永住者

Permanent Resident

Long-term residenceContent reviewed on 2026-10-23

What it allows

Residence with no time limit on the period of stay and no limit on the kind of activity. Permission is discretionary: the Minister of Justice looks at conduct, whether you can support yourself, and whether granting it is in Japan’s interest. The application fee is JPY 200,000 for applications received from 1 October 2026.

Period of stay

No time limit on the period of stay (the residence card is valid until the 10th birthday after issue and is then renewed).

Requirements

Usually 10 or more years of continuous residence in Japan, including at least 5 years on a work or residence status (time as a technical intern or Specified Skilled Worker (i) does not count toward the 5); 3 years with 70 or more Highly Skilled Professional points; 1 year with 80 or more points
Good conduct: obeying the law, and paying taxes, pension and health insurance premiums on time (late or unpaid payments count against you) · Confirm with the official source
A stable livelihood: household income that continuously exceeds the average of Japanese households of the same size (the guideline publishes no yen amount) · Confirm with the official source
Shorter periods for some people: spouses of Japanese nationals or permanent residents need a genuine marriage of 3 years and 1 year of residence in Japan (5 years and 3 years from applications filed on 1 April 2027); Long-term Residents need 5 years · Confirm with the official source
From applications filed on 1 April 2027, Japanese ability of about CEFR B1 is expected, with exemptions (for example highly skilled professionals and their families) · Confirm with the official source

Related rulebook entries

What it is

The Immigration Services Agency says that writing 'compliance with obligations under the Act and payment of taxes and public charges' into the permanent-residence test merely codifies the 'proper performance of public duties' the guidelines already required; it adds no new requirement and does not tighten the conditions.
永住許可制度の適正化Q＆A Ｑ７ · Checked on 2026-10-22
Permanent residence is described as the most stable legal status, with no limit on activities or period of stay, so applications are to be examined with particular care.
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1の1 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The national-interest condition requires more than not harming Japan: the applicant's permanent residence must positively and concretely benefit the country.
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2の5(1) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
In the February 2026 guideline only Technical Intern Training and Specified Skilled Worker (i) are carved out of the work-status years counted toward the 5-year work-or-residence-status requirement.
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(3)ア · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-02-24
Income of household members who hold a status not aimed at work, such as Dependent, is not added to the household income, because they may earn only under limited permission.
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2の4(2) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
Relatives the applicant supports, including those living abroad, are added to the household size even if they do not live with the applicant, and households of five or more get a higher income benchmark.
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2の4(2) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01

Show 29 more

The prison-sentence revocation ground requires an actual prison sentence, so fines, road-traffic offences and negligent driving causing death or injury are not covered.
永住許可制度の適正化Q＆A Ｑ１１ · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
'Deliberately' not paying means knowing a payment is due and choosing not to pay; the guideline lists unexplained relocation, repeatedly broken instalment promises, tax-evasion convictions and hiding assets as examples.
永住者の在留資格の取消しに関するガイドライン（令和８年１０月１日策定）第2の2(2) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
Fines and traffic penalties are not 'public charges' for revocation, but unfiled returns count if the obligation to file and pay was clear.
永住者の在留資格の取消しに関するガイドライン（令和８年１０月１日策定）第2の2(1) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
Unlike permanent residence, naturalization means acquiring Japanese nationality, after which the person is no longer subject to immigration residence management.
永住許可制度の適正化Q＆A Ｑ１ · Checked on 2026-10-22
Under the revocation guideline, a prison sentence counts toward the revocation ground whatever its length, including a sentence whose execution is suspended.
永住者の在留資格の取消しに関するガイドライン第２３ · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The ISA also declined to name the statistic, base year, definition, coverage or update method behind the 'average income of Japanese households by household size', so neither the Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions nor the Basic Survey on Wage Structure is stated as the source.
永住許可に関するガイドライン案改定に係る意見募集の結果について（別紙：御意見の要旨及び御意見に対する考え方） No.34 (別紙) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
The target pension level is defined as the pension a person would be expected to draw after 30 years in the employees' pension scheme at an income above the Japanese household average, and the applicant's own expected pension is estimated from age, the whole enrolment history including self-employed periods, the average income in those periods and current income.
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2の4(3) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
Public-dues compliance is examined per household of shared livelihood, so a spouse's or household member's arrears can count in the applicant's assessment.
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2の5(3) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
Receiving protection treated in line with the Public Assistance Act counts as being a public burden now, and the ISA also weighs whether there were special reasons for the situation, with family-unit stability and humanitarian considerations stressed.
永住許可に関するガイドライン案改定に係る意見募集の結果について（別紙：御意見の要旨及び御意見に対する考え方） No.40, No.41 (別紙) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
The pending-case reach of the early-applied provisions covers applications filed on or after the date six months before the 1 October 2026 revision date, which is 1 April 2026, and still pending on 1 October 2026; the ISA chose six months because its standard processing time is four to six months.
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 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
The obligations that can ground revocation under the 'fails to comply with this Act' limb are those backed by the penalties in Chapter IX of the Immigration Control Act and not already deportation grounds, in practice the duties to carry and show the residence card, to apply to renew or reissue the card, and the bans on forging cards or harbouring illegal entrants (attempts).
永住者の在留資格の取消しに関するガイドライン第2の1(1)(3) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
A permanent resident who actually runs or controls a company can fall under the tax ground if they know the company owes taxes or charges and deliberately do not pay them.
永住者の在留資格の取消しに関するガイドライン第2の2(1) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
After an ex officio change from permanent resident, the status granted is in most cases Long-Term Resident, and the later renewal of the stay period re-checks payment of taxes and public charges and compliance with the Immigration Control Act.
永住者の在留資格の取消しに関するガイドライン第4の2(1)(2) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
Under the law as it stands now, a permanent resident can already lose status for failing without good reason to report a new address within 90 days, for a false address or for obtaining permission by improper means, and can be deported after a life sentence or a prison sentence of more than one year or a drug conviction.
永住許可制度の適正化Q＆A Ｑ３ · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
The ISA justifies the new grounds by saying that permanent residents face no renewal screening, so it needs a way to respond to the minority who stop paying public dues, and calls the measure proportionate rather than excessive.
永住許可制度の適正化Q＆A Ｑ４〜Ｑ６ · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
Supplementary Provision 25 of Act No. 60 of 2024 directs that, when the revocation ground in new Article 22-4(1)(viii) is applied to Permanent Residents (breach of duties under the Act or wilful non-payment of public charges), due consideration be given to the person's past payment record, current living situation and other circumstances.
出入国管理及び難民認定法（令和6年法律第60号による改正後・2027-04-01施行版）令和6年法律第60号附則第25条 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The ISA's summary of the revision describes the required Japanese level as CEFR B1 of the Japanese-language reference framework, the 'independent user' level.
永住許可に関するガイドライン改定（案）（概要）概要 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-08-04
The guideline defines a 'work-purpose status' by exclusion: every status meant for work except those with limits such as no family accompaniment, namely Technical Intern Training, Employment for Skill Development, Specified Skilled Worker (i), Intra-company Transferee and some Designated Activities.
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2の4(2)注２ · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The ISA status table labels Appendix I tables 1 and 2 as work statuses, tables 3 and 4 as non-working statuses (Cultural Activities, Temporary Visitor, Student, Trainee, Dependent), table 5 as Designated Activities, and Appendix II (Permanent Resident, Spouse or Child of Japanese National, Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident, Long-Term Resident) as residence statuses.
在留資格一覧表別表第一・別表第二 · Checked on 2026-10-22
The February 2026 guideline excludes Technical Intern Training and Specified Skilled Worker (i) from the work statuses that count toward the 5 continuous years required in a work or residence status, so time spent in those statuses does not count toward the 5 years.
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(3)ア · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-02-24
In the Immigration Control Act a guarantor is a person who promises the Minister of Justice to give financial backing and guidance on law-abiding living when needed so that the foreigner can stay stably and continue to pursue the purpose of the stay.
出入国審査・在留審査Q&A Ｑ５３ · Checked on 2026-10-22
For its regional-revitalisation special case, the October 2026 guideline cites paragraph 15 of Article 5 of the Regional Revitalisation Act as the basis of the approved plan.
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5 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
At the end of 2025, 947,125 foreigners held the Permanent Resident status, the largest status group among 4,125,395 foreign residents.
令和７年の出入国在留管理業務の状況在留外国人数 · Checked on 2026-10-22
The ISA stated in the public-comment answers that the guideline revision is part of normalising the permanent-residence system and does not aim to lower the approval rate or the number of approvals, though no annual counts of approvals and refusals are published on the pages I could read.
永住許可に関するガイドライン案改定に係る意見募集の結果について（別紙：御意見の要旨及び御意見に対する考え方） No.6 (別紙) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
The February 2026 guideline cites paragraph 16 of Article 5 of the Regional Revitalisation Act as the basis of the approved plan in its regional-revitalisation special case.
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(5) · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2026-02-24
In the Regional Revitalisation Act as published on e-Gov (revision of 1 June 2025), paragraph 15 of Article 5 is the paragraph under which the Prime Minister certifies a regional revitalisation plan, and paragraph 16 concerns asking the Regional Revitalisation Headquarters for its opinion.
地域再生法第5条第15項・第16項 · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2025-06-01
From 1 April 2027 Article 22(2) allows a permanent residence permit only if the applicant is of good conduct and has independent means, and the Minister also finds that compliance with legal obligations and payment of taxes and public charges show the stay serves Japan's interest; spouses and children of Japanese nationals, permanent residents or special permanent residents are exempt from the first two conditions.
出入国管理及び難民認定法（令和9年4月1日施行時点の条文）第22条第2項 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The agency says the amendment writes existing guideline practice into the law and does not add a new requirement or make permanent residence screening stricter.
永住許可制度の適正化Ｑ＆Ａ Q7 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
Partly confirmed: The October 2026 guideline states the exclusion from the 10-year residence period only for Designated Activities types that are exceptional and temporary (such as job hunting or a pending refugee procedure) and names no exclusion of Technical Intern Training, Employment for Skill Development, Specified Skilled Worker (i) or Intra-company Transferee time from the 10 years, so that time is read as counting toward the 10 years.
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5の1 · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2027-04-01

Who qualifies

For permanent residence the revised guideline (applicable from applications on or after 1 April 2027) weighs whether the applicant holds the longest period of stay available for the current status, which is five years for Business Manager under the Enforcement Regulation; a three-year period is treated as the longest for filings up to 31 March 2027, with a narrower carry-over for people holding three years on that date.
永住許可に関するガイドライン第2 5（6）（注４） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
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
Under the Immigration Control Act as in force on 1 October 2026, the Minister of Justice may grant permanent residence only to a person who meets both the good-conduct and independent-livelihood conditions and whose permanent residence is judged to benefit Japan.
出入国管理及び難民認定法（e-Gov 法令検索・2026-10-01施行時点）第22条第2項 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
A spouse or child of a Japanese national, a permanent resident or a special permanent resident does not have to meet the good-conduct and independent-livelihood conditions, and a person recognised as needing protection by UNHCR or a similar international body and meeting the ministerial-ordinance conditions is exempt from the livelihood condition.
出入国管理及び難民認定法（e-Gov 法令検索・2026-10-01施行時点）第22条第2項ただし書 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
The applicant should hold the longest period of stay available for the current status; for filings made up to 31 March 2027 a 3-year period is treated as the longest, and someone who still holds a 3-year period on 31 March 2027 gets the same treatment only for a first application filed from 1 April 2027 and decided before that period ends.
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2の5(6)注４ · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
The shortened-residence exceptions do not apply to people who received special permission to stay or landing after a landing-denial ground applied; they must first reside 10 years after that permission.
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注５ · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01

Show 38 more

The livelihood test expects economic conditions at or above the level of Japanese households, both now and in the future, and is judged per household living on the same budget.
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2の4(1) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
If the expected pension falls short, financial assets that can cover the shortfall are treated as making up the gap, and the required asset amount is lower for younger applicants.
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2の4(3) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
Good conduct means obeying the law and living without social reproach; repeated illegal or nuisance acts lead to failing the requirement.
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2の3 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
Unpaid public charges count against the applicant; 'public taxes' cover income, residence, corporate and property taxes, and 'public charges' include public health insurance and pension premiums.
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2の5(3) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
Even if nothing is owed at the time of application, a past record of non-payment, such as a distraint, is generally counted against the applicant.
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2の5(3) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The February 2026 guideline already states that tax or premium payments made after the original due date, even if settled by the time of filing, are generally assessed negatively.
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(3)イ※ · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-02-24
Failure to follow Immigration Act duties such as address notification and carrying the residence card counts against the applicant, including past violations discovered later.
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2の5(2) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
A past prison sentence, fine, or juvenile protective measure is, in principle, assessed negatively.
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2の5(4) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
A person who falls under a ground for denial of landing is assessed negatively, and so is someone whose current status fails the landing-permission standards.
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2の5(5) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
Applicants are expected to have Japanese at CEFR level B1 or above, unless they are exempt.
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2の5(8) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The B1 Japanese factor is not applied where requiring it is not necessary or appropriate, for example for highly skilled applicants and their families, people with at least six cumulative years of primary or secondary schooling under the School Education Act, or a Japan-born child of a permanent resident whose raising parent has B1 or above.
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2の5(8) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
Applicants are checked on their understanding of Japan's systems and rules, centred on the Life and Work Guidebook, by a method the ISA Commissioner designates.
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2の5(9) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
A parent raising school-age children is expected to have them attending elementary or junior high school, and an applicant of school age must attend school.
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2の5(10) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
Contribution to the government's January 2026 comprehensive measures, such as spreading specified residence cards and learning Japanese and Japanese rules, is also weighed in the national-interest test.
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2の5(11) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
Non-payment caused by illness, disaster, unemployment or similar unavoidable circumstances, or by an employer failing to remit withheld amounts, is not expected to count as deliberate.
永住者の在留資格の取消しに関するガイドライン（令和８年１０月１日策定）第2の2(3) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
A person whose status was changed after a revocation ground can apply for permanent residence again once the requirements are met.
永住許可制度の適正化Q＆A Ｑ１３ · Checked on 2026-10-22
A family member is not revoked or changed merely because of the permanent resident's case, although a spouse holding Spouse of Permanent Resident status must move to another status.
永住許可制度の適正化Q＆A Ｑ１４ · Checked on 2026-10-22
Only liquid financial assets such as bank deposits and securities can make up a pension shortfall, and assets obtained only temporarily for the application and not meant to be kept are not accepted, so applicants will be asked for documents showing the assets are not temporary.
永住許可に関するガイドライン案改定に係る意見募集の結果について（別紙：御意見の要旨及び御意見に対する考え方） No.29, No.37 (別紙) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
The February 2026 guideline states that if tax or premiums were not paid within the original payment period, this is in principle assessed negatively even when everything has been settled by the time of filing.
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(3)イ※ · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2026-02-24
For applicants who must meet the livelihood requirement, passing it also counts as a positive point under the 'not a public burden' element (second part 5(7)); this is one of the two October 2026 provisions that also reach filings made from 1 April 2026 that were still pending on the revision date.
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2の5(7)イ · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2026-10-01
For applicants exempt from the livelihood requirement, such as spouses and children of Japanese nationals or permanent residents and refugees, the household can still be assessed negatively if it is currently a public burden or is realistically at risk of becoming one without special circumstances.
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2の5(7)ウ · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
People paying under an instalment or deferral arrangement, those who show willingness to pay when reminded, and those receiving welfare-equivalent assistance are listed as not deliberate non-payers, whereas repeatedly missing instalment deadlines or ignoring reminders is listed as deliberate.
永住者の在留資格の取消しに関するガイドライン第2の2(3) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
Paying off arrears afterwards, for example through seizure, does not automatically exclude the tax ground, but the amount unpaid, the length of non-payment, whether the person paid in response to the authorities' measures and the later clearing of arrears are all weighed when deciding whether to revoke.
永住許可制度の適正化Q＆A Ｑ１０ · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The ISA says forgetting to carry the card or to renew its validity is not meant to lead to cancellation of permanent residence, and that deliberately not paying means knowing a payment is due and having the means to pay but not paying.
永住許可制度の適正化Q＆A Ｑ８・Ｑ９ · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The ISA has not yet said which proofs of B1 Japanese it will accept (JLPT, J.TEST, NAT-TEST, BJT, school records or course certificates), the minimum scores, how long a result stays valid, or whether self-declaration is allowed; it says the method and the tests to be used will be examined and published before operation starts in April 2027.
永住許可に関するガイドライン案改定に係る意見募集の結果について（別紙：御意見の要旨及び御意見に対する考え方） No.15, No.55 (別紙) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
How and when the understanding-of-Japanese-rules check based on the 'Life and Work Guidebook' will be carried out is still undecided; the ISA says it will decide the method before operation begins on 1 April 2027.
永住許可に関するガイドライン案改定に係る意見募集の結果について（別紙：御意見の要旨及び御意見に対する考え方） No.53 (別紙) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The list of people not required to show B1 Japanese is open-ended: the guideline names highly skilled professionals and their families, people with six or more years of Japanese primary or secondary schooling and children of permanent residents (born in Japan, with a parent at B1) 'and others' for whom requiring it is unnecessary or inappropriate; spouses of Japanese nationals are not named.
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2の5(8) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
In the public-comment answers the ISA declined to exempt holders of the Spouse or Child of Japanese National status from the Japanese-language factor, because the factor is based on the need to live in the community without difficulty.
永住許可に関するガイドライン案改定に係る意見募集の結果について（別紙：御意見の要旨及び御意見に対する考え方） No.49 (別紙) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The ISA's wording is that the guarantor 'normally' is a Japanese national, a permanent resident or a special permanent resident living in Japan, and for spouses 'normally' the spouse; the form also lists an employer or other guarantor as possible relationships, and no minimum income or tax condition for the guarantor is published.
永住許可申請１（日本人・永住者・特別永住者の配偶者又はその実子等の方） 11(1) · Checked on 2026-10-22
The 2017 'contribution to Japan' guideline required an applicant to fall under a listed category and also to have stayed in Japan for at least five years without causing social problems; the common categories were Nobel-class international prizes, Japanese government awards such as the People's Honour Award and decorations, about three or more years as a government committee member and major contribution through medical, education or other work.
「我が国への貢献」に関するガイドライン（平成29年4月26日改定） 1 各分野に共通 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2017-04-26
Under Article 19-16, only mid- to long-term residents holding the listed statuses (professor, certain Highly Skilled Professional categories, business manager, study and training and so on, plus the spouse-type statuses for divorce or death) must report a change of affiliated organisation or contract party within 14 days; Permanent Resident is not on the list, so this article gives permanent residents no duty to report a change of employer.
出入国管理及び難民認定法（令和6年法律第60号による改正後・2027-04-01施行版）第19条の16 · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2027-04-01
A supplementary provision of the amending Act requires that, in applying the tax ground for revoking permanent residence (Art. 22-4(1)), the person's earlier record of paying taxes and public charges and current living situation be given full consideration.
出入国管理及び難民認定法（令和6年法律第60号による改正後・2027-04-01施行版）附則附則第25条 · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2027-04-01
For permanent residence, a fee reduction is limited to spouses, children and similar family members of Japanese nationals, permanent residents or special permanent residents.
令和８年１０月１日以降における在留許可手数料の減額措置又は免除措置について · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
From 1 April 2027 a permanent resident who fails to comply with obligations under the Act or intentionally does not pay taxes and public charges becomes subject to revocation of that status at the Minister's discretion.
出入国管理及び難民認定法（令和9年4月1日施行時点の条文）第22条の4第1項第8号 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The crime-based revocation ground covers only certain serious intentional offenses punished with imprisonment; negligent driving accidents, traffic-law offenses and fines alone do not trigger it.
永住許可制度の適正化Ｑ＆Ａ Q11 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
For permanent residence, a fee reduction is limited to applicants such as the spouse or child of a Japanese national, permanent resident or special permanent resident.
令和８年１０月１日以降における在留許可手数料の減額措置又は免除措置について概要 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
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
Partly confirmed: The revised permanent-residence guideline (applicable from applications on or after 1 April 2027) contains no residence-years rule specific to Business Manager, so the general 10 continuous years, of which 5 in a work or residence status, applies, and the Business Manager-specific barrier is the condition that the revised standard must be met.
永住許可に関するガイドライン第2 5（6） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01

Numbers and tests

Under the permanent residence guideline in force (revised 24 Feb 2026), as an exception to the general 10-year residence rule, a spouse of a Japanese national, permanent resident or special permanent resident needs a genuine marriage of at least 3 years and at least 1 continuous year of residence in Japan; their natural child needs 1 year of continuous residence.
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（１） · Checked on 2026-10-22
For the permanent-residence guideline, a single exit of half a year or more, or a combined absence of 2 years and 6 months or more, within the past 10 years, without a reasonable reason is generally assessed negatively, because residence in Japan is expected to be actual.
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２の５（６） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
Under the October 2026 guideline, an unreasonable absence of six months or more on a single trip, or 2 years 6 months or more in total, within the 10 years before applying counts against the applicant.
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2の5(6) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
Income is judged by whether household annual income continuously exceeds the average income of Japanese households of the same size; the guideline gives no yen amounts.
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2の4(2) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
For applications filed from 1 April 2027, the guideline also looks at the pension the applicant can expect, compared with the pension of someone who worked 30 years in the employees' pension scheme at the income level of the Japanese household average.
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2の4(3) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The ISA has said in its public-comment answers of 1 October 2026 that it does not plan to publish the yen amounts of the income benchmark, the target pension level or the age-based asset amount, so the guideline text and any official table contain no figures to hard-code.
永住許可に関するガイドライン案改定に係る意見募集の結果について（別紙：御意見の要旨及び御意見に対する考え方） No.17 (別紙) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01

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The income benchmark is applied as a single nationwide level rather than by prefecture or city of residence, because the ISA reasons that a permanent resident may move.
永住許可に関するガイドライン案改定に係る意見募集の結果について（別紙：御意見の要旨及び御意見に対する考え方） No.38 (別紙) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
For households of five or more the guideline adds an unspecified living-cost increment to the household-size benchmark, and the increment amount is not published either; dependants abroad count toward household size even if they live apart.
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2の4(2) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
The three tests are linked as follows: household income must continuously reach the nationwide household-size benchmark; the expected pension must reach the 30-year employees'-pension level; and a shortfall can be covered only by enough financial assets, whose required amount falls with younger age, with a spouse's expected pension added to the applicant's and the 'Category 3 insured' pension of a dependent spouse added to the target.
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2の4(3) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
Answering requests to use the median or to set a higher bar, the ISA kept the wording that household income must continuously exceed the average income of Japanese households of the same size, and said meeting a Japanese-equivalent level is enough to assure self-support now and in future.
永住許可に関するガイドライン案改定に係る意見募集の結果について（別紙：御意見の要旨及び御意見に対する考え方） No.31, No.33 (別紙) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
The ISA says it cannot give a uniform standard for how far back unpaid tax or premiums are checked; it checks as far back as the payment record can be confirmed and judges each case on its individual circumstances, so there is no published number of days or instances of lateness that is tolerated.
永住許可に関するガイドライン案改定に係る意見募集の結果について（別紙：御意見の要旨及び御意見に対する考え方） No.19 (別紙) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
The revocation guideline sets no fixed yen amount, duration or count of arrears that decides 'deliberate' non-payment: amount, period and number of arrears are weighed together with the other circumstances, not by a uniform standard.
永住者の在留資格の取消しに関するガイドライン第2の2(4) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
Whether the household's annual income keeps reaching a level above the average income of Japanese households of the same size is one factor the guidelines say they weigh, assessed in principle at the time of application.
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2 4(2) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
Under the revised guidelines, expected future pension benefits are assessed against the pension a person would receive after working 30 years at above-average income under the employees' pension, and savings can make up a shortfall.
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2 4(3) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
Applicants are expected in principle to have Japanese ability at CEFR-based B1 level or higher, with exceptions such as highly skilled professionals and children raised in Japan.
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2 5(8) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01

Periods

The two-year special re-entry permit applies only to special permanent residents; ordinary permanent residents and holders of the family statuses get the one-year period.
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
A permanent resident's residence card (the status has no end date) issued on or after 14 June 2026 is valid until the 10th birthday after issue (5th birthday if under 18); cards issued up to 13 June 2026 were valid for 7 years from issue (for children under 16, until the day before the 16th birthday).
特定在留カード交付申請についてＱ４－３ · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-06-14
As a rule the applicant should have lived in Japan continuously for 10 years or more at the time of application.
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2の5(6) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
Of the 10 years, at least 5 continuous years must have been spent in a work-purpose status or a residence-type status.
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2の5(6) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
From 1 April 2027 the spouse route needs a genuine marriage lasting 5 years or more plus 3 continuous years of residence in Japan; a biological child of such a person needs 3 years of continuous residence.
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1 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
Under the February 2026 guideline, the spouse route requires a genuine marriage of 3 years or more and 1 year of continuous residence in Japan; a child needs 1 year.
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(1) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-02-24

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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
A highly skilled professional scoring 70 points or more can apply after 3 continuous years in Japan while keeping the score, or when a 70-plus score is confirmed as of three years before filing and has been held continuously for those 3 years.
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6 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
A highly skilled professional scoring 80 points or more qualifies after 1 continuous year while keeping the score.
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7 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
People who worked in a designated special zone project, or in a regional-revitalisation institution doing specified research or IT activities, and are recognised as contributing to Japan can apply after 3 continuous years.
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4・5 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
A person recognised as having contributed to Japan in diplomacy, society, the economy or culture can apply after 5 years of residence.
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9 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The published standard processing period for a permanent residence application is four to six months.
永住許可申請（手続案内） · Checked on 2026-10-22
Actual processing is much longer than the standard: permanent residence permits granted in August 2026 took an average of 309.0 days from receipt to notification.
在留審査処理期間（令和８年８月許可分） · Checked on 2026-10-22
The Cabinet Office describes the special-zone measure 'relaxation of permanent residence permission for foreigners in specified projects' (No. 505, introduced in January 2003) as building on the rule that a foreigner recognised as contributing to Japan needs 5 years instead of 10; it is never run alone but together with other specified projects, and the project, its implementing body and the institution where the foreigner works must be named in the zone plan.
構造改革特区地域の特性に応じた地域活性化－令和８年版－（特定事業等に係る外国人の永住許可弾力化事業）特定事業等に係る外国人の永住許可弾力化事業 (505) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-03-31
The regional-revitalisation route needs work at a public or private institution inside an area of a certified regional revitalisation plan, in an activity under Designated Activities notification No. 36 (specified research) or No. 37 (specified information processing), which shortens the required stay to three years if the activity is recognised as contributing to Japan.
地域再生計画認定申請マニュアル（各論）— 外国人研究者等に対する永住許可弾力化事業 1-4 外国人研究者等に対する永住許可弾力化事業 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2025-12-24
A permanent resident's residence card (the status has no end date) issued on or after 14 June 2026 is valid until the 10th birthday after issue (5th birthday if under 18); cards issued up to 13 June 2026 were valid for 7 years from issue (for children under 16, until the day before the 16th birthday), so either way the card itself has to be renewed.
特定在留カード交付申請についてＱ４－３ · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2026-06-14
A foreign national with a valid passport (plus the residence card, for a mid- to long-term resident) can leave under the simplified re-entry permission by stating on departure that they intend to return; it is valid for one year from the departure date (or until the stay expiry if that comes earlier), and returning within that year in principle needs no ordinary re-entry permit. It does not cover people whose period of stay is 3 months or less, short-term visitors, or people in certain enforcement situations, who must obtain an ordinary permit.
みなし再入国許可（入管法第26条の2）みなし再入国許可 · Checked on 2026-10-23
An ordinary re-entry permit is granted for a validity of no more than 5 years from the day it takes effect.
出入国管理及び難民認定法（e-Gov 法令検索・2026-10-01施行時点）第26条第3項 · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2026-10-01
A person who left with a re-entry permit and cannot return within its validity for a good reason may apply for an extension of up to one year, and the total may not go beyond 6 years from the day the permit took effect; this extension does not apply to the simplified re-entry permission.
出入国管理及び難民認定法（e-Gov 法令検索・2026-10-01施行時点）第26条第5項・第26条の2第3項 · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2026-10-01
The permanent residence guideline treats continuous residence in Japan of 10 years or more as a factor in principle, including at least five continuous years in a work or residence status.
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2 5(6) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
For applications filed by 31 March 2027, a three-year period of stay counts as the longest period for the permanent residence requirement; afterwards this applies only to someone who held a three-year stay on 31 March 2027, files a first application from 1 April 2027 and gets a decision before that stay expires.
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2 5(6)(注4) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
For applications filed on or after 1 April 2027, the shortened route for spouses of Japanese nationals, permanent residents and special permanent residents requires five years of genuine marriage and three years of continuous residence in Japan.
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 1 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The standard processing period for a permanent residence application is four to six months.
永住許可申請（出入国在留管理庁手続案内）標準処理期間 · Checked on 2026-10-22
In the August 2026 data, permanent residence applications took on average 309.0 days to the notice of approval and 292.6 days to the end of examination.
在留審査処理期間（日数）令和8年8月許可分（出入国在留管理庁）令和8年8月許可分 · Checked on 2026-10-22
A permanent resident's or Highly Skilled Professional No. 2 holder's card is valid until the 10th birthday after the issue date, and a permanent resident under 18 on the issue date gets a card valid until the 5th birthday after issue.
出入国管理及び難民認定法第19条の5第1項第1号・第2号 · Checked on 2026-10-22

Deadlines

A person whose status is revoked rather than changed is given a period of not more than 30 days to leave Japan, which may carry conditions on residence and movement.
出入国管理及び難民認定法（令和6年法律第60号による改正後・2027-04-01施行版）第22条の4第7項・第8項 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The renewal application for the card is made from three months before the expiry date until the expiry date at the immigration office for the residence, and costs nothing.
在留カードの有効期間の更新申請申請期間・手数料 · Checked on 2026-10-22
A change of address must be reported to the municipal office within 14 days of moving, with the residence card, and failing to do so is punishable by a fine of up to 200,000 yen.
出入国管理及び難民認定法（e-Gov 法令検索・2026-10-01施行時点）第19条の9第1項 · Checked on 2026-10-23
Changes to the name, date of birth, sex or nationality/region shown on the card must be reported to the ISA within 14 days of the change.
出入国管理及び難民認定法（e-Gov 法令検索・2026-10-01施行時点）第19条の10・第19条の4第1項第1号 · Checked on 2026-10-23
A mid- to long-term resident who left with a re-entry permission and does not re-enter within its validity must return the residence card to the Commissioner within 14 days of that event.
新たな在留管理制度に関するＱ＆Ａ（在留カード） Q69 · Checked on 2026-10-23
Permanent residents aged 16 or over, and Highly Skilled Professional No. 2 holders, may apply to renew the residence card validity from 3 months before the card expiry date until that date.
在留カードの有効期間の更新申請（出入国在留管理庁）申請期間 · Checked on 2026-10-22

Fees

Permanent residence permission costs 200,000 yen at the counter from 1 October 2026, up from 10,000 yen before.
外国人の在留手続に関する手数料が改定されます（リーフレット）永住許可 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
The fee for a permanent residence permit is 200,000 yen, payable when the permit is granted, for applications received from 1 October 2026.
永住許可申請（手続案内） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
Applications received up to 30 September 2026 still pay the old 10,000 yen fee even if the permit is granted after 1 October.
永住許可申請（手続案内） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
A permanent residence applicant who is a spouse or child of a Japanese national, a permanent resident or a special permanent resident, and who is in hardship close to the public-assistance level and needs humanitarian consideration, may have the fee reduced to 20,000 yen; no other permanent residence applicants are eligible for a reduction, and the reduction cannot be claimed through the online system, so filing is at the counter.
令和８年１０月１日以降における在留許可手数料の減額措置又は免除措置について · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
The fee for permanent residence is set by cabinet order within a statutory ceiling of 300,000 yen in Article 67 of the Immigration Control Act.
出入国管理及び難民認定法（e-Gov 法令検索・2026-10-01施行時点）第67条第1項第3号 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
No fee is charged for acquiring permanent resident status on a ground such as birth, as opposed to applying to change from another status.
永住許可申請（手続案内） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01

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The statutory ceiling for the permanent residence permit fee is 300,000 yen under Article 67 as in force from 1 October 2026; the actual fee is set by cabinet order within that ceiling.
出入国管理及び難民認定法（令和8年10月1日施行時点の条文）第67条第1項第3号 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
The permanent residence permit fee rose from 10,000 yen to 200,000 yen for counter applications from 1 October 2026.
2026年10月1日から外国人の在留手続に関する手数料が改定されます（リーフレット） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
The fee for a permanent residence permit is 200,000 yen for applications received on or after 1 October 2026, up from the old 10,000 yen, which still applies to applications received by 30 September 2026.
永住許可申請（出入国在留管理庁手続案内）手数料 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01

How it works

For permanent residence applications handled at the counter, the fee is paid with revenue stamps, with the stamp amount stated on the notice postcard.
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 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
An applicant must file before the current period of stay expires, and if it will expire while the application is pending, a separate extension application must be filed by the expiry date.
永住許可申請（手続案内） · Checked on 2026-10-22
Permanent residence applications are filed at the regional immigration office with jurisdiction over the applicant's residence.
永住許可申請（手続案内） · Checked on 2026-10-22
There is no administrative appeal procedure against a decision on a permanent residence application.
永住許可申請（手続案内） · Checked on 2026-10-22
The letter of guarantee is normally given by a guarantor who lives in Japan and is a Japanese national, a permanent resident or a special permanent resident.
永住許可申請（手続案内） · Checked on 2026-10-22
Since 1 October 2021 a signed letter of understanding has been required with every permanent residence application.
永住許可申請３（就労関係の在留資格・家族滞在の方） 15 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2021-10-01

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Certificates issued in Japan must be dated within three months of filing, and documents in foreign languages need a Japanese translation.
永住許可申請３（就労関係の在留資格・家族滞在の方） · Checked on 2026-10-22
The ISA publishes self-check sheets and warns that a single 'No' answer makes refusal likely, while all 'Yes' answers do not guarantee approval.
永住許可申請３（就労関係の在留資格・家族滞在の方）重要２ · Checked on 2026-10-22
Even if a revocation ground is met, the Minister is to change the status ex officio to a non-permanent status, expected to be Long-Term Resident in most cases, unless continued stay is inappropriate.
永住許可制度の適正化Q＆A Ｑ１２ · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
Before revoking a status the Minister must have an immigration inspector hear the person's opinion, unless the person has no valid reason for failing to take part in the hearing.
出入国管理及び難民認定法（e-Gov 法令検索・2027-04-01施行版／令和6年法律第60号）第22条の4第2項 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
National and local government officials may report a person they believe meets a revocation ground to the immigration authorities, but reporting is optional.
出入国管理及び難民認定法（e-Gov 法令検索・2027-04-01施行版／令和6年法律第60号）第62条の2 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
A person can sue to cancel a revocation or ex officio status change that they dispute.
永住許可制度の適正化Q＆A Ｑ１５ · Checked on 2026-10-22
An employee who stayed on employer-based Health Insurance for the whole last two years needs only the insured card or eligibility proof, whereas anyone who was on National Health Insurance in that period must also submit certificates and receipts for it.
永住許可申請３（就労関係の在留資格・家族滞在の方） 8(2)ア〜エ · Checked on 2026-10-22
Receipts or passbook entries showing resident tax and insurance were paid by the due date are collected specifically to prove there was no late payment, and applicants are told to keep receipts for as many years as needed.
永住許可申請３（就労関係の在留資格・家族滞在の方） 7(1)イ · Checked on 2026-10-22
Anyone who paid National Pension at any time in the last two years must submit the pension receipts in addition to the pension-office record printout or Nenkin Net pages, while kosei-nenkin members use the record printouts alone.
永住許可申請３（就労関係の在留資格・家族滞在の方） 8(1) · Checked on 2026-10-22
An applicant who is the employer of a workplace covered by social insurance must additionally prove the workplace's own pension and health premiums for the part of the last two years in which they were the employer.
永住許可申請３（就労関係の在留資格・家族滞在の方） 8(3) · Checked on 2026-10-22
Whether to revoke (leaving Japan) or change status is decided case by case: for the card-and-duty ground revocation fits a person who shows no intention to comply after repeated guidance or who tries to use a forged card; for the tax ground a person who clearly will not pay, who repeatedly defaulted on several dues or who was convicted of tax evasion; for the imprisonment ground a person with a prior prison sentence after the grant who is sentenced again.
永住者の在留資格の取消しに関するガイドライン第4の2(1)〜(3) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
Even where revocation is warranted, family ties or humanitarian need can lead the Minister to change the status instead of revoking it.
永住者の在留資格の取消しに関するガイドライン第4の3 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The Minister must first serve a hearing notice stating the date, place and the facts behind the revocation, though in urgent cases the notice may be given orally by an immigration inspector or guard; the statute sets no minimum number of days to respond.
出入国管理及び難民認定法（令和6年法律第60号による改正後・2027-04-01施行版）第22条の4第3項 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
At the hearing the person or an agent may appear, state opinions and submit evidence, and the revocation or change is done by serving a written notice.
出入国管理及び難民認定法（令和6年法律第60号による改正後・2027-04-01施行版）第22条の4第4項・第6項 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The application form is the two-page Form No. 34 of the Enforcement Regulation, with fields for passport, current status and period, residence card number, any criminal record in or outside Japan, reason for applying, history since the latest entry, the main income earner and annual income, relatives in Japan and the guarantor in Japan.
永住許可申請書（別記第三十四号様式）別記第三十四号様式 · Checked on 2026-10-22
The photo attached to a residence application must be 4 cm by 3 cm, show only the applicant, be taken within six months before filing, face the camera without a hat, have no background or shadow behind the face and be sharp.
提出写真の規格提出写真の規格 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-06-14
A reasons statement in free form explaining why permanent residence is needed is required, and a non-Japanese statement needs a translation.
永住許可申請３（就労関係の在留資格・家族滞在の方） 3 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Besides the applicant, a legal representative or an authorised agent may file: staff of the employer or school, lawyers and administrative scriveners notified to the immigration bureau, and relatives only if the applicant is under 16 or cannot appear because of illness or similar; an agent must show proof of identity as well as the applicant's passport and card.
永住許可申請（手続案内）申請提出者 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Permanent residence applications cannot be made through the Online Residence Application System; they have to be filed on paper at the immigration office, with or without an authorised agent.
オンラインによる申請手続に関するＱ＆ＡＡ１－５ · Checked on 2026-10-22
Applications are accepted on weekdays from 9 am to 12 noon and from 1 pm to 4 pm at the immigration office covering the applicant's residence, although some procedures have set days or hours.
永住許可申請（手続案内）受付時間 · Checked on 2026-10-22
The permanent-residence letter of guarantee is a short form in which the guarantor, signing in their own hand, pledges to give the support needed for the applicant to obey Japanese law and properly perform public duties while in Japan, with name, address, workplace, nationality and status, and relationship to the applicant.
身元保証書（永住許可申請用）様式 · Checked on 2026-10-22
To claim contribution, the 2017 guideline tells the applicant to fill in a summary form describing the activity, naming the materials such as journals or newspapers with dates, and describing the results, and to attach evidence of the contribution to the application.
「我が国への貢献」に関するガイドライン（平成29年4月26日改定） ※申請に際しての注 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2017-04-26
Under the 2027 revocation regime, a person for whom a status-revocation procedure is under way is not covered by the simplified re-entry and must obtain an ordinary re-entry permit before leaving.
みなし再入国許可（入管法第26条の2）みなし再入国許可対象外 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
A photo is not needed from an applicant under one year old on the day the residence card is issued; before 14 June 2026 only those under 16 were exempt, and for cards issued from that date photos are required from age one.
永住許可申請（就労関係・家族滞在）提出書類２写真 · Checked on 2026-10-23 · In force from 2026-06-14
Even when a ground applies, the Minister normally changes the status to another one, mostly Long-Term Resident, instead of revoking it, unless the person is judged unsuitable to remain in Japan.
永住許可制度の適正化Ｑ＆Ａ Q12 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
If the period of stay runs out while a permanent residence application is pending, a separate extension application must be filed by the expiry date.
永住許可申請（出入国在留管理庁手続案内）申請期間 · Checked on 2026-10-22

Penalties

Separately from revocation, even a permanent resident sentenced to life or to more than one year of imprisonment may be deported regardless of the offence.
永住許可制度の適正化Q＆A Ｑ１１ · Checked on 2026-10-22
Even a negligent breach of such an obligation can fit the ground, but a single lapse such as forgetting to renew the card or carry it is not expected to lead to revocation by itself, and 'justifiable reasons' such as illness or disaster excuse the breach.
永住者の在留資格の取消しに関するガイドライン第2の1(2)(3) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
A letter of guarantee has no legal enforceability against the guarantor, so the guarantor is not legally liable to pay or to arrange departure, and the authorities only urge performance, but failing to perform can mean losing credibility as a guarantor in later applications, a moral responsibility.
出入国審査・在留審査Q&A Ｑ５３ · Checked on 2026-10-22
Failing to renew the residence card within the application period can bring imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 200,000 yen.
在留カード等に関するＱ＆Ａ（新しい在留管理制度）有効期間更新を怠った場合 · Checked on 2026-10-22
A foreign resident who leaves Japan without a re-entry permission (a deemed re-entry permission counts as such) loses the residence status and period of stay held before leaving.
再入国許可（入管法第26条）再入国許可 · Checked on 2026-10-22

Lists and tables

Workers must submit five years of resident-tax assessment and payment certificates, plus proof that resident tax was paid on time unless it was withheld from salary.
永住許可申請３（就労関係の在留資格・家族滞在の方） 7(1) · Checked on 2026-10-22
Workers must also submit national tax certificates (type 3) covering withholding, income, consumption, inheritance and gift taxes.
永住許可申請３（就労関係の在留資格・家族滞在の方） 7(2) · Checked on 2026-10-22
Proof of pension premium payment for the past two years is required, such as the pension office's insured-record reply, a full-period pension notice or Nenkin Net printouts.
永住許可申請３（就労関係の在留資格・家族滞在の方） 8(1) · Checked on 2026-10-22
Besides tax and pension, the checklist for work-status applicants asks for proof of health-insurance premium payment over the last two years, so the health-insurance lookback is two years, the same as for pension.
永住許可申請３（就労関係の在留資格・家族滞在の方） 8(2) · Checked on 2026-10-22
From 1 April 2027 filings the October text newly applies the absence limits, CEFR B1 Japanese, the understanding check, school attendance of children, the January 2026 comprehensive measures, the longer spouse periods (5 years of marriage and 3 years in Japan) and the exclusion of Intra-company Transferee time from the 5-year work-status count; none of these is in the February text that governs earlier filings.
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 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The national-interest part of the February 2026 guideline asks only for 10 years of residence with at least 5 in a work or residence status (Technical Intern Training and Specified Skilled Worker (i) excluded), no fines or imprisonment, proper performance of public duties, the longest period of stay, landing standards and no public-health risk.
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(3)ア〜オ · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-02-24

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The Penal Code offences covered by the imprisonment ground in Article 22-4(1)(ix) are those in chapter 12 (trespass), chapters 16 to 19 (counterfeiting of currency, documents, securities, payment cards and seals), chapter 23 (gambling), chapters 26 and 27 (homicide, injury), chapter 31 (arrest and confinement), chapter 33 (abduction and trafficking), chapter 36 (theft and robbery), chapter 37 (fraud and extortion) and chapter 39 (stolen property).
出入国管理及び難民認定法（令和6年法律第60号による改正後・2027-04-01施行版）第22条の4第1項第9号 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The special-law offences in the same ground are collective violence and habitual assault under the Act on Punishment of Violence, the habitual and special theft offences, the illegal sale or possession of special lock-opening tools, dangerous driving causing injury or death (Articles 2 and 6(1)) and concealing designated metal-cutting tools.
出入国管理及び難民認定法（令和6年法律第60号による改正後・2027-04-01施行版）第22条の4第1項第9号 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The factors weighed for deliberate non-payment are income, funds and assets, number, amount and length of arrears, payment record, how the arrears arose, the business and living situation afterwards, the person's conduct and other circumstances, and the test is whether an unwillingness to pay is clearly evident.
永住者の在留資格の取消しに関するガイドライン第2の2(2) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The ISA status list classes the statuses in tables 1 and 2 of Appended Table I (for example Highly Skilled Professional, Business Manager, Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Skilled Labor and Specified Skilled Worker (ii)) as work statuses, Spouse or Child of Japanese National, Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident and Long-Term Resident as residence statuses, and Student and Dependent as non-working statuses.
在留資格一覧表別表第一・第二（表の区分） · Checked on 2026-10-22
Proof of occupation is a certificate of employment for employees, a copy of the tax return and any business licence for the self-employed, or a free-form statement with evidence otherwise, and if both spouses are unemployed that must be stated in writing.
永住許可申請３（就労関係の在留資格・家族滞在の方） 6 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Assets are proved by a copy of a bank passbook or a real-estate registry certificate or similar; web-banking screens are accepted only if printed in a form that cannot be edited, not as Excel files.
永住許可申請３（就労関係の在留資格・家族滞在の方） 9 · Checked on 2026-10-22
A residence certificate listing all household members is needed with the My Number omitted but everything else left in; the passport and residence card are shown in person, along with any permission to engage in activity outside the status.
永住許可申請３（就労関係の在留資格・家族滞在の方） 5, 10, 11 · Checked on 2026-10-22
The ISA's permanent-residence page links five document-guidance pages by status: spouses and biological children of Japanese nationals, permanent residents and special permanent residents (1), Long-Term Residents (2), work statuses and Dependents (3), Highly Skilled Professionals (4) and Special Highly Skilled Professionals (5).
永住許可申請（手続案内）申請書・必要書類・部数 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Evidence of contribution to Japan is optional in the work-status list: copies of certificates of commendation, letters of thanks or decorations, a recommendation by the head of the applicant's company, university or organisation, and other materials showing contribution.
永住許可申請３（就労関係の在留資格・家族滞在の方） 13 · Checked on 2026-10-22
A letter of understanding must accompany every permanent-residence application and is offered in 13 versions: Japanese, plain Japanese, English, simplified and traditional Chinese, Korean, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Nepali and Thai.
永住許可申請３（就労関係の在留資格・家族滞在の方） 15 · Checked on 2026-10-22
The only guarantor attachment the ISA checklists list is a document showing the guarantor's identity such as a copy of a driving licence; the checklists do not ask for the guarantor's tax certificate, income proof or residence-status proof.
永住許可申請３（就労関係の在留資格・家族滞在の方） 12(2) · Checked on 2026-10-22
The 2017 guideline's economy and industry categories included about three or more years running a listed or comparable Japanese company, three years of management with continuous investment of at least one hundred million yen, about five years as a manager in such a company, a nationwide-selected industry award, advanced engineering work and about five years on IoT or regenerative-medicine projects.
「我が国への貢献」に関するガイドライン（平成29年4月26日改定） 3 経済・産業分野 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2017-04-26
The 2017 guideline's culture, education, research, sports and other categories included authoritative arts prizes, about three years as a leader in the arts in Japan, about three years as a full-time professor, associate professor or lecturer at a Japanese university, research results shown by citations, publication in refereed or authoritative journals or highly rated talks at authoritative academic societies, top placings in international sports events together with about three years of coaching or promotion in Japan, and nationwide-selected social or welfare awards.
「我が国への貢献」に関するガイドライン（平成29年4月26日改定） 4〜8 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2017-04-26
On the overview checklist, a second points sheet calculated as of an earlier date is also asked for: as of one year before filing on the 80-point route and three years before on the 70-point route, from applicants who are not already Highly Skilled Professionals at that score; an 80-point Highly Skilled Professional gives it only if the result notice shows fewer than 80 points.
永住許可申請にかかる提出書類一覧表（概要版（就労資格）） 20 高度専門職ポイント計算表（永住許可申請の●年前時点） · Checked on 2026-10-23

Recent changes

The permanent residence guideline revised on 1 October 2026 raises (for applications from 1 April 2027) the spouse exception to a genuine marriage of at least 5 years plus at least 3 years of continuous residence in Japan, and the natural-child exception to 3 years.
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原則１０年在留に関する特例１ · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
From 1 April 2027 a permanent resident's status can be revoked if the person does not comply with obligations under the Immigration Act or intentionally fails to pay public charges such as taxes.
出入国管理及び難民認定法（令和9年4月1日施行予定の改正後版・令和6年法律第60号）第22条の4第1項第8号（改正後） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
From 1 April 2027 a permanent resident sentenced to imprisonment for specified Penal Code and related offences can also have the status revoked.
出入国管理及び難民認定法（令和9年4月1日施行予定の改正後版・令和6年法律第60号）第22条の4第1項第9号（改正後） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
When revoking permanent residence for items 8 or 9 of Article 22-4(1), the Minister will in principle change the status ex officio to another status instead, unless continued stay is inappropriate.
出入国管理及び難民認定法（令和9年4月1日施行予定の改正後版・令和6年法律第60号）第22条の6（新設） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
From 1 April 2027, Article 22(2) is amended so the national-interest test expressly refers to compliance with obligations under the Act and payment of taxes and other public charges.
出入国管理及び難民認定法（e-Gov 法令検索・2027-04-01施行版／令和6年法律第60号）第22条第2項 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The separate 'contribution to Japan' permanent-residence guideline is abolished on 31 March 2027, when the October 2026 guideline takes over.
永住許可（入管法第22条）お知らせ · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-03-31

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Which guideline applies depends on the filing date: the February 2026 text up to 31 March 2026; the February text for 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 except that the October 2026 income provisions apply; and the October 2026 text for filings from 1 April 2027.
永住許可（入管法第22条）お知らせ · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
The October 2026 guideline revision applies in full to filings from 1 April 2027, though its income and public-burden provisions also reach pending cases filed within six months before the revision date.
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 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The comprehensive measures set by the ministerial council on foreign nationals on 23 January 2026 list, as a future issue, reviewing the livelihood and national-interest requirements for permanent residence and considering a Japanese and rules-learning programme as a condition.
外国人の受入れ・秩序ある共生のための総合的対応策（令和８年１月２３日） ⑤ⅳ 施策番号36 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-01-23
The ISA held a public comment period from 4 August to 3 September 2026 on the draft revision of the permanent-residence guideline, and on the draft revocation guideline, before the October 2026 versions were issued.
永住許可（入管法第22条）お知らせ · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-08-04
From 1 April 2027 a permanent resident's status can be revoked if the holder fails to comply with obligations set out in the Immigration Control Act (the separate address-notification grounds excepted) or deliberately fails to pay taxes and public charges (Art. 22-4(1)(viii)).
出入国管理及び難民認定法（e-Gov 法令検索・2027-04-01施行版／令和6年法律第60号）第22条の4第1項第8号 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The same amendment adds a revocation ground for a permanent resident sentenced to imprisonment for specified intentional offences such as theft, fraud, extortion, murder or dangerous driving causing injury (Art. 22-4(1)(ix)).
出入国管理及び難民認定法（e-Gov 法令検索・2027-04-01施行版／令和6年法律第60号）第22条の4第1項第9号 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The ISA's guideline on revoking permanent residence takes effect on 1 April 2027, the same date as the amendment.
永住者の在留資格の取消しに関するガイドラインについて · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
By filing date: up to 31 March 2026 the February 2026 guideline applies; 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 the February text applies except that the October 2026 income provisions (second part 4(2)) and public-burden provision (5(7)) also apply; from 1 April 2027 the October 2026 text applies in full.
永住許可（入管法第22条）お知らせ：「永住許可に関するガイドライン」の適用についてお知らせ · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
The October pension-and-asset test (second part 4(3)) is not among the provisions applied early, so it applies only to filings made on or after 1 April 2027; earlier filings are subject only to the early-applied income and public-burden provisions (second part 4(2) and 5(7)), not to a pension test.
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 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The Minister of Justice said on 4 August 2026 that the guideline as a whole starts on 1 April 2027 but income is applied from the 1 October 2026 revision date, because income is central to judging whether the applicant can support themselves.
法務大臣閣議後記者会見の概要（令和8年8月4日）質疑応答 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-08-04
Conduct before the 1 April 2027 effective date is not ignored for the tax ground: the revocation guideline says deliberate non-payment after the grant of permanent residence but before the law took effect still counts if it comes to light afterwards, although a single moment before the effective date alone will not trigger revocation and later payment is considered.
永住者の在留資格の取消しに関するガイドライン第2の2(2)（注２） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
Under the revocation guideline, a permanent resident who received a prison sentence after being granted permanent residence (even before the amended law took effect, and for any offence) and is then sentenced to prison again for a listed offence is expected to have the status revoked, while a first such sentence is expected to lead to a change of status instead.
永住者の在留資格の取消しに関するガイドライン第4の2(3) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The programme for learning Japanese and Japanese rules, which the January 2026 measures said could become a condition of permanent residence, had not been created as of the 1 October 2026 answers and was still under consideration.
永住許可に関するガイドライン案改定に係る意見募集の結果について（別紙：御意見の要旨及び御意見に対する考え方） No.54 (別紙) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
The letter of guarantee for a permanent-residence application is a single-page form in which the guarantor, signing by hand, pledges to give the support needed for the applicant to obey Japanese law and properly perform public duties while in Japan.
身元保証書（永住許可申請用）様式 · Checked on 2026-10-22
The October 2026 guideline abolishes the stand-alone 'contribution to Japan' guideline and, in its own section 4, lists the people regarded as having contributed: holders of government honours, people who served about five years on government committees, international prizewinners, diplomatic and consular staff, former heads of international organisations, directors of Prime-market listed companies for five years, winners of nationwide-selected awards, arts prizewinners and top sports finishers.
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4 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
Act No. 60 of 2024, which creates the new employment-for-skill-development status and writes permanent residence requirements and revocation grounds into law, takes effect on 1 April 2027 except for some provisions.
令和６年入管法等改正について令和6年法律第60号 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The agency published guidelines on revoking permanent resident status that start operating on 1 April 2027, responding to a Diet resolution calling for careful application.
永住者の在留資格の取消しに関するガイドラインについて · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The permanent residence guidelines were revised on 1 October 2026 and apply to applications filed from 1 April 2027; the household income rule and the public-burden factor also apply to applications filed since 1 April 2026 that are still pending on 1 October 2026.
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 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
The government is considering making attendance of a Japanese language and life learning program a condition for permanent residence, and widening the grounds for revocation after the April 2027 law takes effect.
外国人の受入れ・秩序ある共生のための総合的対応策～進捗等を踏まえた、今後の取組の方向性～ · Checked on 2026-10-22
From 1 April 2027 the Immigration Act lets the Minister revoke Permanent Resident status for a holder who breaches duties under the Act or deliberately does not pay public taxes and charges; this ground applies to Permanent Residents only, not to work-status holders, whose payment record is instead a factor at renewal.
出入国管理及び難民認定法（令和9年4月1日施行時点）第二十二条の四第一項第八号 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01

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.