Japan HSP Visa for IT Engineers & Software Developers
Japan Highly Skilled Professional Visa for IT Engineers & Software Developers
Are you a software engineer, cloud architect, AI developer or other IT specialist planning to work in Japan? If your role qualifies and you can document at least 70 points, Japan's Highly Skilled Professional (i)(b) status may offer advantages over an ordinary engineering work status. We help overseas applicants, professionals already in Japan, and hiring companies assess eligibility and prepare immigration applications.
Confirm whether the actual engineering work and the Japanese organization fit HSP (i)(b).
Review qualifications, employment history, planned salary and eligible bonus points.
Support COE applications, changes from other residence statuses and renewals.
Which IT Professionals May Qualify?
HSP (i)(b) covers qualifying advanced specialized or technical activities under a contract with an organization in Japan. IT job titles alone do not determine eligibility: immigration authorities look at the real duties, the contracting organization, remuneration and the applicant's background.
Backend and frontend engineers, mobile developers, systems architects and software development leads.
Machine learning engineers, data scientists, cybersecurity specialists and certain technical R&D positions.
Cloud architects, DevOps engineers, site reliability engineers and complex IT infrastructure specialists.
Four Requirements to Check Before Applying
How IT Engineers Can Build an HSP Points Case
For most IT engineers, the relevant calculation is the official advanced specialized/technical activities table for HSP (i)(b). The number of points awarded to each factor depends on the applicable rules and supporting evidence.
| Assessment factor | What we check for an IT applicant | Typical evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Education | Recognized degrees, field of study, graduate qualifications and applicable degree-related additions. | Degree certificate, graduation certificate, transcripts where needed. |
| Relevant professional experience | Qualifying years in software development, cloud infrastructure, data engineering or related professional work. | Employer-issued experience letters showing positions, duties and dates. |
| Planned annual remuneration | Eligible base salary, bonuses and remuneration terms—not every allowance or expected overtime payment qualifies. | Signed offer, employment contract, salary breakdown and bonus terms. |
| Age | The appropriate age category at the relevant calculation date. | Passport and date-of-birth records. |
| Japanese language & bonus items | Eligible Japanese language credentials, designated universities, qualifying certifications or other legally recognized additions. | Test results, certificates and official evidence of eligibility. |
| Employer-linked additions | Possible qualifying innovation measures or research-related criteria, only if the exact official conditions are met. | Supporting documents supplied by the Japanese organization. |
A document review can identify whether an overlooked eligible category is available—or clarify why a claimed bonus cannot be used.
Ask for an HSP Points ReviewDetailed assessment: ¥16,500 (tax included). The review cannot guarantee an additional score or permission.
HSP Visa vs. Ordinary Engineer Work Status
Many foreign software engineers work in Japan under Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (技術・人文知識・国際業務). HSP (i)(b) may be worth considering when the job and a documented score meet the additional criteria.
| Issue | HSP (i)(b) | Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services |
|---|---|---|
| Points requirement | 70 or more under the applicable HSP framework. | No HSP 70-point requirement. |
| Period of stay | Five years when HSP (i) is granted. | Period decided under that status's applicable rules. |
| Employer change | Changing the designated organization generally requires a new change-of-status application before carrying out the new HSP activities. | Different rules apply; check duties and institution-notification requirements. |
| Additional benefits | Specified preferential treatment may apply to family, permitted activities and immigration processing. | Ordinary work-status rules apply. |
| Permanent residence | Points-based residence-history exceptions may be relevant if separate requirements are met. | Eligible applicants may also use a highly skilled points-based permanent residence route without first changing to HSP status, if all requirements are met. |
The best status depends on your actual work, immigration history, employer arrangements and future plans. A move to HSP is not automatically the best choice for every IT professional.
Applying From Overseas or From Inside Japan
For a developer hired from abroad, the Japanese receiving organization and applicant prepare evidence for a Certificate of Eligibility application. A visa and landing examination are normally separate later steps.
For an eligible professional already residing in Japan under another status, review the proposed HSP activities, score and relevant immigration history before applying.
Assess the current HSP designation, employer, income and points. If the designated organization changes under HSP (i), a change-of-status application generally applies.
Documents Commonly Needed for an IT Engineer's HSP Case
Passport and current residence details (if applicable), CV, degree documents, detailed employment records, eligible language credentials, and evidence for any claimed bonus points.
Employment agreement or offer, role description, remuneration breakdown, details of the Japanese organization, and corporate or financial records required for the relevant case.
Relevant immigration forms, HSP points calculation sheet, documentary proof of the score and, when necessary, supporting explanations or translations.
What Do 70 and 80 Points Mean for Permanent Residence?
Under Japan's applicable permanent residence rules, qualifying highly skilled foreign professionals may be able to use shortened residence-history routes. 70 points can support a three-year route and 80 points can support a one-year route, provided the score is proved at the relevant times and the other permanent residence requirements are met.
Potential three-year residence-history exception, subject to continuous residence, point evidence for the required period and the other criteria.
Potential one-year residence-history exception, subject to evidence of the score at the required dates and the other criteria.
Five-year HSP (i) residence, HSP (ii) and permanent residence are different statuses with different requirements and rights.
A points total by itself is not a permanent residence approval. Tax, pension and public insurance compliance, conduct, residence records and the relevant official guidelines are important. A person under an ordinary qualifying work status may also be able to establish the required points without having held HSP status first.
From First Enquiry to Immigration Filing
Free initial enquiry
Tell us your nationality, current country, role, intended Japanese employer, salary and immigration goal.
Eligibility & points review
We identify the appropriate activity category, assess supporting records and distinguish confirmed points from possible bonuses.
Quote & document list
We explain the proposed application procedure, professional fee and documents needed from you and the employer.
Application preparation
We organize the application, points table and explanatory documents, and coordinate immigration filing when authorized and applicable.
Review and next steps
We assist with further document requests within the engagement and explain the following visa or residence-card steps.
Our HSP Immigration Support Fees
| Service | Professional fee |
|---|---|
| HSP (i)(b) Certificate of Eligibility (COE) | From ¥110,000 (tax included) |
| Change of status to HSP (i)(b) | From ¥110,000 (tax included) |
| HSP (i) ordinary renewal without employer change | From ¥44,000 (tax included) |
| Document-based HSP points assessment | ¥16,500 (tax included) |
When you engage us for the related residence application after our paid points assessment, the ¥16,500 assessment fee is deducted from the application professional fee. Government application fees, translation, certificates, mailing and other necessary expenses may be charged separately. We provide a case-specific quotation before you engage us.
Send us the role, proposed annual salary, degree, years of relevant work and planned start date. You do not need to calculate every point before making an enquiry.
Request a Fee Quote in EnglishHSP Visa Questions from Software Engineers
Do all software developers qualify for the Highly Skilled Professional visa?
No. The job must satisfy the applicable activity requirements and the applicant must establish at least 70 eligible points, meet the relevant remuneration threshold and satisfy other immigration criteria.
Is a computer science degree mandatory?
Not every case relies on a computer science degree. We assess the applicable underlying technical work requirements, relevant professional experience, any eligible IT qualifications, the job duties and the HSP points calculation. Lack of a degree may materially affect the assessment.
Is ¥3 million a year enough for HSP approval?
¥3 million is generally the separate minimum annual remuneration threshold for ordinary HSP (i)(b), not a guarantee of eligibility or a fixed salary that gives 70 points. Your total points and other requirements must also qualify.
Can bonuses, allowances and overseas salary count?
Qualifying bonuses may count. Overtime estimates and certain expense-reimbursement allowances generally do not. Overseas-paid remuneration can count in specific transfer arrangements if sufficiently proved. We review the precise payment structure and evidence.
My self-calculation is 65 points. Should I still ask?
You may request an assessment of eligible degree, language, professional certification, employer and other bonus categories. Additional points cannot be assumed merely because you work for a technology company.
Can I apply while living outside Japan?
Yes, the COE route may be available where the proposed employment and other requirements are satisfied. We can discuss the documents with you and the Japanese receiving organization remotely. Consular visa and entry procedures remain separate.
Do I have to switch from an Engineer status to HSP to use the 80-point permanent residence route?
Not necessarily. In qualifying cases, the points-based permanent residence residence-history exception can be assessed for a person holding another eligible residence status. Points at the required dates and all other permanent residence criteria must be documented.
Can I change companies after receiving HSP (i)(b)?
If your designated organization changes, you generally need a new change-of-status permission for HSP (i) activities at the new organization. A separate institution notification may also apply. Check the procedure before taking up the new HSP role.
Can my spouse and children come with me?
Family residence may be available subject to separate eligibility and applications. Certain special arrangements exist for a spouse's employment or accompanying parents, but these are not automatic and have additional requirements.
Is the first consultation free?
Our initial enquiry is free. A detailed document-based HSP points assessment is ¥16,500 (tax included). We explain the scope and fees before paid work begins.
Consult a Licensed Administrative Scrivener
Kawagoe Masanobu Administrative Scrivener Office is based in Sagae, Yamagata Prefecture. We assist with Japan residence-status procedures and work with applicants and hiring organizations located across Japan and overseas. Our support focuses on the legal application requirements, accurate documents and practical communication with the Japanese receiving organization.
Licensed Administrative Scrivener / Immigration Application Intermediary
Kawagoe Masanobu Administrative Scrivener Office
Sagae, Yamagata, Japan
English enquiries welcome. We will confirm the scope of application-intermediary support and the relevant submitting authority for each case.
Related Immigration Services
Official Sources
Please refer to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan for the authoritative conditions, points tables and application procedures. Requirements and documentary guidance can change.
Planning an IT Career in Japan? Check Your HSP Options.
Tell us about your intended IT position, Japanese employer, salary, education and technical experience. We can help identify whether HSP (i)(b), another work status, or a more detailed points assessment should be considered.
Telephone: 9:00–18:00 Japan time · COE/change support from ¥110,000 (tax included) · No immigration outcome can be guaranteed.