Permanent Residence in Japan: Requirements, the October 2026 Guideline Revision, and New Revocation Grounds
October 5, 2026 (Updated: October 16, 2026) | Fuminobu Imamura, Gyoseishoshi
Permanent residence (status of residence “Permanent Resident”) is the most stable status under Japan’s Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (ICRRA), with no restrictions on activities or length of stay. To qualify, applicants must meet three requirements: good conduct, financial independence, and national interest (ICRRA Article 22, Paragraph 2). Under the ISA Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence, the national interest assessment generally considers whether the applicant has resided in Japan continuously for at least ten years, including at least five years under a work or residential status.
On October 1, 2026, the Immigration Services Agency (ISA) revised its Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence. For applications filed on or after April 1, 2027, the exception for spouses of Japanese nationals and others is tightened to “five years of marriage and three years of residence,” and Japanese language ability (B1 level), household income level, and expected pension benefits are taken into account. In October 2026, the ISA also established guidelines on revoking the Permanent Resident status. The new grounds for revoking the Permanent Resident status set by the 2024 amendment are scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2027, and these guidelines will be applied from the same date.
For an overview of all statuses of residence, see “Types of Residence Status in Japan.”
What the October 2026 Revision Changes
The revised guidelines generally apply to applications filed on or after April 1, 2027. However, two items, the household income level (Part 2, 4(2)) and the requirement not to be a burden on the public (Part 2, 5(7)), also apply to applications filed on or after April 1, 2026 that were still under review on October 1, 2026 (Guidelines, Part 6).
| Item | Applications filed by March 31, 2027 | Applications filed on or after April 1, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Spouses of Japanese nationals, permanent residents, and special permanent residents | 3+ years of marriage and 1+ year of continuous residence | 5+ years of marriage and 3+ years of continuous residence |
| Biological children, etc. of the above | 1+ year of continuous residence | 3+ years of continuous residence |
| Household income level | Applies to the applications described above | Applies |
| Not being a burden on the public | Applies to the applications described above | Applies |
| Expected pension benefits | — | Newly considered |
| Japanese language ability (B1) | — | Newly considered |
| Understanding of Japan’s systems and rules | — | Newly considered |
| School attendance of school-age children | — | Newly considered |
| Time spent outside Japan | — | Newly considered (see “‘Continuous’ Residence and Time Outside Japan” below) |
| Period of stay of “3 years” | Treated as the longest period of stay | Treated as the longest only for those covered by the transitional measure |
| ”Contribution to Japan” | Separate guidelines | Separate guidelines abolished and merged into these guidelines |
In the tables in this article, the column for applications filed by March 31, 2027 is based on the earlier guidelines (the version revised on June 10, 2024, as confirmed in practitioner handbooks). As of October 2026, that earlier version is no longer published on the ISA website, so applicants filing by March 31, 2027 should also confirm the current treatment for their own case.
The Three Requirements
All three requirements, good conduct, financial independence, and national interest, must be met (Guidelines, Part 2).
Spouses and children of Japanese nationals, permanent residents, or special permanent residents are exempt from the good conduct and financial independence requirements. Recognized refugees and persons recognized as eligible for complementary protection, among others, are exempt from the financial independence requirement. The national interest requirement applies to all applicants.
When the amended ICRRA takes effect as scheduled on April 1, 2027, Article 22, Paragraph 2 will add the words “compliance with obligations under this Act, payment of taxes and public charges, etc.” According to the guidelines, this clarifies as a statutory requirement what had already been considered under the guidelines.
1. Good Conduct
The applicant must obey the law and live a life that is not subject to social criticism as a resident. If the applicant is found to have repeatedly engaged in illegal or nuisance behavior in daily or social life, this requirement is not met.
Under the revised guidelines, a history of criminal penalties is treated as a factor under the national interest requirement (see “Criminal offenses” below).
2. Financial Independence
The applicant must not be at risk of becoming a burden on the public and must be expected to maintain a stable livelihood in the future. The guidelines state that economic conditions “equal to or higher than those of Japanese nationals” are required, and the assessment is made in principle per household sharing the same livelihood.
Household income level
The guidelines consider whether household income has continuously reached a level “above the average income of Japanese households of the same size.” The guidelines do not state specific amounts (as of October 2026).
- Household income is the total income of the applicant and household members sharing the same livelihood
- Where an adult child or another person no longer dependent on their parents applies, the parents’ income is not included
- Income of household members whose status is not a work status, such as “Dependent,” is not included (income under permission to engage in activity other than that permitted is regarded as exceptional and limited)
- Relatives supported by the applicant are counted in the household size even if they live abroad and do not live with the applicant. Where the household has five or more members, an amount for additional living costs is added to the income level
Expected pension benefits (applications from April 1, 2027)
The guidelines consider whether the applicant’s expected future pension, estimated from age, enrollment history, average income, and other factors, reaches the amount a person would expect after working for 30 years at an income above the Japanese household average while enrolled in the Employees’ Pension Insurance.
If the expected amount falls short, it is treated as sufficient if the applicant holds financial assets that can cover the shortfall. The asset threshold depends on the applicant’s age and is lower for younger applicants. For married applicants, the expected benefits of both spouses are combined.
3. National Interest
The Minister of Justice must find that “the person’s permanent residence is in the interest of Japan.” The guidelines state that it is not enough to simply not harm national interests; the applicant’s permanent residence must actively and concretely benefit Japan. The main factors in the revised guidelines are as follows.
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Compliance with ICRRA obligations | Notifications such as of place of residence, carrying and presenting the residence card, not engaging in unauthorized activities, etc. Past violations are also generally assessed negatively |
| Payment of taxes and public charges | Income tax, residence tax, and other taxes, plus public health insurance and public pension premiums. A past disposition for delinquent payment is also generally assessed negatively. Assessed per household |
| Criminal offenses | A sentence of imprisonment (including former penal servitude and imprisonment without work) or a fine, or a current protective measure under the Juvenile Act, is generally assessed negatively |
| Grounds for denial of landing and landing standards | Assessed negatively if the applicant falls under a ground for denial of landing or does not meet the landing standards for their current status |
| Long-term residence | In principle, ten or more years of continuous residence, including five or more years under a work or residential status, and holding the longest period of stay for the current status (see “Residence Period” below) |
| Not being a burden on the public | Even applicants exempt from the financial independence requirement, such as spouses, may be assessed negatively if their household is currently a burden on the public |
| Japanese language ability | B1 level or higher under the “Reference Framework for Japanese Language Education” (applications from April 1, 2027) |
| Understanding of Japan’s systems and rules | Confirmed by a method designated by the Commissioner of the ISA, centering on the contents of the “Guidebook on Living and Working” (applications from April 1, 2027) |
| School attendance | If raising school-age children, the children must be attending elementary or junior high school (applications from April 1, 2027) |
| Other circumstances | Contribution to measures in the “Comprehensive Measures for Accepting Foreign Nationals and Orderly Coexistence” (decided January 23, 2026), such as promoting the Specified Residence Card, is also a factor |
Japanese language ability is not considered where requiring B1 is not necessary or appropriate, for example for highly skilled foreign professionals and their families, persons who received a total of six or more years of primary or secondary education in Japan, and certain children of permanent residents.
Residence Period: General Rule and Exceptions
The general rule is “ten or more years of continuous residence, including five or more years under a work or residential status.” The following exceptions apply depending on the applicant’s status (Guidelines, Part 3).
| Applicant | Applications filed by March 31, 2027 | Applications filed on or after April 1, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| General rule | 10+ years continuous (5+ years under work or residential status) | Same |
| Spouses of Japanese nationals, permanent residents, and special permanent residents | 3+ years of genuine marriage and 1+ year of continuous residence | 5+ years of genuine marriage and 3+ years of continuous residence |
| Biological children, etc. of the above | 1+ year of continuous residence | 3+ years of continuous residence |
| Long-Term Residents | 5+ years of continuous residence as “Long-Term Resident” | Same |
| Refugees and persons eligible for complementary protection | 5+ years of continuous residence after recognition | Same |
| Highly Skilled Professional, 70+ points | 3+ years of continuous residence | Same |
| Highly Skilled Professional, 80+ points | 1+ year of continuous residence | Same |
| Special Highly Skilled Professionals | 1+ year of continuous residence | Same |
| Persons recognized as contributing to Japan | 5+ years of residence | Same (merged into Part 4 of the guidelines) |
There are also exceptions requiring three or more years of residence for persons who contribute to Japan through certain activities in special zones for structural reform or regional revitalization areas.
These exceptions do not apply to persons who received special permission to stay, or special permission to land after falling under a ground for denial of landing. They must reside continuously for ten or more years after receiving that permission, as under the general rule.
Which Statuses Count as “Work Status”
The following are excluded from the work statuses counted toward the “five or more years”: Technical Intern Training, Employment for Skill Development, Specified Skilled Worker (i), Intra-company Transferee, and some “Designated Activities” (Guidelines, Note 2). Under the earlier criteria that apply to applications filed by March 31, 2027, only “Technical Intern Training” and “Specified Skilled Worker (i)” were excluded.
“Designated Activities” are treated differently depending on the designated activity (Guidelines, Part 5).
- Not counted toward the ten years: continued job-seeking, persons with job offers, international students engaged in start-up activities after graduating from a Japanese university, persons with pending refugee applications, and persons allowed to stay due to unrest in their home country
- Counted as work status: Public Notice No. 6 (amateur athletes), No. 8 (international arbitration representatives), No. 36 (designated research activities), No. 37 (designated information processing activities), No. 46 (graduates of Japanese universities), and nurses and certified care workers under Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs)
- Not counted as work status: Working Holiday, internships, and persons employed after graduating from a Japanese high school
”Continuous” Residence and Time Outside Japan
“Continuous” means that the status of residence has not been interrupted. If you leave Japan without a re-entry permit (ICRRA Article 26; the special re-entry permit is under Article 26-2), your status of residence is lost, so your prior residence does not count as continuous.
For applications filed on or after April 1, 2027, if, within the past ten years, you were absent from Japan without reasonable grounds for six months or more on a single trip, or for two years and six months or more in total, this is generally assessed negatively. If you expect long business trips or extended stays abroad, check how they relate to your application timing in advance.
Longest Period of Stay
A factor is whether you hold the longest period of stay set by the Enforcement Regulations of the ICRRA for your current status (for example, “5 years” for “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services”). The treatment of a “3 years” period of stay depends on the application date (Guidelines, Note 4).
- Applications filed by March 31, 2027: A “3 years” period of stay is treated as the longest period of stay
- Applications filed on or after April 1, 2027: The longest period of stay is generally required. However, a “3 years” period is still treated as the longest only if you held “3 years” as of March 31, 2027, the application is your first permanent residence application filed on or after April 1, 2027, and a decision is made before that “3 years” period expires
Highly Skilled Professional Points System
Applicants who score 70 points or more under the points calculation in the Ministerial Ordinance on Highly Skilled Professionals qualify for shorter residence periods.
| Points | Required residence period |
|---|---|
| 80 or more | 1+ year of continuous residence |
| 70 to 79 | 3+ years of continuous residence |
| Meets the Special Highly Skilled Professional criteria | 1+ year of continuous residence |
Highly skilled foreign professionals and their families are exempt from the Japanese language ability factor (B1) newly considered for applications from April 1, 2027.
When Points Are Evaluated
Points are evaluated by either of the following methods.
- Method A: Residing continuously for the required period as a “highly skilled foreign professional” while maintaining the required points
- Method B: Residing continuously for the required period, having been recognized as meeting the required points when calculated as of the relevant number of years before the application date, and maintaining those points
Under Method B, even applicants currently holding a status such as “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” can apply for permanent residence without first changing to “Highly Skilled Professional,” if they can prove they met the points threshold retroactively. Special Highly Skilled Professionals also qualify if they are recognized as meeting the criteria as of one year before the application date.
Key Evaluation Criteria
Separate points tables are used for the three categories: “Highly Skilled Professional (i)(a)” (academic research), “(i)(b)” (specialized/technical activities), and “(i)(c)” (business management). The main common criteria are:
- Academic background (doctorate, master’s degree, multiple degrees, etc.)
- Work experience (years of practical experience)
- Annual salary (points vary by category)
- Age (younger applicants receive more points in some items)
- Japanese language ability (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N1, N2, etc.)
- Graduation from designated universities (bonus points for graduates of universities designated by public notice of the Minister of Justice)
- Other (research achievements, qualifications, special bonuses, etc.)
For the details of the points tables, see the ISA points calculation table (in Japanese).
Caution for Business Managers
Holders of the “Business Manager” status should avoid setting an unnaturally high salary to earn points. Executive compensation that is excessive relative to the company’s sales or financial position may raise doubts about the continuity of the business and about eligibility for the “Business Manager” status itself.
Required Documents
The required documents are divided into five categories depending on the applicant’s status and family relationship (ISA, “Application for Permission for Permanent Residence”).
| Category | Applicants |
|---|---|
| Application 1 | Spouses of Japanese nationals, permanent residents, or special permanent residents, or their biological children, etc. |
| Application 2 | ”Long-Term Resident” holders |
| Application 3 | Work-related statuses (such as “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” and “Skilled Labor”) and “Dependent” |
| Application 4 | Applicants applying as “highly skilled foreign professionals” |
| Application 5 | Applicants applying as “Special Highly Skilled Professionals” |
As of October 2026, “Application 3” (in Japanese) mainly requires:
- Application form, photo, and statement of reasons
- Certificate of residence for all household members
- Proof of occupation (certificate of employment, copy of tax return, etc.)
- Residence tax certificates for the most recent five years, and proof of timely payment of residence tax for periods without payroll deduction
- National tax payment certificates (Form 3) for five tax items
- Proof of payment of public pension and public health insurance premiums for the most recent two years
- Letter of guarantee and other documents
The ISA publishes a self-check sheet to confirm eligibility before applying and document checklists for each status. It asks applicants to submit the self-check sheet with the application documents. Applications with missing documents may be significantly delayed or may result in an adverse decision.
For applications filed on or after April 1, 2027, documents or procedures for the new factors, such as Japanese language ability and understanding of Japan’s systems and rules, may be added. Always check the latest document list before applying.
Application Fee
The permanent residence fee is paid with revenue stamps when permission is granted. The fee was revised on October 1, 2026 and increased substantially. Applications received by September 30, 2026 pay the pre-revision fee even if permission is granted on or after October 1. For the current amount and who qualifies for a reduction, see the ISA page on the October 1, 2026 revision of residence permission fees (in Japanese). We explain the revision in “Residence Procedure Fee Revision (October 2026).”
Processing Time
The standard processing period for permanent residence applications is four to six months (ISA, “Application for Permission for Permanent Residence”, as of October 2026).
You must maintain your current status of residence during the review. If your period of stay expires while the permanent residence application is pending, you must separately apply for an extension of your period of stay. If additional documents are requested, the review may take longer.
New Grounds for Revoking the Permanent Resident Status (Scheduled for April 1, 2027)
The Permanent Resident status could already be revoked before this amendment, for example where permanent residence was obtained by deception or other wrongful means, or where the person failed to notify a new place of residence. The 2024 ICRRA amendment (Act No. 60 of 2024) adds further grounds (amended ICRRA Article 22-4, Paragraph 1, Items 8 and 9). This part is scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2027 (ISA page on the amended Act, in Japanese) and does not yet apply as of October 2026.
In October 2026, the ISA established guidelines setting out how these grounds are interpreted, with expected examples (full text of the guidelines, in Japanese). The guidelines will be applied from April 1, 2027, the same date the amendment takes effect. The summary below follows these guidelines.
The Three Added Grounds
1. Failure to comply with ICRRA obligations (Item 8)
This covers ICRRA obligations backed by penalties that are not grounds for deportation. The guidelines give the following examples.
- Not applying to renew the residence card or for reissuance after loss
- Not carrying the residence card, or refusing to present it when asked
- Attempting, without success, to forge or alter a residence card or to use a forged card
- Attempting, without success, to help illegal entrants escape by harboring them
Negligent violations are also grounds for revocation, but the guidelines state that revocation is not envisaged for a single lapse, such as forgetting to renew the card once or failing to carry it by mistake. It does not apply where there is a justifiable reason such as illness or disaster.
2. Willful failure to pay taxes and public charges (Item 8)
This covers cases where a person, aware of the obligation, deliberately does not pay taxes or public health insurance and public pension premiums, and it is clear that the person has no intention to pay. This also includes not paying taxes and public charges that should have been paid by failing to file a return when filing was clearly required.
| Cases expected to qualify | Cases expected not to qualify |
|---|---|
| Long-term delinquency and moving without notification so that the person cannot be located | Unable to pay due to unavoidable circumstances such as illness, disaster, or unemployment |
| Showing no intention to pay despite repeated demands and delinquency dispositions | Showing intention to pay and receiving installment or deferral arrangements |
| Repeatedly breaking installment or deferral promises | Receiving measures equivalent to public assistance |
| Convicted of tax evasion, etc. | Premiums deducted from salary but not paid by the employer |
| Hiding assets to avoid collection |
A permanent resident who substantially influences the management of a company, such as its representative, may also be covered if the company’s taxes and public charges are handled in the same way. The guidelines do not set a uniform threshold for the amount in arrears and assess each case comprehensively. Fees and traffic fines are not taxes or public charges.
Conduct before the amendment takes effect is also considered. If it comes to light after the amendment takes effect that a person willfully failed to pay after obtaining permanent residence but before the amendment took effect, this also falls under Item 8. However, revocation will not follow immediately from circumstances at a single point before the amendment; later payment history is also considered.
3. Sentence of imprisonment for certain crimes (Item 9)
This covers sentences of imprisonment for intentional crimes listed in Item 9, such as theft, fraud, extortion, bodily injury, trespass, forgery of documents, and dangerous driving causing death or injury. The length of the sentence does not matter, and suspended sentences are included.
What Happens if a Ground Applies
Even if a ground applies, the person is not immediately stripped of status and made to leave. Unless it is found inappropriate for the person to continue residing in Japan, the Minister of Justice will, ex officio, change the status to another status of residence (amended ICRRA Article 22-6). The guidelines expect a change to “Long-Term Resident” in most cases. If the person later meets the requirements, they may obtain permanent residence again.
Revocation (not allowing continued residence) is considered appropriate, for example, where:
- the person does not carry or renew the residence card despite repeated guidance, and is found to have no intention to comply in the future
- it is clear that the person has no intention to pay taxes and public charges in the future, the amount, period, or frequency of arrears cannot be overlooked by common social standards, or the person was convicted of tax evasion, etc.
- the person has a prior sentence of imprisonment (not limited to Item 9 crimes) after obtaining permanent residence, including before the amendment takes effect, and is again sentenced to imprisonment for a crime listed in Item 9
A person sentenced to imprisonment for an Item 9 crime is expected to receive an ex officio change of status even for a first offense with a suspended sentence. Where family relationships or humanitarian considerations are especially important, an ex officio change rather than revocation may be chosen. After an ex officio change, compliance with obligations and payment of taxes and public charges will continue to be checked through procedures such as extending the period of stay under the new status.
Reporting by National and Local Government Officials
National and local government officials who, in performing their duties, learn of a foreign national who appears to fall under a ground for revocation may report it to the ISA (amended ICRRA Article 62-2). Reporting is not mandatory, and a report alone does not mean that a ground for revocation applies.
Current permanent residents should continue to renew and carry their residence card and pay taxes, pension premiums, and health insurance premiums properly after the system starts. For an overview, also see the ISA Q&A on the proper operation of the permanent residence system (in Japanese).
Main Reasons for Refusal and Countermeasures
Below are the main reasons for refusal and how to address them.
Main Reasons
1. Failure to meet public obligations
Unpaid or late residence tax, National Pension premiums, or National Health Insurance premiums are assessed negatively under the national interest requirement (payment of taxes and public charges). Periods with payroll deduction rarely cause problems, but unpaid National Pension or National Health Insurance premiums can occur during gaps between jobs or periods of self-employment. The revised guidelines state that past delinquency dispositions are also generally assessed negatively.
Countermeasure: Before applying, check your payment history for the periods covered by the required documents (five years for residence tax, two years for pension and health insurance). If there are unpaid amounts, pay them in full and build a record of proper payment before applying.
2. Insufficient or interrupted residence
If the ten years of continuous residence are not met or the status of residence was interrupted, the residence-period factor is assessed as not satisfied.
Countermeasure: Check your passport entry and exit records and residence card history to confirm that your residence has not been interrupted and that you have at least five years under a work or residential status. If you apply on or after April 1, 2027, also check your time outside Japan over the past ten years (six months or more on a single trip, or two years and six months or more in total).
3. Inconsistent income or tax filings
If the income you reported in past extension applications differs significantly from the amount on the tax certificates submitted with your permanent residence application, the credibility of your statements may be questioned.
Countermeasure: Submit accurate information consistent with your past applications.
4. Traffic violations and criminal records
A history of fines is generally assessed negatively. Even minor traffic violations may count against you depending on their number and timing.
Countermeasure: If you have violations, it is advisable to wait a certain period before applying. Consider submitting materials showing your efforts to prevent recurrence.
5. Household income below the required level
Under the revised guidelines, whether household income has continuously reached the level for the household size is considered. Part-time income of a spouse with “Dependent” status is not included, and supported relatives abroad are counted in the household size.
Countermeasure: Before deciding when to apply, review your household income, including the number of relatives you support. This factor applies to applications filed on or after April 1, 2027, and also to applications filed on or after April 1, 2026 that were still under review on October 1, 2026.
If Your Application Is Refused
A refusal generally does not affect your current status of residence. You can confirm the reasons, resolve them, and reapply.
How We Can Help
Because permanent residence is the most stable status under the ICRRA, it is reviewed carefully. The October 2026 revision adds factors, and the criteria that apply differ depending on the application date.
As registered immigration specialists, we provide the following support.
- Eligibility review: We assess whether your residence history, tax and pension payments, and household income meet the criteria for your application date
- Application timing: We propose when to apply, considering requirements that differ before and after April 1, 2027 (such as the spouse exception and the treatment of a “3 years” period of stay)
- Preparation and filing: We prepare the full set of application documents, including the statement of reasons, and submit the application to the ISA at your request
- Points calculation: We check whether you can apply early under the Highly Skilled Professional points system
- Reapplication after refusal: We analyze the reasons for refusal and plan the steps toward reapplication
- For current permanent residents: We review your residence card renewal and payment of taxes and public charges for any risk of falling under a ground for revocation
Please feel free to contact us.
For individual cases, please contact our office.
This article is based on laws and official information as of October 16, 2026. Rules and practice may change, so please check the latest information before applying.
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