A lot of foreigners in Japan are attracted to the idea of getting a permanent resident visa as it allows them to live in the country indefinitely. It also gives them more freedom to work and makes it easier to manage their finances. In this article, we'll quickly go over what PR eligibility criteria is, then move on to how to get one, what documents you need, and the application process.
Eligibility
Criteria
Obtaining permanent residency in Japan requires meeting
several criteria. Here's a detailed breakdown of who can apply and the
conditions they must fulfill:
Residency Duration:
|
Category |
Residency
Duration |
|
Standard
Applicants |
Must
have resided in Japan for a minimum of 10 years |
|
Spouses
of Japanese Citizens or Permanent Residents |
Must
have been married for at least 3 years and resided in Japan for at least 1
year |
|
Highly
Skilled Professionals 80 points |
Must
have resided in Japan for 1 year
|
|
Highly
Skilled Professionals 70-80 points |
Must
have resided in Japan for 3 years |
Tax,
Health Insurance, and Pension: Applicants must have paid taxes,
health insurance, and pensions without delay for the respective period mentioned
above.
Good
Behavior and Conduct: The applicant must have a history
of good behavior.
Household
Income: Applicants must have a stable household income, with the
minimum income depending on the number of family members.
Guarantor:
Applicants must have a guarantor who is either a Japanese citizen or a
permanent resident.
Documents
Required
Required
documents vary based on individual circumstances. Below provides a general list
of documents that should be prepared (Information updated as of July 2024). Please
refer to immigration service agency website for detailed information (link
provided at the end of the article).
|
Common Documents |
|
|
Permanent Residency Application
Form |
Download from Immigration service
agency website |
|
Document Checklist |
Download from Immigration service
agency website |
|
ID Photo (4cm×3cm) |
Applicant (not required for
children aged less than 16) |
|
Original Passport |
Original and Copy |
|
Residence Card |
Original and Copy |
|
Statement of Reason for
Application |
Applicant |
|
Letter of understanding |
Applicant (stating to notify
immigration immediately if any change occur in family or work) |
|
Chronological Table (including
residence history, academic history, work history, and changes in personal
status) |
Applicant |
|
Certificate of Residence (for all
family members) |
Local ward office |
|
Snap Photos (at least 3, showing
the applicant with their family) |
Applicant |
|
Tax and Municipal Tax Payment
Certificates (showing total annual income and tax payment status for the past
5 years) |
Local tax office |
|
National Tax Certificate - Type 3 |
Ward/City tax office |
|
Copy of Bankbook |
Applicant's bank |
|
Graduation Certificates |
Educational institution attended |
|
Japanese Pension Record |
Pension office or web |
|
Health Insurance Card |
Copy |
|
For Company Employees (Applicant
or Dependent) |
|
|
Certificate of Employment |
Employer |
|
Withholding Tax Slip (for the most
recent year) |
Employer |
|
Salary Slips (for the most recent
3 months) |
Employer |
|
Documents for Guarantor (Japanese
Citizen or Permanent Resident) |
|
|
Letter of Guarantee |
Guarantor |
|
Certificate of Residence |
Local city/ward office
(guarantor’s residence) |
|
For Family Members with
"Dependent" Residence Status |
|
|
Family Registration Certificate |
Issuing authority (NADRA) |
|
Marriage Certificate |
Issuing country’s government
office or embassy |
|
Birth Certificate (for newborns) |
Issuing country’s government
office or embassy |
|
Japanese Translations of All
Documents from Home Country |
Translation service Self-translations might also be
accepted |
|
Additional Documents |
|
|
Recommendation Letter |
Employer |
|
Certificates of Appreciation or
Awards |
Issuing organizations |
|
Lease Agreement Copy (or property
registration certificate if the applicant owns real estate) |
Real estate agent or property
registry office |
|
Photos of Residence (exterior,
entrance, kitchen, living room, bedroom) |
Applicant |
|
Points Table (in case applicant
changing from HSP) |
Applicant (providing evidence the
points are over 70 or 80 at time of application) |
Application Process
1.
Gather Required Documents
2.
Prepare Application Forms
3.
Submit Application to Immigration
Bureau
4.
Receive Notification of Approval
5.
Complete Procedures at Immigration
Bureau: 8,000yen revenue stamp per application.
6.
Change Registration at Local
Government Office with 14 days.
Inspection
Duration
The
standard inspection period ranges from 4 to 6 months but may take longer depending
on individual circumstances.
Summary
Applying for permanent resident
status can seem a bit overwhelming at first, and many people choose to use a
lawyer's service, which is a great option. However, if you set aside enough
time and prepare carefully, you can complete the process on your own without
any problems.
Extra Advice
·
Applicants can apply for their
entire family when applying for themselves, or they can apply for their family
members after receiving their own PR. In my case, I applied for my wife and
myself together, and we all received PR at the same time.
·
When applying with family, you can
act as the guarantor for your family members and only need a Japanese or PR
guarantor for yourself.
·
In the case of a newborn, the application
must be made within one month. However, since additional documents might be
required as informed by the immigration bureau, it is best to apply within 14
days to have an extra 14 days to prepare the necessary documents.
·
Even for a newborn, all documents
from the parents will be required, which can be extensive. Nonetheless, you can
act as the guarantor for your newborn.
·
If there are school-going siblings,
the application for the newborn may require the siblings' school certificates
as supporting documents.
Useful Links
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/16-4.html?hl=en
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