What Are the Requirements for Obtaining Permanent Residence? Approval Conditions and Special Exceptions Explained

Before Applying for Permanent Residence

To obtain Permanent Residence, there are minimum conditions that must be satisfied, so it is important to confirm before applying whether you meet these conditions. If you do not, there is a high possibility that your application will be denied, and you risk wasting time and effort.

The Requirements for Permanent Residence

To obtain Permanent Residence, you must satisfy the following 4 conditions.

① Being of Good Conduct

You are required to comply with laws and regulations in Japan and to lead a life that is not socially criticized in daily life. Specifically, the standards are having no criminal record and not having received fines or imprisonment. Traffic violations such as failure to make a complete stop, if minor, are often not a problem, but drunk driving and serious speeding are classified as criminal penalties, so caution is required. If you have received criminal penalties in the past, it is recommended that you apply after a certain period has passed. The length of that period varies depending on the severity of the sentence and the amount of any fine paid, but the general guideline is approximately 5 to 10 years.

② Having Sufficient Assets or Skills to Make an Independent Living

To apply for Permanent Residence, you must have the economic means to lead a stable life on your own. Specifically, whether the applicant has assets or income sufficient to independently maintain their livelihood is reviewed. As a benchmark, an annual income of 3 million yen or more is generally the guideline, and when there are dependents, an additional 200,000 to 300,000 yen per dependent is often required. Submission of the taxation certificate and tax payment certificate issued by the municipality is required to verify income, and ideally, stable income over the most recent several years should be verifiable at the time of application.

③ Not Being a Burden on Public Funds in Daily Life, and Being Expected to Lead a Stable Life in the Future Based on the Assets, Skills, Etc., the Applicant Possesses

An application for Permanent Residence requires that the applicant not be a burden on public funds in Japanese society and that they be expected to maintain a stable life in the future. The point reviewed is whether you can be independent and lead a life without receiving public support. For example, if you are receiving livelihood protection, obtaining Permanent Residence will be difficult. On the other hand, if your assets and income are stable and you can independently maintain your own livelihood, this works in your favor for the application. In addition, being engaged in stable employment by making use of specific skills or hard-to-obtain qualifications is also valued as an element supporting future stability of life.

④ The Person’s Permanent Residence Being Recognized as Consistent with the Interests of Japan

To obtain Permanent Residence, the applicant’s permanent residence must contribute to the interests of Japan. This is a requirement showing that, beyond simply residing in Japan, the applicant makes a certain contribution to society and the economy. The main points subject to review are as follows.

Having Resided Continuously in Japan for 10 Years or More

As a general rule, the applicant must have resided continuously in Japan for 10 years or more. In particular, within this period, 5 years or more of residence on a work-related Status of Residence (excluding “Technical Intern Training” and “Specified Skilled Worker (i)”) or a status-based Status of Residence is required. Note that if you have left Japan frequently, the count for this requirement can be reset, and you may not be considered as having resided continuously for 10 years, so caution is required.

For example, if you have been outside Japan for half a year or more within one year, you should assume that the period has been reset.

Not Having Received Fines or Imprisonment

To be recognized as consistent with the interests of Japan, you must not have violated the law. For example, this includes proper fulfillment of tax payment obligations and payment of pension and insurance premiums. If there are unpaid taxes or insurance premiums, or if there have been delays in payment, obtaining Permanent Residence becomes difficult.

Holding the Longest Period of Stay for Your Current Status of Residence

For a Permanent Residence application, the period of stay for your current Status of Residence must be the longest available. For example, Statuses of Residence such as Spouse or Child of Japanese National and Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services can be approved with periods of 1, 3, or 5 years, but ideally you should have the longest 5-year period of stay at the time of the Permanent Residence application. That said, applications are also possible with a 3-year period of stay. If you are unsure whether you meet the conditions, please feel free to consult our office.

Not Being Likely to Be Harmful from a Public Health Standpoint

Persons involved with antisocial forces or connected to terrorist activities cannot obtain Permanent Residence.

Special Exceptions Relaxing the Requirements for Permanent Residence

The conditions for a Permanent Residence application include “special exceptions to the general 10-year residence rule,” and the requirements may be relaxed for certain applicants. According to the latest guidelines revised on June 10, 2024 (Reiwa 6), the special exceptions apply in the following cases.

Spouses or Children of Japanese Nationals, Permanent Residents, or Special Permanent Residents

In the case of a spouse of a Japanese national, a Permanent Resident, or a Special Permanent Resident, the conditions are that a substantive marriage has continued for 3 years or more, and that the applicant has continuously resided in Japan for 1 year or more. In the case of a biological child of a Japanese national or Permanent Resident, continuous residence in Japan for 1 year or more is required.

Those Holding the Long-Term Resident Status of Residence

For those who have continuously resided in Japan on the “Long-Term Resident” Status of Residence for 5 years or more, the general 10-year residence requirement is relaxed as a special exception, allowing a Permanent Residence application.

Those Recognized as Refugees

For those recognized as refugees, as well as those recognized as persons under complementary protection, continuous residence in Japan for 5 years or more after recognition satisfies the conditions for a Permanent Residence application.

Those Recognized as Having Made Contributions to Japan

Those recognized as having made contributions to Japan in fields such as diplomacy, society, economy, or culture have the general 10-year residence requirement relaxed to 5 years or more of residence. The specific content of contributions is judged based on the “Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence for Those Recognized as Having Made Contributions to Japan.”
(Immigration Services Agency of Japan: Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence for Those Recognized as Having Made Contributions to Japan https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/resources/nyukan_nyukan36.html)

Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals with 70 Points or More

For Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals who have 70 points or more under the point calculation based on the Highly Skilled Professional Ordinance, a Permanent Residence application is possible after 3 years or more of residence in Japan. Furthermore, those with 80 points or more can apply after 1 year or more of residence.

Key Points on Applying for Permanent Residence

When applying for Permanent Residence, accurately understanding the application procedures, required documents, and submission deadlines is the key to a smooth application.

Regarding the Application Period

A Permanent Residence application must be made before the validity period of your current Status of Residence expires.
If your period of stay will expire while your application is under review, you must separately file an “Application for Extension of Period of Stay” at the same time. If you fail to file the “Application for Extension of Period of Stay,” you will fall into overstay status from the moment the period of stay expires, even while the Permanent Residence application is under review. In that case, approval of the Permanent Residence application will also become more difficult, so be sure to file an “Application for Extension of Period of Stay.”
Also, if you wish to acquire a Status of Residence for reasons such as birth, file the application within 30 days after the event. Missing the deadline can work against you, so early preparation is important.

Regarding Where to Apply

A Permanent Residence application is filed with the “Regional Immigration Services Bureau with jurisdiction over your place of residence.”
For documents to be submitted and the application process, contact the Regional Immigration Services Bureau or the Information Center for Foreign Residents in advance to assemble the required documents.
Application documents are basically submitted by the applicant themselves, but if the applicant is a minor or unable to appear due to illness, a household member, administrative scrivener, or others may file the application on their behalf.

How the Residence Card Is Handled After Obtaining Permanent Residence

Once you obtain Permanent Residence, in principle, the period of stay is removed. However, Permanent Residents must also undergo periodic Residence Card renewal procedures and submit notifications of address changes when moving, so caution is required. The following sections explain how the Residence Card is handled after obtaining Permanent Residence.

Residence Card Renewal Procedures

Even foreign nationals holding Permanent Residence must renew their Residence Card every 7 years. Renewal procedures can be started from 2 months before the expiration date and are performed at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau with jurisdiction.

Address Change Procedures

When a Permanent Resident moves, they must complete address change procedures. Together with the procedures for transferring your certificate of residence, submit a notification of address change to the Regional Immigration Services Bureau within 14 days. If the submission is delayed or a false address is reported, there is a risk that your Permanent Residence could be revoked, so caution is required.

Other Procedures

If your Residence Card is lost or damaged, or if information changes, you must promptly undergo reissuance or information update procedures. If lost, first file a notice of loss with the police, then apply to the Immigration Bureau for reissuance within 14 days. Also, if there are changes to your name, nationality, or similar information, you are required to notify the Regional Immigration Services Bureau within 14 days.

Please Consult Our Office Regarding Permanent Residence Applications

Obtaining Permanent Residence requires satisfying multiple conditions, and the procedures cover a wide range.
When applying for Permanent Residence for the first time, it is important to prepare documents and complete procedures within the deadlines without omission. However, many people may find the procedures complex and feel anxious about them.
Administrative Scrivener Corporation Touch supports the entire range of procedures related to Permanent Residence applications. We provide consistent assistance from document preparation and submission through to follow-up on procedures.
If you have any unclear points or concerns about applying, please feel free to consult us. We will provide appropriate support tailored to each individual client.