🇯🇵Japan
Highly Skilled Professional (HSP)
Japan's fastest residency route for skilled academics, executives and specialists.
Required documents
- ·Points calculation sheet with documentary backup
- ·Sponsoring company registration
Things to know
- ·J-Skip variant available for top earners (≥ ¥20M / year + master's).
- ·Includes priority processing of visa-related applications.
Apostille & legalization
Apostille routeApostille only — both United States and Japan are parties to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention.
Apostille / legalisation
None of the listed documents are civil-status, criminal-record, medical or academic records, so an apostille is generally not required for this visa. Bank statements, employment contracts and application forms are accepted as-is (translated when needed).
Bank statements, employment contracts, photos, passport copies and the application form itself do not need an apostille.
- Obtain originals or certified copies of each civil/criminal record (birth certificate, marriage certificate, police clearance, diploma, etc.).
- Have each document apostilled by the competent authority in United States (U.S. Department of State — Office of Authentications).
- Translate the apostilled document into the official language of Japan — the apostille itself is also translated.
- Submit the apostilled + translated bundle directly to the Japan immigration authority or consulate; no further consular stamp is required.
Translation: Most documents must be translated into the local language by a certified translator. Agency translations are usually accepted.
Issuing authority in United States: U.S. Department of State — Office of Authentications
Documents older than 3–6 months are often rejected. Plan to obtain fresh originals shortly before your visa application.
Verified 2026 — confirm current rules before applying.
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