Compare the points-based Highly Skilled Professional route with J-Skip’s specific high-income and experience criteria, and J-Find’s time-limited opportunity for eligible recent graduates. There is no single generic “J visa”.
A choice grounded in qualifications, professional plans and the exact residence status involved.
Distinct eligibility, documentation, application steps and FAQs for each route.
A points-based status for advanced researchers, specialist professionals and business managers with a substantive role in Japan. The route can support an accelerated permanent-residence application, but the points score does not replace the underlying work, conduct or residence requirements.
Available · points and activity assessmentRequirements, process & FAQsAn alternative to the standard points calculation for professionals with high remuneration and substantial qualifications or experience. J-Skip supports a genuine Japanese research, technical or management role; it is not a general investor visa or permission to remain without qualifying work.
Available · separate high-level testsRequirements, process & FAQsA designated-activities route for recent graduates of eligible leading universities to explore employment or prepare a business in Japan. It provides a structured period to develop a credible next step, rather than an investment-based settlement right.
Available · eligible recent graduatesRequirements, process & FAQsA founder who cannot yet meet the Business Manager criteria may enter Japan under Designated Activities to prepare the business, supported by a local government or certified private body approved by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Since 1 January 2025 the former Special Zone scheme and the METI scheme have been unified and operate nationwide, with a cumulative period of up to two years. The status is preparatory: the authority expects a credible transition to Business Manager, not an open-ended stay.
Available nationwide · Designated Activities for up to two yearsRequirements, process & FAQsHighly Skilled Professional (ii), 高度専門職2号, is the second stage of Japan's points-based status. After three years of HSP activity, a holder who still scores 70 points or more, has conducted themselves well and whose continued stay is in Japan's interest may receive a status without a fixed period of stay and with permission to combine the principal activity with almost any other work-status activity. It is not permanent residence: the status remains tied to a qualifying activity and can be lost if that activity stops.
Available · points and conduct assessment after three years of HSP activityRequirements, process & FAQsDesignated Activities (特定活動) is the status the Minister of Justice uses for activities that do not fit a listed category. Some are published in the Designated Activities notice, including the Digital Nomad category introduced on 31 March 2024, the continued job-hunting permission for graduates and the family concessions for Highly Skilled Professionals; others are designated individually. The common feature is that the permitted activity is written into the designation, and nothing outside it is allowed.
Available · conditions set by the Designated Activities notice and individual designationRequirements, process & FAQsThe ministerial ordinance governing the Business Manager (経営・管理) landing criteria was revised with effect from 16 October 2025. A founder who files a new application must now show capital or investment of at least JPY30 million, at least one full-time employee from a defined group, a relevant postgraduate degree or three years of management experience, Japanese-language capability at CEFR B2 held by the applicant or a full-time employee, and a business plan reviewed by a qualified Japanese professional. Existing holders have a three-year transitional period for renewals. This page covers the changes; the Business Manager page covers the status as a whole.
Reformed criteria in force · three-year transitional period for existing holdersRequirements, process & FAQsStart with your objective, background and intended activity. WG can coordinate the next assessment and the appropriate professional input.