Permanent residency

The law asks for good conduct, enough assets or skills to live independently, and that permanent residency suits Japan’s interests. In practice, the immigration agency looks at your history of residence, your income, whether you have paid taxes, pension and health insurance on time, and that you hold a long period of stay.

The usual period is ten years of continuous residence, with at least five of them on a work or residence status. Highly Skilled Professionals with enough points can apply sooner, historically after one to three years, and spouses of Japanese nationals and permanent residents have their own shorter routes.

The agency revised its guidelines in February and October 2026. Reports say that applicants should hold the longest period of stay available to their status, about five years in most cases, that household income is checked against national averages, that pension contributions are examined more closely, and that Japanese ability around the B1 level and knowledge of Japanese rules will become factors. Several of these apply to applications from April 2027.

Reports also say that the spouse route moves to five years of marriage and three years of residence from April 2027, and that new grounds for revoking permanent residency begin then. Some of these accounts disagree, so confirm the rule for your application date with the agency.

You apply in person at the immigration bureau with many documents, including tax certificates, pension and insurance records, employment and income proof and a reason for applying. Processing can take many months, and you can be asked for more papers.

The fee rose to a reported ¥200,000 for applications received from 1 October 2026, paid when the permit is issued. If your application is refused, ask what was missing and whether you can reapply. A professional can help with a complicated case.