Japan to Tighten Screening Standards for 'Highly Skilled Professional' Visa
The Japanese government plans to significantly tighten the criteria for the "Highly Skilled Professional" status of residence, which is designed to attract skilled foreign talent. According to a report by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun on August 14, 2026, the government has decided to raise the annual salary requirement for obtaining this visa, reflecting the recent overall upward trend in wage levels in Japan.
The Highly Skilled Professional visa is granted to foreign nationals who exceed a certain score threshold based on points allocated for academic background, professional career, annual salary, and age. Obtaining this visa offers the benefit of applying for permanent residency in Japan in as little as one to three years, which is significantly faster than standard visas. Consequently, for foreign professionals and international students aiming for long-term residency or permanent residency in Japan, this revision is expected to be a major change directly impacting their future plans.
Raising Salary Thresholds and Streamlining Evaluation Criteria
The core of this system reform is being pursued in two main directions. The first is raising the annual salary threshold, which is one of the essential requirements for obtaining the visa. As overall wage levels in Japan have risen, the government determined that the minimum income threshold to be recognized as a highly skilled professional must also be increased to reflect reality.
The second is streamlining the points system itself. The government plans to abolish some bonus point categories that are rarely used in the current points calculation. The goal is to simplify the complex evaluation system and further accelerate the screening process. The Ministry of Justice plans to revise the relevant ministerial ordinance containing these changes as early as fiscal year 2026 (by the end of March 2027) for full implementation.
Current System vs. Upcoming Changes
Under the current system, the "Highly Skilled Professional (i)" status is granted when an applicant's total score reaches 70 points or more based on a comprehensive evaluation of academic background, professional experience, annual salary, and age.
In particular, for the "Highly Skilled Professional (i)(b)" category (corresponding to engineering, humanities, and international services) and the "Highly Skilled Professional (i)(c)" category (corresponding to business management), a minimum annual income threshold of 3 million yen or more is set in principle.
Once this amendment is passed, not only is this minimum salary threshold expected to rise, but the bracket-based bonus point criteria based on salary levels are also highly likely to be tightened. However, details such as the exact new minimum salary threshold, how the specific points allocation will change, the concrete implementation date, and transitional measures for current visa holders have not yet been officially decided or announced at this time.
How Foreign Residents in Japan Should Prepare
This revision policy could be a critical variable not only for those planning to apply for a new Highly Skilled Professional visa but also for those who have already obtained the status and are on the fast track to permanent residency.
- Need to Recalculate Points: Applicants who barely passed the 70-point mark through specific bonus categories under the current system, or those who met the criteria by scoring high in the salary category, risk falling short of the required points after the revision due to the abolition of certain bonus categories and the higher salary threshold.
- Importance of Checking Transitional Measures: A key factor will be whether the amendment applies retroactively to existing visa holders or if transitional measures, such as a grace period, will be provided. It is crucial to closely monitor the detailed guidelines to be released by the Ministry of Justice in the future.
The Japanese government's latest move aims to elevate the standards for highly skilled foreign talent while ensuring faster administrative procedures. Foreign residents aiming for stable settlement and career planning in Japan should keep a close eye on further details to be announced and prepare accordingly.
Tools: Internet Finder
Source: 日本経済新聞