Japan Moves to Attract Foreign Talent... 'Permanent Residency in 1 Year'

Annual Salary 200 Million KRW, Master's Degree, 10 Years Experience Professionals
Foreign Talent Attraction Ranking 'Low Tier' Disgrace

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Eunha] The Japanese government has begun attracting experts with outstanding technical skills. Local media reported on the 18th that the criteria for granting permanent residency to foreign talents will be relaxed as early as April.

The new system decided at a meeting of related ministries on the 17th aims to lower the residency qualification for 'Highly Skilled Professionals' and promote employment in Japan for graduates of top global universities.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

To obtain the residency qualification for Highly Skilled Professionals, a comprehensive score based on academic background, career, income, and research achievements was required to meet a certain standard. Going forward, foreign researchers and engineers with an annual salary of over 20 million yen and either a master's degree or more than 10 years of experience will be able to acquire permanent residency after just one year of residence.

Graduates of overseas universities were previously granted a short-term residency status of 90 days for employment in Japan, but those who graduated within the last five years from universities ranked within the top 100 worldwide will be allowed to stay in Japan for up to two years. Family accompaniment will also be recognized.

The Nihon Keizai Shimbun pointed out that "In the 2019 OECD foreign talent attraction ranking, Japan ranked 25th out of 35 countries," and emphasized that "It is important not only to attract overseas talent but also to support the career development and living conditions of foreigners already in Japan."

This is not the first time Japan has opened its doors to highly skilled personnel. In 2015, restrictions on the length of stay were lifted for 'Highly Skilled Professionals' in certain fields, and in 2017, the requirements for permanent residency acquisition were eased for foreign researchers and executives.