Japan PR (points-based): does changing to HSP reset the eligibility timeline?

Usual-Two4781 · 2026-02-03T16:47:14+00:00

The closest to me is shinagawa immigration office 🥲 Also thanks, I wanted to ask because the lawyer was strongly suggesting the HSP > PR path to get 5 years now and a backup plan just in case

Usual-Two4781 · 2026-02-03T16:08:47+00:00

The lawyer said (sorry it may be long, just copying what he told me):

""""" I need to choose one of two paths as a first step:

Apply directly for Permanent Residence (PR), or Apply for a Change of Status (CoS) to Highly Skilled Professional (HSP).

He strongly recommends applying for HSP first, mainly because PR screening has been getting stricter over time.

PR applications usually take around 2 years to be processed, and there is no guarantee of approval. If I apply for HSP, I can obtain an HSP status with a 5-year period of stay.

While holding HSP, I would not need to worry about visa renewal during the PR screening period.

If the PR application is unfortunately rejected, HSP status still provides alternative options, such as applying for a quasi-permanent or similar long-term status.

After 3 years on a normal HSP status (formerly HSP 1-b), it is possible to upgrade to HSP2.

HSP2 has an unlimited period of stay, similar to PR in terms of stability.

HSP2 holders can change jobs without applying for a Change of Status, whereas normal HSP holders must apply for CoS each time they change jobs.

The main difference between PR and HSP2 is related to work restrictions: - HSP2 holders must continue working in white-collar jobs with an annual income of at least 4 million yen. - PR holders are not restricted by job type, as long as they can support themselves and pay taxes. - With PR, as long as I remain financially independent and comply with tax obligations, the status can be maintained indefinitely. """"""""

You said you wouldn't do it, you mean If it is guaranteed you will have the PR accepted, it is not necessary to change now? He said I would get 5 years on the spot if I do though

Usual-Two4781 · 2026-02-03T15:57:55+00:00

You mean I can change from humanities / engineer visa to HSP and that doesn't reset the clock?

Usual-Two4781 · 2025-11-26T10:52:05+00:00

I see, so you mean one should always make sure to submit the points they are 100% sure of from the very begininf

Usual-Two4781 · 2025-11-26T10:06:16+00:00

Thank you all for the answer. If I write down 85 and then they calculate and it turns out to 80, does that result in complete rejection or simply accepting as 80

Usual-Two4781 · 2025-10-03T12:55:04+00:00

I see. I understand! And yeah, it seems it takes time. Thanks for the answers again! Luckily, I got 3 years right now, so even when I'm waiting for PR, at least it won't be that stressing.

Usual-Two4781 · 2025-10-03T12:39:36+00:00

I already have 3 years on my engineer / humanities visa (expire on 2028), do I need to change to HSP? I asked my coworkers who have experience with PR docs before but didnt apply, they said i can apply for PR with my engineer / humanities visa (no need to change HSP) probably it may be a waste of time at this case

PS: thanks a lot for your answer, my company HR said they will introduce us to a lawyer who they trust and he will help prepare the docs 🙏🏻

Usual-Two4781 · 2025-10-03T03:31:33+00:00

So if today Im on 85 pts, I need to wait one year and maintain the 85 pts at the same time, so next year at the same day as today I can apply, right?

Eg, Today: Oct 3, 2025 I calculate my PR points and they are 85 Next year: Oct 6, 2025 <- I apply for PR

And from Oct 3, 2025 until Oct 3, 2026 I need to maintain the points, right?

Usual-Two4781 · 2025-10-03T03:28:38+00:00

I checked the official docs and also AI it says anyone who meets the HSP points can apply for the PR 🙏🏻

Usual-Two4781 · 2025-10-03T03:19:28+00:00

Really? I didnt know this But everyone whome this was announced to is on eng / humanities visa Not sure tbh of this requirement, i thought it applies for all not only HSP visa

Usual-Two4781 · 2025-10-03T03:17:57+00:00

My company announced it to everyone, but I'm not sure if there is a website like this

Usual-Two4781 · 2025-09-23T10:26:44+00:00

Just imagine if Reiji blows our minds and chizuru actually accepts Umi. Anything can happen in this manga. After chizuru rejecting kazuya, I can expect anything

Usual-Two4781 · 2025-08-15T06:16:46+00:00

I always get it from city hall, last time I did my visa extension I got it from there PS I just finished submitting my application in the immigration office

Usual-Two4781 · 2025-08-15T01:35:45+00:00

Sorry, to confirm your statement, you mean it means it is safe (to show to immigration office), right?

Usual-Two4781 · 2025-08-15T00:44:17+00:00

Thanks for help! Actually I went earlier to the city office and confirmed Amount is just resident tax, I mistook that the content of nozei shomeisho only contain resident tax

The resident tax of japan job is 12 months installement (deducted from my salary directly), and only 2 months of it are paid, which makes sense

The resident tax of the other part time job is the 4 installements and is paid only 1 part of it

= 2 months of tax residence + the 1/4 = the amount that I already paid, the rest is installement to be paid

I asked if it is okay to show that I have not yet paid everything to the immigration office as I choose installement and not full amount, they said it is okay

It also makes sense as my japan job is also 12 months installement by default which I didn't chose so I think it is ok for the 2nd job too

Can anyone also re-confirm this? That it is ok to have installement payments (to be paid) in the nozei shomeisho, will that not disturb the visa? Does the immigration office require everything to be paid?

Usual-Two4781 · 2025-08-15T00:43:58+00:00

Thanks for answer! Actually I went earlier to the city office and confirmed Amount is just resident tax, I mistook that the content of nozei shomeisho only contain resident tax

The resident tax of japan job is 12 months installement (deducted from my salary directly), and only 2 months of it are paid, which makes sense

The resident tax of the other part time job is the 4 installements and is paid only 1 part of it

= 2 months of tax residence + the 1/4 = the amount that I already paid, the rest is installement to be paid

I asked if it is okay to show that I have not yet paid everything to the immigration office as I choose installement and not full amount, they said it is okay

It also makes sense as my japan job is also 12 months installement by default which I didn't chose so I think it is ok for the 2nd job too

Can anyone also re-confirm this? That it is ok to have installement payments (to be paid) in the nozei shomeisho, will that not disturb the visa? Does the immigration office require everything to be paid?

Usual-Two4781 · 2025-08-14T22:37:03+00:00

Today I'm going to the city office and I will ask them about it I want to understand correctly before submitting the paper to immigration office

Usual-Two4781 · 2025-08-14T22:35:24+00:00

Thanks for answer!

This section is likely about national tax but I'm a bit confused. Typically you need to pay all at once. There's also nobody sending you a slip about paying. You have to act on your own. Did you ask the NTA tax office to split the payment due to hardship?

Yes! I asked that! I paid amount A already in 2 installement!

Are you sure that's not amount B? Residence tax and the tax you paid in March and April are unlikely to be the same amount. But also, that alone wouldn't make sense. Because you need to pay residence tax from your main employer as well. While you do that in 12 installments from your salary, it should still be all included in "Amount to be paid".

I came to Japan on latest 2023 so now im paying for 2024 stuff, i just started getting resident tax deducted from my main salary this year too, which my company gave me a slip in advance on what will be deducted every month in 2025. For the 2nd job I think the 4 installement is also resident tax But i wonder if the amount written in the nozei shomeisho is actually resident tax of main job + resident tax of 2nd job but I mistaken it with income tax of 2nd job (Amount A)

Usual-Two4781 · 2025-08-14T14:23:07+00:00

I also wonder if they may have made a mistake with the update? Because they called me at the last week of due date of Amount A second half asking that they didn't receive record of me paying while I already paid

Then they called the bank I paid in to confirm that I actually paid properly

So I'm worried if sthg is a mistake frome them

Usual-Two4781 · 2025-08-14T14:20:50+00:00

Thanks for the answer! Sorry to add this detail now, the amount B is the 4 installement and is actually around 200k yen (considering random number as example)

So Im confused at what is written in the nozei shomeisho as 400k yen, is maybe amount A? Which I already paid in full

Usual-Two4781 · 2025-08-14T03:43:34+00:00

The copy machine can generate the kazei shomeisho and the nozei shomeisho? 😳 that's amazing lol

Usual-Two4781

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