How Activities in Japan’s National Strategic Special Zones Can Expedite Permanent Residency#

Obtaining permanent residency (PR) in Japan generally requires a continuous period of residence of at least ten years. However, specific exceptions exist that can significantly shorten this requirement. Among these, there is growing interest in how activities within Japan’s National Strategic Special Zones (NSSZs) might influence the timeline for acquiring PR.

This article provides an objective explanation of the relationship between the NSSZ system and the requirements for permanent residency, detailing the mechanisms and possibilities involved.

Fundamental Requirements for Permanent Residency in Japan#

First, let’s review the basic requirements for obtaining permanent residency status. The Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act outlines three primary conditions:

Good Conduct: The applicant must abide by Japanese laws and lead a life that is socially acceptable as a resident. This includes fulfilling obligations such as paying taxes and contributing to public pension and health insurance systems.
Sufficient Assets or Skills for an Independent Livelihood: The applicant must demonstrate the ability to live without becoming a public burden, with a stable livelihood expected in the future based on their assets or skills.
The Person’s Permanent Residence is Deemed to be in the Interest of Japan: This condition generally includes the requirement of having resided in Japan continuously for ten years or more. It also requires that the applicant has not been sentenced to a fine or imprisonment and poses no public health risk.

This “principle of ten years” of residence is a major benchmark in the process of obtaining PR.

The Exception for Shortening the Residence Period: The Highly-Skilled Professional (HSP) Point System#

Several exceptions exist to the ten-year residence rule, with the most significant being the utilization of the Highly-Skilled Professional (HSP) Point System.

This system evaluates foreign nationals based on points assigned to categories such as academic background, professional career, annual salary, age, and research achievements. Those who score a total of 70 points or more are recognized as “Highly-Skilled Professionals.”

Individuals recognized as Highly-Skilled Professionals receive preferential treatment in their PR applications:

For those with 70 points or more: They become eligible to apply for permanent residency after continuously engaging in activities as a Highly-Skilled Professional for three years.
For those with 80 points or more: They become eligible to apply for permanent residency after continuously engaging in activities as a Highly-Skilled Professional for just one year.

Thus, by leveraging the HSP point system, it is possible to reduce the time required to obtain permanent residency to as little as one year.

The Direct Link Between Special Zones and Permanent Residency#

How do National Strategic Special Zones factor into the requirements for permanent residency?

To be clear, no system currently exists where activities within an NSSZ directly relax the residency period requirement for permanent residency. It is important to note that simply living or working within a special zone does not automatically fast-track one’s PR application.

The purpose of NSSZs is to stimulate new industries and create employment by deregulating specific areas, a goal distinct from the permanent residency system.

How Special Zone Activities Can “Indirectly” Expedite PR#

While there are no direct relaxations, activities within an NSSZ can “indirectly” lead to a shorter path to permanent residency. This is because the framework of the special zones can potentially support the acquisition of a high score under the aforementioned HSP point system.

The key to this connection is the “Program for Accepting Foreign Nationals with High-Level Skills in National Strategic Special Zones.” This program is designed to facilitate the acceptance of foreign professionals with advanced expertise in specific fields (e.g., Cool Japan, agricultural support, innovative business) within the special zones.

Foreign nationals working in Japan under this program may find that their activities are evaluated under the HSP point system. Specifically, their work could be advantageous for accumulating points in the following ways:

Highly Specialized Duties: Activities permitted within the special zones inherently presuppose a high level of professional or technical skill. These duties are likely to be recognized as “advanced professional/technical activities” under the HSP system.
High Annual Salary: Working for innovative companies or on advanced projects within an NSSZ may lead to a higher salary. Annual income is a critical component in the point calculation.
Research Achievements and Qualifications: Research and development activities conducted in a special zone can be counted as research achievements. Similarly, obtaining Japanese national qualifications as part of one’s professional duties may also be positively evaluated.

In essence, the NSSZ provides a platform for high-level professional activities. The achievements and experience gained there can be highly valued in the HSP point system, which, in turn, can shorten the time required to apply for permanent residency.

Conclusion#

The National Strategic Special Zone system does not offer a direct shortcut to permanent residency. However, engaging in highly specialized activities within a special zone, particularly through programs like the one for accepting high-level foreign professionals, can be advantageous for achieving a high score on the HSP point system.

This can lead to recognition as a Highly-Skilled Professional, opening the door to apply for permanent residency in as little as one or three years. Individuals considering working in a special zone should accurately assess how their background and proposed activities align with the criteria of the HSP point system to plan their path to PR. As regulations can change, it is crucial to always consult the latest information published by official sources such as the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.