HSP 80 Points Guide
Score 80+ on the Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) point scale and you can apply for permanent residency after just 1 continuous year in Japan — the normal route takes 10. This guide covers how to reach 80 points, every HSP perk, and the key pitfalls when applying for PR.
📅 Information verified July 2026📋 At a Glance: Three Paths to PR
| Route | Requirement | PR application after |
|---|---|---|
| HSP 80+ points | 80+ points, continuous residence as a Highly Skilled Professional | As fast as 1 year |
| HSP 70+ points | 70+ points, continuous residence as a Highly Skilled Professional | 3 years |
| Standard route | No point requirement | 10 continuous years |
🎯 Why 80 Points Is the Game Changer
- 70 points: live in Japan continuously as a Highly Skilled Professional for 3 years, then apply for PR.
- 80 points: same status, but only 1 year — cutting 2 full years off.
- There's also a "retroactive points" path: after 3 years (or 1 year) of residence, you qualify if you also scored 70+ (or 80+) when recalculated at the point 3 years (or 1 year) before your application date. In other words, even if you weren't on an HSP status back then, you may still use the fast track as long as the retroactive score clears the bar.
- Put simply: 80 points compresses "10 years" into "1 year" — the fastest PR track of any Japanese residence status.
🧮 How to Reach 80 Points: Three Typical Profiles
Profile A: Young Master's-degree engineer
Master's 20 + 5–7 yrs experience 10 + age 28 → 15 + JLPT N1 15 + ¥6M salary 20 = 80 points. A master's, just over 5 years of work, and solid Japanese lands you right at 80.
Profile B: Senior bachelor's-degree professional
Bachelor's 10 + 10+ yrs experience 20 + age 32 → 10 + JLPT N1 15 + ¥7M salary 25 = 80 points. Average education, but strong salary and career history — the ¥7M bracket (available at age 39 or under) carries the score.
Profile C: PhD graduate from a Japanese university
PhD 30 + 3–5 yrs experience 5 + age 29 → 15 + Japanese university degree 10 + top-300 / SGU-designated school 10 + ¥4M salary 10 = 80 points. Short career and modest salary, but academic credentials and bonus items make up the difference.
⚠️ Note: salary brackets have age caps (the ¥4M bracket is for age 29 or under, ¥5M for 34 or under, ¥6M/¥7M for 39 or under), and salary means your projected income for the coming year. Test your score first, then plan: → HSP Points Calculator
🔧 Use as you read: HSP Points Calculator
Seen the profiles? Check your own score — see exactly which items you're missing
🎁 Perks of Highly Skilled Professional (i)
- Always a 5-year period of stay: regular work visas are often 1 or 3 years — HSP gets 5 by default
- Multiple activities allowed: you can research, run a business, etc. alongside your main job, no separate permission needed
- Spouse can work: your spouse may take employment in Japan
- Parents / domestic workers allowed: possible under certain conditions (virtually impossible on a regular work visa)
- Priority processing: target of 10 days for COE applications, 5 days for renewals and changes
- Upgrade to HSP (ii): after 3+ years of activity as HSP (i), you can switch to "Highly Skilled Professional (ii)" with an unlimited period of stay
💎 J-Skip: The "Special Highly Skilled Professional" System (No Points Needed)
Launched April 21, 2023. No point table — eligibility is drawn directly from education/career + salary:
| Category | Threshold (meet one) |
|---|---|
| (a)/(b) (Research / technical-professional) | Master's degree or higher + ¥20M annual salary ｜ 10+ years experience + ¥20M annual salary |
| (c) (Business management) | 5+ years of management experience + ¥40M annual salary |
- Switch to HSP (ii) after 1 year, apply for PR after 1 year — same speed as the 80-point fast track
- Extra perks: broader work scope for spouses, up to 2 domestic workers, priority airport lanes
Honest take: ¥20M / ¥40M salary thresholds are out of reach for most people. For the majority, the points system is the realistic path — push your score to 80 first.
📌 Key Points When Applying for PR with 80 Points
Two point calculation sheets
The PR application requires: a point sheet calculated at the time of application (80+) + a second sheet calculated as of 1 year before, proving you "maintained 80+ points continuously" for the full year (for the 70-point route, the second sheet is as of 3 years before).
Supporting evidence for everything
Each point sheet must come with matching proof: diplomas, employment contracts / income certificates (projected salary), JLPT certificates, research output, etc. A sheet without evidence won't be accepted.
Salary means "projected annual income"
It counts the coming year's contracted income from your Japanese organization (bonuses included; commuting allowances and overtime excluded) — not what your past payslips show. Job changes and raises change your score, so recalculate right before filing for PR.
The fast track is for you only
The 1-year (or 3-year) PR privilege applies only to the Highly Skilled Professional themself. Spouses and children don't share it — they apply under standard conditions.
Official references: Immigration Services Agency: Points-based system ↗ / Permanent residency application guide ↗
🔧 Use as you read: Visa & Status AI Diagnosis
Score high enough to apply for HSP? Get a personalized application process and document checklist
❓ FAQ
Can my spouse and kids also apply for PR after 1 year?
No. The 1-year (or 3-year) fast track is limited to the Highly Skilled Professional themself. Family members apply under standard conditions (generally 10 continuous years; separate marriage-duration rules apply to spouses of PR holders or Japanese nationals).
Are points only counted at the moment I apply for PR?
Not just at that moment. You must submit both the "time of application" and "1 year prior" point sheets (each with supporting evidence), proving your score stayed at 80+ throughout the year. A mid-year pay cut or job change that drops your score breaks the "continuous maintenance" requirement.
I don't have HSP status yet — do 80 points still matter?
Yes. The "retroactive points" path lets you apply for PR after 1 year of residence if your recalculated score 1 year prior also hit 80. Still, the safest move is to obtain HSP (i) status first — and enjoy the 5-year stay, spouse work rights, priority processing, and every other perk along the way.
Next Steps
HSP Points Calculator
Check your current score and see what's missing to reach 80
Visa & Status AI Diagnosis
Score high enough? Get a personalized application checklist
2026 Residence Renewal Guide
Fees, documents, and the online application process (price-hike warning included)