Designated Activities (Domestic Worker for Highly Skilled Professionals) - Required Documents
There are four types of domestic workers employed by foreign nationals residing in Japan with the Highly Skilled Professional status of residence (hereinafter “HSP foreign nationals”):
- Domestic workers entering Japan together with (or after) the HSP foreign national (Public Notice No. 2-2, hereinafter “Entry Accompanying Type”)
- Domestic workers employed due to circumstances such as the HSP foreign national having children under 13 years old (Public Notice No. 2, hereinafter “Family Circumstances Type”)
- Domestic workers employed by HSP foreign nationals engaged in investment management, etc. (Public Notice No. 2-3, hereinafter “Financial Professional Type”)
- Domestic workers employed by HSP foreign nationals meeting the Special Highly Skilled criteria (hereinafter “Special HSP foreign nationals”) (Public Notice No. 2-4, hereinafter “Special HSP Type”)
| Applicable Activities | Activities as a domestic worker employed by Highly Skilled Professional/Special Highly Skilled Professional foreign nationals |
|---|---|
| Period of Stay | Period individually designated by the Minister of Justice (within 5 years) |
Required Documents by Application Type
- Entry Accompanying Type - Certificate of Eligibility
- Family Circumstances Type - Certificate of Eligibility
- Family Circumstances Type - Change of Status
- Financial Professional Type - Certificate of Eligibility
- Financial Professional Type - Change of Status
- Special HSP Type - Certificate of Eligibility
- Special HSP Type - Change of Status
- Extension of Period of Stay (Common)
Important Notes Before Applying
- For questions about application forms and required documents, please contact the Immigration Information Center. (TEL: 0570-013904, IP phone/overseas: 03-5796-7112)
- Applications with incomplete documents may result in significant delays in examination or denial of permission.
- “Applicant” refers to the foreign national who wishes to enter or stay in Japan.
- All certificates issued in Japan must be submitted within 3 months of the date of issue.
- Documents written in foreign languages must be accompanied by a Japanese translation.
- In principle, submitted documents will not be returned. If you wish to have originals returned that are difficult to reacquire, please request this at the time of application.
- Additional documents not listed on this page may be requested during the examination process.
- The requirements for foreign nationals who may invite domestic workers and foreign nationals who may engage in activities as domestic workers are stipulated in the Ministry of Justice Public Notice, so please refer to it.
Entry Accompanying Type - Application for Certificate of Eligibility (New)
The “Entry Accompanying Type” requires that the domestic worker is scheduled to leave Japan together with the employer. Changing employers or changing from another status of residence is not permitted after entering Japan. In contrast, the “Family Circumstances Type” permits changing employers after entering Japan, but the period of stay cannot be renewed if the HSP foreign national’s children reach 13 years of age or the circumstances preventing the spouse from engaging in domestic work cease.
The “Entry Accompanying Type” enters and leaves Japan together with the HSP foreign national, so changes of status from other statuses of residence or changes of employer are not permitted.
1. Application for Certificate of Eligibility - 1 copy
2. Photograph - 1
4cm (H) x 3cm (W), taken within 6 months before the application, front-facing, without hat, plain background, clear image.
3. Return envelope - 1
Write the recipient’s address on a standard envelope and attach stamps for simplified registered mail.
4. Documents proving the applicant’s activity content, period, position, and remuneration - 1
5. Copy of the employer HSP foreign national’s Certificate of Eligibility application receipt, Certificate of Eligibility, or residence card - 1
Not required if applying simultaneously with the HSP foreign national.
6. Documents proving the employer HSP foreign national’s household annual income (planned) - 1
7. Document stating that the employer HSP foreign national does not employ any domestic workers other than the applicant - 1
8. Documents proving conversational ability in the language used by the employer HSP foreign national in daily life - 1
9. Employment contract (copy) and document proving understanding of working conditions - 1
10. Document pledging that the domestic worker is scheduled to leave Japan at the employer’s expense when the employer leaves Japan - 1
Not required if the employment contract includes such a provision.
11. Documents proving continuous employment for at least 1 year immediately prior to the landing application - 1
Copy of employment contract, etc.
12. Documents to be submitted only when the HSP foreign national entered Japan first and the domestic worker was continuously employed by a cohabiting relative before entry
- (1) Documents proving continuous employment by the HSP foreign national for at least 1 year until the HSP foreign national entered Japan (copy of employment contract, etc.) - 1
- (2) Documents proving continuous employment by the relative from the time the HSP foreign national entered Japan until immediately before the landing application (employment contract, etc.) - 1
- (3) Documents proving the family relationship between the HSP foreign national and the relative - 1
- (4) Documents proving the cohabitation of the HSP foreign national and the relative (documents proving they resided at the same address) - 1
Family Circumstances Type - Application for Certificate of Eligibility (New)
The “Family Circumstances Type” permits changing employers after entering Japan, but the period of stay cannot be renewed if the HSP foreign national’s children reach 13 years of age or the circumstances preventing the spouse from engaging in domestic work cease.
1. Application for Certificate of Eligibility - 1 copy
2. Photograph - 1
4cm (H) x 3cm (W), taken within 6 months before the application, front-facing, without hat, plain background, clear image.
3. Return envelope - 1
Write the recipient’s address on a standard envelope and attach stamps for simplified registered mail.
4. Documents proving the applicant’s activity content, period, position, and remuneration - 1
5. Documents regarding the employer HSP foreign national
Submit one of the following:
- (1) Copy of the HSP foreign national’s residence card or passport - 1
- (2) If entering Japan together with the HSP foreign national, copy of the HSP foreign national’s Certificate of Eligibility application receipt or Certificate of Eligibility - 1
Not required if applying simultaneously with the HSP foreign national.
6. Documents proving the employer HSP foreign national’s household annual income (planned) - 1
7. Document stating that the employer HSP foreign national does not employ any domestic workers other than the applicant - 1
8. Documents proving conversational ability in the language used by the employer HSP foreign national in daily life - 1
9. Employment contract (copy) and document proving understanding of working conditions - 1
10. Document proving that the HSP foreign national has children under 13 years old or a spouse who cannot engage in daily domestic work due to illness, etc. - 1
Family Circumstances Type - Application for Change of Status of Residence
Change of status applications are permitted for the “Family Circumstances Type, Financial Professional Type, or Special HSP Type” when changing employers or when a person residing with a different status of residence is newly employed as a domestic worker.
1. Application for Change of Status of Residence - 1 copy
2. Photograph - 1
4cm (H) x 3cm (W), taken within 6 months before the application, front-facing, without hat, plain background, clear image. Not required for those under 16 years old.
3. Passport and Residence Card
Present at the counter.
4. Documents proving the applicant’s activity content, period, position, and remuneration - 1
5. Copy of the employer HSP foreign national’s residence card or passport - 1
6. Documents proving the employer HSP foreign national’s household annual income (planned) - 1
7. Document stating that the employer HSP foreign national does not employ any domestic workers other than the applicant - 1
8. Documents proving conversational ability in the language used by the employer HSP foreign national in daily life - 1
9. Employment contract (copy) and document proving understanding of working conditions - 1
10. Document proving that the HSP foreign national has children under 13 years old or a spouse who cannot engage in daily domestic work due to illness, etc. - 1
Financial Professional Type - Application for Certificate of Eligibility (New)
The “Financial Professional Type” does not require the domestic worker to be scheduled to leave with the employer or the employer to have children under 13, provided the HSP foreign national’s household annual income and other requirements are met.
1. Application for Certificate of Eligibility - 1 copy
2. Photograph - 1
4cm (H) x 3cm (W), taken within 6 months before the application, front-facing, without hat, plain background, clear image.
3. Return envelope - 1
Write the recipient’s address on a standard envelope and attach stamps for simplified registered mail.
4. Documents proving the applicant’s activity content, period, position, and remuneration - 1
5. Documents regarding the employer HSP foreign national
Submit one of the following:
- (1) Copy of the HSP foreign national’s residence card or passport - 1
- (2) If entering Japan together with the HSP foreign national, copy of the HSP foreign national’s Certificate of Eligibility application receipt or Certificate of Eligibility - 1
Not required if applying simultaneously with the HSP foreign national.
6. Documents proving the employer HSP foreign national’s household annual income (planned) - 1
7. Document stating that the employer HSP foreign national does not employ any domestic workers other than the applicant, or if the household annual income is 30 million yen or more, stating that the number of domestic workers employed other than the applicant is one - 1
8. Documents proving conversational ability in the language used by the employer HSP foreign national in daily life - 1
9. Employment contract (copy) and document proving understanding of working conditions - 1
10. Copy of the registration completion notification related to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act of the employer HSP foreign national’s organization - 1
Registration completion notification for Type II Financial Instruments Business, Investment Advisory/Agency Business, or Investment Management Business, etc.
11. Documents explaining that the employer is engaged in the business described in item 10 above (reference form) - 1
Financial Professional Type - Application for Change of Status of Residence
Change of status applications are permitted for the “Family Circumstances Type, Financial Professional Type, or Special HSP Type” when changing employers or when a person residing with a different status of residence is newly employed as a domestic worker.
1. Application for Change of Status of Residence - 1 copy
2. Photograph - 1
4cm (H) x 3cm (W), taken within 6 months before the application, front-facing, without hat, plain background, clear image. Not required for those under 16 years old.
3. Passport and Residence Card
Present at the counter.
4. Documents proving the applicant’s activity content, period, position, and remuneration - 1
5. Copy of the employer HSP foreign national’s residence card or passport - 1
6. Documents proving the employer HSP foreign national’s household annual income (planned) - 1
7. Document stating that the employer HSP foreign national does not employ any domestic workers other than the applicant, or if the household annual income is 30 million yen or more, stating that the number of domestic workers employed other than the applicant is one - 1
8. Documents proving conversational ability in the language used by the employer HSP foreign national in daily life - 1
9. Employment contract (copy) and document proving understanding of working conditions - 1
10. Copy of the registration completion notification related to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act of the employer HSP foreign national’s organization - 1
Registration completion notification for Type II Financial Instruments Business, Investment Advisory/Agency Business, or Investment Management Business, etc.
11. Documents explaining that the employer is engaged in the business described in item 10 above (reference form) - 1
Special HSP Type - Application for Certificate of Eligibility (New)
The “Special HSP Type” does not require the domestic worker to be scheduled to leave with the employer or the employer to have children under 13, provided the Special HSP foreign national’s household annual income and other requirements are met.
1. Application for Certificate of Eligibility - 1 copy
2. Photograph - 1
4cm (H) x 3cm (W), taken within 6 months before the application, front-facing, without hat, plain background, clear image.
3. Return envelope - 1
Write the recipient’s address on a standard envelope and attach stamps for simplified registered mail.
4. Documents proving the applicant’s activity content, period, position, and remuneration - 1
5. Documents regarding the employer Special HSP foreign national
Submit one of the following:
- (1) Copy of the Special HSP foreign national’s residence card or passport - 1
- (2) If entering Japan together with the Special HSP foreign national, copy of the Special HSP foreign national’s Certificate of Eligibility application receipt or Certificate of Eligibility - 1
Not required if applying simultaneously with the Special HSP foreign national.
6. Documents proving the employer Special HSP foreign national’s household annual income (planned) - 1
7. Document stating that the employer Special HSP foreign national does not employ any domestic workers other than the applicant - 1
8. Documents proving conversational ability in the language used by the employer Special HSP foreign national in daily life - 1
9. Employment contract (copy) and document proving understanding of working conditions - 1
Special HSP Type - Application for Change of Status of Residence
Change of status applications are permitted for the “Family Circumstances Type, Financial Professional Type, or Special HSP Type” when changing employers or when a person residing with a different status of residence is newly employed as a domestic worker.
1. Application for Change of Status of Residence - 1 copy
2. Photograph - 1
4cm (H) x 3cm (W), taken within 6 months before the application, front-facing, without hat, plain background, clear image. Not required for those under 16 years old.
3. Passport and Residence Card
Present at the counter.
4. Documents proving the applicant’s activity content, period, position, and remuneration - 1
5. Copy of the employer Special HSP foreign national’s residence card or passport - 1
6. Documents proving the employer Special HSP foreign national’s household annual income (planned) - 1
7. Document stating that the employer Special HSP foreign national does not employ any domestic workers other than the applicant, or if the household annual income is 30 million yen or more, stating that the number of domestic workers employed other than the applicant is one - 1
8. Documents proving conversational ability in the language used by the employer Special HSP foreign national in daily life - 1
9. Employment contract (copy) and document proving understanding of working conditions - 1
Application for Extension of Period of Stay (Common)
This application is for those already residing in Japan with this status of residence who wish to continue the same activities. The following documents are common to all types (Entry Accompanying, Family Circumstances, Financial Professional, Special HSP).
1. Application for Extension of Period of Stay - 1 copy
2. Photograph - 1
4cm (H) x 3cm (W), taken within 6 months before the application, front-facing, without hat, plain background, clear image. Not required for those under 16 years old.
3. Passport and Residence Card
Present at the counter.
4. Certificate of the applicant’s annual income and tax payment amount
Residence tax taxation (or non-taxation) certificate and tax payment certificate (showing total annual income and tax payment status) - 1 each. Issued by the municipal government office. If a single certificate shows both, only one needs to be submitted.
5. Copy of the employer HSP foreign national’s residence card - 1
6. Documents proving the employer HSP foreign national’s household annual income (planned) - 1
7. Document stating that the employer HSP foreign national does not employ any domestic workers other than the applicant - 1
For the Financial Professional Type and Special HSP Type, if the employer’s household annual income is 30 million yen or more, a document stating that the number of domestic workers employed other than the applicant is one.
8. Employment contract (copy) and document proving understanding of working conditions - 1
9. Additional documents by type
Submit the documents for the applicable type:
(1) For Entry Accompanying Type:
Document pledging that the domestic worker is scheduled to leave Japan at the employer’s expense when the employer leaves Japan - 1. Not required if the employment contract includes such a provision.
(2) For Family Circumstances Type (if employer has changed):
Document proving that the new employer HSP foreign national has children under 13 years old or a spouse who cannot engage in daily domestic work due to illness, etc. - 1.
(3) For Financial Professional Type:
- a. Copy of the registration completion notification related to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act of the employer HSP foreign national’s organization - 1 (Registration completion notification for Type II Financial Instruments Business, Investment Advisory/Agency Business, or Investment Management Business, etc.)
- b. Documents explaining that the employer is engaged in the business described in item a above (reference form) - 1
Reference Links
- Immigration Services Agency - Status of Residence “Designated Activities” (Domestic Worker for Highly Skilled Professional/Special Highly Skilled Professional Foreign Nationals) (Japanese)
- Points-based Preferential Immigration Treatment Detailed Guide (Japanese)
- Domestic Workers for Special Highly Skilled Professionals (J-Skip) (Japanese)
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