Japan Sets Income Requirement for Skilled Foreign Workers

Japan's Ministry of Justice has announced that to qualify as a highly skilled professional, a foreigner must earn a minimum annual income of 3 million yen (approximately N24,980,827). This income requirement is a condition that must be met in addition to achieving a score of 70 points or more on a points-based system used to determine eligibility for the highly skilled foreign professional certification.

The income rule specifically applies to two categories: Category 1(b), which includes foreigners engaged in highly specialized and technical activities, and Category 1(c), which covers those in highly specialized management and administrative roles. For applicants in these categories, simply meeting the points threshold is insufficient; earning below 3 million yen annually will result in the withholding of certification, regardless of other assessment criteria.

This announcement is particularly significant for Nigerians and other African professionals seeking opportunities to relocate to Japan.