Permanent Residence in Japan: Requirements & October 2026 Changes

"Permanent Resident" visa grants permanent residence to foreign nationals.

Holders of this visa may stay in Japan without any restrictions on the length of their stay.

Update (October 2, 2026): The Immigration Services Agency revised the permanent residence guidelines on October 1, 2026. The new household income standard already applies to applications filed on or after October 1, 2026. Most other new requirements apply to applications filed on or after April 1, 2027. See details below

Questions about the requirements?

Our Written Answer explains in writing how the requirements (for example, the period of residence, income, and tax and social insurance payments) apply to the facts you describe, and, if your application is pending, what to report when something changes (JPY 13,200, tax incl.). We do not assess your chances of approval.

At a glance

Three main requirements (details in Requirements):

Your behavior and conduct are good.
You have sufficient assets or skills to make an independent living.
Your permanent residence conforms to the interests of Japan.

*Spouses and children of Japanese nationals, permanent residents and special permanent residents are exempt from requirements 1 and 2.

How long you need to have lived in Japan

Your current visa	Applications filed by March 31, 2027	Applications filed on or after April 1, 2027
Working visa / Business Manager	10 years in Japan, including 5 years or more with a working status of residence	Same
HSP (80 points or more)	1 year with 80 points or more	Same
HSP (70 points or more)	3 years with 70 points or more	Same
Spouse of a Japanese national / permanent resident	Married for 3 years or more and living in Japan for 1 year or more	5 years of married life and 3 years of continuous residence
Child of a Japanese national / permanent resident	Living in Japan for 1 year or more	3 years of continuous residence

Other key points:

Since October 1, 2026, your household income must exceed the average income of Japanese households of the same size (not required for spouses and children of Japanese nationals and permanent residents).
Your current period of stay must be the longest available (generally 5 years from April 2027).
Taxes, pension and health insurance must have been paid on time by you and your family.
From April 2027: pension, Japanese language (CEFR B1), understanding of Japanese rules and children's school attendance are also considered. Details

Table of Contents

Major benefits
Revised guidelines (October 2026)
Requirements
Period of stay requirement from April 2027
Basic checklists for eligibility
How to apply
Cases when permanent residents may lose their status

Major Benefits of "Permanent Resident" Visa

No limit on the length of your stay in Japan.
No limit on your work in Japan.
Japanese banks will likely recognize your status in Japan as more stable and credible when they review your loan application.

*You must renew your Residence Card every seven (7) years.

*You must obtain a "Special Re-entry Permit" or "Re-entry Permit" before temporarily leaving Japan and wishing to re-enter.

Revised Permanent Residence Guidelines (October 1, 2026)

On October 1, 2026, the Immigration Services Agency revised the "Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence." The revision introduces a household income standard, which already applies, and several new requirements for applications filed on or after April 1, 2027. Related notes are also added in the Requirements section and the checklists below.

When do the new rules apply?

Application filed	What applies
On or after April 1, 2027	All revised requirements
On or after October 1, 2026 (until March 31, 2027)	The household income standard and the "no burden on public funds" element. Other requirements follow the current rules.
April 1 – September 30, 2026, and still pending on October 1, 2026	The household income standard and the "no burden on public funds" element

1. Household income standard – in effect since October 1, 2026

What changes: Your household annual income must continuously exceed the average income of Japanese households of the same size. This replaces the former practical benchmark of JPY 3,000,000 (plus JPY 600,000 to 800,000 per dependent). The specific amounts have not been published.
How household income is counted: The incomes of household members who share a residence and living expenses are combined. Dependents living abroad are counted in the household size, and an additional amount applies to households of five or more. The income of family members holding a status that is not for work purposes (e.g., "Dependent" visa holders working under permission for activity other than permitted) is not counted. An adult who is no longer a dependent of their parents is assessed without the parents' income.
Who is affected: Applicants subject to the independent livelihood requirement, such as working visa holders, business managers and HSP holders. Spouses and children of Japanese nationals, permanent residents and special permanent residents are exempt from this requirement by law. However, a negative evaluation may be given if their household is currently a burden on public funds, or is realistically likely to become one, without special circumstances.

2. New requirements – applications filed on or after April 1, 2027

Pension: Your expected future pension is compared with the amount you would receive if you had worked for 30 years at the household income standard level and enrolled in the Employees' Pension. A shortfall may be covered by financial assets; the required amount depends on your age at the time of application (lower for younger applicants). If you are married, your and your spouse's expected pensions are combined. This applies to applicants subject to the independent livelihood requirement.
Japanese language: CEFR B1 level or higher. Not required for Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals and their families, persons who have completed a total of six years or more of elementary or secondary education in Japan, and Japan-born children of permanent residents whose parent has B1-level ability.
Understanding of Japanese systems and rules: Checked by a method designated by the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency, mainly based on the "Life and Work Guidebook." The method has not been announced.
School attendance of children: Children of compulsory-education age are expected to attend elementary or junior high school.
Payment records and notifications: Even if nothing is unpaid at the time of application, a past history of delinquency proceedings for tax, pension or health insurance is, in principle, evaluated negatively. Past violations of notification obligations are also evaluated negatively. Records are reviewed on a household basis.
Time spent outside Japan: An absence of six months or more in a single trip, or two years and six months or more in total, within the past 10 years without a reasonable reason is, in principle, evaluated negatively.
Working status of residence: For the 5-year requirement, Technical Intern Training, Employment for Skill Development, Specified Skilled Worker (i), Intra-company Transferee, and some Designated Activities are not counted.
Spouses and children of Japanese nationals and permanent residents: Spouses – at least 5 years of substantive married life and at least 3 years of continuous residence in Japan (currently 3 years and 1 year). Children – at least 3 years of continuous residence in Japan (currently 1 year).
Special Permission to Stay: If you were granted Special Permission to Stay or Special Permission to Land because you fell under a ground for denial of landing, the shortened residence periods (for spouses, HSP holders, etc.) do not apply. In principle, you need 10 years or more of residence after the permission.
Period of stay: A 5-year period of stay will generally be required. See Period of Stay Requirement from April 1, 2027.

Source: Immigration Services Agency, "Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence (revised October 1, 2026)" (Japanese). The specific income amounts, the required pension assets, and the method of checking Japanese language ability have not been published. We will update this page when they are announced.

Requirements for the Permission of "Permanent Resident" Visa

The immigration law stipulates the following principal requirements.

Your behavior and conduct are good.
You have sufficient assets or skills to make an independent living.
Your permanent residence conforms to the interests of Japan.

*Spouses or children of Japanese nationals, permanent residents, and special permanent residents are exempted from requirements 1 and 2 above.

1. Your behavior and conduct are good.

You must comply with the laws and live a socially acceptable life as a resident in your daily life in Japan. You and your family residing in Japan must not fall under any of the following:

(a) Persons who have been sentenced to imprisonment or a fine for violating the laws and regulations of Japan
(b) Persons with ongoing protective dispositions under the Juvenile Act
(c) Persons who are not considered to be of good conduct in their daily or social life, such as those who repeatedly commit illegal acts or disturb public morals

*Drunk driving, driving without a license, and excessive speeding over the speed limit are included in (c).

*Working over the limit (28 hours per week) of permission to engage in activity other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted (資格外活動許可) falls under (c), too.

2. You have sufficient assets or skills to make an independent living.

You must not be a burden on the public in your daily life and must be expected to have a stable life in the future in view of your assets or skills, etc.

*Having received public assistance (生活保護) pursuant to the Public Assistance Act is considered an above-mentioned burden.

*You must be considered capable of being financially stable now and in the future. This is assessed on a household basis.

In effect since Oct 1, 2026Income: your household annual income must continuously exceed the average income of Japanese households of the same household size. Household members' incomes are combined; dependents living abroad are counted in the household size; an additional amount applies to households of five or more; and the income of family members holding a status that is not for work purposes (e.g., "Dependent") is not counted. The specific amounts have not been published. This replaces the former practical benchmark of JPY 3,000,000 plus JPY 600,000 to 800,000 per dependent. See Revised Permanent Residence Guidelines above.

Applications from Apr 1, 2027Pension: your expected future pension is compared with the amount you would receive if you had worked for 30 years at the household income standard level and enrolled in the Employees' Pension. A shortfall may be covered by financial assets, depending on your age. If you are married, your and your spouse's expected pensions are combined.

3. Your permanent residence conforms to the interests of Japan.

You must satisfy all the following requirements:

(a) Residence period. You basically must have resided in Japan for at least 10 years. In addition, you must have resided in the country for 5 years or more with a working status of residence (excluding "Technical Intern Training" and "Specified Skilled Worker (i)") or a certain status of residence.

Applications from Apr 1, 2027Technical Intern Training, Employment for Skill Development, Specified Skilled Worker (i), Intra-company Transferee, and some Designated Activities are not counted as a working status of residence.

*Long and/or frequent stay outside Japan is likely considered a lack of continuity of your stay in Japan. For example, a 3-month stay outside Japan may be considered a lack.

Applications from Apr 1, 2027An absence from Japan of six months or more in a single trip, or a total of two years and six months or more, within the past 10 years without a reasonable reason is, in principle, evaluated negatively. The 3-month guideline in the checklists below is our more cautious benchmark.

*There are special provisions regarding the "10-years stay" requirement, for example:

	Applications by March 31, 2027	Applications on or after April 1, 2027
Spouse of a Japanese national, permanent resident, or special permanent resident	Married for 3 years or more, and residing in Japan for 1 year or more	Substantive married life of 5 years or more, and continuous residence in Japan of 3 years or more
Child of a Japanese national, permanent resident, or special permanent resident	Residing in Japan for 1 year or more	Continuous residence in Japan of 3 years or more
"HSP (Highly Skilled Professional)" holders	Preferential treatment (see the HSP checklists below)	Same

*These special provisions do not apply if you were granted Special Permission to Stay or Special Permission to Land because you fell under a ground for denial of landing. In principle, you need 10 years or more of residence after the permission.

(b) Public obligations. You must not have been sentenced to a fine or imprisonment. You have appropriately fulfilled public obligations such as tax payments, payment of public pension and public medical insurance premiums, and notification obligations stipulated in the Immigration law.

*Failure or delay of payment of tax, public pension, and public medical insurance premiums is considered against fulfilling public obligations. The immigration bureau checks not only your records but also the records of all your family members residing in Japan, including Japanese nationals.

*Failure of "notification procedures regarding affiliated institutions (所属機関等に関する届出手続)" is likely considered against fulfilling notification obligations stipulated in the Immigration law.

Applications from Apr 1, 2027Even if nothing is unpaid at the time of application, a past history of delinquency proceedings for tax, pension or health insurance is, in principle, evaluated negatively. Past violations of notification obligations are also evaluated negatively even if they have since been corrected. Payment records are reviewed on a household basis.

(c) Period of stay. You must have been given the maximum period of stay permission with your current status of residence, such as 3 years or 5 years.

Period of Stay Requirement from April 1, 2027

What is changing?

Under the Immigration Control Act, the "longest period of stay" required for a PR application is technically defined as 5 years. Historically, however, the authorities have applied this rule flexibly; holding a 3-year visa has been considered sufficient to satisfy the "longest period of stay" requirement.

This flexible application is coming to an end. The guidelines provide that the 5-year requirement will be strictly applied to applications filed on or after April 1, 2027. Please note that the granting of a 5-year visa remains at the discretion of the Immigration Services Agency, based on factors such as residency stability and tax history.

The transition timeline

Application date	Requirement for PR application
Submitted by March 31, 2027	A 3-year visa is still acceptable as the "longest period of stay," regardless of when the decision is made.
Submitted on or after April 1, 2027	You must generally hold a 5-year visa to apply. See the transitional measure below.

Transitional measure

For an application submitted on or after April 1, 2027, a 3-year visa is treated as the "longest period of stay" only if all of the following apply:

you held a 3-year visa as of March 31, 2027;
the application is your first PR application submitted on or after April 1, 2027; and
the decision is made between April 1, 2027 and the expiry of that 3-year period of stay.

(d) Public health. You have no risk of harm to the public health.

The revised guidelines add the following requirements for applications filed on or after April 1, 2027:

Applications from Apr 1, 2027(e) Japanese language ability: you are expected to have Japanese language ability at CEFR B1 level or higher. This is not required of Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals and their families, persons who have completed a total of six years or more of elementary or secondary education in Japan, and Japan-born children of permanent residents whose parent has B1-level ability.

Applications from Apr 1, 2027(f) Understanding of Japanese systems and rules: your understanding is checked by a method designated by the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency, mainly based on the "Life and Work Guidebook." The method has not been announced.

Applications from Apr 1, 2027(g) School attendance of children: if you are raising a child of compulsory-education age, the child is expected to attend elementary or junior high school. If you yourself are of compulsory-education age, you are expected to attend school.

Basic Checklists for "Permanent Resident (永住者)" Visa Eligibility

Here are basic checklists to help you find out whether you are eligible to apply for the "Permanent Resident" status. You may be able to meet the requirements if you answer "yes" to all of the items in the checklist for your visa.

*The checklists reflect the revised guidelines of October 1, 2026. Items marked "Applications from Apr 1, 2027" apply only to applications filed on or after that date.

*Please note these checklists do not guarantee any approval from the Immigration Bureau for your application.

Choose the checklist for your current visa:

Working Visa Business Manager HSP 80 points HSP 70 points Spouses Children

Basic Checklist for Working Visa holders

For Working Visa holders such as "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (技術・人文知識・国際業務)".

	You have been residing in Japan for at least 10 years.
	You have kept your Working Visa, excluding "Technical Intern Training" and "Specified Skilled Worker (i)", over the last 5 years or longer. Applications from Apr 1, 2027Technical Intern Training, Employment for Skill Development, Specified Skilled Worker (i), Intra-company Transferee, and some Designated Activities are not counted as a working status of residence.
	You have 3 or 5 years of permission to stay with your Working Visa. Applications from Apr 1, 2027A 5-year period of stay will generally be required. See Period of Stay Requirement from April 1, 2027.
	Your household annual income has continuously exceeded the average income of Japanese households of the same size in the past 5 years. Household members' incomes are combined, and dependents living abroad are counted in the household size. The income of family members holding a status that is not for work purposes (e.g., "Dependent") is not counted. In effect since Oct 1, 2026*This household income standard replaces the former practical benchmark of JPY 3,000,000 for a single applicant (plus JPY 600,000 to 800,000 per dependent). The Immigration Services Agency has not published specific amounts, and the guidelines do not state the number of years. See Revised Permanent Residence Guidelines.
	You have no criminal record (imprisonment, fine) in Japan.
	If you have a Japanese driver's license, you have no traffic violation record in Japan.
	You have not stayed outside Japan for 3 consecutive months or longer in the past 10 years. Applications from Apr 1, 2027An absence of six months or more in a single trip, or two years and six months or more in total, within the past 10 years without a reasonable reason is, in principle, evaluated negatively. The 3-month guideline above is our more cautious benchmark.
	Your family and you, residing in Japan, have paid income and residence tax without delay or failure in the past 5 years.
	Your family and you, residing in Japan, have paid public pension premiums without delay or failure in the past 2 years.
	Your family and you, residing in Japan, have paid public health insurance premiums without delay or failure in the past 2 years.
	You have timely submitted "notification procedures regarding affiliated institutions (所属機関等に関する届出手続)" to the Immigration Bureau every time you transferred to another company.
	For applications on or after April 1, 2027: Your expected future pension reaches the required level, or you have financial assets to cover a shortfall. You have Japanese language ability at CEFR B1 level or higher (some exemptions apply). If you are raising a child of compulsory-education age, the child attends elementary or junior high school. You and your household have no past history of delinquency proceedings for tax, pension or health insurance. *Your understanding of Japanese systems and rules will also be checked by a method to be designated by the Immigration Services Agency. See Revised Permanent Residence Guidelines.

→ How to apply for a "Permanent Resident" visa if you are a working visa holder

Basic Checklist for Business Owners with "Business Manager" Visa

For business owners with a "Business Manager (経営・管理)" visa.

	You have been residing in Japan for at least 10 years.
	You have kept your Working Visa, excluding "Technical Intern Training" and "Specified Skilled Worker (i)", and Business Manager Visa over the last 5 years or longer. Applications from Apr 1, 2027Technical Intern Training, Employment for Skill Development, Specified Skilled Worker (i), Intra-company Transferee, and some Designated Activities are not counted as a working status of residence.
	You have 3 or 5 years of permission to stay with your Business Manager Visa. Applications from Apr 1, 2027A 5-year period of stay will generally be required. See Period of Stay Requirement from April 1, 2027.
	Your company has been in the black in the past 2 fiscal years.
	Your company has paid social insurance premiums without delay or failure in the past 2 years.
	Your household annual income (including the salary from your company) has continuously exceeded the average income of Japanese households of the same size in the past 3 years. Household members' incomes are combined, and dependents living abroad are counted in the household size. The income of family members holding a status that is not for work purposes (e.g., "Dependent") is not counted. In effect since Oct 1, 2026*This household income standard replaces the former practical benchmark of JPY 3,000,000 for a single applicant (plus JPY 600,000 to 800,000 per dependent). The Immigration Services Agency has not published specific amounts, and the guidelines do not state the number of years. See Revised Permanent Residence Guidelines.
	You have no criminal record (imprisonment, fine) in Japan.
	If you have a Japanese driver's license, you have no traffic violation record in Japan.
	You have not stayed outside Japan for 3 consecutive months or longer in the past 10 years. Applications from Apr 1, 2027An absence of six months or more in a single trip, or two years and six months or more in total, within the past 10 years without a reasonable reason is, in principle, evaluated negatively. The 3-month guideline above is our more cautious benchmark.
	Your family and you, residing in Japan, have paid income and residence tax without delay or failure in the past 5 years.
	Your family and you, residing in Japan, have paid public pension premiums without delay or failure in the past 2 years.
	Your family and you, residing in Japan, have paid public health insurance premiums without delay or failure in the past 2 years.
	For applications on or after April 1, 2027: Your expected future pension reaches the required level, or you have financial assets to cover a shortfall. You have Japanese language ability at CEFR B1 level or higher (some exemptions apply). If you are raising a child of compulsory-education age, the child attends elementary or junior high school. You and your household have no past history of delinquency proceedings for tax, pension or health insurance. *Your understanding of Japanese systems and rules will also be checked by a method to be designated by the Immigration Services Agency. See Revised Permanent Residence Guidelines.

Basic Checklist for "HSP - Highly Skilled Professional (高度専門職)" Visa with a minimum of 80 HSP points

For "HSP - Highly Skilled Professional (高度専門職)" visa holders with a minimum of 80 HSP points.

	You have been residing in Japan for at least 1 year with a minimum of 80 HSP points.
	Your household annual income has continuously exceeded the average income of Japanese households of the same size in the past 1 year. Household members' incomes are combined, and dependents living abroad are counted in the household size. The income of family members holding a status that is not for work purposes (e.g., "Dependent") is not counted. In effect since Oct 1, 2026*This household income standard replaces the former practical benchmark of JPY 3,000,000 for a single applicant (plus JPY 600,000 to 800,000 per dependent). The guidelines provide no income exemption for HSP holders. The Immigration Services Agency has not published specific amounts, and the guidelines do not state the number of years. See Revised Permanent Residence Guidelines.
	You have no criminal record (imprisonment, fine) in Japan.
	If you have a Japanese driver's license, you have no traffic violation record in Japan.
	You have not stayed outside Japan for 3 consecutive months or more in the past 1 year.
	Your family and you, residing in Japan, have paid income and residence tax without delay or failure in the past 1 year.
	Your family and you, residing in Japan, have paid public pension premiums without delay or failure in the past 1 year.
	Your family and you, residing in Japan, have paid public health insurance premiums without delay or failure in the past 1 year.
	For applications on or after April 1, 2027: Your expected future pension reaches the required level, or you have financial assets to cover a shortfall. If you are raising a child of compulsory-education age, the child attends elementary or junior high school. You and your household have no past history of delinquency proceedings for tax, pension or health insurance. *Your understanding of Japanese systems and rules will also be checked by a method to be designated by the Immigration Services Agency. (HSP holders and their families are exempt from the Japanese language requirement.) See Revised Permanent Residence Guidelines.

Basic Checklist for "HSP - Highly Skilled Professional (高度専門職)" Visa with a minimum of 70 HSP points

For "HSP - Highly Skilled Professional (高度専門職)" visa holders with a minimum of 70 HSP points.

	You have been residing in Japan for at least 3 years with a minimum of 70 HSP points.
	Your household annual income has continuously exceeded the average income of Japanese households of the same size in the past 3 years. Household members' incomes are combined, and dependents living abroad are counted in the household size. The income of family members holding a status that is not for work purposes (e.g., "Dependent") is not counted. In effect since Oct 1, 2026*This household income standard replaces the former practical benchmark of JPY 3,000,000 for a single applicant (plus JPY 600,000 to 800,000 per dependent). The guidelines provide no income exemption for HSP holders. The Immigration Services Agency has not published specific amounts, and the guidelines do not state the number of years. See Revised Permanent Residence Guidelines.
	You have no criminal record (imprisonment, fine) in Japan.
	If you have a Japanese driver's license, you have no traffic violation record in Japan.
	You have not stayed outside Japan for 3 consecutive months or more in the past 3 years.
	Your family and you, residing in Japan, have paid income and residence tax without delay or failure in the past 3 years.
	Your family and you, residing in Japan, have paid public pension premiums without delay or failure in the past 2 years.
	Your family and you, residing in Japan, have paid public health insurance premiums without delay or failure in the past 2 years.
	For applications on or after April 1, 2027: Your expected future pension reaches the required level, or you have financial assets to cover a shortfall. If you are raising a child of compulsory-education age, the child attends elementary or junior high school. You and your household have no past history of delinquency proceedings for tax, pension or health insurance. *Your understanding of Japanese systems and rules will also be checked by a method to be designated by the Immigration Services Agency. (HSP holders and their families are exempt from the Japanese language requirement.) See Revised Permanent Residence Guidelines.

Basic Checklist for Spouses of Japanese nationals and Permanent Residents

For spouses of Japanese nationals, Permanent Residents, and Special Permanent Residents.

	Applications by March 31, 2027: you have been married to a Japanese national, a Permanent Resident, or a Special Permanent Resident for at least 3 years, and have been residing in Japan for at least 1 year. Applications from Apr 1, 2027At least 5 years of substantive married life and at least 3 years of continuous residence in Japan. *If you were granted Special Permission to Stay because you fell under a ground for denial of landing, this shortened period does not apply. In principle, you need 10 years or more of residence after the permission.
	You and your spouse have cooperated and supported each other to live together as a married couple in the light of socially accepted conventions in Japan.
	You have 3 or 5 years of permission to stay with your current Visa. Applications from Apr 1, 2027A 5-year period of stay will generally be required. See Period of Stay Requirement from April 1, 2027.
	Your family annual income (sum of your and your spouse's annual income) has been at least JPY 3,000,000 in the past 3 years. Higher annual income (additional JPY 600,000 to 800,000 per dependent) will likely be required if you and your spouse have dependents in and outside Japan. In effect since Oct 1, 2026*Spouses and children of Japanese nationals and permanent residents are exempt from the income requirement by law, and the household income standard does not apply to them. However, a negative evaluation may be given if the household is currently a burden on public funds, or is realistically likely to become one, without special circumstances. The JPY 3,000,000 figure is our practical reference only.
	You have no criminal record (imprisonment, fine) in Japan.
	If you have a Japanese driver's license, you have no traffic violation record in Japan.
	You have not stayed outside Japan for 3 consecutive months or longer in the past 1 year.
	Your family and you, residing in Japan, have paid income and residence tax without delay or failure in the past 3 years.
	Your family and you, residing in Japan, have paid public pension premiums without delay or failure in the past 2 years.
	Your family and you, residing in Japan, have paid public health insurance premiums without delay or failure in the past 2 years.
	For applications on or after April 1, 2027: You have Japanese language ability at CEFR B1 level or higher (some exemptions apply). If you are raising a child of compulsory-education age, the child attends elementary or junior high school. You and your household have no past history of delinquency proceedings for tax, pension or health insurance. *Your understanding of Japanese systems and rules will also be checked by a method to be designated by the Immigration Services Agency. See Revised Permanent Residence Guidelines.

→ How to apply for a "Permanent Resident" visa if you are a spouse of a Japanese national or permanent resident

Basic Checklist for Children of Japanese nationals and Permanent Residents

For children of Japanese nationals, children specially adopted by Japanese nationals, children of Permanent Residents, and children of Special Permanent Residents.

	You are a child of a Japanese national, child specially adopted by a Japanese national, child of a Permanent Resident, or a child of a Special Permanent Resident.
	Applications by March 31, 2027: you have been residing in Japan for at least 1 year. Applications from Apr 1, 2027At least 3 years of continuous residence in Japan. *If you were granted Special Permission to Stay because you fell under a ground for denial of landing, this shortened period does not apply. In principle, you need 10 years or more of residence after the permission.
	Your family annual income has been at least JPY 3,000,000 in the past 3 years. Higher annual income (additional JPY 600,000 to 800,000 per dependent) will likely be required if your parents have dependents in and outside Japan. In effect since Oct 1, 2026*Spouses and children of Japanese nationals and permanent residents are exempt from the income requirement by law, and the household income standard does not apply to them. However, a negative evaluation may be given if the household is currently a burden on public funds, or is realistically likely to become one, without special circumstances. The JPY 3,000,000 figure is our practical reference only.
	You have no criminal record (imprisonment, fine) in Japan.
	If you have a Japanese driver's license, you have no traffic violation record in Japan.
	You have not stayed outside Japan for 3 consecutive months or longer in the past 1 year.
	Your family and you, residing in Japan, have paid income and residence tax without delay or failure in the past 3 years.
	Your family and you, residing in Japan, have paid public pension premiums without delay or failure in the past 1 year.
	Your family and you, residing in Japan, have paid public health insurance premiums without delay or failure in the past 1 year.
	For applications on or after April 1, 2027: You have Japanese language ability at CEFR B1 level or higher (some exemptions apply). If you are of compulsory-education age, you attend school; if you are raising a child of compulsory-education age, the child attends elementary or junior high school. You and your household have no past history of delinquency proceedings for tax, pension or health insurance. *Your understanding of Japanese systems and rules will also be checked by a method to be designated by the Immigration Services Agency. See Revised Permanent Residence Guidelines.

How to apply

Guide
How to apply for Permanent Residence (Working Visa Holders) → Guide
How to apply for Permanent Residence (Spouses of Japanese nationals and Permanent Residents) →

FYI: Cases when "Permanent Resident" Visa holders may lose their status

Once you obtain permanent residence, you no longer need to renew your status. However, you may lose it in the following cases. From April 1, 2027, new grounds for revocation will be added under the 2024 amendment to the Immigration Control Act.

1. Leaving Japan without returning in time

You leave Japan without a "Re-entry Permit (再入国許可)" or "Special Re-entry Permit (みなし再入国許可)".
You leave Japan with a "Special Re-entry Permit" and do not re-enter within one year of departure.
You leave Japan with a "Re-entry Permit" and do not re-enter by its expiration date.

2. Revocation of status for current grounds

You received "Landing Permission (上陸許可)" or "Permanent Resident" status fraudulently.
You fail to notify your new address within 90 days after moving in Japan.
You report a false address of residence to the government.

3. Deportation

You are sentenced to life imprisonment or imprisonment of more than one year (無期又は1年を超える拘禁刑).
You are convicted of a drug crime (薬物犯罪).
You are engaged in business directly related to prostitution (売春).

From Apr 1, 20274. New grounds for revocation

(a) Failure to comply with obligations under the Immigration Control Act

For example:

not renewing your Residence Card before it expires, or not applying for a new card after losing it;
not carrying your Residence Card, or refusing to show it when asked by an official; and
attempting to forge or use a forged Residence Card, or attempting to hide an illegal entrant from the authorities.

*A violation caused by carelessness also counts, unless there is a justifiable reason such as illness or a disaster. However, a single oversight, such as forgetting to renew your card once, is not in itself expected to lead to revocation.

(b) Intentionally not paying taxes or social insurance premiums

This covers taxes (income tax, residence tax, corporate tax, property tax, etc.) and public health insurance and pension premiums. It applies when it is clear that you have no intention to pay, judged from your income and assets, the amount, period and number of times of non-payment, and your conduct. Examples:

long-term non-payment, and you moved without notifying the local government, so your whereabouts are unknown;
you show no intention to pay despite repeated reminders and delinquency proceedings (e.g., you never contact the office about payment);
you repeatedly miss the deadlines of an agreed installment plan or payment deferral;
you are convicted of tax evasion, or you hide assets to avoid collection; and
you are the representative of, or otherwise control, a company that falls under any of the above.

It does not apply, for example, when:

you cannot pay because of unavoidable circumstances such as illness, a disaster or losing your job;
you have responded to reminders and are paying under an installment plan or deferral;
you receive measures equivalent to public assistance; or
the taxes or premiums were deducted from your salary, but your employer did not pay them.

*There is no fixed threshold for the unpaid amount. Intentional non-payment that occurred before April 1, 2027 and comes to light afterwards may also be treated as a ground, taking into account your later payment record. Government and local government officials (e.g., tax offices) may report suspected cases to the Immigration Services Agency.

Such as theft, fraud, extortion, robbery, murder, bodily injury, trespassing, forgery, gambling, kidnapping, receiving stolen property, and dangerous driving causing death or injury. Any length of sentence counts, including a suspended sentence.

What happens if you fall under these grounds?

In most cases, your status will not simply be revoked. The Minister of Justice will change it ex officio to another status, usually "Long-Term Resident (定住者)", so that you can stay in Japan. You may apply for permanent residence again once you meet the requirements.

Your status may be revoked, and you would have to leave Japan, if your continued stay is considered inappropriate – for example, if it is clear that you will not comply with your obligations or pay in the future, if you have repeatedly failed to pay several taxes or premiums, if you are convicted of tax evasion, or if you have a prior prison sentence after obtaining permanent residence and are again sentenced for one of the crimes above. Family circumstances and humanitarian considerations are also taken into account.

If you have unpaid taxes or insurance premiums, contact your city office or tax office early and arrange an installment plan.

Sources: Immigration Services Agency, "Revocation of Status of Residence (Article 22-4 of the Immigration Control Act)" (Japanese; states the April 1, 2027 effective date) and "Guidelines on the Revocation of the Status of Residence of Permanent Residents" (Japanese).

Disclaimer

The information on this page is provided for general information purposes only and is based on the laws, guidelines and other information published by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan as of October 2, 2026. It is not legal advice on any individual case.
Permission for permanent residence is granted at the discretion of the Immigration Services Agency, based on the circumstances of each case. Meeting the requirements or answering "yes" to all items in our checklists does not guarantee approval.
Laws, guidelines and their application may change without notice, and some details (such as the specific income amounts) have not yet been published. Please check the latest information with the Immigration Services Agency or consult a specialist before applying.
The English descriptions of Japanese laws, guidelines and terms on this page are our own translations and summaries. In case of any difference, the original Japanese texts prevail.
TKG Immigration Consulting Office accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of the information on this page. For advice on your own situation, please consult a qualified specialist.

"Permanent Resident (永住者)" Visa – Permanent Residence