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.

HSP vs J-Skip
Time to permanent residency
10 yr1 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
FAQ

HSP Visa FAQ.

Aplash's founder-only HSP scope, the HSP(i)(c) points test, PR eligibility, and application support.

Which HSP category does Aplash support?

The official HSP system has three categories. Aplash supports only HSP(i)(c), advanced business management, for founders, representative directors, and company executives. We do not handle academic-research or specialised technical-employment HSP applications.

How are HSP(i)(c) points calculated for a founder?

The HSP(i)(c) table considers factors such as education, business-management experience, annual remuneration, age, qualifications, Japanese-language ability, and eligible bonus criteria. A founder must also perform a qualifying advanced business-management activity in Japan; reaching 70 points alone does not replace that activity requirement.

What are the benefits compared to a regular work visa?

The HSP Visa can shorten the period before a qualifying person may apply for permanent residence to one year at 80+ points or three years at 70–79 points. It also grants a five-year period of stay and preferential provisions for certain spouse, parent, domestic-worker, and immigration procedures, each subject to its own conditions.

Can a founder switch to HSP(i)(c) from another status?

A change of status may be possible when the founder will perform a qualifying advanced business-management activity and can document at least 70 points. The correct procedure and evidence depend on the current status, company, role, and individual circumstances.

How can Aplash support my HSP application?

For founder and business-management cases only, Aplash assesses the HSP(i)(c) activity and points, reviews personal and company evidence, prepares the application file, coordinates submission, and assists with immigration follow-up.

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 Visa
Founder 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 pathways

專業建議背後的標準

複雜事項,也有清晰邊界。

01

預設嚴格保密

客戶身分、文件和正在進行的事項不會作為公開銷售證明。

02

合作前明確範圍

您將收到書面範圍與責任表,列明交付物、依賴項、決策負責人、不包含事項及持牌專業人士的角色。

03

受監管工作由持牌人員執行

Aplash 統籌策略與交付;依法保留的申報由相應的日本持牌專業人士執行。

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Which founder route fits your company?

Send us your management background, proposed role, remuneration, and Japan company plan. We will compare HSP(i)(c), J-Skip's business-management route, and the Business Manager Visa.