Applications etc.

・Permanent Residence Permit

・Application for Naturalisation

・Application for Issuarance of Certificate of Eligibility(COE)

・Applications for Extension of Period of Stay

・Applications for Change Residence Status

・Issuarance of Employment Qualification

・Permission to Obtain Status of Residence　etc.

1. Permanent residence

After getting accustomed to life in Japan, many people who have come to Japan start considering making it their permanent residence. I often receive inquiries about the requirements that need to be met for applying for permanent residency. Below, I will explain the specific requirements for those who are eligible to apply.

(1) Good Conduct Requirement (Being of good conduct)

The applicant must be law-abiding and lead a socially acceptable life as a resident in his/her daily life.

※The following requirement is necessary for all residence status holders. (Including working visas and other visas)

① No penalties of imprisonment, confinement, fines, detention, or penal servitude in Japan.

・For imprisonment or confinement, 10 years must have passed since release (if suspended, 5 years after the suspension period ends).

・For fines, detention, or minor fines, 5 years must have passed since the payment was completed.

・No ongoing protective measures under Juvenile Law.

② Not engaging in behaviors that violate daily or social life norms or disrupt public order.

Even minor legal violations or nuisances should not be repeated.

(2) Independent Financial Support Requirement (Having sufficient assets or skills to support oneself)

For those with work-related residency status:

One must not be supported by the public in daily life and is expected to be able to lead a stable life in the future based on one’s assets, skills, etc.

In other words, an annual income of at least 3 million yen is required. If there are dependents, more income is required according to the number of dependents.

For those with a Spouse or Child of Japanese Resident, a Spouse of Permanent Resident, or Long-term Resident status:

Not receiving welfare benefits, and being able to maintain an independent livelihood currently and in the future.

The requirement for independent financial support does not necessarily apply to the applicant alone; if the applicant lives with a spouse, etc., and the household is considered to be able to continue a stable life, it is deemed appropriate.

That is, household income is considered, and enough income is required for all family members to continue living depending on the number of dependents.

(3) National Interest Compliance Requirement

In principle, all of ① through ⑤ below must be met. However, there is an exception regarding ②.

・As a rule, having resided in Japan for more than 10 years continuously, including at least 5 years with a work or residence qualification (excluding “Technical Intern Training” and “Specified Skilled Worker No. 1”).

・“Continuously” means residing in Japan without interruption of residency status.　Staying out of Japan for more than 100 days in a year or a single stay abroad for　more than 3 months is not considered continuous, suggesting a lack of life foundation in Japan. (However, explanations can be provided to the Immigration Bureau under circumstances like the COVID-19 pandemic where returning was not possible.)

＜EXCEPTION For those with work-related residency status＞

1) Scoring 70 points or more in the Highly Skilled Professional point calculation, and either having resided in Japan continuously for 3 years or having scored 70 points or more three years prior to the application for permanent residency.

2) Scoring 80 points or more in the Highly Skilled Professional point calculation, and either having resided in Japan continuously for 1 year or having scored 80 points or more 1 year prior to the application for permanent residency.

3) If recognized as contributing to Japan in the fields of diplomacy, society, economy, culture, etc., according to the “Guidelines for Contributions to Japan,” having resided in Japan continuously for over 5 years.

＜EXCEPTION for those with Spouse or Child of Japanese Resident, Spouse of Permanent Resident etc., Long-term Resident visa holders＞

1) Spouses of Japanese citizens, permanent residents, and special permanent residents, if the marriage has continued for more than 3 years and they have resided in Japan continuously for over 1 year.

2) Biological children or special adopted children of Japanese citizens, permanent residents, and special permanent residents, having resided in Japan continuously for over 1 year.

3) Long-term residents having resided in Japan continuously for over 5 years with the “Long-Term Resident” residency status.

② Properly fulfilling obligations for tax payments, public pension, public medical insurance premiums, and other public duties.

Partial payment of taxes does not count as fulfilling public obligations.

※ If the applicant has a spouse, the spouse will also be examined to ensure that they are fulfilling their obligations appropriately.

※ For company executives, they are examined not only as individuals but also on whether they are fulfilling their obligations appropriately as company executives.

③ The longest period of residency allowed under one’s current residency status is being utilized.

Currently, if you have a residence card with a “3-year” period of stay, you are　considered to have “the longest period of stay”.

④ Not posing a risk to public health.

⑤ Not being recognized as potentially engaging in acts that significantly harm public interest.

ADVANTAGES of obtaining Permanent Residency

With permanent residency, there are no restrictions on activities in Japan, including those not allowed under general work visas, as long as they do not violate the law. Residency status is not lost due to unemployment or divorce.

It is no longer necessary to apply for an extension of the period of stay. Instead, you should apply for renewal of the validity period of the resident card every 7 years. (* If the permanent resident is under 16 years of age, the validity period of the resident card is “until his/her 16th birthday.) When applying for renewal of taxation certificate and resident tax payment certificate will no longer need to be the validity period, the previously required documents such as the resident submitted.