Highly-skilled human resource visa acquisition practices for financial human resources who are preferentially treated

Last year, the government expanded various incentives for foreign fund managers and executives to attract foreign financial talent to invite financial human resources in the world. However, in practice, there are many cases where the results do not match those expected from the media reports and announcements by ministries and agencies, and when the actual procedures are carried out, there are many cases where their responses are quite different from what we expected. This article covers the practice of highly skilled professional visa (status of residence: Highly-Skilled Professional), which is one of the preferential treatment for financial human resources.

 

〇 Change from temporary visitor visa (Business visa)

For financial human resources, a temporary visitor visa (90 days, 30 days, etc.) can be changed directly to a highly-skilled human resource visa, which is permitted for only financial human resources.

While the application for the issuance of a certificate of eligibility (procedure to bring people to Japan from overseas) often takes about one month for examination at the earliest and two months for entering into Japan including the procedure to be taken in home countries, direct change from temporary visitor visas to highly-skilled human resource visas does not require the certificate and returning to home countries. For this reason, we have impression this is very welcomed by those who need.

 

〇 Subject to priority processing of examination (within 10 days)

Regarding the review period after application, it has been announced that priority processing will be performed, and results will be announced within 10 days. However, although it depends on the immigration bureau of jurisdiction, it would be better to think of this as 10 business days (about 2 weeks).

It takes 10 business days if it goes smoothly, and 3 weeks to 1 month if additional documents are required.

 

〇 Practices eligible for preferential treatment

You can enjoy the benefit of the preferential treatment for financial human resources if you are actually engaged in the following target business:

  • Type II Financial Instruments Business (Article 28, Paragraph 2 of Financial Instruments and Exchange Act)
  • Investment Advisory and Agency Business (Article 28, Paragraph 3 of Financial Instruments and Exchange Act)
  • Investment Management Business (Article 28, Paragraph 4 of Financial Instruments and Exchange Act)

Those who are engaged in any of the above three businesses.

Type I Financial Instruments Business is not subject to this treatment.

It is necessary to explain that you are planning to engage in one of the above three businesses in an activity description from the company, and without it, you cannot be eligible.

 

Including above, there are more detailed provisions in actual practice.

In particular, for managers and executives of companies, who often seek for the highly-skilled human resource visas, we recommend that you make adequate preparations, including adjusting your schedule.