How to Calculate Points for the Highly-Skilled Professional Visa with Income from Multiple Employers#

When considering applying for Japan’s Highly-Skilled Professional (HSP) visa, the calculation of points under the “Point-Based System for Highly-Skilled Foreign Professionals” is a critical step. The “Annual Salary” category, in particular, carries significant weight and can often be the deciding factor for meeting the required threshold. However, for individuals earning salary or remuneration from multiple companies, understanding which income sources can be combined for calculation can be complex.

This article provides a sincere and objective explanation of how to calculate points for the HSP visa when you have multiple sources of income, based on official information from Japan’s immigration system.

The Fundamental Principle of Annual Salary in the HSP Point System#

The most crucial principle to understand is that the annual salary eligible for point calculation is the remuneration received based on a contract with a Japanese organization for your “principal activity.”

The official Point Calculation Table for Highly-Skilled Professionals, provided by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA), awards points based on the applicant’s annual salary. This “remuneration” refers to the total prospective annual salary (before taxes and social security contributions) that is guaranteed to be paid by the contracting organization for the highly-skilled professional activities to be performed in Japan.

In essence, the point calculation is based on prospective annual income, not past earnings. Therefore, applicants must provide objective proof of this expected salary, typically through an employment contract or a statement of working conditions.

Specific Calculation Methods for Multiple Income Sources#

If you have contracts with more than one company, you cannot simply add all your income together. The following rules generally apply.

1. Only Remuneration from the Principal Activity Is Eligible

The HSP status of residence is granted for a specific professional activity (e.g., IT engineer, researcher, business manager) that is designated as the applicant’s “principal activity.” Consequently, the annual salary used as the basis for point calculation is limited to the remuneration from the single company where this principal activity is conducted.

【Example】

Primary Employer (Company A): Employed as an IT engineer under an employment contract. Annual salary: JPY 7 million.
Side Job (Company B): Undertakes translation work on weekends under a freelance contract. Annual remuneration: JPY 1 million.

In this scenario, the annual salary eligible for point calculation is only the JPY 7 million from Company A, which corresponds to the principal activity. The JPY 1 million from the side job at Company B cannot be included, as it is not part of the principal activity.

2. Exceptional Cases Where Combination May Be Permitted

While the general rule is strict, there are rare, exceptional circumstances where combining income from multiple sources might be considered. This applies when the activities performed for multiple organizations can be reasonably explained as constituting a single, integrated “highly-skilled professional activity.”

【Potential Examples】

A full-time university researcher who also engages in paid joint research projects with other research institutions or companies, leveraging their specialized knowledge.
A freelance consultant who holds consulting contracts with several companies, where these activities collectively form a single, cohesive professional service.

In such cases, the applicant must prove that the various contracts are not independent side jobs but are interconnected and together form one advanced professional activity. This requires submitting a detailed letter of explanation (Riyusho) justifying the integrated nature of the work, along with contracts and other documents that demonstrate the relationship between the tasks.

It is crucial to note, however, that this is a highly discretionary judgment made by the Immigration Services Agency. The threshold for approval is considered very high. It is not advisable to assume that income can be combined; a thorough and careful assessment of one’s individual circumstances is necessary.

Required Documents to Prove Income#

The annual salary used for point calculation must be substantiated with objective documentation.

Employment Contract or Statement of Working Conditions: This is the most critical document, as it clearly states the prospective annual salary.
Certificate of Withholding Tax (Gensen-choshu-hyo) or Tax Payment Certificate (Nozei-shomeisho): For those already working in Japan, these can serve as supplementary evidence of past earnings. However, the primary basis for calculation remains the prospective salary.
Additional Documents for Combined Income Applications: If you attempt to apply with combined income, special preparation is needed. This includes contracts from all organizations, materials explaining the relationship between the job duties, and a detailed letter of explanation that logically argues for the integrated nature of the activities.

Conclusion#

When calculating points for the HSP visa with income from multiple companies, the following points are key:

General Rule: The eligible annual salary is limited to the remuneration from the single employer where the “principal activity,” which forms the basis of your status of residence, is performed.
Side Job Income: Income from side jobs unrelated to the principal activity generally cannot be combined.
Exceptions: In rare cases where multiple activities can be demonstrated to form a single, integrated highly-skilled professional activity, combining income may be possible. However, proving this is challenging.

The final decision is made by the Immigration Services Agency on a case-by-case basis, after a thorough review of all submitted documents. Therefore, it is essential to accurately understand your situation and prepare the appropriate documentation before submitting your application.