The Japan J-Skip Visa

The J-Skip Visa: An Overview

The J-Skip visa is one of two new visas introduced in Japan in 2023 (the other being the J-Find visa). These visas aim to attract more skilled workers to Japan as part of the Japanese government’s broader strategy to stimulate the economy and address labour shortages.

J-Skip (officially the “Japan System for Special Highly Skilled Professionals”) targets experienced professionals, such as those with a master’s degree or at least 10 years of professional experience, earning a minimum salary of 20 million JPY annually.

In this guide, we’ll explore J-Skip, including eligibility requirements, benefits, how to apply, and some key points to bear in mind when considering this visa.

Who Is This Visa For And What Does It Allow?

The J-Skip visa is a new path to obtaining a Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) visa, which targets highly educated, highly paid professionals.

The Highly Skilled Professional, launched in 2012, is a points-based visa, with a minimum of 70 points for eligibility.

Points are awarded for:

Educational qualifications (e.g. 20 points for having a master’s degree)
Years of work experience (e.g. 10 points for having 5-7 years of professional experience)
The annual salary of the applicant’s new job in Japan (e.g. 30 points for a salary of 8M-9M JPY)
Age (e.g. 15 points if you are 29 years old or younger)
Japanese language proficiency (e.g. 15 points for passing the JLPT N1 exam)
A few other criteria

However, uptake for the HSP visa was disappointing. J-Skip was introduced to offer a simplified, non-point-based way to obtain HSP status. Note: J-Skip does not create a new visa category – it introduces a new path to HSP.

Eligibility

The HSP visa has three sub-types and there are simplified requirements for each of them, as follows:

Advanced Academic Research Activities – for professionals engaged in research or teaching at universities and equivalent institutions
Advanced Specialized or Technical Activities – for professionals whose work requires knowledge or skills in natural sciences or humanities. This is the sub-type that tech people such as software engineers would typically fall under.

Requirements (one of the following):

- A master’s degree or higher and an annual salary of at least 20 million JPY
- At least ten years of relevant work experience and an annual salary of at least 20 million JPY

Advanced Business Management Activities – for professionals involved in managing businesses in Japan

Requirements:

- At least 5 years of business management experience and an annual salary of at least 40 million JPY

For all sub-types, you need:

A sponsoring company in Japan (i.e. a job offer from a company)
The salary needs to come from the sponsoring company and the figures quoted above are the legal minimums

Period of Stay

This visa is issued for up to 5 years.

Application Process

It’s easy to get confused about the application process for the J-Skip visa (and many other Japanese visas). If you read the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) J-Skip page, one of the ‘Necessary Documents’ listed is a Certificate of Eligibility issued by a regional immigration bureau.

Like several other visas here, it’s a two-step process:

Obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) – you can think of this as a pre-screening process. It will require documents such as proof that you meet the requirements for the visa subtype you’re applying for
Apply for the visa using the CoE

The application for the Certificate of Eligibility is typically handled by your new employer or their representative (such as an immigration lawyer) after you accept a job offer. The processing time for the CoE is typically 1-3 months, but it can vary.

Once the CoE is issued, prepare the necessary documents (see below) and apply for the visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate in your country if you’re outside Japan. Visa processing usually takes 5-10 business days (check with your embassy/consulate). Once issued, you can enter Japan.

If you are already in Japan on another visa (e.g., a student visa), you can apply for a ‘Change of Status of Residence’ after receiving the CoE.

Necessary Documents to apply for the visa:

Visa application form
A recent passport-sized photo
Your passport
Any other documents required by your embassy/consulate

Notes: You must use the CoE within 90 days of issuance. The required documents may vary depending on your embassy or consultant, so make sure to confirm.

Pros and Cons

There are several compelling benefits of having a J-Skip visa:

Visas are issued for up to 5 years and are extendable
Under J-Skip, the residency requirement for applying for Permanent Residency can be reduced to just 1 year of continuous residency in Japan, compared to the typical 10 years for holders of other visas (such as ‘Engineer’)
A spouse & children are eligible for dependent visas
Spouses can work in Japan without meeting the usual work visa requirements
Parent visas are available under certain conditions
Visas for domestic staff can be issued under certain conditions
Access to priority immigration lanes at airports
Visa holders can engage in multiple activities that might otherwise require separate visas. For example, they can take on consulting work outside their regular job without needing to change their visa status.

However, consider the following:

The process for changing jobs can be more complicated if you’re on a J-Skip visa compared to, say, an ‘Engineer’ visa. For example, you may lose your eligibility if the salary in your new role drops below the eligibility level. Research this before making any job changes and consult an immigration lawyer if necessary.
The salary eligibility requirements are high compared to the Japanese job market. OpenSalary.jp, which provides user-submitted salary data, primarily from the English-speaking tech scene here, lists the median salary for an Engineering Manager as 12.6M JPY, with only 19% of listed engineering manager salaries reaching the 20M JPY salary threshold at the time of writing.

Final thoughts

If you meet the eligibility requirements, the fast-track path to permanent residency alone makes J-Skip a very attractive option for anyone interested in living in Japan long-term.

Visa Information Disclaimer

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. While I make every effort to keep the content accurate and up to date, visa rules can change quickly. Always confirm the latest requirements with the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, your local Japanese embassy or consulate, or a qualified immigration lawyer before making any travel or visa decisions.

The Japan J-Skip Visa – A Guide