Japan Permanent Residency Requirements and the 2026 Guideline Changes

To obtain permanent residency in Japan, applicants must, as a rule, have lived in Japan continuously for at least 10 years, including at least five years under a work-based or residence-based status of residence (在留資格). On top of that, they must meet three requirements: good conduct, financial independence and consistency with Japan’s national interest. The guidelines were revised on 1 October 2026, and the criteria that apply now depend on the filing date.

The three requirements for permanent residency

Permanent residency is granted under Article 22 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (the Immigration Control Act). The approach to screening is set out in the Guidelines for Permanent Residency published by the Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁, ISA).

Meeting just one of the three requirements is not enough. Even with sufficient years of residence, problems with tax or insurance payments make approval difficult. Financial independence is assessed on household income, not the applicant’s individual income. For company owners, the assessment is based on the personal income they receive as directors’ remuneration; the company’s profits are not treated as the owner’s own income.

Spouses and children of Japanese nationals and permanent residents

Spouses and children of Japanese nationals, permanent residents and special permanent residents are exempt from the good conduct and financial independence requirements. They must still meet the national interest requirement.

The residence requirement: 10 years as a rule, with exceptions

The rule is at least 10 years of continuous residence, of which at least five consecutive years must be under a work-based or residence-based status. Technical Intern Training and Specified Skilled Worker (i) do not count as work-based statuses for this purpose.

Check the guidelines to see which statuses of residence count as work-based. If you have changed status over the years, listing the period spent under each status, based on your residence card (在留カード) and past permissions, makes the assessment easier.

Exceptions to the 10-year rule

The required period of residence is shortened for applicants such as the following.

• Spouses of Japanese nationals, permanent residents and special permanent residents, their biological children and similar
• Those who have lived in Japan for a certain period under the Long-Term Resident status
• Those recognized as refugees
• Those who score above a certain threshold on the Highly Skilled Professional points calculation
• Those recognized as having contributed to Japan in diplomatic, social, economic, cultural or other fields

Under the exception for highly skilled professionals, the required period depends on the points score. The calculation is explained in The Highly Skilled Professional visa and the points calculation.

The spousal exception tightens from April 2027

Note that long or frequent absences from Japan may mean that residence is not regarded as continuous. Executives who travel abroad often on business, and those who return home for long periods for family reasons, are advised to keep a record of their departures and the reasons for them.

What changed in the 2026 guideline revisions

The guidelines were revised on 24 February 2026 and again on 1 October 2026. Which version applies is determined by the filing date.

Main changes

• Income: According to press reports, consideration is given to whether household income exceeds the average income of Japanese households. Check the specific criteria in the text of the guidelines.
• Pensions: The expected amount of future pension benefits has also become a factor.
• Japanese language ability: According to press reports, a certain level of Japanese (equivalent to B1) has been added as a factor. Check who is covered and the scope of exceptions in the text of the guidelines.
• Spousal exception: The required periods of marriage and residence have been extended (as shown in the table above).

The income provisions also apply to applications filed on or after 1 April 2026 that were still under review on 1 October. Applicants whose cases are already pending should also review their income position again.

Longest period of stay and fees

The guidelines require applicants to hold the longest period of stay available for their current status. Until now, three years has been treated as the longest for the time being. Check the treatment under the revised guidelines and any transitional measures in the ISA’s guidance before applying.

The permanent residency fee is paid when permission is granted. According to press reports, the fee was raised to ¥200,000 from 1 October 2026. Check the latest amount, including how it applies depending on when you file, in the ISA’s guidance.

Public obligations examined in screening, and how to prepare

Fulfilment of public obligations is central to the national interest requirement. The ISA looks not only at whether there are any arrears but also at whether payments have been made on time. Late payments may count against an applicant.

• Taxes such as resident tax and income tax
• Contributions to public pension and public health insurance
• Notifications required under the Immigration Control Act, such as changes of residence or affiliated organization

For company owners, the company’s social insurance enrollment and tax compliance matter as well as their own payment record. Because the level of directors’ remuneration directly affects how household income is assessed, it is advisable to plan it early. For the residence procedures of business owners, see also Applying for and renewing a Business Manager visa.

An application includes documents on family relationships, proof of income and tax payments, pension and health insurance payment records, documents showing occupation, and documents relating to the guarantor. The required documents vary with the applicant’s circumstances, so check the latest list in the ISA’s guidance.

Points to watch during screening

The ISA gives the standard processing period for permanent residency applications as four to six months. Depending on the content and timing of the application, it may take longer. Applying for permanent residency does not extend your current period of stay. If your period of stay will expire during screening, you must apply for an extension in the usual way.

• Check that there are no arrears or late payments of taxes and insurance contributions for the several years before applying
• If you have changed jobs or moved, check that you have made the notifications required under the Immigration Control Act
• Think carefully before long absences from Japan or job changes that would significantly change your income during screening
• If asked to submit additional documents, respond by the deadline

After approval: the revocation system from April 2027

The 2024 amendment to the Immigration Control Act added Article 22-4, paragraph 1, items 8 and 9 as grounds for revoking permanent resident status. They take effect on 1 April 2027. A public consultation on draft revocation guidelines was held from August to September 2026, and the latest information is available on the ISA’s website.

• Breaching obligations under the Immigration Control Act, or willfully failing to pay taxes and public charges
• Being sentenced to imprisonment for violating certain criminal laws

“Willfully” refers to cases where a person knows of the obligation to pay but deliberately does not do so. The stated approach is that people who cannot pay for unavoidable reasons, such as illness or unemployment, will not be subject to revocation. In addition, even where grounds for revocation apply, the system provides that, as a rule, the Minister of Justice will on their own authority permit a change to a status of residence other than permanent resident.

After obtaining permanent residency, it remains important to keep paying taxes and social insurance contributions and making the required notifications. For the status of residence of spouses and children, see also Requirements for the Dependent visa.

Summary of permanent residency requirements

Permanent residency screening looks at the overall picture: length of residence, conduct, livelihood and fulfilment of public obligations. The 2026 revisions clarified income and Japanese language ability as factors, and the criteria that apply differ by filing date. It is important to plan the timing of the application and the order of preparation early.

Together with partner administrative scriveners, certified tax accountants and labor and social security attorneys, TIMOA helps confirm which guidelines apply, organize tax and social insurance records and prepare application documents. For details, see our Visas, Talent & Living services.