Highly Skilled Professional Visa
Differences Between Permanent Residence and the Highly Skilled Professional Visa
- 2024.06.28
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Recently, the Japanese labor market has undergone rapid changes, with an increasing demand for high-skill talents. The Highly Skilled Professional Visa and the Permanent Resident Visa are two of the most sought-after visas for foreigners who intend to build their careers and live long-term in Japan. “But which one should I choose if I am/will be eligible for both?” This time, we will briefly explain both visas, each of their advantages over the other, and which to choose depending on your situation
About the Permanent Resident Visa
The Permanent Resident Visa is very attractive to foreigners who wish to stay in Japan long-term. With a Permanent Resident Visa, your stay in Japan will not expire and you will be free from the complications of visa renewal procedures and change of status of residence.
In addition, restrictions on working will be removed, and basically, you will be free to choose your occupation.
Unlike many other visas, the Permanent Resident Visa can only be obtained after the applicant has continuously lived in Japan under another residence status and fulfilled certain conditions.
The specific required period of stay and other requirements depends on the applicant’s current residence status.
For example,
- Changing from a work visa (Engineering/Humanities/International Service visa)
Continuously living in Japan for the last 10 years or more and working in Japan for the last 5 years or more.
*Other requirements apply
- Changing from a spouse visa (Spouse of a Japanese national / Permanent Resident)
Married for at least 3 years and continuously living in Japan for at least the last 1 year.
*Other requirements apply
…etc.
You can check for more detailed information and requirements here.
About the Highly Skilled Professional Visa
The Highly skilled professional visa is a residency status that can be obtained by individuals who have cleared standards set by the Ministry of Justice’s regulations and possess particularly evaluated specialized knowledge or high capabilities.
Depending on your qualifications and planned activity, there are 3 categories of this visa you can apply for:
- A. Advanced Academic Research Activities
These refer to activities such as teaching and guidance at educational institutions like universities, or research activities at corporate research institutions. In addition to these, one can manage a related business as a side job or even conduct research at a different company simultaneously.
- B. Highly specialized/technical activities
This involves working in jobs that require specialized knowledge or skills in fields like natural sciences or humanities. One can also manage a related business on their own.
- C. Advanced Management and Management Activities
This pertains to the management and control of companies, or activities related to managing and controlling professions like lawyers or tax accountants. Apart from their primary job, individuals can also manage their own business.
During the application process, your respective qualifications to the three categories will be assessed using a calculation table to give a score point.
Reaching 70 points makes you qualified for the visa, and reaching 80 points grants you additional preferential treatment.
Holders of the Highly Skilled Professional (i) can enjoy various benefits compared to those with other work visas.
This can range from a longer term of stay to less limit to the activity you and your spouse can do.
Further, after staying in Japan for 3 years under this visa, you can change to the Highly Skilled Professional (ii), which grants an indefinite term of stay, allows job change at will, and even fewer limits on the allowed activities.
You can check for more detailed information and requirements here.
Benefits of each visa over another
Highly Skilled Professional visa holders are eligible to obtain permanent residence after a three-year or one-year stay. The procedure for obtaining permanent residence is usually simplified for Highly Skilled Professional visa holders. Because of this, many people seeking permanent residence first apply for a “Highly Skilled Professional” visa.
Reasons to choose the Permanent Resident Visa
Term of Stay
The Permanent Resident Visa allows its holder to live in Japan indefinitely, while only the Highly Skill Professional (ii) allows indefinite stay.
The Highly Skilled Professional (i) has a term of stay of 5 years, and can only change to the Highly Skilled Professional (ii) after another 3 years.
For the above reason, if you want to immediately be able to stay in Japan indefinitely and avoid the hassle of needing to renew your visa, the Permanent Resident Visa is the better choice.
Allowed Activities
Permanent Residents have no occupational limitations and can take almost any job.
On the other hand, even the Highly Skilled Professional Visa allows more freedoms relevant to the job (e.g. can take a side job without further procedures in many cases), your main activity organization is only allowed to work for the organization to which you were assigned when you received your visa, so you must reapply for Highly Skilled Professional certification if you change jobs.
While the Highly Skilled Professional (ii) Visa holders do not need to be re-approved for a visa if they change jobs, but they must submit a “Notification of Change of Affiliation” form. Also, if you quit your job and remain in that status for more than 6 months, your Highly Skilled Professional 2 visa will be subject to revocation.
If you want the full freedom of activities in Japan and change jobs as you will, the Permanent Resident Visa is the better choice.
The Spouse/offspring’s Ability to Take Full-Time Jobs
The spouse/offspring of a permanent resident is eligible for the Spouse et. of A Permanent Resident Visa, which also basically allows the same activities that would be allowed for a Japanese.
As for the newborn child, if an application for permanent residence is submitted to the Immigration Office within 30 days of birth, the child can also obtain permanent residence.
If you want to have your spouse/offspring live with you in Japan and be able to take almost any job, the Permanent Resident Visa is the better choice.
Reasons to choose the Highly Skill Professional Visa
So far, it may seem that the Permanent Resident Visa is better than the Permanent Resident Visa, but there are advantages unique to the “Highly Skilled Professional” visa that are not available with the Permanent Resident Visa. We will now explain the advantages of the Highly Skilled Professional visa.
Hiring Foreign Domestic Workers
There are only a few visas that allow foreign nationals to employ domestic servants, and even permanent residence is not permitted, making this a ”privilege” exclusive to Highly Skilled Professionals.
It is allowed to employ a domestic servant before or after coming to Japan, or to employ a domestic servant after coming to Japan, as long as the requirements are met.
In addition, up to 2 domestic servants may be employed, although there is an additional income requirement.
If you want to hire foreign domestic worker(s), the Highly Skilled Professional Visa is the better choice.
*You can read more about hiring domestic workers in our previous article.
Inviting parents to live with you
If you want to invite your parents (or your spouse’s parents) to live with you in Japan, it is possible under the Highly Skilled Professional Visa.
There are some requirements and limitation, but this is one of the one way and probably the easiest way to invite your parent(s) to Japan.
If you want to invite your parent(s) to Japan, the Highly Skilled Professional Visa is the better choice.
*You can read more about inviting elderly parents in our previous article.
|
Permanent Resident Visa |
Highly Skilled Professional Visa (i) |
Highly Skilled Professional Visa (ii) |
---|---|---|---|
Term of Stay |
Indefinite |
5 years for the Highly Skilled Professional (i) Indefinite for the Highly Skilled Professional (ii) |
Indefinite |
Allowed Activities |
Almost all activities Change jobs as you will |
Relevant activities only, side job allowed
Reapplying for the visa required for a job change |
Notification for change of the affiliated organization required for a job change |
The Spouse/offspring’s Ability to Take Full-Time Jobs |
Can take almost any full-time job |
Full-time work for spouse/children Almost all full-time work is possible if you obtain a “Family Residency” visa:. Non-full-time work of up to 28 hours per week after obtaining Permission to Engage in Activities Other Than Those Permitted Under The Status of Residence.
If you obtain a “Specially Designated Activities” visa: Full-time work is possible. (There are some restrictions on the work that can be done) |
Full-time work for spouse/children Almost all full-time work is possible if you obtain a “Family Residency” visa:. Non-full-time work of up to 28 hours per week after obtaining Permission to Engage in Activities Other Than Those Permitted Under The Status of Residence.
If you obtain a “Specially Designated Activities” visa: Full-time work is possible. (There are some restrictions on the work that can be done) |
Hiring Foreign Domestic Workers |
Cannot |
Can hire foreign domestic worker (s) under conditions |
Can hire foreign domestic worker (s) under conditions |
Inviting parents to Japan |
Cannot |
Can invite parent (s) to Japan under certain conditions |
Can invite parent (s) to Japan under certain conditions |
Summary
In this article, we have explained the advantages of each of the Permanent Resident and Highly Skilled Professional visas.
It is difficult to recommend ” Definitely, the 00 visa is better” because the judgment of advantages and disadvantages depends on the applicant’s values.
What is the priority objective for you to achieve?
The most important factor in the choice between these two visas is what your objectives are and what your priorities are.
Please plan according to your situation.
We are Yanagi group, which have offices in Osaka (Abeno and Tennoji), and our affiliated offices in Tokyo (Shibuya and Ebisu) are also available for an on-site consultation. We have handled many applications for permanent residence permits, naturalization permits, work visas, college student visas, management visas, etc., as well as visa renewal procedures related to the status of residence with the Immigration Bureau (Immigration Bureau) as a one-stop service. Our experienced administrative scriveners are also available to help you with any problems you may have. We also have staff members who can speak each of the native languages and can assist you in obtaining a visa.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about your status of residence or visa, even if they are trivial.
Toll free number: 0120-138-552
For English speaker: 080-9346-2991
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Editor of this article
![Ryota Yanagimoto](https://immigration-lawyer.co.jp/wp-content/themes/wp/assets/images/supervisor1.webp)
- Ryota Yanagimoto
- Administrative Scrivener/Judicial Scrivener
At the age of 24, he passed the national examinations for judicial scrivener, administrative scrivener, and wage service manager at the same time.
While working as a full-time lecturer at a major prep school, he independently opened a legal office related to judicial scriveners and administrative scriveners,
and he has experience as a judicial scrivener and an administrative scrivener for more than 15 years so far.
He has been actively contributing to various industries such as publicly listed companies, real estate companies, financial institutions, elderly care services, and professional organizations by conducting seminars, lectures, and talks.
And now he has a record of over 60 presentations so far.
Furthermore, as the president of a Japanese language school announced by the Ministry of Justice and Acts, and an advisor to a real estate company (capable of handling foreign clients),
he has been involved in various aspects of industries related to foreigners.
It is recommended to consult with experts when it comes to visas, naturalization, and residency matters.
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