Naturalization for Highly Skilled Professional Visa Holders｜Requirements, Examination Points & Differences from Permanent Residency

1. Can Highly Skilled Professionals Apply for Naturalization? — Conclusion & Key Conditions

1. Conclusion: Yes, HSP visa holders can apply for naturalization

Even if you are residing in Japan under a Highly Skilled Professional visa (HSP 1 or HSP 2), it is possible to apply for naturalization with the Legal Affairs Bureau.
Naturalization is not determined by “your current visa status,” but by meeting the legal 7 criteria — residence, capacity, conduct, livelihood, nationality, ideology, and guarantor.

Therefore, naturalization is not automatically granted simply because you have Highly Skilled Professional status, but many HSP holders tend to have stable income, taxation history, social insurance participation, and a solid family foundation, which makes it easier to satisfy requirements.

2. Naturalization is separate from the 1-year / 3-year PR routes

A major advantage of the HSP system is the preferential pathway toward permanent residency (1-year or 3-year routes), but that is a system designed to obtain a permanent resident visa. Naturalization (obtaining Japanese nationality) is legally a separate system.

With permanent residency examinations becoming stricter in recent years, more HSP applicants are considering “Which should I choose — PR or naturalization?”
This page explains the thinking process and key considerations for HSP holders aiming for naturalization.

3. Strengths unique to HSP applicants — and important cautions

Based on these factors, it is important to first review the 7 naturalization requirements and understand HSP-specific examination perspectives.

2. The 7 Requirements of Naturalization & Examination Points for HSP Applicants

1. Overview of the 7 naturalization requirements

Naturalization examinations primarily confirm whether the following seven legal requirements are satisfied:

• Residence — continuous residence in Japan for a required period
• Capacity — legal adulthood, etc.
• Conduct — compliance with laws, taxation, and social insurance
• Livelihood — stable income supporting life in Japan
• Nationality — ability to renounce original nationality in principle
• Ideology — not opposing the constitutional order of Japan
• Guarantor — a reliable personal guarantor

2. Areas where HSP applicants are often evaluated positively

HSP holders are frequently evaluated favorably on livelihood and conduct criteria because:

• They meet defined income thresholds
• They work for reputable entities, such as listed companies or research institutes
• They have long employment histories and stable career paths
• Social insurance and tax withholding are properly handled

3. Even HSP applicants face caution points

However, even Highly Skilled Professionals may undergo stricter examination if:

• They change jobs frequently or move workplaces in short periods
• Their income fluctuates due to freelance-style contracting
• They have many overseas assignments, making address continuity unclear
• Their compensation includes stock grants or options that obscure income breakdown

In such cases, preparing clear documentation of residency history and income breakdown is essential.

3. Differences Between PR Fast-Track (1/3-Year Route) & Naturalization

1. Fundamental difference between PR and naturalization

Highly Skilled Professionals often ask:
“Which should I focus on — PR or naturalization?”

• Permanent Residency: Resident status allowing indefinite stay in Japan (nationality remains unchanged)
• Naturalization: Acquisition of Japanese nationality and living as a Japanese citizen (original nationality usually renounced)

PR is a system to stabilize residency, whereas naturalization is a system to change nationality.

2. Relationship with the HSP PR fast-track

HSP holders may qualify for fast-track PR in 1 or 3 years, but this relates only to PR.
It does not shorten or change naturalization examinations.

That said, many requirements checked during PR review — such as stable income, taxation, social insurance — also apply to naturalization.
Thus, it is efficient to consider naturalization when evaluating PR timing.

3. Framework for deciding which to prioritize

4. Key Points When Applying for Naturalization as a Highly Skilled Professional

1. Frequent overseas travel/assignments may make the “residence requirement” unclear

Highly Skilled Professionals are often involved in overseas projects and may have long business trips or overseas assignments.
In Japan’s naturalization examination, it is crucial to determine whether you have continuously maintained your address in Japan, so depending on your time spent in Japan vs. overseas and resident registration status, the Legal Affairs Bureau may examine your case more carefully.

2. Multiple job changes can make it harder to align work history and visa status

In global companies and specialist positions, changing jobs is common. However, in a naturalization application, the authorities also check whether your activities under each status of residence were appropriate.
If you have changed jobs many times, it is helpful to organize your job descriptions, visa status, and employers chronologically to ensure smooth examination.

3. Treatment of side jobs and investment income

Many Highly Skilled Professionals have multiple income sources, such as side jobs, stock investments, or real estate investments.
This itself is not a problem, but it is essential that tax returns are properly filed and that the source of income is clearly explained.
Failure to file, or underreporting income, may negatively affect the “good conduct” requirement.

5. Required Documents & Application Flow for HSP Naturalization

1. Additional focus points beyond general naturalization documents

In addition to the common naturalization documents (application form, CV, personal statement, resident record, tax certificates, tax payment certificates, etc.), the following points are especially emphasized for Highly Skilled Professionals:

• Overview of the employer (listed/unlisted company, number of employees, etc.)
• Whether your duties match the designated activities for the HSP visa
• Income history and compensation structure (base salary, bonus, stock-based compensation, etc.)
• Status and continuity of social insurance coverage

2. Examples of documents (image)

• Certificate of employment / certificate describing job duties
• Pay slips and withholding tax certificates
• Copies of tax returns (if you have side jobs or investment income)
• Documents related to HSP points (income, academic background, research achievements, etc.)
• Residence status and school enrollment certificates for spouse/children (depending on family composition)

The actual volume and type of documents required are often individually specified during prior consultation with the Legal Affairs Bureau,
so it is also effective to have a professional accompany you from the prior consultation stage.

3. Typical schedule from application to approval

Below is a typical schedule image when a Highly Skilled Professional applies for naturalization:

The above is only a general example, but it is reasonable to assume about 1–3 months for document preparation and about 6–12 months from application to approval, which allows you to plan with some margin.
In particular, proving overseas academic/work history, business trips, and income can take time, so it is important to start early.

6. Q&A on Naturalization for Highly Skilled Professionals

Yes, they can. Naturalization is judged not by the type of status of residence, but by whether you meet the 7 requirements such as residence, conduct, livelihood, and renunciation of your current nationality.
There is no system where Highly Skilled Professional status automatically guarantees approval, but stable income and career history are often evaluated positively.

Naturalization and permanent residency are different systems, and the 1-year/3-year preferential PR routes do not automatically apply to naturalization examinations.
However, the conditions required for PR—such as stable income, tax payment, social insurance, and a solid living base—overlap with naturalization requirements, so those preparing for PR often end up satisfying many of the conditions for naturalization as well.

Highly Skilled Professionals often change jobs or are assigned overseas, but as long as you can explain consistency with your status of residence and continuity of life in Japan, this should not be a problem.
In practice, it is helpful to整理 continuity of your job duties, appropriateness of each visa status, maintenance of resident registration, and periods of overseas stay, and be ready to explain these with documents and at the interview.

Naturalization examinations are not directly based on the HSP point system, but advanced career history, income level, and research activities can be evaluated as evidence of stable livelihood, good conduct, and social credibility.
Therefore, organizing income certificates, performance records, and job description certificates can potentially lead to positive evaluation.

Overseas assets and stock-based compensation are not problems in themselves, but the examination will focus on whether your income has been properly declared and whether the source of your assets is clear.
Omissions in tax filing or lack of transparency regarding assets may lead to negative evaluation under the good conduct requirement, so it is advisable to organize your tax returns and related documents in advance.

8. Naturalization Support Services for Highly Skilled Professionals

1. Service Overview

When Highly Skilled Professional (HSP 1 or HSP 2) visa holders apply for naturalization, it is essential to prepare a well-structured and consistent set of documents and explanations, covering HSP-specific elements such as career history, income trends, job changes, tax status, social insurance coverage, and documents from the home country.

While Highly Skilled Professionals generally have high economic stability, they also tend to face situations such as:

• Frequent job changes that make it difficult to explain consistency between visa status and job duties
• Extended overseas business trips or assignments requiring detailed explanation of the residence requirement
• Multiple income sources (salary, stock-based compensation, side jobs, investment income), making tax documentation complex
• Academic and professional backgrounds, as well as research achievements, spread across several countries, so collecting evidence takes time

As a result, preparation for the application tends to be more complex and time-consuming.

ACROSEED Immigration Lawyer's Office offers a comprehensive service for Highly Skilled Professionals, including support for collecting documents, preparing all application forms, drafting and organizing your statement of reasons, preparing for Legal Affairs Bureau interviews, and comparing naturalization with permanent residency options.

This service is ideal for those who feel that “overseas projects and job changes make explanations complicated,” “it is difficult to explain income and stock-based compensation,” or “they are unsure whether to choose PR or naturalization.”

Who This Service Is For

• Holders of a Highly Skilled Professional visa (HSP 1 or HSP 2) who are considering obtaining Japanese nationality
• Those who wish to properly organize income, tax, social insurance and other examination-related documents
• Those with many overseas business trips or assignments who need to explain the residence requirement
• Those whose residency history needs to be structured into a clear story because of job changes or research careers
• Those who want full professional support from application form preparation to statement of reasons and interview preparation

2. Three Service Plans

ACROSEED Immigration Lawyer's Office offers three types of naturalization support plans, depending on your situation and level of need:

① Document Preparation Support (Documents Only)

This is the simplest plan. We assist with整理 and preparation of the documents required for naturalization, including your statement of reasons. Attendance at the Legal Affairs Bureau and interview accompaniment are not included.

1. Preparation of a checklist of required documents and guidance on how to obtain them
2. Preparation of application documents
3. Support for drafting the statement of reasons for naturalization
4. Interview guidance

*You will attend the interview yourself, but we provide advice on possible questions and suggested answers.

② Document Preparation + Accompaniment to the Legal Affairs Bureau

In addition to document preparation, a certified immigration lawyer will accompany you to the Legal Affairs Bureau for the prior consultation and at the time of application, assisting with explanations as needed. This plan is ideal for those who feel uncertain about Japanese communication or the submission procedures.

1. All services included in Plan ①
2. Accompaniment to prior consultation at the Legal Affairs Bureau
3. Accompaniment at application submission to the Legal Affairs Bureau

*You will attend the interview yourself, but we provide advice on possible questions and suggested answers.

③ Simplified Naturalization Support (Documents + Accompaniment)

This plan is designed for so-called “simplified naturalization” cases, where some requirements are relaxed (for example, children of Japanese nationals, children of permanent residents, etc.). In addition to document preparation, an immigration lawyer provides full support for procedures at the Legal Affairs Bureau.

1. All services included in Plans ① and ②
2. Organization of documents and explanation of requirements specific to simplified naturalization
3. Optimization and reinforcement of documents according to your individual circumstances

*You will attend the interview yourself, but we provide advice on possible questions and suggested answers.

Services Not Included

The following services are not included in our plans:

• Attendance at the interview with the Legal Affairs Bureau (interviews are in principle conducted only with the applicant)
• Free re-application after a refusal
• Direct obtaining of documents from your home country (we can, however, advise on how to obtain them)

3. Why choose ACROSEED

Why clients choose ACROSEED


• Founded in 1986; industry-leading 40,000+ visa filings
• 99.9% approval rate; trusted by many clients
• No travel expenses; flat fees nationwide
• Extensive track record in complex/re-application after refusal cases
• No add-on fees; transparent pricing
• Free re-application until approval if refused
• Support available in Japanese, English, and Chinese

Founded in 1986, with 40,000+ visa applications

ACROSEED was founded in 1986. Since 1990—the first year administrative scriveners were allowed to handle immigration under the law—we have specialized in immigration work. Our total filings exceed 40,000 (as of March 2025).

We currently handle 3,000–4,000 visa filings annually, visiting immigration twice a week to stay current on examinations and legal changes.

By choosing ACROSEED, you get services based on the latest examination trends and the industry’s deepest practical experience.

99.9% approval rate—peace of mind backed by clients’ trust

Since opening in 1986, ACROSEED has always prioritized trustworthy services. At the free consultation stage, if approval seems unlikely, we explain this and decline the engagement.

As a result, we have maintained an approval rate of 99%+ (including re-applications) since opening.

However, for cases with a viable chance where clients wish to proceed, we will make a maximum effort together.

Our attentive, tailored service has earned broad support from clients.

No travel fees—flat rates nationwide

Our office is in Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, but we handle immigration cases nationwide at flat rates with no travel expenses.

For distant clients, we offer online consultations via Skype or Zoom so you can speak face-to-face with your consultant just like an in-person visit.

Strong results in difficult and re-application cases

We have many approvals for cases repeatedly refused by clients on their own or by other law firms.

ACROSEED’s track record is unparalleled, and we are often referred the most difficult cases from around the country—operating like a “general hospital” for the industry.

Don’t give up—consult us even for seemingly difficult cases.

No add-on fees—transparent pricing

Our service fees are only those listed on our website.

We do not add fees due to client circumstances such as frequent travel or prior refusals.

We provide a transparent pricing system for your peace of mind.

Free re-application until approval if refused

If a case filed by ACROSEED is unfortunately refused, we will re-apply free of charge as long as there remains a possibility of approval.

While some competitors offer “full refunds if refused,” we believe refunds do not solve the client’s problem.

Accepting a case casually and leaving a refusal record in your filing history can make approval much harder later.

Clients who choose ACROSEED from among many firms deserve our stance of “getting the fastest approval possible—and if refused, supporting relentlessly until approval.”

4. Fees for Naturalization Support (excluding tax)

We also offer accompaniment to prior consultation for 20,000円 per visit (excluding tax). If you subsequently委任 ACROSEED Immigration Lawyer's Office to handle your case, the same amount will be discounted from your contract fee.

・Payment by Visa card and MasterCard is also accepted.

1. Document Preparation Only

2. Document Preparation + Accompaniment to the Legal Affairs Bureau

Standard Naturalization

Simplified Naturalization

9.Related Pages Often Read Together with Naturalization Applications

[2025 Edition] Japan Naturalization Guide | Requirements, Documents & Application Process

A clear and comprehensive guide covering the latest 2025 requirements, required documents, key review points, application flow, and interview preparation. Also explains nationality renunciation considerations, FAQs, and three service plans.

Naturalization Guide for Spouses of Japanese Nationals

Naturalization through marriage generally requires 3+ years of marriage history and 1+ year of residence in Japan (as a rule). Learn key review points such as the “genuineness of marriage,” “financial stability,” and “Japanese language ability,” plus how cases with children are assessed and common refusal patterns.

Naturalization from a Work Visa (Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services)

Detailed explanation for foreign employees: requirements, required years, income standards, and how changing jobs affects screening. Covers differences based on employment style and tax status, the latest trends in review timelines, and practical strategies to avoid refusal.

Naturalization Guide for Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) Visa Holders

For applicants considering naturalization from HSP (Type 1 / Type 2). Explains situations where screening may be relatively favorable, and factors that require extra caution (e.g., research-track roles, job stability, and continuity of activities).

Naturalization Guide for Business Manager Visa Holders

Experts explain common stumbling points for business owners: business stability, tax compliance, executive compensation design, and social insurance handling. Includes review tendencies reflected from 2025 onward.

Naturalization Guide for Permanent Residents

The final step for permanent residents to become Japanese nationals. Organizes required documents, review timelines, and how decisions differ by family structure, plus preparation to avoid refusal and a clear comparison of “Permanent Residence vs Naturalization.”

Naturalization Guide for Long-Term Resident Visa Holders

For Long-Term Residents (spouse-based long-term, child of a Japanese national, stepchild, Nikkei-related statuses, etc.). Explains key requirements, documents, what examiners focus on, and Japanese language expectations by typical case type.

Naturalization Guide for Special Permanent Residents

Covers background of the制度, screening characteristics, how to write the reason statement for naturalization, and important notes about nationality choices within the family—tailored for Special Permanent Residents.

More In-Depth Questions About Japan Naturalization

Naturalization vs Permanent Residence in Japan: A Complete Comparison (2025)
Can You Apply for Naturalization with Less Than 3 Years of Work? Latest Standards & Approval Points
Naturalization and Time Outside Japan: Guidelines for “5+ Continuous Years” and Key Cautions
Naturalization Required Documents List: 2025 Latest Checklist by Case Type
Naturalization Requirements (7 Conditions): Expert Guide to Obtaining Japanese Nationality
My child has dual nationality (Japan & the U.S.). Are any procedures required?
Should You Hire an Administrative Scrivener for Naturalization? Benefits, Fees, and How to Choose
Income Requirements for Naturalization: How Much Is Needed and How “Ability to Support a Living” Is Judged
Traffic Violations & Minor Offenses in Naturalization: Do Parking Tickets or Criminal Records Matter?
Required Japanese Level for Naturalization: Speaking, Reading/Writing, and Interview Benchmarks
Are Taxes, Insurance, and Pension Critical for Naturalization? Does Non-Payment Lead to Refusal?
Renunciation of Prior Nationality: Country-by-Country Guidance (China, Korea, U.S., and More)
Residence Years & Time Abroad for Naturalization: 5-Year / 3-Year Rules and Key Judgment Points
Reasons for Naturalization Refusal: Common “Rejected at Intake” Cases and Timing to Reapply