Application for permanent residence

The status of residence "permanent resident" is granted by the Minister of Justice and is not subject to any restrictions on either residence activities or period of stay. For this reason, a special procedure called the application for permanent residence is prepared, from the viewpoint that a careful examination different from the normal residence application procedure should be conducted.

The requirements for obtaining permanent residence include general rules, as well as special exceptions depending on the applicant's status etc.

The legal requirements are that they must be "1:of good conduct", be "2:independent", and "3.be in the national interest". Please note that if he/she is the spouse or child of a Japanese national, permanent resident, or special permanent resident, only 3 is required, but if he/she has been recognized as a refugee, only 1 and 2 are required.

• 1.Good Conduct Requirements:None of the following applies
  • A person who has violated the laws of Japan and been sentenced to imprisonment, incarceration or a fine.
  • Those currently receiving protective measures under the Juvenile Act
  • A person who has committed illegal acts or acts that disrupt public morals repeatedly in his/her daily or social life, or for whom there are special circumstances that make him/her not be considered to be of good conduct.
• 2.Independent living requirement:The person is not a burden on the public in their daily life, and is expected to have a stable life in the future based on their occupation or assets.
• 3.National interest requirements:Any of the following applies:
  • In principle, they have continuously resided in Japan for more than 10 years, and during this period, they have continuously resided in Japan for more than 5 years with a work related status excluding "Technical Intern Training," "Specified Skills No. 1," and some "Designated Activities", or status-based status such as "spouse of a Japanese national".
  • Complying with laws and regulations, including fulfilling public obligations (tax payment, public pension and public health insurance contributions, and notification obligations under the Immigration Control Act)
  • The person is currently residing in Japan for the maximum period of stay permitted by the Immigration Control Act for the status of residence he or she currently holds.
  • There is no risk of harm from a public health perspective
  • It is deemed that there is no risk of engaging in acts that significantly harm the public interest.
  • Those who have received special permission to stay or special permission to land must meet the requirements set out separately.
  • In principle, it does not incur a public expense

Regarding the national interest requirement, the following exceptions are allowed in place of the 10-year stay in principle, depending on the applicant's status and residence status.

• In the case of a spouse, natural child, or special adopted child of a Japanese national, permanent resident, or special permanent resident, the individual must have continuously resided in Japan for more than one year. In the case of a spouse, the individual must also have been in a substantial marriage for more than three years.
• For "long-term resident", those who have been granted long-term resident status and have continuously resided in Japan for more than five years
• If a person has been recognized as a refugee, he or she must have stayed in Japan for more than five consecutive years after being recognized as a refugee.
• Those who are recognized for their contributions to Japan in the fields of diplomacy, society, economy, culture, etc. and who have resided in Japan for more than five years
• Those who are engaged in activities falling under either Designated Activity Notification No. 36 or 37 at a public or private institution located within the area of ​​the Regional Revitalization Plan and who are recognized as contributing to Japan through said activities have stayed in Japan for three or more consecutive years.
• Those who have a score between 70 and 80 on the Highly Skilled Professional Points Calculation Table and have been residing in Japan for three years or more
• Those who have a score of 80 or more on the Highly Skilled Professional Points Calculation Table and have been residing in Japan for more than one year

Applicants must submit the following documents to the Regional Immigration Bureau that has jurisdiction over their place of residence. Those who wish to change their status of residence must apply before the expiration date of their period of stay, and those who wish to acquire a status of residence must apply within 30 days of the birth or other event occurring.

• If he/she wished to make a change, and his/her period of stay expires while he/she is applying for permanent residence permission, he/she will need to apply for a separate extension of his/her period of stay before the expiration date of his/her period of stay.
• If he/she becomes a "permanent resident" and then leave the country without obtaining re-entry permission, or if the re-entry period expires after he/she leaves, he/she will lose your "permanent resident" status.
• As with other residence statuses, he/she is required to report changes in his/her place of residence, etc.
• He/She is required to renew his/her residence card.
• If a spouse or parent is deemed to be eligible for permanent residence, the spouse or children of the same family will be considered for permission even if they do not meet the required period of stay, so in principle, all family members should be applied together.