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Founder & executive route · HSP(i)(c) · 高度専門職1号ハ
The founder's points-based route to Japan.
Aplash supports only HSP(i)(c), Japan's advanced business-management route for founders and company executives. Score 70 or more to qualify; with 80 or more, you may become eligible to apply for permanent residence after one year.
Time to permanent residency
10 yr→1 yr80+ pts1-year PR eligibility track
The standard route to permanent residency takes a decade. With 80 points or more, a qualifying professional may become eligible to apply after one year. Permanent residence remains a separate application assessed on its full requirements.
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What it takes, and what you gain.
The official HSP system has three activity categories. Aplash works exclusively with founders and executives applying through advanced business management, HSP(i)(c).
Requirements
- A qualifying advanced business-management activity as a founder, representative director, or company executive
- A Japan-based company or accepting organisation that supports the proposed management activity
- Evidence for every claimed HSP(i)(c) point, including education, management career, remuneration, role, qualifications, and eligible bonus criteria
- At least 70 points on the official table; 80+ may support PR eligibility after 1 year and 70–79 after 3 years
Visa benefits
- Earlier eligibility to apply for permanent residence when the official point and residence conditions are maintained
- A spouse may work in specified professional activities without meeting some usual academic or career criteria; conditions apply
- Longer initial validity, up to 5 years, with fewer renewals
- Preferential processing targets for certain entry and residence applications, subject to a complete case
We assess HSP(i)(c) eligibility and points only. Academic-research and technical-employment HSP cases are outside our service scope.
One category, deliberately.The table distinguishes the official HSP categories from the founder and business-management category Aplash supports.
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One category, deliberately.
The table distinguishes the official HSP categories from the founder and business-management category Aplash supports.
Official category
Typical activity
Aplash service scope
HSP(i)(a)
Advanced academic research
Not supported
HSP(i)(b)
Advanced specialised / technical work
Not supported
HSP(i)(c)
Advanced business management for founders and executives
Supported by Aplash
Advantage
Details
Fast-track PR
80+ points: apply for PR in as fast as 1 year. 70–79 points: eligible after 3 years.
Family benefits
A spouse may undertake specified professional work under eased criteria; parents and domestic workers may qualify under separate conditions.
5-year validity
A longer initial visa reduces the hassle of frequent renewals.
Convenient entry & exit
Smoother extensions; HSP applications are processed faster with more flexibility.
Why Aplash
Founder points need business evidence.
HSP(i)(c) combines the founder's qualifications with the actual management role, remuneration, and Japan company evidence. We focus on that intersection.
Where most fail
A generic HSP calculator says you have 70 points, but it does not confirm that your proposed work fits HSP(i)(c).
What we do
We test the role and the score together.
The first review covers your founder or executive activity, company structure, remuneration, management career, and supporting evidence.
Where most fail
You're a few points short of the 70 or 80 threshold and don't know where they'd come from.
What we do
We find the points you're leaving on the table.
We identify documented bonus criteria, qualifications, language results, and timing factors that can lawfully affect the official calculation. Moving from 79 to 80 points can change the PR eligibility period from three years to one.
Where most fail
HSP and J-Skip look identical from the outside. Pick wrong and you slow yourself down.
What we do
We compare the two founder routes.
For founders, we compare HSP(i)(c)'s points test with J-Skip's advanced business-management threshold: 5+ years of management experience and at least ¥40M in annual remuneration.
Where most fail
The points sheet and bureau follow-up turn on Japanese legal nuance, not just translation.
What we do
Bilingual in the law, not just the language.
Documents, the calculation sheet, and every exchange with immigration handled by people fluent in both, so nothing stalls on a technicality.
Your path to permanent residence.From the first points assessment through the separate permanent-residence application, we help prepare and coordinate each stage.
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Your path to permanent residence.
From the first points assessment through the separate permanent-residence application, we help prepare and coordinate each stage.
Case-specific
Preparing
HSP(i)(c) activity review, points assessment, company evidence, and application preparation.
1 or 3 years
Maintaining eligibility
Maintain the required score and residence period: 80+ points for 1 year or 70–79 points for 3 years.
Varies
PR application
Once eligible, the permanent-residence application is filed and assessed separately by immigration.
Decision
Permanent residence
Immigration decides the application against the complete permanent-residence criteria.
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HSP or J-Skip?
For founders and company executives, both routes sit within advanced business management. The difference is whether you qualify by points or by J-Skip's fixed management and remuneration threshold.
HSP
高度専門職Aplash supports HSP(i)(c), the points-based advanced business-management route for founders and executives.
- ScreeningHSP(i)(c) activity + at least 70 points
- Permanent residencyMay apply after 1 year at 80+ points or 3 years at 70–79 points
- Family benefitsPreferential family provisions apply under specified conditions
- Aplash scopeFounders and business-management executives only
J-Skip
特別高度専門職Aplash supports J-Skip's advanced business-management route for high-income founders and executives, with no points calculation.
- Screening5+ years of management experience + ¥40M annual remuneration
- Permanent residencyEligible to apply after 1 year, subject to all PR criteria
- Family benefitsExpanded provisions apply under specified conditions
- Aplash scopeAdvanced business management only
HSP Visa FAQ.
Founding a company?
Business Manager Visa.
If your founder profile does not meet the HSP(i)(c) points test, the Business Manager Visa may be the appropriate company-led route.
Explore the Business Manager VisaFounder route comparison
Compare the three founder pathways.
Compare HSP(i)(c), J-Skip advanced business management, and the Business Manager Visa against your role, experience, remuneration, and company plan.
Compare founder visa pathwaysThe standard behind the advice
Complex work, handled with clear boundaries.
Scope before engagement
You receive a written scope and responsibility map covering deliverables, dependencies, decision owners, exclusions, and the role of any licensed professional.
Regulated work stays regulated
Aplash coordinates strategy and delivery; reserved filings are performed by the appropriate Japan-licensed professionals.
From the journal.
Field notes for founders and business managers choosing a Japan immigration route.
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