How Changing Employers Affects the Point Calculation for Highly Skilled Professionals (HSP) in Japan#

The “Highly Skilled Professional” (HSP) status of residence was established to attract talented foreign professionals who are expected to bring new value to Japan’s industries. This status is unique in that it is granted based on a points system, where applicants must score 70 points or more across categories such as academic background, professional experience, and annual salary.

However, the HSP status is approved on the premise that the individual will be engaged in activities at a specific “sponsoring organization” (i.e., their employer). Consequently, when an HSP visa holder changes jobs, they must undergo a new application process, during which their points are recalculated. This recalculation is critically important for maintaining their residency status.

This article provides an objective explanation of how changing employers can impact the HSP point calculation and what key points to consider.

Required Procedures When Changing Employers#

When an HSP visa holder changes jobs, two main procedures are necessary:

Notification Regarding the Sponsoring Organization Within 14 days of changing employers, the individual is obligated to submit a “Notification Regarding the Sponsoring Organization” to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan. This can also be done online.
Application for Change of Status of Residence Separate from the notification, an “Application for Change of Status of Residence” is required to continue working as a Highly Skilled Professional at the new company. The original HSP status was granted based on activities at the previous employer, so the applicant must prove that they still meet the requirements under the new employment conditions. During the examination of this application, the points are recalculated based on the new employer’s information.

Key Factors That Can Affect Your Point Score#

It is possible for an individual who previously scored over 70 points to fall below this threshold after changing jobs. The following items are particularly susceptible to change and require careful attention.

Annual Salary#

Annual salary carries significant weight in the point calculation. A decrease in salary upon changing jobs can lead to a substantial drop in points, potentially pushing the total below 70. For example, under the HSP No. 1 (b) category, an annual salary of 8 million JPY earns 30 points, while a salary of 10 million JPY earns 40 points—a significant difference. It is essential to accurately calculate your new point total based on the new salary structure before accepting a new position. A minimum annual salary of 3 million JPY is also a mandatory requirement, regardless of age.

Characteristics of the Sponsoring Organization#

Bonus points may be awarded depending on the size and nature of the employing company.

Status as a Small or Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) Working for an SME (as defined by the Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Basic Act) grants an additional 10 points. If you move from a large corporation to an SME, your score will increase. Conversely, moving from an SME to a large corporation will result in the loss of these 10 points.
Recipient of Support for Promoting Innovation If the company receives official support from the Japanese government as an enterprise promoting innovation, an extra 10 points are awarded. If your new employer is not a recipient of this support, your point total will decrease.

Job Description#

The points system evaluates academic and professional experience that is relevant to the proposed job duties. If a job change results in a significant shift in responsibilities, and the new role is deemed to have a weak connection to your educational background or past career, you risk losing the points awarded for those categories.

Work Location#

A system exists to award bonus points for working in certain regions, often as part of projects involving local governments aimed at regional revitalization. A change in your work location could mean you lose these points or, alternatively, become newly eligible for them.

Risks of Falling Below the 70-Point Threshold#

If your recalculated point total falls below 70, your Application for Change of Status of Residence to HSP will be denied. In this event, you would need to promptly consider applying for another work-based status of residence, such as “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services.”

Losing the HSP status means you will no longer be permitted to engage in a range of activities and will lose access to preferential immigration treatment. This includes the significantly shorter residency period required for a Permanent Resident application, which is reduced from the standard 10 years to 3 years or even 1 year for HSPs.

Conclusion#

When a Highly Skilled Professional considers changing jobs, it is crucial to look beyond the appeal and compensation of the new role and to accurately assess the impact on their residency status. It is essential to review the factors that can alter your point score—especially annual salary, company size, and the relevance of your job duties—and to simulate your new score to ensure it remains above the 70-point threshold.

Failing to complete the necessary procedures or miscalculating your points can lead to the risk of losing your status of residence in Japan. Any change of employer should be approached with careful preparation and planning.