定住者

Long-term Resident

Long-term residenceContent reviewed on 2026-10-23

What it allows

For people the Minister of Justice allows to reside for a specified period for special reasons. For a certificate of eligibility, only the groups fixed in advance by notification qualify, such as Nikkei third generation and their spouses, unmarried minor natural children supported by a permanent resident or Japanese national, adopted children under 6, Japanese left behind in China and their relatives. The status does not limit the kind of work you may do.

Period of stay

5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 6 months; for people outside the pre-announced groups, a period set individually by the Minister of Justice, up to 5 years.

Requirements

You fall under a group fixed in advance by notification (such as Nikkei third generation or their spouses, or an unmarried minor natural child or an adopted child under 6 supported by a Japanese national or permanent resident), or you are changing from another status in special circumstances · Confirm with the official source
In many groups, a supporter and guarantor living in Japan (for example a Japanese national or permanent resident) and a household with stable means of living · Confirm with the official source
Good conduct; Nikkei third-generation applicants also submit a criminal record certificate from their home country · Confirm with the official source

Where this can lead

Permanent Resident

Related rulebook entries

What it is

For the spouse or child of a Japanese national, the spouse or child of a permanent resident and Long-term Resident, the person who may file the COE as proxy is a relative of the applicant living in Japan.
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則別表第四（第六条の二関係）（出入国在留管理庁掲載の抄録）別表第四（第6条の2関係） · Checked on 2026-10-22
The 'Long-term Resident' status is for people the Minister of Justice allows to reside for a period he specifies in consideration of special reasons; ISA's examples include resettled refugees, third-generation Nikkei and Japanese left behind in China.
在留資格「定住者」この在留資格に該当する方 · Checked on 2026-10-22
The categories of Long-term Resident that can be granted on entry are fixed in advance by Ministry of Justice Notice No. 132 of 1990 (the teijusha notification), whose most recent amendment is dated 28 October 2021 (Notice No. 220).
出入国管理及び難民認定法第七条第一項第二号の規定に基づき同法別表第二の定住者の項の下欄に掲げる地位を定める件（平成２年法務省告示第１３２号） · Checked on 2026-10-22
In item 6 of the Long-term Resident notification, 'minor' means under 18 since 1 April 2022 (previously under 20), so a person who is 18 or older can no longer newly enter as an unmarried minor natural child, although existing holders who leave under a re-entry permit are unaffected.
在留資格「定住者」冒頭の注意書き · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2022-04-01
ISA's photo specification for residence applications is 4 cm high by 3 cm wide, the applicant alone, facing front with no hat and no background or shadow, sharp, taken within the 6 months before the filing date, with the name written on the back unless printed on the form.
提出写真の規格写真のサイズ · Checked on 2026-10-22
The ISA guidance for Dependent children moving to Long-term Resident after high school says the 4x3 cm photo must be taken within 3 months before filing.
「家族滞在」の在留資格をもって在留し、高等学校卒業後に日本での就労を希望する方へ提出資料（２）写真 · Checked on 2026-10-22

Who qualifies

For a COE or landing application, Long-term Resident is limited to the categories the Minister has pre-announced by notification, while Dependent (Schedule I-4) activities must also satisfy the standards set by Ministry of Justice ordinance.
出入国管理及び難民認定法（昭和26年政令第319号）第七条第一項第二号 · Checked on 2026-10-22
A Long-term Resident COE for an unmarried minor natural child supported by a permanent resident, long-term resident, Japanese-spouse, PR-spouse or special permanent resident requires entry before the child turns 18; a child who is 18 on entry cannot enter under this status regardless of the COE's validity.
在留資格「定住者」（未成年で未婚の実子である場合）留意事項 · Checked on 2026-10-22
An adopted child under 6 years old supported by a Japanese national, permanent resident, long-term resident or special permanent resident can apply for Long-term Resident.
在留資格「定住者」（６歳未満の養子である場合）申請区分 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Nikkei third-generation applicants (adults) who want a 5-year period must show Japanese ability: 6 months of instruction at a notified Japanese-language institution, B1-level proof (for example JLPT N2, or N3 with 104+ total points, or BJT 400+), or at least 1 year of education at a school under the School Education Act.
在留資格「定住者」（日系３世）在留資格認定証明書交付申請提出書類 (8) · Checked on 2026-10-22
Holders of Permanent Resident, Spouse of Japanese, Spouse of Permanent Resident and Long-term Resident status have no restriction on type of work under immigration law.
就労資格の在留諸申請に関連してお問い合わせの多い事項について（Ｑ＆Ａ）令和８年７月Ｑ１ · Checked on 2026-10-22
A Dependent child who finished compulsory education in Japan and has graduated (or is due to graduate) from a Japanese high school may be able to change to Long-term Resident if they entered Japan under 18, have stayed in Dependent status continuously (a status that is Dependent-eligible, such as Student, also counts), have a job secured (required when working beyond the 28-hour weekly permission), and are meeting public obligations such as address registration.
「家族滞在」の在留資格をもって在留し、高等学校卒業後に日本での就労を希望する方へ「定住者」の在留資格への変更対象者 · Checked on 2026-10-22

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The guideline treats failure to pay taxes as a negative factor, and says large or long-standing arrears of taxes or legally required premiums such as national health insurance are handled the same way when they are judged malicious.
在留資格の変更、在留期間の更新許可のガイドライン７ · Checked on 2026-10-22
The guideline accepts household-level livelihood: independent livelihood is met if the household as a unit has stable means, and even someone who is a public burden is weighed against humanitarian reasons for allowing stay.
在留資格の変更、在留期間の更新許可のガイドライン５ · Checked on 2026-10-22
A Dependent or notified Long-term Resident who later stops meeting age or support requirements after entering Japan is not automatically refused renewal.
在留資格の変更、在留期間の更新許可のガイドライン２ · Checked on 2026-10-22
The guideline in force (24 Feb 2026) expects the applicant to be holding the longest period of stay that the Enforcement Regulations set for their current status, among its 'benefit to Japan' conditions.
永住許可に関するガイドライン（令和８年２月２４日改訂）１法律上の要件（３）ウ · Checked on 2026-10-22
The revised guideline (applying from April 2027) treats B1-level Japanese ability as a consideration for permanent residence, except for cases such as highly skilled professionals and their families, people with 6+ years of Japanese primary or secondary schooling, and children of permanent residents born in Japan whose raising parent has B1.
永住許可に関するガイドライン（令和８年１０月１日改定）第２５（８）日本語能力 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
Foreign children have no legal school-attendance obligation in Japan, but if the family wants public compulsory school, the child is accepted free of charge on the same basis as Japanese children.
外国人の子等の就学に関する手続について（就学事務Ｑ＆Ａ） 13 · Checked on 2026-10-22
ISA's Dependent page names only holders of listed work, culture and student statuses as supporters; Long-term Resident, Spouse of Japanese National and Spouse of Permanent Resident holders are not in that list, so their family members use other statuses.
在留資格「家族滞在」この在留資格に該当する活動 · Checked on 2026-10-22
For a Certificate of Eligibility, the Long-term Resident status is limited to the groups the Minister has fixed in advance by notification, so a 'non-notified' (kokuji-gai) Long-term Resident case cannot be obtained through the COE route.
在留資格認定証明書交付申請審査基準 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Among ISA's published approved cases for a post-divorce change to Long-term Resident, the divorced spouse had a Japanese child, held parental authority and had a record of caring for and raising the child, and also had a steady income.
「日本人の配偶者等」又は「永住者の配偶者等」から「定住者」への在留資格変更許可が認められた事例及び認められなかった事例について別添 1 認められた事例 1・4 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Domestic violence by the former spouse is the main recurring ground in the approved cases: a marriage that had effectively broken down because of violence, or a divorce caused by it, was approved even without a child, after about 3 years of marriage in the shortest approved case.
「日本人の配偶者等」又は「永住者の配偶者等」から「定住者」への在留資格変更許可が認められた事例及び認められなかった事例について別添 1 認められた事例 2・4・5・6 · Checked on 2026-10-22
A bereaved spouse was also approved in ISA's published cases: a man whose special-permanent-resident wife died after about 6 years of marriage, who needed to continue running his own business and had income from it.
「日本人の配偶者等」又は「永住者の配偶者等」から「定住者」への在留資格変更許可が認められた事例及び認められなかった事例について別添 1 認められた事例 3 · Checked on 2026-10-22
In ISA's published refused cases the marriages were short or not genuine in practice: living together for under 3 months, a marriage of about 1 year 11 months, or only about 1 year 3 months of real married life, and others involved long absences abroad of about 1.5 to 1.75 years or a criminal conviction.
「日本人の配偶者等」又は「永住者の配偶者等」から「定住者」への在留資格変更許可が認められた事例及び認められなかった事例について別添 2 認められなかった事例 · Checked on 2026-10-23
For a Nikkei third-generation applicant the guarantor is normally a Japanese national or permanent resident living in Japan; the applicant's home-country criminal record certificate is required, and the Japanese-ability proof for a 5-year period does not apply to minors.
在留資格「定住者」（外国人（申請人）の方が日系３世である場合）在留資格認定証明書交付申請提出書類 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Online filing is open to everyone for Spouse of Japanese National, Spouse of Permanent Resident and Long-term Resident, but for Dependent only when the supporter's own status is within the online scope.
オンラインで申請可能な申請種別及び在留資格（対象範囲）オンラインで申請可能な在留資格 · Checked on 2026-10-22
A foreigner can use the online system only if they are a mid-to-long-term resident aged 15 or over, and a spouse, child or parent may file for them only in principle if the applicant is under 16 or cannot apply because of illness or similar reasons; the last day of the stay period cannot be filed online.
在留申請のオンライン手続対象 / 利用可能な期間 · Checked on 2026-10-22
The special re-entry permit is not available to those whose status is under revocation proceedings, those under an exit-confirmation hold, those with a detention order, holders of Designated Activities pending a refugee claim, or people the Minister has designated for public-safety reasons; they must obtain an ordinary re-entry permit.
みなし再入国許可（入管法第26条の2）対象外 · Checked on 2026-10-22
ISA's change-and-renewal guideline treats a long absence abroad under a re-entry permit (including the special re-entry permit) as a negative factor unless there is a justifiable reason, so extended absence can count against a renewal.
在留資格の変更、在留期間の更新許可のガイドライン３現に有する在留資格に応じた活動を行っていたこと · Checked on 2026-10-22
A Long-term Resident whose status rests partly on being a spouse, such as the spouse of a Nikkei person, has no divorce or bereavement notification duty, because the status is granted on a wider basis than the spousal identity alone.
新しい在留管理制度に関するQ&A（Q80～Q149） Q93 · Checked on 2026-10-22
A domestic-violence victim who does not report a change of address in order to hide from the perpetrator is given by ISA as an example of a justifiable reason, so the revocation ground for not reporting a new address within 90 days of moving out need not apply to that case.
新しい在留管理制度に関するQ&A（Q80～Q149） Q120 · Checked on 2026-10-23
People with Annex II statuses such as Permanent Resident and Long-Term Resident have no work restrictions, so permission for activity outside status does not apply to them.
資格外活動許可について（出入国在留管理庁）資格外活動許可について · Checked on 2026-10-22

Numbers and tests

A Long-term Resident can use the shortened permanent-residence route after 5 years of continuous residence in Japan under the Long-term Resident status.
永住許可に関するガイドライン（令和８年２月２４日改訂）２原則１０年在留に関する特例（２） · Checked on 2026-10-22
ISA gives no numeric test for a post-divorce change to Long-term Resident; in its seven published approved cases the marriage lasted from about 3 years to about 11 years 5 months, whereas three of the six refused cases involved marriages under 3 years (about 1 year 11 months, about 3 months and about 2 years 1 month).
「日本人の配偶者等」又は「永住者の配偶者等」から「定住者」への在留資格変更許可が認められた事例及び認められなかった事例について別添 · Checked on 2026-10-22

Periods

For COEs approved in August 2026 the averages were 120.9 days for Spouse or Child of Japanese National, 105.8 for Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident, 93.9 for Long-term Resident, 74.1 for Dependent, 63.7 for Student and 31.6 for Cultural Activities.
在留審査処理期間（令和8年8月許可分）（出入国在留管理庁）在留資格認定証明書交付処分（交付）までの日数 · Checked on 2026-10-23
A Long-term Resident is granted 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 6 months, or an individually designated period not exceeding 5 years.
在留資格「定住者」在留期間 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Under the Enforcement Regulations, people admitted under the pre-announced Long-term Resident notification get 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 6 months, while others get an individually designated period of up to 5 years.
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則（昭和56年法務省令第54号）別表第二 · Checked on 2026-10-22
ISA's standard processing period for a Certificate of Eligibility application is 1 to 3 months.
在留資格認定証明書交付申請標準処理期間 · Checked on 2026-10-22
ISA's standard processing period for a change-of-status application is 1 to 2 months.
在留資格変更許可申請標準処理期間 · Checked on 2026-10-22
ISA's standard processing period for a period-of-stay extension application is 2 weeks to 1 month.
在留期間更新許可申請標準処理期間 · Checked on 2026-10-22

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The special re-entry permit (the no-application kind) lasts one year from the day of departure, or until the period of stay ends if that comes first, and applies to holders with a period of stay over 3 months who carry a valid passport and residence card.
みなし再入国許可（入管法第26条の2）みなし再入国許可（入管法第26条の2） · Checked on 2026-10-22
An ordinary re-entry permit, single or multiple-trip, is granted for a validity within the current period of stay and at most 5 years (6 years for special permanent residents), is issued the same day, and must be applied for before leaving Japan.
再入国許可申請再入国許可申請 · Checked on 2026-10-22
A residence card issued to a holder whose status has a fixed period of stay (all family statuses except permanent resident) remains valid until the end of the period of stay; the 2026 card revision did not change this.
特定在留カード交付申請についてＱ４－３ · Checked on 2026-10-23
Under ISA's earlier residence card design, the card of a child under 16 whose status has a fixed period of stay expires on the earlier of the end of the period of stay or the day before the 16th birthday (for cards issued from 1 November 2023).
「在留カード」はどういうカード？在留カードの有効期間（注２） · Checked on 2026-10-23
A holder of Long-Term Resident status can apply after 5 continuous years in Japan instead of 10.
永住許可に関するガイドライン（令和８年１０月１日改定）第3の2 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01

Deadlines

A Certificate of Eligibility is valid for 3 months from issue; if you do not apply to land within that time it loses effect.
出入国審査・在留審査Q&A 在留資格認定証明書 · Checked on 2026-10-22
An extension can be filed before the stay period ends, and from 3 months before expiry for those holding a period of 6 months or longer.
在留期間更新許可申請申請期間 · Checked on 2026-10-22
The permanent residence guideline revised on 1 October 2026 applies to applications filed on or after 1 April 2027; only its income provisions (Part 2, 4(2)) and not-a-public-burden provisions (Part 2, 5(7)) also reach applications filed from six months before the revision date that are still pending on it.
永住許可に関するガイドライン（令和８年１０月１日改定）第６適用時期・既存のガイドラインの整理 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
A change-of-status application may be filed from the moment the reason for the change arises until the end date of the current period of stay.
在留資格変更許可申請申請期間 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Under the Immigration Control Act, a mid-to-long-term resident who changes address must report the new address through the municipality within 14 days of moving, and a report made with a municipal move-in notification counts as the immigration notification.
出入国管理及び難民認定法（昭和26年政令第319号）第19条の9第1項 · Checked on 2026-10-22
A person who leaves on the special re-entry permit while an extension or change application is pending must return by the earlier of 2 months after the old period of stay ended or 1 year from departure, and collect the result before the 2 months run out, or they become an overstayer.
出入国審査・在留審査Q&A Q61 · Checked on 2026-10-22

Fees

Applying for a Certificate of Eligibility costs nothing.
在留資格認定証明書交付申請手数料 · Checked on 2026-10-22
The old fee for a change of status or extension was a flat 6,000 yen at the counter; the revised fee now depends on the length of period granted.
在留許可手数料の額の改定について手数料 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Counter fee for a change or extension granting a period of 3 months or less is 10,000 yen, over 3 up to 6 months is 18,000 yen, and over 6 months but under 1 year is 25,000 yen.
在留資格変更許可申請手数料 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
Counter fee for a change or extension granting exactly 1 year is 33,000 yen, and for over 1 year but under 3 years is 48,000 yen.
在留資格変更許可申請手数料 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
Counter fee for a change or extension granting 3 years up to under 5 years is 64,000 yen, and for 5 years or more is 75,000 yen.
在留資格変更許可申請手数料 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
Online applications are cheaper: 10,000 yen (3 months or less), 15,000 (to 6 months), 21,000 (under 1 year), 27,000 (1 year), 42,000 (under 3 years), 56,000 (3 to under 5 years) and 65,000 yen (5 years or more), plus a separate payment-processing fee.
Fees for residence procedures for foreign nationals will be revised from October 1, 2026 (ISA leaflet, English) Regarding the Revision of Residence Permission Fee Amounts · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01

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People who qualify for a fee reduction (those in hardship close to welfare-eligible level who also need humanitarian consideration) pay 10,000 yen for a change or extension regardless of the period granted; the online system does not handle reductions, so the application must be filed at the counter.
在留資格変更許可申請手数料（注２） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
An application for acquisition of status (for example for a baby born in Japan) costs nothing, in contrast to change and extension applications which carry a stamp fee.
在留資格取得許可申請手数料 · Checked on 2026-10-22
A reissue application for a residence card lost or stolen costs nothing, but it must be filed within 14 days of learning of the loss (a separate explanation document is needed if later) and requires a photo.
紛失等による在留カードの再交付申請手数料 / 申請期間 · Checked on 2026-10-22
A change-of-address notification must be made within 14 days of moving into the new residence and costs nothing.
【住居地に変更があったとき（引っ越したとき）】住居地変更の届出申請期間 / 手数料 · Checked on 2026-10-22
The Japanese visa fee abroad, set by a Cabinet order effective 1 July 2026, is about 15,000 yen for a single-entry and 30,000 yen for a multiple-entry visa, paid in local currency, and no fee is charged if the visa is refused; fees may differ by purpose and nationality.
Visa Fees Visa Fees · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-07-01
A re-entry permit costs 4,000 yen for a single trip or 7,000 yen for multiple trips at the counter (3,500 and 6,500 yen when filed online); applications received by 31 March 2025 still paid the older 3,000 and 6,000 yen.
再入国許可申請手数料 · Checked on 2026-10-22

How it works

Every certificate issued in Japan must be dated within 3 months of submission, and documents in foreign languages need a Japanese translation attached.
在留資格「日本人の配偶者等」（外国人（申請人）の方が日本人の配偶者（夫又は妻）である場合）申請に当たっての留意事項 · Checked on 2026-10-22
For applications made through the online system, the fee must be paid by convenience-store or bank payment; revenue stamps are no longer accepted, while counter applications still use revenue stamps.
令和８年１０月１日付け在留許可手数料の額の改定等についてオンライン申請に対する許可又は交付手数料の納付方法の変更について · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
ISA publishes cases of approved and refused changes from spouse status to Long-term Resident (after divorce or death), and says similar facts can still lead to a different result because each case is judged on its overall circumstances.
「日本人の配偶者等」又は「永住者の配偶者等」から「定住者」への在留資格変更許可が認められた事例及び認められなかった事例について · Checked on 2026-10-22
When a family relationship has already arisen while the person holds another status such as Student or a work status, ISA tells them to apply promptly for the change, because staying on without doing the activities of the old status can lead to revocation.
在留資格「永住者の配偶者等」在留資格変更許可申請 · Checked on 2026-10-22
ISA's application forms for the family statuses are grouped by letter: the change and renewal form marked 'T' is used for Spouse of Japanese National, Spouse of Permanent Resident and Long-term Resident, while 'U (other)' is used for Designated Activities.
「家族滞在」の在留資格をもって在留し、高等学校卒業後に日本での就労を希望する方へ提出資料 · Checked on 2026-10-22
For a change or renewal the applicant's passport and residence card must be shown to the officer, and this is required even when someone else such as an authorised agent files the papers for the applicant.
在留資格「日本人の配偶者等」（外国人（申請人）の方が日本人の配偶者（夫又は妻）である場合）在留期間更新許可申請提出書類 · Checked on 2026-10-22

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Since April 2022, applicants aged 18 or over must file change, renewal and similar residence applications themselves, except through an approved agent such as a registered lawyer or administrative scrivener.
在留資格変更許可申請申請提出者 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2022-04-01
A Certificate of Eligibility application cannot be posted: ISA does not accept it by mail and applications are filed in person at the immigration office with jurisdiction over the intended residence (or the host's location for an agent).
在留資格認定証明書交付申請申請先・受付時間・相談窓口 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Immigration counters accept residence applications on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., though some procedures have specific days or hours.
在留資格認定証明書交付申請受付時間 · Checked on 2026-10-23
To use the special re-entry permit the traveller must carry a valid passport and, for mid-to-long-term residents, the residence card, and must tell the immigration inspector on departure that they intend to return, by ticking the re-entry box on the departure record.
みなし再入国許可（入管法第26条の2）みなし再入国許可の手続 · Checked on 2026-10-22
A person leaving under the special re-entry permit cannot extend its validity from abroad, and if the person plans to stay abroad more than one year after departure, they must instead apply for an ordinary re-entry permit at their local immigration office before leaving.
出入国審査・在留審査Q&A Q57 · Checked on 2026-10-22
When a mid-to-long-term resident leaves Japan other than under a re-entry permit, ceases to be a mid-to-long-term resident, or dies, the residence card must be returned to the immigration authorities.
「在留カード」はどういうカード？「在留カード」の返納 · Checked on 2026-10-23
ISA's procedure pages give no administrative appeal route for a refused Certificate of Eligibility, change of status or extension; the page entry is simply 'none', so a person refused would need to re-apply with stronger evidence or consult a lawyer about a court challenge.
在留資格変更許可申請不服申立方法 · Checked on 2026-10-22

Penalties

The questionnaire must be signed by the spouse in Japan, and ISA warns that a false entry can lead to disadvantage in the review or even criminal liability, so applicants should check every answer before submitting.
質問書（認定・変更用）注記 · Checked on 2026-10-22
The residence card must be carried at all times and shown on request by immigration officers or police; not carrying it can lead to a fine of up to 200,000 yen, and refusing to show it to imprisonment of up to 1 year or a fine of up to 200,000 yen.
新しい在留管理制度に関するQ&A（Q1～Q79） Q34 · Checked on 2026-10-22

Lists and tables

ISA lists five application sub-categories for Long-term Resident: Nikkei third generation, spouse of a Nikkei second generation, spouse of a Nikkei third generation, unmarried minor natural child supported by a permanent/long-term/Japanese-spouse/PR-spouse/special-PR person, and adopted child under 6.
在留資格「定住者」各申請区分 · Checked on 2026-10-23
A Nikkei third-generation COE application requires proof of the Japanese grandparent (family register or removed register), plus the applicant's criminal record certificate from the home country.
在留資格「定住者」（日系３世）在留資格認定証明書交付申請提出書類 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Among the published approved cases of switching to Long-term Resident after a marriage ended, features included being the custodial parent of a Japanese child with a record of caring for the child.
「日本人の配偶者等」又は「永住者の配偶者等」から「定住者」への在留資格変更許可が認められた事例及び認められなかった事例について１認められた事例 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Among the refused cases were those where the applicant had a criminal conviction (fraud and injury), or where cohabitation in the marriage lasted less than 3 months.
「日本人の配偶者等」又は「永住者の配偶者等」から「定住者」への在留資格変更許可が認められた事例及び認められなかった事例について２認められなかった事例 · Checked on 2026-10-22
ISA's guideline says whether there is 'reasonable ground' to approve a change or renewal is judged at the Minister's discretion, and activity/standing, conduct, finances, tax, employment conditions and notification duties are all weighed.
在留資格の変更、在留期間の更新許可のガイドライン · Checked on 2026-10-22
The questionnaire asks, in eight pages, about both spouses' identity and employer, how and when they met and any introducer, the language they use together and any interpreter, the two witnesses to a Japanese marriage registration, any wedding ceremony, previous marriages, visits to each other's country, past deportations, and relatives who know of the marriage.
質問書（認定・変更用）質問書（認定・変更用） · Checked on 2026-10-23

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For a COE as the spouse of a Nikkei second-generation person who works for a company, ISA asks for the second-generation spouse's juminhyo, resident-tax and tax-payment certificates and employment certificate, a guarantee letter normally from the second-generation spouse, the home-country marriage certificate, the questionnaire and relationship snapshots.
在留資格「定住者」（日系２世の配偶者）日系２世の方が会社等に勤務している場合在留資格認定証明書交付申請提出書類 · Checked on 2026-10-22
If the Nikkei second-generation spouse is self-employed, the COE application replaces the employment certificate with a copy of the spouse's tax return and, if any, a copy of the business licence, and ISA says self-employed people must prove their own occupation.
在留資格「定住者」（日系２世の配偶者）日系２世の方が自営業等である場合在留資格認定証明書交付申請提出書類 · Checked on 2026-10-22
If the Nikkei second-generation spouse has no job, the COE application relies on a copy of a bankbook (a printed web-bank statement showing the transaction history is acceptable) instead of employment proof.
在留資格「定住者」（日系２世の配偶者）日系２世の方が無職である場合在留資格認定証明書交付申請提出書類 · Checked on 2026-10-22
For the spouse of a Nikkei third-generation person the COE document set mirrors the second-generation spouse set, with the guarantor normally being the third-generation spouse and one extra item: the applicant's own birth certificate issued by their home-country authority.
在留資格「定住者」（日系３世の配偶者）日系３世の方が会社等に勤務している場合在留資格認定証明書交付申請提出書類 · Checked on 2026-10-22
For a COE for an unmarried minor natural child supported by the Spouse-of-PR spouse of a permanent resident, ISA asks for the supporter's tax certificates and juminhyo, proof of the supporter's job or means, a guarantee letter, a free-form reason statement why support is needed, the child's birth certificate and any recognition certificate.
在留資格「定住者」（未成年で未婚の実子）永住者の配偶者の方が扶養する場合在留資格認定証明書交付申請提出書類 · Checked on 2026-10-22
When a Nikkei child is supported by a Long-term Resident, three further items are required: the child's criminal record certificate, public documents proving the grandparents and parents existed, and public ID proving the applicant's identity.
在留資格「定住者」（未成年で未婚の実子）「永住者」、「定住者」又は「特別永住者」の方が扶養する場合在留資格認定証明書交付申請提出書類 · Checked on 2026-10-23
For a COE for an adopted child under 6 supported by a Japanese national, ISA asks for the Japanese adopter's family register (plus the adoption notification certificate if the register does not show it), juminhyo, tax certificates, proof of the adopter's job or means, a guarantee letter and the child's home-country birth certificate.
在留資格「定住者」（６歳未満の養子）日本人の方が扶養する場合在留資格認定証明書交付申請提出書類 · Checked on 2026-10-23
For an adopted child supported by a permanent resident, long-term resident or special permanent resident, ISA requires a free-form reason statement and a certificate issued by the home-country authority proving the adoption was completed, in addition to the supporter's tax, residence and income documents.
在留資格「定住者」（６歳未満の養子）「永住者」、「定住者」又は「特別永住者」の方が扶養する場合在留資格認定証明書交付申請提出書類 · Checked on 2026-10-23
At the first renewal as a Nikkei third-generation person, ISA again asks for the grandparent's family register, the applicant's juminhyo, the higher earner's tax certificates and employment certificate, the guarantee letter, the criminal record certificate (only if never submitted to immigration), the grandparents' and parents' marriage certificates, the parents' and applicant's birth certificates and, for a 5-year period, Japanese-ability proof.
在留資格「定住者」（日系３世）初めて在留期間の更新申請を行う場合在留期間更新許可申請（初回） · Checked on 2026-10-23
From the second renewal onward, a Nikkei third-generation person no longer has to submit the grandparent and parent family-relationship documents, only the juminhyo, the higher earner's tax certificates and job proof, guarantee letter, criminal record certificate if never submitted, and the Japanese-ability proof for a 5-year period.
在留資格「定住者」（日系３世）２回目以降の在留期間の更新申請を行う場合在留期間更新許可申請（２回目以降） · Checked on 2026-10-23
A renewal as the spouse of a Nikkei second-generation person requires evidence that the marriage continues, the applicant's juminhyo, the tax certificates and employment certificate of the second-generation spouse or the higher earner, the guarantee letter, and Japanese-ability proof if a 5-year period is wanted.
在留資格「定住者」（日系２世の配偶者）日系２世の方が会社等に勤務している場合在留期間更新許可申請提出書類 · Checked on 2026-10-23
Renewal for an adopted child under 6 supported by a Japanese national needs the adopter's family register, the adopter's tax certificates, the child's juminhyo, proof of the adopter's job or means, and a guarantee letter, with the passport and residence card shown.
在留資格「定住者」（６歳未満の養子）日本人の方が扶養する場合在留期間更新許可申請提出書類 · Checked on 2026-10-23
A COE application includes a return envelope (standard-size, addressed, with simple-registered-mail postage stamps); ISA's pages do not state a yen amount for the stamps, so the figure depends on the postal rate.
在留資格「永住者の配偶者等」在留資格認定証明書交付申請提出書類 · Checked on 2026-10-22
ISA's online system accepts seven kinds of application: Certificate of Eligibility, change of status, extension, acquisition of status, certificate of employability, and a re-entry permit or permission for activity outside status only when filed together with a change, extension or acquisition.
オンラインで申請可能な申請種別及び在留資格（対象範囲）申請可能な申請種別 · Checked on 2026-10-23
Long-Term Resident applicants face the same five-year resident-tax lookback as work-status applicants.
永住許可申請２（「定住者」の在留資格の方） 7 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Partly confirmed: Item 1 of the notification covers people temporarily staying in listed Asian countries whom UNHCR has recognised as needing international protection and recommended to Japan (third-country resettlement), together with their spouses, children, parents and unmarried siblings if they can adapt to Japanese society and are expected to hold a job.
出入国管理及び難民認定法第七条第一項第二号の規定に基づき同法別表第二の定住者の項の下欄に掲げる地位を定める件（平成２年法務省告示第１３２号）第1号 · Checked on 2026-10-23
Partly confirmed: Item 3 of the notification covers the biological child of a person born as a child of a Japanese national, i.e. a Nikkei third-generation person, as long as that person is of good conduct; the text sets no age limit.
出入国管理及び難民認定法第七条第一項第二号の規定に基づき同法別表第二の定住者の項の下欄に掲げる地位を定める件（平成２年法務省告示第１３２号）第3号 · Checked on 2026-10-23
Partly confirmed: Item 4 of the notification covers the biological child of the biological child of a person who was born as a child of a Japanese national and once held Japanese nationality with a family-register entry in Japan, again subject to good conduct.
出入国管理及び難民認定法第七条第一項第二号の規定に基づき同法別表第二の定住者の項の下欄に掲げる地位を定める件（平成２年法務省告示第１３２号）第4号 · Checked on 2026-10-23
Partly confirmed: Item 5 of the notification covers three kinds of spouse: the spouse of a Spouse-of-Japanese holder who was born as a Japanese national's child, the spouse of a Long-term Resident holding a period of one year or more, and the spouse of an item 3 or 4 Nikkei person with a one-year-plus period if of good conduct.
出入国管理及び難民認定法第七条第一項第二号の規定に基づき同法別表第二の定住者の項の下欄に掲げる地位を定める件（平成２年法務省告示第１３２号）第5号 · Checked on 2026-10-23
Partly confirmed: Item 6 of the notification covers the unmarried minor biological child supported by a Japanese national, permanent resident or special permanent resident, by a Long-term Resident with a one-year-plus period, or by the Spouse-of-Japanese or Spouse-of-PR spouse of such a person (a stepchild-type case).
出入国管理及び難民認定法第七条第一項第二号の規定に基づき同法別表第二の定住者の項の下欄に掲げる地位を定める件（平成２年法務省告示第１３２号）第6号 · Checked on 2026-10-23
Partly confirmed: Item 7 of the notification covers an adopted child under 6 who lives on the support of a Japanese national, a permanent resident, a Long-term Resident with a period of one year or more, or a special permanent resident.
出入国管理及び難民認定法第七条第一項第二号の規定に基づき同法別表第二の定住者の項の下欄に掲げる地位を定める件（平成２年法務省告示第１３２号）第7号 · Checked on 2026-10-23
Partly confirmed: Item 8 of the notification covers Japanese left behind in China after 1945 and their China-born children, people covered by the China-returnee support law, and relatives (spouse, children under 18, certain disabled unmarried children) who come to live with a returnee.
出入国管理及び難民認定法第七条第一項第二号の規定に基づき同法別表第二の定住者の項の下欄に掲げる地位を定める件（平成２年法務省告示第１３２号）第8号 · Checked on 2026-10-23

Recent changes

From 1 October 2026 the fees for change of status, extension and permanent residence permission were revised, and they apply to applications filed on or after that date.
令和８年１０月１日付け在留許可手数料の額の改定等について概要 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
Applications received by 30 September 2026 still pay the old fee even if permission is granted on or after 1 October 2026.
令和８年１０月１日付け在留許可手数料の額の改定等について概要 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
Residence card photos are now required for everyone aged 1 or older for cards issued on or after 14 June 2026; before that only people under 16 were exempt.
在留資格「日本人の配偶者等」（外国人（申請人）の方が日本人の配偶者（夫又は妻）である場合）在留資格変更許可申請提出書類（写真） · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2026-06-14
Until 31 March 2027 a person holding a 3-year period of stay is treated as holding the longest period for the permanent residence guideline.
永住許可に関するガイドライン（令和８年２月２４日改訂）（注１） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-03-31
If a permanent resident's status is revoked or changed to a non-permanent status, a spouse holding Spouse of Permanent Resident loses the basis for that status and must change to another status such as Long-term Resident, while the child holding Permanent Resident or Spouse of PR status is not affected.
永住許可制度の適正化Q＆A Q14 · Checked on 2026-10-22
For a Dependent child who grew up in Japan, the Designated Activities to Long-term Resident change requires a Japanese high-school graduation or higher, 5 or more years in work-purpose Designated Activities or a work status (study at a Japanese university or specialist school counts toward the 5 years), a job, independent livelihood and compliance with notification duties.
高等学校卒業後に日本での就労を考えている外国籍を有する方へ注２ · Checked on 2026-10-22

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The one-time carve-out for people holding a 3-year period on 31 March 2027, modelled as rules: the person must have a 3-year period on that date, the permanent-residence application must be their first filed on or after 1 April 2027, and the decision must come before the 3-year period expires; they are then treated as holding the longest period.
永住許可に関するガイドライン（令和８年１０月１日改定）注４ · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
In the June 2026 revision of the change-and-renewal guideline, a note was added that ISA may base the decision on information about tax and similar obligations that other agencies provide at ISA's request; the guideline does not state a start date other than the June 2026 revision.
在留資格の変更、在留期間の更新許可のガイドライン７納税義務等を履行していること（注） · Checked on 2026-10-22

Open the official page ↗ · As of 2026-10-23

Information only. Not legal advice and not an official service. Check the official source and consult the Immigration Services Agency or a licensed administrative scrivener (行政書士) before you decide.