Foreign workers and international graduates aiming for Permanent Residency in Japan must satisfy general criteria regarding good conduct, independent livelihood, and national interest. Applications are processed through local regional immigration offices, taking a standard processing time of 4 to 6 months, with permission fees set at 200,000 yen (or 10,000 yen for applications received on or before September 30, 2026). Furthermore, accumulating 70 points under the Highly Skilled Professional point system offers preferential treatment, including relaxed residency duration requirements.
What are the main requirements for Permanent Residency in Japan?
Foreign residents in Japan who wish to transition from work or other statuses to permanent residency must satisfy specific statutory conditions defined under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act.
What screening criteria does immigration apply?
Under Article 22 of the Act, standard applicants must satisfy three general screening criteria:
- Good Conduct: The applicant must observe Japanese laws and lead a socially conscientious life without criminal infractions or severe administrative violations.
- Independent Livelihood: The applicant must possess sufficient personal assets, skills, or steady income to support an independent living standard without becoming a public burden.
- National Interest: The applicant's permanent residence must align with the interests of Japan.
However, spouses and biological children of Japanese citizens, Permanent Residents, or Special Permanent Residents are legally exempt from the first two conditions. A guarantor is generally required for the application, typically a Japanese citizen, Permanent Resident, or Special Permanent Resident living in Japan. Applicants should confirm their individual criteria directly with official immigration sources.
How does the Highly Skilled Professional point system help?
For foreign workers in Japan, the Highly Skilled Professional point system evaluates qualifications across three main activity categories:
- Highly Skilled Academic Research Activities ("Highly Skilled Professional 1(a)")
- Highly Skilled Advanced/Specialized Technical Activities ("Highly Skilled Professional 1(b)")
- Highly Skilled Business Management Activities ("Highly Skilled Professional 1(c)")
Points are awarded based on criteria such as academic history, professional experience, and annual salary. Reaching a minimum total of 70 points grants significant benefits. Among these benefits—such as a 5-year period of stay, permission for complex work activities, and work allowances for spouses—is the relaxation of residency history requirements when applying for permanent residency. Highly Skilled Professionals who have actively engaged in eligible activities for 3 years or more can also transition to "Highly Skilled Professional 2," which carries an indefinite period of stay.
How do you submit a Permanent Residency application?
Understanding the procedural rules ensures that your application moves smoothly through administrative channels.
Who can submit the application on your behalf?
Applications are submitted to the regional immigration office that holds jurisdiction over your place of residence. Since April 1, 2022, the age of majority in Japan is 18, meaning adults 18 and older must submit their own application unless utilizing an authorized representative. Authorized proxies and agents include:
- Legal representatives.
- Approved staff from your employing company, school, or supervising institution.
- Registered lawyers or administrative scriveners who have notified the regional immigration bureau chief.
- Relatives or cohabitants if the applicant is under 16 or unable to appear due to illness (verified with a medical certificate). Work busyness or commuting obligations do not qualify as valid reasons for non-appearance.
What are the fees and processing times in 2026?
The standard processing time for a Permanent Residency application ranges from 4 months to 6 months.
If permission is granted, a fee of 200,000 yen is required, payable via revenue stamps. However, applications accepted on or before September 30, 2026 retain the previous fee rate of 10,000 yen, even if final permission is granted on or after October 1. Certain eligible applicants may qualify for a reduced fee of 20,000 yen, while acquiring permanent residency status at birth carries no fee. There is no formal appeal procedure if an application is denied.
If your current period of stay is set to expire while your permanent residency decision is pending, you must file a separate application for an extension of your current period of stay before its expiration date.
What rules must permanent residents maintain to avoid status revocation?
Under legal guidelines regarding revocation of Permanent Resident status, permanent residents must continue fulfilling statutory duties in Japan.
What obligations and tax requirements apply under the revised laws?
Under Article 22-4 of the Act, permanent resident status can be revoked under specific conditions:
- Immigration Obligations: Failing to comply with mandatory duties, such as failing to carry or present a residence card, or failing to renew or apply for reissuance of an expired or lost card.
- Public Taxes and Charges: Intentionally failing to pay public taxes (such as income tax, resident tax, corporate tax, or fixed asset tax) or public charges (such as national health insurance or public pension contributions). "Intentional" failure refers to situations where an individual clearly has no intention to pay despite having the ability, ignoring repeated reminders or concealing assets. Unavoidable circumstances such as severe illness, natural disasters, unemployment, or harassment-related job loss are taken into consideration.
- Criminal Offenses: Being sentenced to a custodial sentence (imprisonment) for specified intentional crimes, including theft, fraud, extortion, or dangerous driving causing injury or death.
If a permanent resident falls under these revocation grounds, the Minister of Justice will generally ex officio permit a change to another status—most commonly "Long-Term Resident"—unless continued residence in Japan is deemed entirely inappropriate.
Finding a place to stay
When planning your career and visa transitions in Tokyo, arranging long-term housing is best done once your visa status or Certificate of Eligibility is confirmed and before your arrival. Having stable accommodation simplifies your registration at local municipal offices, which is necessary for tax and residency documentation. For foreign professionals and graduates, OHAYO Stay offers furnished monthly apartments and rooms in Tokyo. Most homes have a minimum stay of 30 nights (shown on each listing), making it ideal while settling into your job. No guarantor, no key money and no agency fee; booking is online with a passport or ID and a credit card.
FAQ
How long does standard processing take for a permanent residency application?
The standard processing time at regional immigration offices is between 4 months and 6 months.
What happens if my period of stay expires while my permanent residency application is being processed?
If your current period of stay expires during the review process, you must submit a separate application to extend your current period of stay before its expiration date.
Can a permanent residency status be revoked?
Yes, under revised rules, status can be revoked or changed ex officio for intentional non-payment of taxes or social insurance, failure to maintain residence card duties, or convictions with custodial sentences for specific statutory crimes.
Sources
- 出入国在留管理庁「永住許可申請 | 出入国在留管理庁」(checked 2026-10-27)
- 出入国在留管理庁「永住者の在留資格の取消しに関するガイドライン | 出入国在留管理庁」(checked 2026-10-27)
- 出入国在留管理庁「高度人材ポイント制とは？ | 出入国在留管理庁」(checked 2026-10-27)
This article was created by OHAYO Stay based on the sources above (edited, reorganized and translated). It is not an official publication.
Rules and dates can change. Always confirm with the official source before you apply.