"Permanent Resident (永住者)" Visa - Permanent Residence
"Permanent Resident" visa grants permanent residence to foreign nationals.
Holders of this visa can stay in Japan without any restrictions on the length of their stay.
How to apply for a "Permanent Resident" Visa (Spouses of Japanese nationals and Permanent Residents)
Here's how to prepare for a "Permanent Resident" visa application if you are the spouse of a Japanese national, Permanent Resident, or Special Permanent Resident.
Preparation steps:
1. Check your eligibility. (Spouses of Japanese nationals and Permanent Residents)
Make sure that you meet the eligibility requirements for the "Permanent Resident" visa.
You can check it with our basic checklist for spouses of Japanese nationals and Permanent Residents.
We do not recommend applying for permanent residence without carefully reviewing the requirements.
Not only will your application for permanent residence be denied, but your current visa status may also be affected at the time of your next visa renewal application if your records, especially the payment of taxes and social security contributions, have a problem.
If you do not feel confident, it may be a good idea to consult with us.
2. Prepare certificates and official documents. (Spouses of Japanese nationals and Permanent Residents)
Obtain and collect the following certificates and official documents if you are the spouse of a Japanese national, Permanent Resident, or a Special Permanent Resident.
| Document | Qty |
Note |
|
Copy of your spouse's family register (certificate of all matters) (配偶者の戸籍謄本(全部事項証明書)) |
1 |
*Obtain this document if you are the spouse of a Japanese national, prepare. *You must submit one within 3 months of the date of issue. *You can get one at the local municipal office of the place of your registered domicile. |
|
Marriage certificate |
1 |
*Prepare this document if you are the spouse of a Permanent Resident. *Prepare certificates and official documents proving the family relationship between you and your spouse if you cannot prepare a marriage certificate. |
| Certificate of residence (住民票) | 1 |
*"My Number - Individual Number" must be omitted. *You can get one at your local municipal office. |
| Certificate of employment (在職証明書) | 1 |
*Prepare this document if your spouse is a company employee and you are the dependent of your spouse. *Prepare this document if you are a company employee. *You must submit one within 3 months of the date of issue. *If both you and your spouse are unemployed, prepare additional documentation to explain the details. |
|
Photocopy of a copy of tax return (確定申告書控えの写し) and Photocopy of an operating license (if your spouse or you have)(営業許可書の写し(ある場合)) |
1 |
*Prepare these documents if your spouse is self-employed and you are the dependent of your spouse. *Prepare these documents if you are self-employed. *If both you and your spouse are unemployed, prepare additional documentation to explain the details. |
| Certificate of taxation (or non-taxation) for Residence Tax for the past 3 years (直近3年分の住民税の課税証明書又は非課税証明書) | 1 for each year |
*You must submit one within 3 months of the date of issue. *You can get ones at your local municipal office. You will need to get ones from the local municipal office if you have lived in a different municipality in the past. |
| Certificate of tax payment for Residence Tax (stating the total income and tax payment status for one year) for the past 3 years (直近3年分の住民税の納税証明書 （1年間の総所得及び納税状況が記載されたもの）) | 1 for each year |
*You must submit one within 3 months of the date of issue. *You can get ones at your local municipal office. You will need to get ones from the local municipal office if you have lived in a different municipality in the past. |
| Certificate of tax payment (No. 3) for Withholding Income Tax and Special Income Tax for Reconstruction, Self-assessed Income Tax and Self-assessed Special Income Tax for Reconstruction, Consumption Tax and Local Consumption Tax, Inheritance Tax, and Gift Tax (源泉所得税及び復興特別所得税、申告所得税及び復興特別所得税、消費税及び地方消費税、相続税、贈与税に係る納税証明書（その３）) | 1 |
*You must submit one within 3 months of the date of issue. *You can get one at your local tax office. |
|
Photocopy of Passbook (預貯金通帳の写し)
OR
Printed screen of "Web bankbook" system capable of confirming bank account transactions (Web通帳の画面の写し等(取引履歴が分かるもの)) |
1 | |
|
No.1: Printed screen of "Pension Record for each month" on the "Nenkin Net" (ねんきんネットの「各月の年金記録」の印刷画面)
OR
No.2: "Hihokensha-kiroku-shokai-kaitohyo (被保険者記録照会回答票) = Insured Person Record Inquiry Response Form" and "Hihokensha-kiroku-shokai (Nofu I, Kabusokuno) (被保険者記録照会（納付Ⅰ・過不足納）) = Insured Person Record Inquiry Response (Payment I, Overpayment or Underpayment)" |
- |
*You can register with the "Nenkin Net" on the website of Japan Pension Service. The system shows only Japanese. *You can get "No.2" documents at a Japan Pension Service office. *You must black out your basic pension number (年金基礎番号) on the documents. |
|
Certificate of payment of national health insurance contributions (tax) in the past 2 years (国民健康保険料（税）納付証明書)
And
Photocopy of all receipts for payment of national health insurance contributions (tax) in the past 2 years (国民健康保険料（税）領収証書（写し）) |
- |
*Obtain if you have been enrolled in National Health Insurance within the past two years. *You can get a certificate of payment of national insurance contributions (tax) at your local municipal office. You will need to get ones from the local municipal office if you have lived in a different municipality in the past. *You must black out your insurance number/code on the documents. |
|
Photocopy of health insurance card (健康保険証の写し) |
1 |
*Submit if you are enrolled in employee's health insurance. *You must black out your insurer number and insurance number/code on the photocopy. |
|
Photocopy of national health insurance (国民健康保険証の写し) |
1 |
*Submit if you are enrolled in national health insurance. *You must black out your insurer number and insurance number/code on the photocopy. |
|
No.1: Photocopy of receipts for health insurance and employee pension contributions (健康保険・厚生年金保険料領収証書(写し))
OR
No. 2: Certificates of payment of social insurance contributions, or confirmation of social insurance contributions payment (社会保険料納入証明書又は社会保険料納入確認(申請)書)
|
1 |
*Obtain if you or your spouse are an an employer with a place of business where social insurance applies. *You can get "No2" documents at a Japan Pension Service office. |
3. Fill out an application form. (Spouses of Japanese nationals and Permanent Residents)
Download and complete an application form from the website of the Immigration Services Agency.
Here's an example of how to fill it out for working visa holders.
Attach your face photo to the application form.
The photo must meet the following requirements.
- Photo size: 4 cm high and 3 cm wide
- Facing front without a hat or cap
- No background (including shadows)
- The photo must be clear and sharp.
- Taken within six months of the submission date
- Write your name on the reverse side.
4. Prepare a letter of guarantee.
The guarantor is usually your spouse.
Download a letter from the Immigration Services Agency's website and ask your guarantor to fill it out and sign it.
Prepare documents proving the guarantor's identity (photocopy of driver's license, etc.)
Note: The letter states, "In connection with the person applying for permission for permanent residence above, I hereby guarantee to provide him/her with necessary support to fulfill his/her civic duty and to abide by Japanese laws and regulations during his/her stay in Japan". This does not mean that your guarantor has legal responsibility. The guarantor has only moral responsibility.
The Immigration Services Agency explains on its website: A guarantor under the Immigration Control Act is a person who promises to the Minister of Justice that they will provide financial guarantees, daily life guidance for compliance with laws and regulations, as necessary, so that foreign nationals can stably and continuously achieve their intended purpose of entry into Japan. Regarding the nature of the letter of guarantee, the guaranteed matters promised to the Minister of Justice are not legally enforceable against the guarantor. Even if the guaranteed matters are not fulfilled, the authorities will only guide the guarantor to fulfill the promise. If the guarantor fails to fully fulfill their responsibilities, they will be considered unsuitable as a guarantor in subsequent immigration applications, and will lose social credibility. Therefore, it can be said that this imposes a moral responsibility. (Source: Q52 of "Immigration Q&A" on the website of the Immigration Services Agency. TKG Immigration Consulting Office translated it into English.)
5. Sign an Acknowledgment Form.
Download and sign an acknowledgment form from the Immigration Services Agency's website.
6. Submit application documents
Submit your application documents to a regional immigration services bureau that has jurisdiction over your place of residence.
You can check the jurisdiction of regional immigration services bureaus on the agency's website.
Present your passport and residence card at the time of submission.
Do you have any concerns about the above preparation?
Please contact us if you need assistance with your "Permanent Resident (永住者)" application.