Points-Based System for Highly Skilled Workers to Feature Eased Rules Beginning December 24

New criteria for Japan’s points-based immigration program will become effective on December 24, 2013. Under the revised system, income drawn from an overseas employer will now count toward the annual income requirement; MBA holders will earn additional points; and requirements for bringing in parents and domestic workers will be eased.

Japan’s points-based system was created in May 2012 and is available to highly skilled foreign professionals who earn at least 70 points based on criteria related to income, education and professional experience. Those who do not qualify undergo Japan’s standard work authorization process.

Income Earned Abroad Will Count Toward the Annual Requirement

Applicants for the points-based system who remain on an overseas entity’s payroll can count the income earned abroad toward the annual income requirement. Previously, only income earned in Japan qualified.

MBA Holders Earn Additional Points

Holders of Master of Business Administration degrees will receive an additional five points in the educational category. Individuals with other postgraduate degrees, however, will not earn additional points.

Eased Rules to Sponsor Accompanying Parents

Foreign nationals who intend to bring parents to Japan are now required to earn a minimum annual income of 8 million Japanese yen (JPY) — approximately USD 78,000 — down from the previous salary requirement of 10 million JPY (approximately USD 97,000). Any income from the foreign national employee’s spouse can also be included to meet the minimum. Parents can accompany the foreign national employee, or the foreign national employee’s spouse, if either is pregnant. Parents can also qualify for residence visas where the foreign national’s child or children are under seven years old, broadened from the previous age ceiling of three years.

Lowered Minimum Salary to Sponsor Domestic Workers

The minimum annual salary to sponsor a domestic worker’s visa has been lowered to 10 million JPY from the previous 15 million JPY (approximately USD 146,000). Similar to the salary requirement to sponsor parents, any income from the foreign worker’s spouse can also be included to meet the minimum.

Fragomen worked closely with ILS Shimoda Office, L.P.C. (Tokyo) to prepare this alert. It is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen Global or send an email to [email protected].