Processing Times for Highly Skilled Professional Visa Applications
- Our company plans to hire a highly skilled foreign professional soon and will apply for the Highly Skilled Professional (i)(b) status. We understand that applications for highly skilled professionals receive priority processing. Is it feasible to complete the procedures within this month and onboard the employee next month?
- There is no statutory processing period for applications such as the Certificate of Eligibility (COE), Change of Status of Residence, or Extension of Period of Stay. Actual timelines vary based on case specifics, so completion by a target start date cannot be guaranteed.
As you noted, there is a framework for expedited handling of highly skilled professionals (see indicative timelines below). However, this is not a promise of processing time. If the credibility of submitted documents is in question, or if point calculations related to research achievements require verification with other government bodies, results will not be issued until those checks are completed.
In our experience as a proxy filer, several cases have required approximately one to one and a half months for examination.
・Certificate of Eligibility application (pre-entry screening): target of within 10 days
・Change of Status of Residence / Extension of Period of Stay (in-country screening): target of within 5 days
Highly Skilled Professional Visa Q&A
Eligibility for the Highly Skilled Professional Visa in Translation and Interpretation Roles
Procedures for Mid-Career Hiring of Highly Skilled Professionals
Processing Times for Highly Skilled Professionals
Side Jobs and Secondary Employment under the Highly Skilled Professional Visa
Related Service Page:
Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) Visa Application
HR departments frequently receive inquiries from foreign employees asking, “Can I apply for the Highly Skilled Professional Visa?” This is one of the most commonly requested categories among corporate employers.
Since 1986, ACROSEED has specialized in immigration and visa services for foreign employees in Japan. For nearly 40 years, we have advised corporate HR teams on compliance, procedures, and workforce planning.
Consultations are available via phone, email, online, or in person. English-language support is always available.
