Introduction

Japan’s Highly Skilled Professional status (高度専門職) has become increasingly important in accepting foreign talent. During applications or renewals, academic certificates and other credentials directly affect immigration screening. Any deficiency can increase risks. This article explains typical deficiency cases, their impact, and practical countermeasures backed by official information and current practice.

What is Highly Skilled Professional (HSP)?

HSP is a visa status which evaluates academic background, work history, and annual income using a point system. Applicants must submit supporting certificates (translation required), especially academic certificates. Inadequacies–such as omission, translation errors, or lack of authentication–can result in disqualification or negative assessment.

Main Risks of Academic Certificate Deficiencies

• Missing or erroneous content on diplomas or degree certificates (lack of mention of “Bachelor,” “Master,” “Doctor” can be deemed insufficient)
• Translation errors or inconsistencies between original and translation (official translation required)
• Lack of authentication (overseas documents often need embassy authentication)
• Falsification, alteration, or expired certificates (may result in refusal or even entry ban if fraud is found)

Certificates with deficiencies may not be counted in the point calculation, leading to falling short of the required 70 points.

Impact of Deficiencies

• New or renewal applications may be delayed or denied
• May affect subsequent applications such as permanent residency or HSP-2 transition
• Minor errors may be corrected with supplementary documents; major problems like falsification result in serious penalties (including entry bans)

Countermeasures

1. Pre-check and Use Official Forms
   Use the latest official application forms and point calculation tables. Official translations should be double-checked.
2. Obtain Authentication and Supplementary Docs
   Where possible, have overseas documents authenticated by embassies. If a degree is missing from a certificate, submit a separate official document.
3. Timely Correction and Supplementation
   If deficiencies are found, promptly submit corrections or additional documents, with honest explanations.
4. Consult Specialists
   Administrative scriveners and visa experts can review documents and give advice, helping prevent and fix errors.

Case Example

Example: Applicant A from an overseas university submitted a diploma lacking mention of their master’s degree and incorrect Japanese translation. After submitting an official master’s certificate and the corrected translation, the recalculated points exceeded 70, resulting in approval.

Conclusion

Deficiencies in academic certificates for HSP can seriously compromise application success. However, proactive use of official information, double-checking, obtaining authentication, and prompt correction can reduce risk. Consulting specialists and careful preparation are key. Relying on the latest government information and diligent documentation can help ensure successful outcomes.