Introduction

The Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) Visa is a central route for foreign professionals aiming to advance or settle in Japan. However, age deduction in the point system often poses a challenge. This article, referencing official Japanese government resources, explains concrete approaches to overcome age barriers in the HSP points system.

Outline of HSP Visa and Age Points

HSP points combine education, work experience, annual income, age, Japanese language ability, qualifications, and research achievements. The younger the applicant, the higher the age points (e.g., below 29: 15 points; 30–34: 10 points; 35–39: 5 points; over 40: 0 points). Mid-career applicants often need to offset age deductions.

Specific Approaches to Surpass Age Barriers

1. Maximize Education Points

• Doctoral degrees grant up to 30 points, master’s 20 points, and multiple degrees may be eligible for additional points.

2. Combine Work Experience and Income

• Extended work history (25 points for over 10 years) and high annual income (up to 40 points for ¥8 million+) can offset lost age points.

3. JLPT N1 or National Qualifications

• Japanese Language Proficiency Test N1 or top business language test (up to 15 points), and national professional qualifications (e.g., lawyer, physician, CPA, advanced IT) also boost points.

4. Use Research Achievements and Official Bonuses

• Patents, academic publications, or management roles can further add to your points. Activities at designated universities or innovation sectors may offer bonus points.

5. Leverage Spousal Experience

• In specific cases, spousal qualifications or history may also add points.

Remarks for Renewal and Permanent Residency
Losing age points after entry does not instantly cancel HSP status. However, points are reevaluated at renewal and permanent residency application; consistent 70+ points or new merits are necessary, making long-term planning important.

Case Example

Example: Mr. A, age 38. Although age points dropped after 35, he secured a master’s (20), 15 years of experience (20), ¥8.5 million income (35), JLPT N1 (15), and advanced IT qualification (10), reaching 100 points and overcoming the age deduction.

Conclusion

Conquering age-related reductions in the HSP points calculation demands a holistic approach—education, work experience, income, qualifications, and Japanese skills. Consult official point tables and Q&A published by Immigration Services Agency and the Ministry of Justice for accurate planning。