Practical Guide: Highly Skilled Professional to Permanent Residency — 1/3-Year Shortened Route Checklist

Introduction｜Why More Highly Skilled Professionals Are Aiming for Permanent Residency

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in applications for permanent residency (PR) from holders of the Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) visa.
Especially among those who meet the 70-point or 80-point threshold under the HSP points system, it has become common to aim for PR through the 1-year or 3-year fast-track route.

However, in practice, immigration officers tend to examine these “shortened routes” more strictly than ordinary PR applications.
According to the Ministry of Justice guidelines, this route allows those recognized as highly skilled professionals to shorten the required period of stay for PR.
But in reality, the Immigration Services Agency treats it not as a “privilege” but as an exceptional route requiring detailed supporting evidence.

In other words, this is not a simple “preferential measure” but an exception-based pathway that demands solid documentation.
This article provides an updated (as of 2025) practical checklist covering the requirements, documents, and common pitfalls when applying for PR through the shortened HSP route.

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Overview of Shortened Routes｜Differences Between the 1-Year and 3-Year Paths

When applying for PR as a Highly Skilled Professional, there are two main shortened options:

Route	Required Period of Stay	Main Conditions	Points Requirement
1-Year Route	Continuous stay as an HSP for at least 1 year	Must have scored 80 points or more both at the time of initial status and at the time of application	Must maintain 80 points throughout
3-Year Route	Continuous stay as an HSP for at least 3 years	Must have scored 70 points or more both initially and at the time of application	Must maintain 70 points throughout

However, meeting the 70- or 80-point threshold does not automatically guarantee approval.
The shortened routes are approved only when the applicant’s achievements as a highly skilled professional and integration into Japanese society are clearly demonstrated.

Therefore, factors such as actual job duties, income stability, social insurance coverage, tax compliance, and Japanese language ability are examined closely beyond the formal point system.

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Seven Key Evaluation Factors in Practice (Checklist ①)

When applying through a shortened route, the following seven elements are especially critical.
These are not just formal requirements — consistency and credibility of evidence are what matter most.

Evaluation Factor	Checkpoint
① Consistency of Stay	No gaps or inconsistencies in visa renewals or status changes
② Income & Tax Certificates	Stable income and tax payment records for the past 3 years
③ Social Insurance & Pension	No missing months or unpaid periods
④ Employer Stability	Employer not in deficit or uninsured for social insurance
⑤ Job Duties	Actual duties match point calculation criteria
⑥ Japanese & Social Integration	Ability to communicate and function in Japanese society
⑦ Family & Dependents	Stable residence status and cohabitation for dependents

Among these, ②–④ are often examined more strictly than in regular PR cases.
For 1-year applicants in particular, even one inconsistency may result in rejection.

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Key Documents to Prepare Before Submission (Checklist ②)

For HSP applicants, some documents categorized as “optional” in the general PR procedure are effectively mandatory in practice.
Below is the recommended standard document set.

Type	Document	Key Points
Required	Application for Permanent Residence & Photo	Ensure consistency, especially in “Occupation” field
Required	Residence Card & Passport Copies	Originals must be shown at submission
Required	Tax Certificates (3 years)	Both income tax and resident tax must be fully paid
Required	Pension & Health Insurance Certificates	Verify employer name and insurance status
Supplementary	HSP Points Calculation Sheet	Recalculate using the current status
Supplementary	Employer’s Recommendation / Employment Certificate	Include company seal and representative’s signature
Supplementary	Research / Patent / Publication List	Evidence supporting HSP points
Supplementary	Statement of Reasons / Explanatory Letter	Explain “stability” and “integration into society” concretely

It is crucial to reconfirm the point calculation.
If the applicant has not continuously maintained 70 or 80 points since the initial HSP status, the fast-track will not be accepted.
In some cases, the Immigration Bureau may even request proof of past points (from previous employers).

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Six Common Pitfalls in the Shortened Route (Checklist ③)

The following are common causes of rejection seen in actual cases:

1. Outdated point calculation
   　→ Must update with current employer’s latest information.
2. Incomplete employer insurance documentation
   　→ Especially common in small companies; attach an explanatory letter if no certificate available.
3. Untranslated research or academic evidence
   　→ English-only papers may not be evaluated unless translated properly.
4. Inconsistent tax amounts
   　→ If caused by job change or fiscal-year overlap, include a clarification letter.
5. Mismatch between declared and actual job duties
   　→ Example: claimed “researcher” role but actual duties mainly clerical or sales.
6. Generic or overconfident statement of reasons
   　→ Avoid “Since I am a Highly Skilled Professional, approval is obvious.”
   　→ Instead, focus on explaining how you maintain a stable and contributing life in Japan.

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How to Write Supporting Documents｜Focus on Credibility, Not Formality

Submitting the right forms is only half of the process.
What immigration officers truly examine is:
“Can this person continue to live stably in Japan?”

Thus, persuasive supporting materials can make a major difference.

Category	Example Documents	Purpose
Employer-related	CEO recommendation, business performance chart, insurance coverage proof	Demonstrate employer stability
Individual-related	JLPT certificate, volunteer activity proof	Show social integration
Professional-related	Patents, publications, conference records, media appearances	Prove ongoing professional contribution
Statement of Reasons	Focus on “social contribution” and “stable life” rather than just high score	Enhance qualitative evaluation

Tip: Write the statement objectively — use “The applicant” instead of “I.”
Focus on contributions to Japanese society, companies, and communities rather than self-promotion.
This conveys professionalism and sincerity to the examiner.

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Conclusion｜The Shortened Route Is Not “Preferential,” but “Selective”

While the Highly Skilled Professional system offers a fast-track to permanent residency,
in practice, immigration authorities apply even stricter screening than usual.

“Those eligible to apply earlier must demonstrate even higher credibility.”
This is the reality in today’s examinations.

Ultimately, success depends on demonstrating:

• Consistency in income, tax, and insurance
• Alignment between job duties and HSP point criteria
• Evidence of stability and social integration

Beyond understanding the legal framework, what truly matters is preparation that reflects how immigration actually assesses applicants.
That practical awareness is the key to success in this special route.

(Sources: Ministry of Justice “Guidelines for Permanent Residence (Revised 2023)”, Immigration Services Agency “HSP Program Overview”, and practical observations as of 2025.)

Ishinagi Administrative Scrivener Office

“I want to obtain permanent residency quickly and securely.” “I’m worried about preparing all the documents.”
If this sounds like you, please feel free to contact our office in Osaka (Yodogawa-ku). We support clients from all over Japan, providing the most effective assistance based on our extensive experience with immigration procedures.

If you want to secure your permanent residency smoothly and confidently, contact our office today.

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