HSP PR Calculator - Brain Power Guide

Estimate your eligibility for accelerated Permanent Residency (PR) in Japan using this calculator. It's based on the official Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) point system, which is one way to potentially shorten the required residency time. While this system applies to ALTs, reaching the 70 or 80 point thresholds can be challenging, often due to salary levels. Use this tool to understand your current standing and identify potential areas for improvement.

1. Academic Background (学歴)

None of the below / Other

Doctorate Degree (PhD) (30 pts) Points awarded for holding a PhD degree from a recognized university.

Master's Degree / Professional Degree (20 pts) Points awarded for holding a Master's degree or a recognized professional degree (e.g., MBA, JD).

Bachelor's Degree (or equivalent) (10 pts) Points awarded for holding a Bachelor's degree or equivalent higher education recognized by Japan.

Holds *two* or more Master's or Doctorate degrees (+5 pts) Additional bonus points if you possess multiple Master's degrees or PhDs in different fields.

2. Professional Career (職歴)

Points based on relevant work experience (including ALT experience).

Less than 3 years

3 years or more (less than 5) (5 pts)

5 years or more (less than 7) (10 pts)

7 years or more (less than 10) (15 pts)

10 years or more (20 pts)

3. Annual Salary (年収)

Based on expected annual salary from the *contracting organization in Japan*. Must be ¥3 million or more. Note for ALTs: This is often the most challenging category. Many standard ALT salaries fall into the lower point brackets.

Select your annual salary range:

4. Bonus Points (ボーナス)

Select any applicable bonuses. Some are more relevant to ALTs than others.

Passed Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N1 (+15 pts) Or achieved 480+ points on the Business Japanese Proficiency Test (BJT). A very valuable bonus for ALTs.

Graduated from a Japanese University (Bachelor's or higher) (+10 pts) Points are awarded for obtaining a degree from a university or graduate school in Japan.

Graduated from a Top-Ranked University (Check official ISA lists) (+10 pts) Applies to graduates of universities on specific global rankings (QS, THE, ARWU) or Japan's 'Top Global University Project'. Check the Immigration Services Agency website for the current official lists.

Significant Research Achievements (e.g., Patents, Publications) (Up to +15 pts) Requires proof of at least 3 published papers in academic journals, a patent, or other achievements recognized by the Minister of Justice. Generally *not applicable* to standard ALT work.

Holds recognized Japanese National Qualification(s) (Relevant to work) (+5 or +10 pts) This calculator uses 10pts as an estimate. Refers to high-level licenses listed by the ISA that are related to your duties. Generally *not applicable* to standard ALT roles.

Holds an Executive/Director-level Position in a company (+5 or +10 pts) Points are awarded for high-level management (10 for Representative Director, 5 for Director). This calculator uses 10pts as an estimate. Generally *not applicable* to ALTs.

Work for a company receiving gov. innovation support (+10 pts) Applies if your company is designated as receiving support under specific Japanese industrial innovation laws. Check with your company's HR. Highly unlikely for ALT dispatch companies.

Your Estimated HSP Points Score

Calculating...

Guidance for ALTs on Reaching HSP Point Thresholds

Why Your Score Might Be Below 70: The most common reason for ALTs is the Annual Salary category. Many bonus points (Research, Management, etc.) are also not applicable.
How ALTs CAN Gain Points: Focus on what you can control. JLPT N1 (+15 pts) is often the most impactful goal. Long-term Professional Experience (+20 pts for 10+ years) and a Master's/PhD are also key. A higher salary is the most direct path.
Key Takeaway: Reaching 70/80 points often requires a combination of factors, such as a Master's degree, 7+ years of experience, a salary over ¥6M, and JLPT N1.
Alternative Path: Remember, the standard path to PR (typically after 10 years of continuous residency) is still available even if you do not meet HSP criteria.