Reasons Permanent Residence Applications Are Denied

What Is Permanent Residence?

Permanent Residence refers to the right to reside in Japan with essentially no restrictions on residence activities or period of stay. When the application for the “Permanent Resident” Status of Residence is approved, you obtain Permanent Residence.

Permanent Residence Applications

Foreign nationals who have resided in Japan for a long time and plan to continue residing in Japan may consider applying for the “Permanent Resident” Status of Residence.

For a Permanent Residence application to be approved, the following requirements must be satisfied.

Reasons Permanent Residence Applications Are Denied

Even foreign nationals who have resided in Japan for a long time can have their Permanent Residence applications denied.

Possible reasons for denial of a Permanent Residence application, organized by the requirements above, include the following.

Being of Good Conduct

You are required to comply with the law and to lead a life as a resident that is not socially criticized in daily life. Specifically, those with a history of receiving criminal penalties, or those with a history of violations of administrative laws and regulations (such as the Road Traffic Act), may have their Permanent Residence application denied.

(a) Those with a History of Receiving Criminal Penalties (Imprisonment or Fines)

Unless at least 5 years have passed since the date of disposition, this will be a reason for denial of the Permanent Residence application.
If the disposition was a heavy one, unless approximately 10 years have passed, this will be a reason for denial.

(b) Those with a History of Road Traffic Act Violations

For minor violations such as failure to make a complete stop or slight speeding, a few instances are not a problem. However, if the number is high, this will be a reason for denial. In addition, among violations involving driving, drunk driving and serious speeding often result in criminal penalties, and if you have received a criminal penalty, then as with (a) above, unless 5 to 10 years have passed, this will be a reason for denial.

Having Sufficient Assets or Skills to Make an Independent Living

An annual income of 3 million yen or more serves as one guideline.
In addition, if there are dependents, an additional 200,000 to 300,000 yen of income per dependent is required. Falling below this income level becomes a reason for denial of the Permanent Residence application.

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

This is related to point 2 above: cases where income is low and the applicant is receiving public assistance constitute a “burden on public funds,” and since “a stable life in the future” also cannot be expected, this becomes a reason for denial of the Permanent Residence application.

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

(a) Having Resided Continuously in Japan for 10 Years or More

The key point is residing “continuously” for 10 years or more. Simply totaling fragmented periods of residence to add up to 10 years or more becomes a reason for denial. In addition, if you have been outside Japan for half a year or more within one year, the “continuous residence” count is reset, becoming a reason for denial.

Within this continuous 10-year period, 5 continuous years of residence on a work-related Status of Residence or a status-based Status of Residence are also required. Even if there is continuous residence of 10 years or more, if there is no continuous 5 years or more on a work-related or status-based Status of Residence, this will likewise be a reason for denial.
* Work-related Status of Residence: “Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services,” “Business Manager,” etc. (“Technical Intern Training” and “Specified Skilled Worker (i)” are not included).
* Status-based Status of Residence: “Spouse or Child of Japanese National,” “Long-Term Resident,” etc.

(b) Not Having Received Penalties Such as Imprisonment or Fines, and Having Fulfilled Public Duties

Regarding criminal penalties, the same applies as in (1) above. As for public duties, what matters is whether you have properly paid taxes and pension.
Unpaid amounts or delays in payment will be reasons for denial.
Even a delay of just one day can be a reason for denial.

(c) Residing Under the Longest Period of Stay for the Status of Residence Currently Held

For example, when an applicant for Permanent Residence holds the “Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services” Status of Residence, a period of stay of 5 years must have been granted.
* The longest period of stay granted for “Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services” is 5 years.
If the period of stay currently granted is 1 year, this will be a reason for denial.
However, if the period of stay is “3 years,” a Permanent Residence application is currently possible.
In such cases, we recommend consulting a specialist first.

(d) Not Being Likely to Be Harmful from a Public Health Standpoint

Belonging to antisocial forces (organized crime groups, criminal organizations, terrorist organizations, etc.) will be a reason for denial.

Summary: Reasons for Denial of Permanent Residence Applications

This page has explained the reasons for denial in Permanent Residence applications.

Since there are various potential reasons for denial in a Permanent Residence application, those considering an application need to carefully check each requirement to confirm whether they have any reasons for denial.

Also, for those who have been denied, it is important to identify the reasons for denial by inquiring at the Immigration Bureau, and to make a thorough effort at recovery in the reapplication.