Permanent Residence in Japan

Written by Luis Minvielle Moderated by Oleksandra Dosii

Luis Minvielle

Luis is a writer with over 5 years of experience in B2B software. Even though he has always worked in tech, a sector he regularly publishes about, his initial incursions into writing were, curiously enough, music essays discussing scenes from different parts of the world—most likely to deal with his unfulfilled ambition of becoming a neo-soul crooner.

Oleksandra Dosii

Oleksandra is a dedicated marketer with a passion for growing HR-tech products. She believes content marketing is about delivering high-quality content that provides value—not just generating leads. Since 2016, Oleksandra has been involved in tech talent relocation.

Last update: September 30, 2024

Next update: Scheduled for February 1, 2025

You need to live for 10 years, largely with a working visa, to become a permanent resident of Japan. There are actually three main ways of getting permanent residence in Japan: by family or marital relations, by being an exceptionally skilled worker, or by living for 10 years under the scope of a working visa. This article will provide you more information about the whole process so you can become a permanent resident of Japan.

What are the benefits of obtaining permanent residence in Japan?

There are three main benefits to getting the Japanese permanent residence:

• Longer durations of stay than that allowed by working visas. As a permanent resident, you can stay in the country for life, although you will still need to renew the Residence Card every seven years, and a Re-entry permit if you will be outside of Japan for more than a year.
• Fewer restrictions on employment, as you are no longer tied to a working visa category. You can search for jobs in any field you like, and even work freelance or start a business.
• Opportunities to get personal loans from Japanese banks.
• Pathway to citizenship.

Overall, in a society where status and reliability are so important as in the Japanese, permanent residence will make life easier and more stable for any expat.

Are you eligible for permanent residence in Japan?

You can apply for permanent residence if you meet any of these criteria:

Time spent in Japan

You have lived in Japan for more than 10 continuous years, without major breaks, under any valid visa type. Five out of those 10 years should have been under .

Industry in which you work

You belong to the group referred to as "highly-skilled professionals", and have been living in the country for a certain amount of time. This criterion is built upon a point-based system. If your qualifications add up to 70 points, you can apply for residence after three years of living in the country. If you have more than 80 points, you can submit your application after just one year of residing in Japan.

Marriage status

You have been married to a Japanese citizen or permanent resident for more than three years, and you have been residing in the country for at least one year.

Parentage status

You are the child of Japanese nationals or permanent residents and have lived in the country for more than a year.

In addition to these, Japan’s organised society demands good behaviour—which includes having no criminal records or traffic offences—and having up-to-date tax payments, and the ability to make an independent living in case of unemployment or other harsh economic situations.

Plus, another requirement that acts as proof of your financial and social stability is a Social guarantor — a Japanese citizen or permanent resident — that supports your application. However, the guarantor is not required to have your back financially; the role acts just like a formal and traditional role.

Which documents are required?

To apply for permanent residence in Japan, you will need to submit a very long list of documents. We broke it down into columns to make it easier to sort through. Get ready for the full list:

• A passport-sized recent photograph, no older than three months
• An online application form (you can find it on the ISA official site)
• Your passport and photocopies of it
• Annual income proof
• Employment verification
• Resident certificate
• Resident tax payment proof
• Resident tax payment certificate
• Bank statements from previous months
• Pension payment records
• National tax payment record
• Acknowledgement form from the immigration office
• A personal statement that acts as proof of commitment to Japanese society

Additionally, if you are applying as a highly skilled professional, you will need to submit the documents that prove you reached the minimum score.

There is more to it. If you are applying for permanent residence by your marriage status, you and your spouse will have to submit the following documents: Your spouse’s family registry papers; Your marriage certificate; A descriptive letter about the relationship with your spouse; Your spouse’s employment proof. Finally, your guarantor will have to submit: Identity documents; Proof of employment; Tax certificates; A signed letter of guarantee.

This list of documents and the complexity of carrying the process out in Japanese easily makes Japan one of the most exhaustive nations when it comes to getting residency, especially compared to other Asian nations like Singapore. Not to mention, you need to complete ten years before any of this can work for something.

How to apply for Japanese permanent residence?

Once you have gathered all your documents, you can go to your nearest Immigration Office and hand them yourself, or have someone else do it for you. In that case, you will have to officially authorise them. If your lawyer is the one who is submitting them, they will need power of attorney.

You must apply for the process before your current visa expires, so it is recommended to start collecting the documents well beforehand. You still got ten years to do this, though.

How long does it take to get approved?

Though waiting times vary, the application usually takes four to eight months to be approved.

What can you do if the application is rejected?

There are no formal ways to appeal a decision on your permanent residence request, so your best chances are to try applying again.

Simpler ways of working in Japan

If you do not meet all the requirements to apply for permanent residence in Japan, you can try to apply for a different working visa. These do not have as many benefits as the first one, but can still be enough for you if your priority is finding a job. And, anyway, unless you have marital or familiar relationships with Japanese residents, or you are an exceptional worker with rare qualifications, you will still need a visa to sum up the 10 years required to become a permanent resident.

There are plenty of types of working visas, for a diverse array of jobs and expertise: artist visa, medical services visa, journalist visa, etc. To apply, you must do it through the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country of residence. The process is usually the same for all types of visas, and the three main requirements are:

• You need a job offer and a signed contract with an employer in Japan.
• The employer must apply for a Certificate of Eligibility on your behalf.
• You have to submit the certificate along with your visa application at a Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country.

You can learn more about Japanese visas on our specialised page.

Talk to an immigration expert

Your first step to becoming a permanent resident in Japan is probably applying for a working visa. That will already allow you to work in the country. Whether you decide to request permanent residence or not, well, it’s something you’ll be able to figure out down the line.

One of the first places to start the long journey towards Japanese residency is on our platform. At Relocate.me we link professionals with employers across the world so that everyone can find the best option to become an expat in the country of their choice. With our help, you will be able to find that company that will be your port of entry to the land of the rising sun. We regularly feature jobs in Japan from companies that are willing to help you relocate, so browse our job board and check open positions. We can also connect you with relocation experts so you can start asking questions about moving to Japan.

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