🇯🇵 Japan — Ministry of Justice / Regional Immigration Bureau (入管局)

Japan Highly Skilled Professional Visa — Korean Documents Required

Japan's Highly Skilled Professional (高度専門職) visa is the highest-tier work residence status in Japan, offering preferential treatment including faster permanent residency eligibility (3 years instead of 10). Korean nationals applying for HSP status must demonstrate they meet the points threshold (70+ points) through their academic credentials, work experience, and salary. All Korean documents must be apostilled by MOFA and accompanied by certified Japanese translations. Japan has been a Hague Convention member since 1970.

Required Korean Documents

University Diploma

학위증명서Required

Apostilled 학위증명서 with certified Japanese translation. Points are awarded for doctoral degree (30 pts), master's degree (20 pts), and relevant professional qualifications. The degree level directly affects your HSP points score.

Academic Transcript

성적증명서Required

Apostilled official transcript with certified Japanese translation. Required to verify field of study and degree content for the HSP points calculation.

Basic Certificate (Birth Certificate)

기본증명서Required

Apostilled 기본증명서 with certified Japanese translation. Required for residence card application and registration at the Japanese municipal office.

May Also Be Required

Step-by-Step Process

1
Calculate your HSP points using the Ministry of Justice's online calculator — you need 70+ points for basic HSP, 80+ for preferential treatment
2
Secure a job offer from a Japanese employer with a salary meeting the HSP minimum requirements
3
Your employer (or immigration lawyer) typically files the residence status application on your behalf at the regional Immigration Bureau (入管局)
4
Gather apostilled Korean credentials and identity documents with certified Japanese translations
5
After the Certificate of Eligibility (在留資格認定証明書) is approved, apply for your visa at the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in Seoul
6
Enter Japan and register your address (住民登録) at the local municipal office within 14 days

Tips & Common Mistakes

The HSP points are calculated at the time of application — gather documentation for all point-earning categories (degree, salary, age, Japanese language proficiency, prior Japanese study/work)
A Korean university degree from a top-ranked institution may earn additional bonus points — check the Ministry of Justice's designated university list
Japanese Immigration requires translations to be accurate and complete — use a professional Korean-Japanese certified translator familiar with visa documentation
After 3 years of HSP status (or 1 year with 80+ points), you can apply for Permanent Residency (永住) — significantly faster than the standard 10-year path
Spouses and children accompanying an HSP holder may obtain a Designated Activities visa allowing them to work in Japan

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Japan require apostille on Korean documents for the HSP visa?

Japan has been a Hague Convention member since 1970. MOFA apostille is the correct certification for Korean documents submitted to Japanese authorities. The apostille must be on the original document, accompanied by a certified Japanese translation.

What is the minimum salary required for the Japan HSP visa?

HSP Type i (advanced academic research) and Type ii (advanced technical/business) each have a minimum annual salary of ¥3,000,000 (approximately USD 20,000). HSP Type iii (highly skilled entrepreneur) does not have a minimum salary requirement. In practice, HSP applicants typically earn significantly more as higher salary earns additional points.

How does the HSP lead to Japanese permanent residency faster?

Standard permanent residency in Japan requires 10 years of continuous residence. HSP holders with 70+ points can apply after 3 years; HSP holders with 80+ points can apply after 1 year. This is one of the fastest permanent residency pathways available to Korean nationals in Japan.