How to Obtain Permanent Residency (Permanent Residence Permit), Requirements, and Review Points [2026 Edition]
Permanent residence (permanent permission) in Japan, once acquired, eliminates restrictions on the period of stay and significantly relaxes restrictions on employment, residency, and activities, making it the most stable status of residence for foreign nationals.
However, as of 2026, the situation surrounding permanent residence applications is changing significantly. In addition to longer processing times and stricter requirements, a substantial increase in application fees has become a real possibility. For those aiming for permanent residency, early preparation and application are crucial.
On March 10, 2026, the government approved an amendment bill to the Immigration Control Act. The official direction has been set to raise the statutory cap on fees for changes and renewals of status of residence to 100,000 yen, and the statutory cap on permanent residence application fees from the current 10,000 yen to 300,000 yen. While the actual amount will be determined by government ordinance after the bill becomes law, a significant price increase is expected within fiscal year 2026. We strongly recommend acting now to apply while the current fee (10,000 yen) is still in effect.
- 1. Benefits of acquiring permanent residence
- 2. Acquisition requirements (3 conditions)
- 3. Special routes (shortened period of stay)
- 4. List of required documents
- 5. Application process
- 6. Actual processing times [Latest for 2026]
- 7. Key points scrutinized during examination
- 8. Cases where rejection is likely
- 9. Frequently asked questions
- 10. Entrusting VisaSHOGUN
1. Benefits of acquiring permanent residence
- Indefinite period of stay (no renewal required)
- No restrictions on employment or activities (freedom to change jobs, do side work, start a business)
- Residence card renewal only every 7 years
- Easier to get housing loans and credit cards
- Permanent residence possible after 3 years of marriage if married to a Japanese national
- Easier to invite family members to Japan
2. Acquisition requirements (3 conditions)
To be granted permanent residence, all three of the following requirements must be met:
Applicant must be of good conduct. Must not have received fines or prison sentences. Accumulation of traffic violations will also be considered.
Applicant must have sufficient income and assets to support themselves independently, without becoming a public burden (e.g., receiving public assistance).
All of the following conditions must be met:
・Applicant must have resided continuously in Japan for 10 years or more in principle (including 5 years or more with a work or residency status)
・Must not have received fines or prison sentences
・Must have properly paid taxes, public pensions, and public health insurance premiums
・Must hold the maximum period of stay (5 years) for their current status of residence
・Must meet the landing permission standards for their current status of residence
Currently, as a transitional measure, applications are possible even with a "3-year" period of stay, but this measure is scheduled to end on March 31, 2027. After the transitional measure ends, a "5-year" period of stay is expected to be mandatory. If you hold a "3-year" Skilled Professional / Specialist in Humanities / International Services visa, please consider applying before this transitional measure expires.
📌 Immigration Services Agency of Japan | Guidelines for Permanent Residence Permission
3. Special routes (shortened period of stay)
| Route | Required Period of Stay | Main Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse of Japanese National / Permanent Resident | 3 years or more of marriage + 1 year or more of residence in Japan | Must have a genuine marital relationship |
| Highly Skilled Professional (70 points or more) | 3 years or more | Must maintain 70 points or more in the highly skilled professional point system for 3 years |
| Highly Skilled Professional (80 points or more) | 1 year or more | Must maintain 80 points or more in the highly skilled professional point system for 1 year |
| Special Highly Skilled Professional (J-Skip) | 1 year or more | Must meet the standards specified in the Ministerial Ordinance on Special Highly Skilled Professionals |
| Recognized Refugee | 5 years or more | Must have been recognized as a refugee |
4. List of required documents
| Document | Remarks |
|---|---|
| Application for Permanent Residence | Attach photo (4cm x 3cm). Download from the Immigration Services Agency website. |
| Passport・Residence Card | Present at the counter. |
| Reason Statement | Describe reasons for wishing to obtain permanent residence in free format. This is a core document for examination. |
| Guarantor Statement | A Japanese national, permanent resident, or special permanent resident residing in Japan must act as guarantor. |
| Certificate of Residence (for all family members, with relationship listed) | Issued within 3 months. |
| Certificate of Taxation and Certificate of Tax Payment for Resident Tax (for the past 5 years) | Issued by municipal office. 5 years of documents required, more than other applications. |
| Certificate of Enrollment in Public Pension and Payment of Insurance Premiums (for the past 2 years) | Issued by Nenkin Teikibin or pension office. |
| Certificate of Payment of Public Health Insurance Premiums (for the past 2 years) | Issued by health insurance society or municipal office. |
| Employment Contract or Notification of Labor Conditions | Proof of current employment status and income. |
| Certificate of Employment from Employer | Issued by employer. |
| Withholding Tax Slips for the past 3 years | Shows stability of income. |
| Certificate of Bank Balance | Effective as proof of assets. |
5. Application process
6. Actual processing times [Latest for 2026]
Even without deficiencies in documents, it generally takes 10 to 16 months at Tokyo Immigration. If the examiner requests additional documents, it will be extended by another 1 to 3 months. It is important to apply early when you have ample time before your period of stay expires.
7. Key points scrutinized during examination
① Tax payment status (past 5 years)
Strict checks are made for any unpaid or overdue resident tax and income tax. Even if fully paid at the time of application, not having paid by the original due date will be considered a "negative assessment." Note that retrospective payment does not necessarily improve the assessment.
② Pension and health insurance payment status
Since the guideline revision in fiscal year 2024, certificates of payment for public pension and public health insurance premiums have become mandatory documents. Any period of unpaid premiums significantly increases the likelihood of rejection. In practice, cases of rejection due to unpaid social insurance are rapidly increasing. Please be sure to check before applying.
③ Stability of income
While no clear standards are published, in practice, a stable income is highly valued. Stable income over the past 3 years is important, and higher income may be required if there are many dependents.
④ Status of residence and fulfillment of notifications
Checks are made to ensure that mandatory notifications, such as changes of affiliated organizations when changing jobs, have been properly made. Failure to report can negatively impact the examination.
⑤ Holding a "5-year" period of stay
Currently, applications are possible with a "3-year" period of stay as a transitional measure, but it is expected that holding a "5-year" period of stay will be a requirement in the future. If you have a "3-year" period of stay, consider applying after acquiring a "5-year" period of stay through renewal, or before the transitional measure expires at the end of March 2027.
- Permanent Residence Requirement Self-Checklist (period of stay, income, social insurance, taxes, notifications)
- Document list to prepare before applying (for work visa / spouse visa, etc.)
- Checklist to avoid "careless mistakes" that lead to disadvantage in examination
- Estimated timeline for applying before the fee increase
8. Cases where rejection is likely
- Any period of unpaid or overdue resident tax or income tax, even for a single day
- Any period of unpaid pension or health insurance premiums
- Period of stay is less than 10 years (does not fall under special routes)
- Current period of stay is "3 years" or "1 year" and applying after the transitional measure expires
- Previous traffic violations or fines
- Forgot to submit notifications when changing jobs
- Income is unstable or low for a continuous period
- Reason statement is vague or lacks specificity
- Applied "just to try" without sufficient preparation
9. Frequently asked questions
- Permanent Residence Requirement Self-Checklist (for checking period of stay, income, social insurance, taxes)
- Estimated timeline from application preparation to completion of examination
- Link to detailed Permanent Residence Requirement Checker
Official Reference Links
📌 Immigration Services Agency of Japan｜Application for Permission for Permanent Residence
📄 Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence (Revised February 24, Reiwa 8)
📊 Immigration Services Agency of Japan｜Processing Period for Status of Residence Applications