Last year, the Japan Immigration Bureau officially launched the “New Special Highly Qualified Personnel System” (J-Skip) in order to accelerate the attraction and retention of overseas elites with a wealth of knowledge, skills and expertise.
What is the difference between the “New Special Highly Qualified Personnel System” and the “Highly Qualified Person Visa System”, which is a comprehensive upgrade of the visa system for highly qualified personnel?
01
Three types of talents do not need to be scored
One year permanent residence
In 2019, Japan launched the New Highly Talented Person Visa Policy, which aims to attract and secure top talent from around the world. To further accelerate this process, the Japanese government deepened its strategy in April 2023 by formally implementing the New Special Highly Talented Person System, or J-Skip System.
The new system abandons the previous points-based assessment system, and applicants are required to fulfill specific conditions such as high academic qualifications, rich work experience and high annual income.
Specific requirements include
① Academic researchers and highly skilled personnel: Master's degree or higher, or more than 10 years of cumulative work experience in a related field, and an annual income of 20 million yen.
② Business managers: must have at least five years of experience in business management or administration, and must have an annual income of 40 million yen or more.
In addition, after obtaining a “Highly Specialized Career (No. 1)”, the above three categories of applicants can apply for a “Highly Specialized Career (No. 2)” after residing in Japan for one year, which grants the applicant permanent residency, i.e., eligibility to reside in Japan permanently. The No. 2 visa grants the applicant permanent residency, which means that he or she is eligible to stay in Japan permanently.
02
Advantages of the new system over the Highly Qualified Person visa
What are the advantages of the new system?
The following are the advantages of Japan's new Special Highly Qualified Person system over the Highly Qualified Person visa:
Simplified application requirements
?Highly Talented Person Visa: A point system is used as the basis for evaluation, and applicants must accumulate 70 points or more before applying, and the evaluation process involves a number of dimensions, including academic qualifications, work experience, age, and language proficiency.
?New Special Highly Qualified Person System: The points system is abandoned, and eligibility is determined directly on the basis of the applicant's academic level, years of work experience in the field of specialization, and annual income level, among other core factors.
Right of Abode and Permanent Residence
?Highly Qualified Person Visa: With 70 points, applicants can apply for a “Highly Qualified Person (No. 2)” visa after 3 years of continuous residence; outstanding talents with 80 points or more can apply for a “Highly Qualified Person (No. 2)” visa after only 1 year of continuous residence.
?New Special Highly Qualified Person System: Applicants can directly apply for a “Highly Qualified Professional (No. 2)” visa with no limit of stay after only one year of continuous residence.
More favorable benefits
?Highly Qualified Person Visa: Holders are entitled to the same benefits as Japanese nationals, including medical insurance and pension. In addition, some special supports and services for highly specialized personnel may be available, such as employment assistance and preferential education for children.
?New Special Highly Qualified Persons System: In addition to the basic benefits mentioned above, the new system also provides additional benefits such as free employment for spouses in the fields of education, arts, etc., and flexible working hours, permission to bring in domestic help, etc.
The above is a summary of the New High Talent System, if you want to submit an application, or want to know more details, welcome to contact Nebula Sea International, we will provide you with customized solutions.
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