Guidelines on Permanent Residency (Revised June 10, 2024) (Immigration Services Agency)
1. Legal Requirements
- Good Conduct:
- Must abide by laws and live a socially acceptable life.
- Financial Independence:
- Must have assets or skills to live independently without being a public burden and have a stable future outlook.
- Benefit to Japan:
- Generally, must have resided in Japan continuously for 10 years, with at least 5 years under a work or residence visa.
- Must not have any criminal record and must fulfill public obligations such as taxes, pension, and health insurance.
- Must hold the longest permissible stay period for their current visa.
- Must not pose a threat to public health.
Note: Spouses or children of Japanese citizens, permanent residents, or special permanent residents are exempt from some requirements. Refugees and individuals under complementary protection are exempt from the financial independence requirement.
2. Exceptions to the 10-Year Residency Rule
- Spouses of Japanese Citizens or Permanent Residents:
- Must have been married for over 3 years and have resided in Japan for over 1 year.
- Children must have resided in Japan for over 1 year.
- Long-term Residents:
- Must have resided in Japan continuously for over 5 years.
- Refugees:
- Must have resided in Japan for over 5 years after recognition.
- Contributors to Japan in Fields like Diplomacy, Society, Economy, Culture:
- Must have resided in Japan for over 5 years.
- Special Contribution to Local Revitalization Plans:
- Must have resided in Japan for over 3 years.
- Highly Skilled Professionals (70 Points):
- Must have maintained the required points and resided in Japan for over 3 years.
- Highly Skilled Professionals (80 Points):
- Must have maintained the required points and resided in Japan for over 1 year.
- Special Highly Skilled Professionals:
- Must have resided in Japan for over 1 year and meet specific criteria.
Note: The “longest stay period” includes a 3-year stay as a valid period. “Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals” are defined based on points (70 or 80), and “Special Highly Skilled Professionals” meet additional criteria.