What to Do When Job Change Leads to Lower Income and Insufficient Highly Skilled Professional Points#

In the Japanese immigration system, the “Highly Skilled Professional” (HSP) status of residence is a preferential visa category granted to foreign nationals who score 70 points or more based on specific criteria such as academic background, work experience, annual income, and age. However, a common challenge arises when an individual decides to change jobs, and the resulting decrease in annual income causes their total score to fall below the passing line of 70 points.

This article provides an objective and detailed explanation of the legal implications of such a situation, specific countermeasures to be taken, and the potential impact on future applications for Permanent Residence.

The Basic Mechanism of HSP and Job Changes#

First and foremost, it is crucial to understand that the “Highly Skilled Professional (i)” status of residence is strictly tied to a “specific organization” (the employer). This differs significantly from standard work visas, such as “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services.” With a standard work visa, if the nature of the job duties remains the same, one is not legally required to apply for a change of status immediately upon changing jobs; one can often wait until the visa renewal period (though a notification to the Immigration Bureau is required).

However, for Highly Skilled Professionals, a change in employer fundamentally alters the preconditions of the residence status. Therefore, before starting work at a new company, the individual must apply for “Permission to Change Status of Residence.” During this application process, the points are recalculated based on the new employment conditions.

This means that a job change triggers a mandatory re-examination of the points. The Immigration Services Agency will strictly verify whether the applicant maintains a score of 70 points or higher under the new contract.

Consequences of Falling Below the 70-Point Threshold#

If the salary offered by the new employer is lower than the previous one, and the recalculated total score drops below 70 points, the individual cannot legally maintain the “Highly Skilled Professional” status.

The HSP visa is contingent upon meeting the point requirement. Regardless of how talented the individual is, if the objective criteria are not met, the specific status cannot be granted. Consequently, applying for a change of status to HSP with a score of less than 70 points will almost certainly result in a denial.

Strategy 1: Recalculating Points and Identifying Bonus Categories#

The first step is a thorough review of the point calculation table. Even if the points for annual income have decreased, it may be possible to compensate for the loss through other categories. It is essential to check the following carefully:

Japanese Language Proficiency: If you have passed the JLPT N1 or N2 since your last application, you are eligible for additional points (15 points for N1, 10 points for N2).
Work Experience: Check if your years of practical experience have increased since the last application, potentially moving you into a higher point bracket (e.g., crossing the threshold from 3 years to 5 years, or 5 years to 7 years).
Dual Degrees or Professional Degrees: Sometimes applicants overlook points for MBA degrees or multiple master’s degrees.
Special Additions: Investigate whether the new employer falls under specific bonus categories. For instance, working for a Small or Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) that conducts innovation activities, or working for a company located in a designated local area, can yield bonus points.

If the total score remains below 70 even after this detailed recalculation, alternative measures must be considered immediately.

Strategy 2: Switching to a Standard Work Visa#

If maintaining the Highly Skilled Professional status is impossible, the necessary course of action to continue working in Japan is to change the status of residence to a standard work visa, typically “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services.”

This does not mean the individual must leave Japan; it simply means the visa category changes. As long as the new job duties align with the applicant’s educational background and work history, and the remuneration is equal to or greater than that of a Japanese national, permission for this standard work visa is generally granted.

Disadvantages of switching to a standard work visa include:

Period of Stay: Unlike the HSP visa, which grants 5 years, a standard visa may be granted for 1 or 3 years.
Scope of Activities: Restrictions on engaging in multiple activities (such as certain types of side businesses) are tighter compared to HSP.
Family Privileges: Preferential treatment, such as bringing parents or hiring domestic helpers, is generally lost.
Path to Permanent Residence: The requirement for Permanent Residence reverts to the standard rule of “10 years of residence in Japan,” rather than the accelerated 1-year or 3-year track available to HSP holders.

However, switching to a standard visa ensures legal employment continuity. A strategic approach would be to secure this visa first, continue working, and then re-apply for the “Highly Skilled Professional” status in the future once the points exceed 70 again (e.g., through salary increases or acquiring new qualifications).

Impact on Permanent Residence Applications#

For those planning to apply for Permanent Residence (PR) using the HSP point system (applying after 3 years with 70+ points, or 1 year with 80+ points), a drop in points during a job change has significant implications.

The special provision for PR for highly skilled professionals requires that the applicant meets the point criteria both at the time of the PR application and at the reference point in the past (1 or 3 years prior). If one switches to a standard work visa because points fell below 70, the “continuity” of the highly skilled period is broken.

Consequently, the countdown for the expedited PR route resets. The individual would need to wait until they regain HSP status (or meet the equivalent point requirements) and then accumulate the necessary duration (1 or 3 years) again from that point forward.

Conclusion#

If a job change results in a lower income and a total score below 70 points, you cannot legally transfer your Highly Skilled Professional visa to the new employer. However, this is not the end of your career in Japan.

The correct procedure is to calculate your points objectively. If the threshold is not met, you should apply for a change of status to a standard working visa, such as “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services.” While you will temporarily lose the specific privileges associated with the HSP visa, this allows you to maintain your livelihood and residence in Japan legally. By understanding the system correctly and taking appropriate administrative steps, you can continue to build your career and aim for High Skilled status again in the future.