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Highly Skilled Professional (ii) — indefinite advanced activity

JapanTalent and merit

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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Which exceptional-talent, academic, scientific, artistic, technological, cultural or other profiles does the pathway target?

Highly Skilled Professional (ii) targets people who have carried out activities under Highly Skilled Professional (i) for 3 years or more and whose intended activity falls within at least one of the three HSP activity types: education at educational institutions such as universities, or research at company research institutes, under a contract with a public or private organisation in Japan; work requiring specialised knowledge or skills in the natural or human sciences under such a contract; and managing a company, or managing/administering a law office or audit firm.

See recorded sources

What achievements, recognition, awards, publications, reputation or other evidence establishes the required level?

To change to HSP (ii) all of the following must be met: the intended activity falls under at least one of the three types (i)(a)-(c); the person has been active with HSP (i) for 3 years or more; points total 70 or more; good conduct; the stay is in Japan's interest; and the activity is not inappropriate in view of its impact on Japanese industry and people's lives. Special highly skilled professionals (J-Skip) can move to HSP (ii) after 1 year or more in HSP (i).

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Requirements are those for the change of status; recognition evidence is the points system.
  • https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/resources/newimmiact_3_qa.html
    次の要件全てを満たす必要があります。 （１）　行おうとする活動が３つの活動類型（イ、ロ、ハ）のうち少なくとも１つの活動に該当すること。 （２）　「高度専門職１号」の在留資格で３年以上活動していたこと。 （３）　学歴、年収等のポイントの合計が７０点以上であること。 （４）　素行が善良であること。 （５）　その者の在留が日本国の利益に合すると認められること。 （６）　その者が本邦において行おうとする活動が我が国の産業及び国民生活に与える影響等の観点から相当でないと認める場合でないこと。
  • https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/resources/nyuukokukanri01_00009.html
    ※「高度専門職２号」は「高度専門職１号」（特別高度人材）で1年以上活動を行っていた方が移行できる在留資格です。

Is an employer, nominator, recognised body, peer group or government endorsement required?

The HSP (ii) activities are research, research guidance or education, or specialised knowledge/skill work, based on a contract with a public or private organisation in Japan, or operating/managing international trade or other business at a public or private organisation in Japan. The official source does not state any separate nomination or government endorsement requirement.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • No separate nomination or endorsement is described; source is a layout-extracted table with interleaved column text.
  • https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001425124.pdf
    (a) Activities of engaging in research, research guidance or education based on a contract entered into with a public or private organization in Japan. (b) Activities of engaging in work requiring specialized knowledge or skills in the field of natural sciences or humanities based on a contract entered into with a public or private organization in Japan. (c) Activities of engaging in the operation of Unlimited international trade or other business at a public or private organization in Japan or to manage said business.

Can the holder change employer, work independently, establish a business or conduct other professional activity? What is the family position?

Highly Skilled Professional (ii) holders may perform activities of nearly all working statuses in addition to the activities of Highly Skilled Professional (i). The official source does not state whether the holder may change employer, work independently or establish a business, or the family position for this route.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The document does not explicitly state whether the holder can change employer, work independently, establish a business or conduct other professional activity beyond the listed activities.
  • The document does not address the family position for the Highly Skilled Professional (ii) route.
  • The document is dated '令和８年４月時点' (April 2026) and may be superseded.
  • Q3, 高度専門職２号
    ⓐ　「高度専門職１号」の活動と併せてほぼ全ての就労資格の活動を行うことができます。

What duration, renewal and accelerated or normal longer-term residence pathway is officially stated?

The permission is granted for an indefinite period. The official source does not state renewal requirements or an accelerated or normal longer-term residence pathway for this route.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The document does not state renewal requirements for Highly Skilled Professional (ii).
  • The document does not state an accelerated or normal longer-term residence pathway for Highly Skilled Professional (ii).
  • The document is dated '令和８年４月時点' (April 2026) and may be superseded.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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