Who this is for
- People considering a change from a work-related status of residence to Permanent Resident
- Spouses or biological children of Japanese nationals, Permanent Residents, and others
- People considering special provisions for Long-Term Residents or highly skilled professionals
Main application and consultation offices:The regional Immigration Services Bureau with jurisdiction over your place of residence. Submit this as a separate application for permanent residence permission, not as an ordinary application to change status of residence.
General Requirements for Permanent Residence Permission
Permanent Resident is a status of residence with no restrictions on activities or period of stay. Permission is determined by comprehensively assessing each applicant’s circumstances; it is not granted automatically simply because you have lived in Japan for a certain number of years. In principle, you must have good conduct, assets or skills sufficient to maintain a stable livelihood, and show that granting permanent residence would serve Japan’s interests.
As a general rule, you must have resided in Japan continuously for at least 10 years, including at least 5 continuous years with a work-related or residence-based status of residence. Under the standards as of November 2026, periods under the Technical Intern Training and Specified Skilled Worker (i) statuses are not included in these 5 years of work-related residence. The authorities also check that you meet the landing permission criteria, etc. for your current status and, in principle, hold the longest period of stay available for that status. For applications submitted by March 31, 2027, a period of stay of 3 years is also treated as the longest period.
Special Rules for Spouses, Long-Term Residents, and Highly Skilled Professionals
For applications submitted by March 31, 2027, spouses of Japanese nationals, Permanent Residents, or Special Permanent Residents may qualify for the reduced residence-period requirement if they have been in a genuine marital relationship for at least 3 years and have resided continuously in Japan for at least 1 year. Their biological children and others covered by the provision generally need to have resided continuously in Japan for at least 1 year; Long-Term Residents generally need to have resided continuously for at least 5 years with the Long-Term Resident status. Spouses and children are not required to meet the legal requirements of good conduct and independent livelihood, but they are not exempt from the public-interest review, including tax compliance.
Highly skilled professionals may qualify for a reduced residence-period requirement if, for example, they have continuously maintained at least 70 points for 3 years or at least 80 points for 1 year. You must establish not only your current points, but also your points at the relevant past reference dates and the period for which they were maintained. There are also routes available to people with statuses of residence other than Highly Skilled Professional, as well as a 1-year special provision for specially highly skilled professionals, but the conditions for each must be checked.
The October 2026 Revision Applies Depending on the Application Date
Applications submitted from April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027 generally use the version revised in February 2026, with the October revision applied to the sections concerning income and public burdens. In assessing income for an independent livelihood, the authorities consider whether household income has continuously reached a level above the average income of Japanese households, taking household size into account. Dependent family members living abroad are also counted in the household size, while income from activities outside the permitted scope of a status of residence, such as income earned by family members with Dependent status, is not included in the combined income. The assessment cannot be made on the basis of a single fixed annual income amount.
The October revision in its entirety applies to applications submitted on or after April 1, 2027. The special provision for spouses will change to require at least 5 years of marriage and at least 3 years of continuous residence in Japan; biological children and others covered by the provision will need at least 3 years of continuous residence in Japan. The revision also sets out considerations such as future pension benefits, financial assets to make up for any shortfall, Japanese-language ability equivalent to B1 or higher and exceptions to this requirement, and understanding of systems and rules. Check the latest guidance for acceptable methods of proving Japanese-language ability and the specific income level. A transitional measure for applicants holding a 3-year period of stay on or after that date is subject to conditions including holding that 3-year period as of March 31, 2027, making their first application on or after April of that year, and having the application disposition made before that 3-year period expires.
Taxes and Social Insurance Must Be Paid by Their Due Dates
You must properly fulfill obligations such as resident tax and national taxes, public pension contributions, health insurance premiums, and notifications to Immigration Services. Even if you have paid all amounts due by the time of application, a record of paying after the due date will generally be assessed unfavorably. Check any periods when insurance coverage changed due to a job change or retirement, and determine which documents are needed not only for the applicant but also for dependents and others. If there is a reason you cannot provide a document, explain the circumstances and provide records that can verify them; do not assume that paying everything in full resolves the issue.
Checking required documents and where to obtain them
The documents listed are representative examples. Required materials vary depending on the type of application, such as an application for a Certificate of Eligibility, change, or extension, as well as your current status of residence, affiliated organization, nationality, and family relationships. Additional materials may be requested for individual cases.
Application and Identity Documents to Prepare Yourself
Application for Permanent Residence, photograph, and letter of consent
- Purpose
- These materials verify the application details and the applicant, and confirm how changes in circumstances during screening are handled.
- Issuing office / document preparer
- Official Immigration Services forms, photo studios, etc.
- Points to check
- Use the form specifically for permanent residence. Check the latest guidance on photograph specifications and age-based exemptions.
Passport, residence card, and statement of reasons
- Purpose
- These verify the applicant’s residence status and explain the reasons for wishing to obtain permanent residence.
- Issuing office / document preparer
- Passport and residence card kept by the applicant. The applicant prepares the statement of reasons.
- Points to check
- The passport and other documents are materials to be presented. Prepare a statement of reasons for applications for work-related statuses or Dependent status. If there is a reason you cannot present them, you must explain it.
Supporting materials:[4]
Certificate of residence for all household members and proof of family relationships
- Purpose
- These verify the residence and household composition, as well as marital and parent-child relationships.
- Issuing office / document preparer
- Certificate of residence and family register from the municipal office; marriage and birth certificates from authorities in the country of nationality, etc.
- Points to check
- The Certificate of Residence must omit the My Number but include all other items. Select proof of family relationships according to the category, such as spouse, biological child, or Dependent status.
Documents concerning the work and public obligations of the applicant, dependents, etc.
Certificate of employment, copy of tax return, etc.
- Purpose
- These verify the applicant’s occupation and stable means of livelihood.
- Issuing office / document preparer
- Employer, tax return kept by the applicant, authority that issued the business license.
- Points to check
- Required documents differ for company employees and self-employed people. If unemployed, prepare a document explaining the circumstances, etc.
Supporting materials:[4]
Certificates of residence tax assessment and payment, and payment records
- Purpose
- These verify income, tax payment status, and that taxes were paid by the due date.
- Issuing office / document preparer
- Municipal office that assessed the tax; receipts, passbooks, etc. kept by the applicant.
- Points to check
- For the main categories, the period covered is the most recent 5 years for workers and others, 3 years for spouses, and 1 year for biological children and others. For periods when taxes were paid by ordinary collection, payment records are also checked. If the documents cannot be issued, check with Immigration Services.
National tax payment certificate, “Certificate 3”
- Purpose
- This verifies that, as of the date of certification, there are no unpaid amounts for the specified tax categories.
- Issuing office / document preparer
- Tax office with jurisdiction over your place of residence.
- Points to check
- Request the certificate for the five specified tax categories: income tax, consumption tax, inheritance tax, and gift tax. This is separate from the residence tax certificate.
Supporting materials:[4]
Pension records and receipts for National Pension contributions, etc.
- Purpose
- These verify enrollment history and payment status for premiums.
- Issuing office / document preparer
- Pension office, Japan Pension Service, Nenkin Net, records kept by the applicant.
- Points to check
- For the main categories, the period covered is the most recent 2 years; for biological children and others, 1 year. Select documents according to the pension scheme, and check receipts and other records for periods enrolled in the National Pension. A postcard-style pension statement that does not show the full period is not sufficient by itself.
Documents on medical insurance enrollment and payments
- Purpose
- These verify enrollment in health insurance and proper payment of National Health Insurance premiums, etc.
- Issuing office / document preparer
- My Number Portal, insurer, municipal office, receipts kept by the applicant.
- Points to check
- For the main categories, the period covered is the most recent 2 years; for biological children and others, 1 year. Check the eligibility information screen or certificate of eligibility, together with payment documents for the relevant period. Employers at establishments covered by social insurance must also provide additional documents for the establishment.
Documents concerning the guarantor and special provisions
Letter of Guarantee and copy of the guarantor’s identification
- Purpose
- These verify the guarantor’s identity and intention to provide a guarantee.
- Issuing office / document preparer
- Immigration Bureau forms, copies of the guarantor’s driver’s license, etc.
- Points to check
- A guarantor is usually a Japanese citizen, permanent resident, or special permanent resident living in Japan. Having a letter of guarantee does not by itself ensure approval.
Evidence of assets, points, and other evidence for special provisions
- Purpose
- Explain the stability of your livelihood and the basis for any reduction in the required period.
- Issuing office / document preparer
- The relevant issuing authorities, such as financial institutions, Legal Affairs Bureaus, schools, and employers.
- Points to check
- Distinguish evidence of assets, such as copies of bankbooks, from evidence of education, work history, remuneration, and other matters required when relying on a special provision. For the points-based route, check the applicable criteria at both the current and past reference dates.
Consultation and application preparation process
- 1
- 2
2. Check public obligations and the required periods
Check the tax, pension, and insurance payment deadlines and payment dates. Also review any gaps caused by moving or changing jobs, and documents relating to dependents. Gather documents according to the application category.
- 3
3. Gather the documents and apply for permanent residence
As a general rule, obtain certificates issued in Japan within three months of their issue date, and attach Japanese translations to foreign-language documents. Submit them with the checklist to the competent Regional Immigration Services Bureau.
- 4
4. Manage requests for additional documents and your period of stay
Respond to requests for additional documents during the review and check for changes in your circumstances. Even while your permanent residence application is being reviewed, if your current period of stay is due to expire, you must separately apply for an extension before it expires.
Points to check before applying
- An application for permanent residence does not extend your period of stay. Do not confuse its documents with those for an application for a Certificate of Eligibility or for a regular change or extension of status of residence. A separate deadline applies to acquiring permanent resident status due to birth or other circumstances: the application must be made within 30 days of the event.
- The outcome and processing time cannot be guaranteed. For pension and insurance documents that contain identification numbers, follow the official instructions and conceal the relevant numbers so they cannot be restored. Before applying, check the latest checklist for your application category.
This page provides general information about the system and does not determine individual cases or guarantee permission or approval. Required documents and requirements vary depending on individual circumstances. When applying, check the latest official information and consult an administrative scrivener about the procedures suited to your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I obtain permanent residence if I have lived in Japan for 10 years?
The number of years alone does not determine the outcome. The periods spent under work-related and residence statuses, stability of livelihood, and public obligations are also reviewed. Special provisions for spouses and other categories, or for highly skilled professionals, do not waive all other checks.
Can I apply if I pay overdue taxes or pension contributions?
Full payment is a necessary check, but payments made after the deadline are generally viewed unfavorably. The timing and circumstances of the delay, as well as the records, must be reviewed. It is not possible to say that approval will be granted after a fixed waiting period in every case.
Are the required documents the same for everyone?
No. The categories differ for work-related cases, spouses, biological children, long-term residents, and highly skilled professionals, and the periods that must be documented also vary. This page describes the main documents; it is not a complete list of all required documents. Additional documents may also be requested.
Official Immigration and Legal Affairs Sources
Check the following official pages for application forms and the latest required submission materials. Official materials are displayed in Japanese or other languages provided by each organization.
- [1] Immigration Services Agency of Japan | Guidelines for Permanent Residence Permission (revised February 24, 2026)
- [2] Immigration Services Agency of Japan | Guidelines for Permanent Residence Permission (revised October 1, 2026)
- [3] Immigration Services Agency of Japan | Application for Permanent Residence Permission (application categories, submission destination, and cautions about extensions)
- [4] Immigration Services Agency of Japan | Application for Permanent Residence Permission 3 (required documents for work-related statuses and Dependent status)