 to score enough pointsThe
🔹 More streamlined application process and shorter approval times
- the reduction of application materials and the further optimization of the approval process.Eligible applicants can be approved in as little as 1 monthThe
- Partially held overseasHighly educated, highly skilled certifiedThe applicants will be included in theFast Track, accelerated approval.
3. Explanation of the latest scoring criteria for the 2025 Highly Talented Person visa
To obtain an HSP visa, applicants need toAchievement of 70 points or moreThe higher the score, the faster the approval (80 points and above for access to thePriority review channel). Here are the updated scoring criteria for 2025:
rating scale | Scoring Criteria (New Deal 2025) |
---|---|
education attainment | PhD: 30 points / Master's: 20 points / Bachelor's: 10 points |
annual income | 10 million yen or more: 40 points / 8 million yen: 30 points / 6 million yen: 20 points |
working experience | More than 10 years: 20 points / More than 5 years: 15 points / More than 3 years: 10 points |
Research or patents | Publication of international journal articles, patents or industry awards: 10-20 points |
Industry-specific bonus points | IT, AI, biotech, semiconductor, etc.: 10 points |
Japanese language ability | JLPT N1: 15 points / JLPT N2: 10 points |
graduate school | QS World University Ranking Top 100: 10 points |
Corporate Support | Working in a large Japanese company or government-recognized organization: 10-15 points |
📌 Focused Reminder:
- If you can reach80 points or moreIf you want to use theFast Track, get faster approvals and more benefits.
- New Deal 2025Special preference for tech, AI and finance industry talent, applicants who work in these industries are more likely to be approved.
4. Detailed procedures for applying for a Highly Qualified Person visa
Step 1: Confirm your conditions and calculate your score
🔹 Calculate your own HSP score, if the score is not met, theRaise your score by increasing your annual salary, taking the Japanese language test, applying for a patent, etc.The
Step 2: Prepare application materials
✅ Passport, visa application form
✅ Proof of academic qualifications (Master's degree, PhD diploma)
✅ Employment contract or company certificate (showing annual salary)
✅ Proof of work experience (letter of recommendation from former company or labor contract)
✅ Research outputs (papers, patents or industry awards)
✅ Japanese Language Proficiency Test results (if applicable)

Step 3: Submit your application to the Immigration Bureau
🔹 Application may be approvedJapanese company or employeror submit it directly to the Immigration Bureau of Japan.
Step 4: Waiting for the result of the review (1 month at the earliest)
🔹 The New Deal 2025 is optimized for applicants with 80 points or more in theApproved in about 1 monthFor applicants with 70-80 points, the approval time is around2-3 monthsThe
Step 5: Obtain a visa and enter Japan
🔹 Upon approval, the applicant may hold an HSP visaLanding in Japan and enjoying preferential policies for immigrantsThe
5. How to increase the approval rate? Practical tips to quickly improve your HSP score!
💡 Method 1: Upgrading the annual salary
- strive forAnnual salary of 8 million yen or more, which can earn 30-40 extra points.
💡 Method 2: Take the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)

- N1 plus 15 points, N2 plus 10 pointsYou can improve your competitiveness by getting a Japanese language certificate.
💡 Method 3: Seek industry awards or publish papers
- patent applications, SCI publications, industry honors, etc., thatCan add 10-20 pointsThe
💡 Method 4: Choosing the right employer
- Worked at a major Japanese corporation, research organization or government-supported company, which earns 10-15 extra points.
6. Conclusion: HSP visas for 2025.Immigration to JapanThe best shortcut for the
The new 2025 Japan Highly Talented Person Visa policy brings more opportunities to make it easier for top global talent to settle, work and quickly obtain permanent residency in Japan. If you meet the following conditions:
✅ Highly educated (Masters, PhD)
✅ Annual salary of 8 million yen or more
✅ Working in high-demand industries such as technology, finance and IT
✅ Some Japanese language skills
Then the HSP visa will be yourImmigration to Japan(used form a nominal expression)best shortcut! Hurry up and start preparing your application materials and grabNew policy dividends for 2025In addition, it opens the way for the immigration of Japanese top talents!