Highly skilled professionals can reach permanent residence in as little as one year through the points system.
Permanent residence: 10 years. 10 years in general; Highly Skilled Professionals can apply after 3 years (70 points) or 1 year (80 points).
Citizenship: 5 years. 5 years of residence; Japan doesn't allow dual nationality for adults.
| Route | Valid for | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services The most common work status: a job offer plus a related degree or about 10 years of experience. | 3 months to 5 years | — |
| Highly Skilled Professional Points-based status (70+) for academics, specialists and business managers, with a fast track to permanent residence. | 5 years | — |
| Student For students admitted to a Japanese university or language school. | Up to 4 years 3 months | — |