Regarding Student-Era Pension in a Permanent Residence Application

Regarding Student-Era Pension in a Permanent Residence Application

Among the many inquiries our office receives, we often get questions from foreign nationals considering a Permanent Residence application, such as “I don’t remember whether I paid pension during my student days — is it okay if there were unpaid amounts?”

To put the conclusion first: even if there were unpaid amounts of student-era pension, the likelihood of a Permanent Residence application being denied on that basis alone is low. This page explains student-era pension.

The Pension System During Student Days

Foreign nationals who came to Japan on a student visa and, after graduating, switched to a work visa to reside in Japan are in most cases enrolled in National Pension and Employees’ Pension. Employees’ Pension is managed by the company where they are employed, so the Employees’ Pension contribution is automatically deducted from salary, and this rarely becomes an issue.

Regarding the Period of National Pension Enrollment During Student Days

What becomes an issue here is the period of National Pension enrollment during student days. In Japan, persons aged 20 or older, both Japanese and foreign nationals, are obligated to enroll in pension. However, students do not have the financial means to pay pension every month.

Therefore, in the case of students, by applying for a deferral of National Pension payments, monthly payments are legally deferred. Most Japanese people are aware of this, and in practice the majority do use the Student Payment Special Exception System.

However, in the case of foreign nationals who came to Japan to study, cases of leaving this unaddressed without knowing about the system are commonly seen. Leaving it unaddressed results in an unpaid status. As a result, once you find employment and begin considering a Permanent Residence application, you may recall this student-era pension and feel anxious about what to do.

Those who used the Student Payment Special Exception System during their student days to defer payment have no issue, but if you did nothing and it became unpaid, before your Permanent Residence application, consult your nearest pension office and check your own pension records.

If There Were Unpaid Amounts of Student-Era Pension

What should you do if there were unpaid amounts of student-era pension? To put the conclusion first, there is nothing you can do. This is because the statute of limitations for National Pension is set at 2 years.

If you are already proceeding with preparations for a Permanent Residence application, in most cases 2 years have long since passed since you graduated. As a result, you cannot go back and pay the unpaid amounts in a lump sum.

Therefore, since nothing can be done at the Permanent Residence application stage, you apply as is. However, as mentioned at the outset, the likelihood of a Permanent Residence application being denied on the basis of unpaid student-era pension alone is low. The reasons are described below.

Regarding the Review of Pension in a Permanent Residence Application

First, let us confirm the conditions regarding pension in a Permanent Residence application.

Conditions Regarding Pension in a Permanent Residence Application

Not having received a fine, imprisonment, or similar penalty. Having properly fulfilled public duties (payment of taxes, payment of public pension and public medical insurance premiums, notification obligations stipulated in the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, etc.).

Summarizing the above content with respect to pension alone: in addition to having paid pension, you must have paid at the appropriate times. Even when amounts have been paid, if there have been delays past the payment deadlines, it is difficult to obtain approval for a Permanent Residence application. A Permanent Residence application requires that the appropriate payments have been made at the appropriate times.

Next, let us confirm the documents showing pension payment status in a Permanent Residence application.

Documents Regarding Pension in a Permanent Residence Application

Pension documents: Documents proving the payment status of public pension for the applicant and the person supporting the applicant.

(1) Documents Showing Pension Payment Status for the Most Recent 2 Years

A printout of the “Monthly Pension Records” screen from Nenkin Net
* You can register for Nenkin Net through the Japan Pension Service’s website.

(2) If You Were Enrolled in National Pension Within the Most Recent 2 Years

National Pension premium receipts (copies)

As shown above, for the submission of pension-related documents in a Permanent Residence application, materials for the most recent 2 years are sufficient. In other words, there are no particular materials to submit regarding student-era pension. Therefore, the conclusion is that the likelihood of a Permanent Residence application being denied on the basis of unpaid student-era pension alone is low.

Summary: Student-Era Pension in a Permanent Residence Application

This page has explained student-era pension in a Permanent Residence application. The key points are that those aged 20 or older incur National Pension payments even as students, so if payment is difficult you should apply for a deferral, and that since the statute of limitations for National Pension is 2 years, you cannot pay later even if you try.

If you have concerns about student-era pension, please feel free to contact our office.