If you graduated from a Japanese university, you start ahead in the Highly Skilled Professional (高度専門職) points system. A bachelor’s degree from a Japanese university is worth 20 points — 10 for academic background and 10 for a Japanese degree — rising to 30 points if your university is on the eligible list — 30 to over 40 per cent of the 70 points needed for the permanent residence exception. JLPT N1 adds a further 15.
With 70 points or more, the residence required for permanent residence (永住) falls from ten years to three; with 80 or more, to one. You do not need to hold Highly Skilled Professional status to use this route.
What this article covers
- How many points a Japanese university degree can bring
- The four items that make up those points
- How to check whether your university qualifies for the bonus
- How to make up the remaining points
This article is based on the points allocation in the Ministerial Ordinance on Highly Skilled Professionals (高度専門職省令), the Immigration Services Agency’s detailed points calculation sheet (ポイント計算表の詳細), and its list of universities eligible for bonus points (加点対象となる大学一覧). The figures are for advanced specialised/technical activities — the calculation sheet most company employees use.
The short answer: points from a Japanese university degree
| With JLPT N1 | Without N1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s (listed university) | 45 | 30 |
| Bachelor’s (university not listed) | 35 | 20 |
| Master’s (listed university) | 55 | 40 |
| Master’s (university not listed) | 45 | 30 |
With a doctorate, academic background is worth 30 points, so each figure rises by a further 10.
These figures cover academic background and the Japan-related bonuses only. Salary, age and professional experience are not included.
The four items behind the points
1. Academic background (bachelor’s 10, master’s 20, doctorate 30)
Points for your highest qualification. A professional degree in business management (MBA or MOT) is worth 25.
2. A degree from a Japanese institution (10 points)
For those who graduated from a Japanese university or completed a graduate course in Japan.
3. Japanese language ability (15 points for N1 level)
For those who have passed JLPT N1, or shown equivalent or higher ability through a test such as the BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test with a score of 480 or more.
Note how N2 is treated. The N2-level bonus (10 points) excludes anyone who has received the Japanese-degree bonus. If you graduated from a Japanese university, holding N2 adds nothing. To gain points for Japanese, you need N1.
4. Graduation from a listed university (10 points)
For graduates of universities designated by the Minister of Justice in a public notice. This is a separate item from the Japanese-degree bonus.
Checking whether your university is listed
A university qualifies if it falls under any of the following:
- The list of universities eligible for bonus points (加点対象となる大学一覧), published by the Immigration Services Agency on the basis of three world university rankings
- Universities in the Top Global University Project (スーパーグローバル大学創成支援事業) of the Ministry of Education
- Partner universities in the Innovative Asia programme (イノベーティブ・アジア事業) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The ranking-based list includes many Japanese universities — not only the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University, but also Waseda, Keio, Meiji, Nihon, Toyo and Saitama, among others.
The list was compiled from the rankings as at January 2026, and the Agency advises applicants to check the latest rankings as well. Start by checking whether your university appears on the list of universities eligible for bonus points (PDF).
Making up the remaining points
With a bachelor’s degree from a listed university, you have 30 points and need 40 more to reach 70. With N1 as well, you have 45 and need 25 more.
The rest comes from salary, age and professional experience:
- Age: under 30, 15 points; 30 to 34, 10 points; 35 to 39, 5 points
- Annual salary: from 10 points for ¥4–5 million up to 40 points for ¥10 million or more
- Professional experience in the field of your work: 5 points for 3 years or more, up to 20 points for 10 years or more
Check the conditions for each salary band on the calculation sheet.
Points to note when applying for permanent residence
Your score at an earlier date also matters. If you use the exception without holding Highly Skilled Professional status, you must have held 70 points continuously from three years before, or 80 points from one year before. Points for education do not change over time, but salary and age do.
Every point must be evidenced. You will need a certificate of graduation, a copy of your degree certificate, your JLPT certificate of results, and so on. If you graduated some years ago, obtaining certificates from your university can take time.
For applications filed on or after April 2027, Japanese language ability at B1 becomes a consideration. The guidelines do not make clear whether someone applying with points, without holding Highly Skilled Professional status, falls within the exemption for highly skilled professionals. See Japan’s New PR Guidelines: What Changes for Your Visa Status and When to Apply.
Summary
A bachelor’s degree from a Japanese university brings 20 points for academic background and the Japanese-degree bonus, or 30 if your university is on the list. A master’s adds 10 more in each case.
Start by checking whether your university is on the list. JLPT N1 adds a further 15 points; N2 does not add points for graduates of Japanese universities.
University-related points alone will not reach 70. You will also need points for age, salary or professional experience, and a permanent residence application requires evidence of your score at an earlier date.
We can go through your points calculation and whether you can apply for permanent residence, and when. Consultations are in English and free of charge.
Related reading: PR with Highly Skilled Professional Points: The 3-Year and 1-Year Routes
Related reading: Japan’s New PR Guidelines: What Changes for Your Visa Status and When to Apply
Related reading: Graduated Outside Japan? University and Japanese-Language Bonuses in HSP Points
About this article
This article helps graduates of Japanese universities who are considering a points-based permanent residence application to estimate their score. It is based on the calculation sheet for advanced specialised/technical activities. Those engaged in research or business management should check the relevant calculation sheet.
Disclaimer
This article sets out general information based on the published ministerial ordinance and calculation sheets. It does not guarantee that any individual application will be granted or refused. Always check your score against the calculation sheet current at the time of application. The list of eligible universities changes as the rankings are updated.
References
- Immigration Services Agency, Points-based system for highly skilled foreign professionals (calculation sheets, list of eligible universities) https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/resources/newimmiact_3_evaluate_index.html
- Immigration Services Agency, Detailed points calculation sheet (English) https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001398882.pdf
- Immigration Services Agency, Evaluation items and points (高度専門職省令) https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/930001658.pdf
- Immigration Services Agency, List of universities eligible for bonus points (加点対象となる大学一覧) https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001335478.pdf
- Immigration Services Agency, Guidelines on Permanent Residence Permission (永住許可に関するガイドライン) (as revised 1 October 2026) https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/10_00279.html
Last updated: 24 October 2026