Japan launches new visa routes for graduates and highly skilled professionals

The Japanese government is launching two new visa schemes targeting highly skilled foreign workers. The schemes will open in April and are designed to attract professionals including researchers and engineers, as well as graduates of highly ranked universities.

According to local media reports, Japan’s Ministry of Justice cited the ‘global competition for talent’ as it unveiled details of the two new schemes, known as J-Skip and J-Find.

Currently, skilled professional visas for Japan are awarded on a points-based system. The J-Skip visa will apply to researchers, engineers and those with business and management experience, and will allow them to skip the points system if they meet certain requirements.