Japan’s Second Basic Plan for Immigration Control and Residence Management: what it could mean for foreign residents

On July 31, 2026, the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) adopted the Second Basic Plan for Immigration Control and Residence Management (第2次出入国在留管理基本計画). It is the first plan of its kind since April 2019, and it sets the direction of Japan’s immigration administration for the coming years.

A basic plan does not change any visa requirement by itself. But it tells us what the government plans to do and how it thinks about foreign residents, and many of the measures it lists already have start dates. If you live in Japan, or plan to move here, it is worth knowing what is coming.

This article explains the main points of the plan and how they could affect you in practice.

The big picture: accepting needed talent, with stricter management

At the end of 2025, about 4.13 million foreign nationals lived in Japan, a record high and 3.35% of the total population. Some statuses grew very fast. Holders of Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services rose from about 272,000 (end of 2019) to about 476,000 (end of 2025), and Specified Skilled Worker holders from about 1,600 to about 390,000.

Against this background, the plan sets out its stance on accepting foreign nationals:

• Japan will proceed with accepting the professional and technical foreign talent it “truly needs,” on the premise that measures to make the system more appropriate are properly in place.
• At the same time, it will take care that misunderstandings of the immigration system do not lead to the spread of exclusionary sentiment.
• One of its basic policies is reviewing the basic approach to accepting foreign nationals in light of changes in social structure and economic activity.

In short, the plan continues to accept foreign talent, while putting more weight on stricter and more thorough management. The conditions of acceptance may also be reviewed in the future.

The six basic policies at a glance

1. Strict and smooth immigration control using digital technology
2. Proper residence management of all foreign nationals living in Japan
3. Building an orderly society of coexistence with foreign nationals
4. A safe and secure society through measures against illegal stay
5. Proper and prompt protection of refugees and persons eligible for complementary protection
6. Reviewing the basic approach to accepting foreign nationals in light of changes in society

Below, we look at what these policies may mean for different groups of foreign residents.

1. Taxes, pension and health insurance will be checked more easily

This is likely the change that affects the largest number of people.

• From 2027, ISA plans to start linking data through the My Number system. The information to be linked includes National Health Insurance premiums, National Pension premiums and local tax assessments.
• The plan says local tax information will be used in landing and residence reviews, and to encourage payment when there are unpaid amounts.

Until now, applicants proved their payments mainly with certificates they submitted themselves. Once data linking starts, immigration will be able to check your payment record more directly.

2. Permanent residents and PR applicants: stricter rules from 2027

The plan confirms that the permanent residence system will be “made more appropriate,” which in practice means stricter.

Revocation of permanent residence (from April 1, 2027)

Under the 2024 amendment to the Immigration Control Act, permanent residence can be revoked in certain cases, such as:

• Deliberately not paying taxes or social insurance premiums despite being able to pay
• Seriously failing to meet duties under the Immigration Control Act (for example, residence card obligations)
• Being sentenced to imprisonment for certain serious crimes

These provisions take effect on April 1, 2027. The plan states that ISA will list concrete examples of cases where revocation is expected in a guideline, to make the criteria clearer. People who cannot pay because of illness, unemployment or similar unavoidable reasons are not the intended target. Even if permanent residence is revoked, the person may be given another status, such as Long-Term Resident, instead of being required to leave.

New permanent residence guideline

In August 2026, ISA published a draft revision of the Guidelines for Permanent Residence Permission for public comment. The draft includes:

• A household income above the average for Japanese households of the same size
• Expected pension income at a set level (based on about 30 years of employees’ pension), or sufficient assets instead
• Japanese language ability at B1 level
• For spouses of Japanese nationals and permanent residents: 5 years of actual married life and 3 years of continuous residence (currently 3 years of marriage and 1 year of residence)

Under the draft, most of the new requirements apply to applications filed on or after April 1, 2027, while the income and public-payment standards apply earlier, from October 1, 2026, including to some pending applications. The plan also mentions considering Japanese ability or completion of a program on Japanese language, rules and systems as a condition.

The plan further says ISA will look into the statuses and years of stay that applicants had before being granted permanent residence, apply reviews strictly, and consider how permission should be granted, including for people who may move from Specified Skilled Worker to permanent residence.

3. Work visas: closer checks on what you actually do

The plan includes the following measures that are relevant to work statuses:

• Stronger direct information gathering, such as on-site investigations of workplaces, to understand how foreign nationals actually live and work. The methods may vary by status of residence.
• For Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, improving how reviews are carried out, including clearer guidance on the range of work holders may engage in.

4. Students: closer checks on part-time work

From April 2026, Japanese language schools are asked to check their students’ part-time work every three months. The limit of 28 hours per week under the permission to engage in activities other than those permitted is monitored more closely, including through employment notifications filed by employers.

5. Technical intern trainees and Specified Skilled Workers

• Employment for Skill Development (育成就労) will replace the Technical Intern Training Program from April 1, 2027. Its aim is to develop and secure human resources in sectors facing labor shortages.
• From April 2027, companies that outsource support for Specified Skilled Worker (i) holders can only outsource it to registered support organizations.
• A Japanese language requirement will be added for Specified Skilled Worker (ii).

6. Business owners

The Business Manager status was already revised in October 2025, with a higher capital requirement, a new requirement for management experience and a duty to employ full-time staff. The plan lists this as part of making statuses of residence “more appropriate.” (See our article on the revisions to the Business Manager residence status.)

7. Family and friends visiting Japan: JESTA

Japan plans to introduce JESTA, an electronic travel authorization system, during fiscal year 2028. Short-term visitors from visa-exempt countries will need to obtain authorization online before traveling. In principle, anyone without either a visa or JESTA authorization will not be able to enter Japan.

8. Applications go digital

• Online applications will become the norm in principle, with cashless payment of fees.
• The Specified Residence Card (特定在留カード), which combines the residence card and the My Number Card, has been available since June 2026. With it, you do not need separate procedures at the city office for some changes.

9. Measures against illegal stay

The plan includes a “Zero Illegal Stay” plan. As of January 1, 2026, about 68,000 people were overstaying. The plan strengthens measures at every stage, from entry and residence management to departure and deportation. In 2025, about 18,400 people were deported.

What you can do now

• ☐Check that your taxes, pension and health insurance are fully paid. Data linking starts in 2027.
• ☐Keep receipts and certificates of payments, and pay on time rather than in lump sums later.
• ☐Make sure your actual work matches your status of residence, especially if your duties have changed.
• ☐Students: keep your part-time work within 28 hours a week in total.
• ☐Permanent residents: meet your residence card duties (address registration, renewal of the card) and your payment obligations. Revocation rules start on April 1, 2027.
• ☐PR applicants: check the new guideline and the new ¥200,000 fee, and plan your timing.
• ☐Keep studying Japanese. Language ability is becoming a requirement in more statuses.

Summary

The Second Basic Plan continues to accept the foreign talent Japan needs, while putting more weight on proper and strict management. For foreign residents, the key points are:

• Taxes and social insurance will be checked through My Number data linking from 2027.
• Permanent residence is becoming harder to obtain and, from April 2027, possible to lose.
• Work and student statuses will be reviewed more closely against what you actually do.
• New systems such as Employment for Skill Development (April 2027) and JESTA (FY2028) are on the way.

Following the rules carefully, and keeping good records, is the best way to protect your status in Japan.

This article provides general information and is not legal advice. It is based on the Second Basic Plan for Immigration Control and Residence Management (July 2026) and related ISA materials. Many measures are still being prepared and details may change, so please check the Immigration Services Agency’s website or consult a licensed professional before you apply.