BJT 400 vs 480: Work Visa and Immigration Points

For Japan's highly skilled professional points system, BJT 400 or higher can qualify for the 10-point Japanese-language category, while BJT 480 or higher can qualify for the 15-point category. These are examples of proficiency equivalent to the JLPT N2 and N1 categories inside that specific framework.

BJT 480 also appears as Japanese-language evidence for the Designated Activities route for eligible graduates of Japanese universities and equivalent institutions. Neither score guarantees a visa, job or status of residence.

Key takeaways

• BJT 400 is inside the J3 band; BJT 480 is inside J2.
• The thresholds matter because official rules name them, not because they are BJT level boundaries.
• BJT 400 can correspond to 10 highly skilled points in the N2-equivalent category.
• BJT 480 can correspond to 15 highly skilled points in the N1-equivalent category.
• Some point categories cannot be claimed in duplicate.
• The designated-activities graduate route names BJT 480, but has many additional eligibility conditions.
• A score alone never approves residence status.
• Verify the current Immigration Services Agency documents before filing.

In this guide: quick comparison · points · duplicate rules · Designated Activities · other routes · evidence · target plan · research

BJT 400 vs 480 at a glance

The surprising detail is that 400 and 480 do not align with BJT level boundaries. A 400 score is J3 and a 480 score is J2. Their legal relevance comes from separate government rules.

Use BJT scores and levels to interpret the scale and BJT vs JLPT to understand the exam differences.

Highly skilled professional points

Japan's highly skilled foreign professional system evaluates applicants through a points table. Categories include education, professional career, annual salary, age, research achievements, qualifications and other bonus items. The required total shown on the table is 70 points.

Japanese proficiency appears in two bonus categories:

• The N1 category awards 15 points and includes equivalent testing, with BJT 480 or more given as an example.
• The N2 category awards 10 points and includes equivalent testing, with BJT 400 or more given as an example.

The score is one line in a broader calculation. A candidate cannot infer eligibility from Japanese ability alone.

Example: BJT 400

Suppose an applicant otherwise has 62 verified points. If the exact current table allows the BJT 400 category and no duplicate restriction removes it, the 10-point addition could take the total to 72. The authority still checks the evidence, activity category, salary rule and all other conditions.

Example: BJT 480

Suppose an applicant otherwise has 58 verified points. The 15-point category could take the total to 73 if applicable. Again, this is arithmetic illustration, not a decision prediction.

Do not count a planned future score in a filed calculation. Submit the score evidence required by the authority.

When points cannot be counted twice

The official FAQ and points material warn against duplicate counting across certain Japanese-language and education categories. For example, the N2-equivalent 10-point category excludes points already acquired through specified education or higher Japanese categories.

The principle is straightforward: one fact cannot always be reused to claim every nearby bonus row. Read the notes attached to the exact activity table.

Use this audit:

1. Select the correct highly skilled activity category.
2. Calculate education, experience, salary and age from current rules.
3. Identify which Japanese-language row applies.
4. Read every note connected to that row.
5. Remove duplicate categories.
6. Gather evidence for each remaining claim.
7. Consider professional immigration advice for an actual filing.

SoraSpeak does not provide immigration advice. This article explains published sources and should not replace case-specific review.

BJT 480 and Designated Activities for graduates

The Immigration Services Agency page for Designated Activities (graduates of Japanese universities, etc.) lists language evidence including:

• JLPT N1; or
• BJT score of 480 or higher.

The route is not open to everyone who scores 480. The page concerns graduates of qualifying Japanese institutions or equivalent categories and contains requirements for graduation evidence, activity, employer documents and other materials.

Therefore, this claim is wrong: "BJT 480 gives any foreign worker a Designated Activities visa." The accurate statement is: "BJT 480 can satisfy the named Japanese-language evidence requirement for an applicant who also fits that Designated Activities route."

Check the current status page, required-document list and amendments before applying.

What BJT 400 does not guarantee

BJT's provider lists 400 in several official-use examples, including higher skilled points and certain education or residence contexts. Each reference belongs to its own rule.

BJT 400 does not by itself guarantee:

• A job offer.
• A status of residence.
• A work-visa change.
• Admission to any university.
• Acceptance as JLPT N2 by every employer.
• Productive speaking ability.

The phrase "work visa" is broad. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Highly Skilled Professional, Business Manager and Designated Activities are different routes with different requirements.

Read Japanese level required to work in Japan, specified skilled worker Japanese requirements, and Japanese tests other than JLPT.

BJT 400 and other official contexts

The BJT provider's Japanese feature page currently names additional contexts in which 400 is treated alongside N2-level evidence, including certain admission, Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services and Business Manager references. Those summaries should lead you to the government rule, not replace it.

Immigration rules can depend on the applicant's exact facts, employer, institution and timing. A provider marketing page is not the filing authority.

For Japanese-language-school and higher-education planning, compare Japanese language school requirements and Japanese university admission requirements.

Documents and score evidence

The Designated Activities page asks for a copy of the relevant Japanese-language proof. The highly skilled points filing also requires evidence supporting claimed rows.

BJT candidates receive an immediate Score Report at the test center and can access a Score Certificate after three days through Pearson VUE's View Score Reports area.

Before filing, verify:

• Candidate name matches passport and application.
• Test date and score are visible.
• The correct report or certificate is submitted.
• The authority accepts a copy or requires another form.
• Translation or additional explanation is provided only if required.
• Personal report identifiers are not exposed publicly.

The BJT Pearson VUE registration guide explains how to prevent name mismatches before testing.

How to plan for 400 or 480

BJT is scored from 0 to 800. J3 covers 320-419, J2 420-529, J1 530-599 and J1+ 600-800.

If the legal threshold is 400, a working target such as 430 or higher creates margin and reaches J2. If the threshold is 480, a target above 500 creates more margin within J2. These are planning suggestions, not new official thresholds.

Use this sequence:

1. Confirm the current rule and relevant score.
2. Take official sample questions.
3. Estimate listening, integrated and reading weaknesses.
4. Set a target above the hard line.
5. Book the first attempt early.
6. Leave at least three months for a possible retake.
7. Download the Score Certificate after the test.
8. Recalculate points with actual evidence.

See the BJT business Japanese guide and 30-minute Japanese study routine.

Build business ability, not only points

BJT does not directly score spontaneous speaking. A candidate can reach 480 through strong comprehension yet struggle to answer follow-up questions in an interview.

Prepare with business Japanese conversation practice, Japanese conversation at work, Japanese meeting phrases, and Japanese phone-call phrases.

For the hiring stage, rehearse a Japanese job-interview self-introduction that explains your experience without overstating what the certificate proves.

Start a free business Japanese session and practice explaining your role, project and reason for changing jobs.

Common mistakes

Practice Japanese speaking free while preparing documents so certificate evidence and real communication improve together.

Decision checklist

• Identify the exact status or points category.
• Download the current government table.
• Confirm whether 400 or 480 is the relevant threshold.
• Check duplicate-point notes.
• Calculate the total from verifiable facts.
• Leave room above the score threshold.
• Schedule around the three-month retake rule.
• Keep the official score evidence private and complete.
• Obtain professional advice when the filing is material or ambiguous.

Try SoraSpeak free to rehearse the workplace communication that the points table cannot observe directly.

How we researched

We checked the Immigration Services Agency points tables, highly skilled professional FAQ and Designated Activities page, plus the official BJT feature, level and Pearson VUE result pages on 22 October 2026.

We separated BJT level boundaries, official points thresholds and route-specific Japanese-language evidence. This is general information, not legal advice or a prediction of an immigration decision.

Sources

• Immigration Services Agency points calculation table
• Immigration Services Agency highly skilled professional FAQ
• Immigration Services Agency Designated Activities for graduates
• BJT official features and benefits
• BJT official score levels
• Pearson VUE official BJT result process

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