Permanent Residence Applications When You Have Traffic Violations: How Many Will Lead to Denial?

Permanent Residence Applications When You Have Traffic Violations

The review for Permission for Permanent Residence includes a “good conduct requirement.” This is clearly stated in the “Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence” on the website of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan. The portions relevant to traffic violations read as follows:

 

So what kinds of traffic accidents or violations actually affect a Permanent Residence application? The following sections explain by category.

Relatively Minor Violations

When a minor violation is committed, the driver is issued what is commonly called a “white ticket” or “blue ticket.”

Relatively Minor Violations: The “White Ticket”

The official name of the “white ticket” is the “Notice Slip” (告知票), and it imposes only demerit points, with no administrative fine or criminal fine to be paid.
Specific examples include failure to wear a seatbelt (which applies not only to the driver but also to passengers) and failure to use a child seat.

Relatively Minor Violations: The “Blue Ticket”

The “blue ticket” is called the “Traffic Violation Notice” (交通反則告知書), and it imposes both demerit points and the payment of an administrative fine.
This applies to violations such as illegal parking or stopping, speeding by 30 km/h or less on ordinary roads, and driving without carrying one’s license.

An administrative fine is not a criminal fine, so it does not constitute a “fine” as referred to in the legal requirements above.

Minor violations resulting in a “white ticket” or “blue ticket” do not, in themselves, affect a Permanent Residence application. However, if such violations are repeated, the conduct may be regarded as malicious, and the applicant can no longer be considered to be of “good conduct.”

There is no specific rule on exactly how many times is acceptable, but it is generally understood that 3 to 4 instances within the past 5 years will not affect the Permanent Residence review.
With minor violations, it is common to lose track of how many times one has violated. In that case, you can confirm your record by obtaining a “Driving Record Certificate” covering the past 5 years from a police station — we recommend doing so.

Serious Violations: The “Red Ticket”

When a serious violation is committed, the driver is issued what is called a “red ticket.”
Its official name is the “Notice Slip / Driver’s License Custody Certificate” (告知票・免許証保管証), and it covers violations such as speeding by more than 30 km/h on ordinary roads, drunk driving, and driving without a license. In such cases, the demerit points reach 6 or more, resulting in suspension or revocation of the driver’s license.

Beyond that, the driver will also be held criminally liable, and will be sentenced to either imprisonment or a criminal fine, leaving them with a criminal record. Once this happens, the applicant can no longer be considered to be of “good conduct,” and the Permanent Residence review will not be approved. To satisfy the “good conduct requirement” again, the following periods must elapse:

 

Once this point is reached, the prospect of obtaining Permission for Permanent Residence becomes considerably more distant.

Summary: Permanent Residence Applications with Traffic Violations

As your life in Japan grows longer, there will inevitably be occasions when you drive a car, whether for personal reasons or for work.

Avoiding serious violations is, of course, essential, but please also remain mindful in your daily driving of obligations such as wearing your seatbelt, observing speed limits, and refraining from “distracted driving” with a smartphone or mobile phone.

While minor violations do not affect Permission for Permanent Residence, it is naturally preferable to have no violations at all. A Permanent Residence application cannot be made by every foreign national in Japan — certain conditions must be met.
To avoid wasting hard-earned eligibility for Permanent Residence over a traffic violation, please understand Japan’s traffic rules thoroughly and exercise the utmost care when driving.