Japan Investment Immigration Programs Overview.
Foreign
investors can get permanent residency in Japan in a period of only one year
through the Investor Business Manager Visa. A benefit for investors with
permanent residency is access to low mortgage interest financing through
Japanese banks to purchase real estate.
Highly skilled foreigners are eligible to apply for permanent residency under a fast-track system that assigns permanent resident visas based on a point system. Japan's Ministry of Justice introduced the points-based system in 2012 for applicants who fall into three categories of activities: advanced academic research, advanced specialized / technical and advanced business management.
The required minimum residence period before applying for permanent resident status is three years for those scoring above 70 points and just a year for those scoring over 80 points. Other achievements by the applicants can achieve extra points under the new system, such as employment in technology and other growth industries, being a graduate from a top university and a career as a successful high net worth investor.