🔹 Permanent Residence Application
Permanent Residence status in Japan allows individuals to stay without restrictions on the period of residence, enabling free employment, job changes, and entrepreneurship. Once obtained, there is no need for residence period renewals, ensuring a stable life in Japan.
1️⃣ Benefits of Resident Permanent Residence Status
✅ No need to renew residence period (Unlimited stay in Japan)
✅ Freedom in job choice, career changes, and entrepreneurship (No work restrictions)
✅ Easier approval for financial services (Such as housing loans)
✅ Simplified family sponsorship and future naturalization process
✅ Enhanced social credibility and a more stable life in Japan
2️⃣ Main Requirements for Permanent Residence Application
✅ A. Requirements for Period of Stay
- General Visa Holders: Must have continuously resided in Japan for at least 10 years, with a minimum of 5 years under a work visa or residence visa.
- Spouse of Japanese Nationals or Long-Term Residents: Requires at least 1 year of marriage and 3 years of residence in Japan.
- Highly Skilled Professional (Points-Based System):70 points or more → Eligible after 3 years of residence. 80 points or more → Eligible after 1 year of residence.
✅ B. Financial Stability Requirements
- Stable Income in Japan
- Annual Income Benchmark: Generally between ¥3,000,000 and ¥4,000,000 or more (varies based on the number of dependents).
- Full Payment of Taxes and Social Insurance: No outstanding payments for taxes or social insurance premiums.
3️⃣ Process and Timeline
| 🔢 Steps | ⏳ Estimated Timeline |
|---|---|
| Preparation of required documents | Approx. 1 to 2 months |
| Submitting the application for permanent residency | – |
| Examination by the Immigration Bureau | 6 months to 1 year |
| Notification of Results (Approval or Rejection) | – |
| Issuance of a permanent resident residence card | Several weeks after approval |
⏰ Overall timeframe: Minimum 6 months to a maximum of 1 year
4️⃣ Key Points to Avoid Rejection
❌ Main Reasons for Rejection:
- Incomplete documents or errors in the application
- Unpaid or overdue taxes and social insurance premiums
- Annual income below the required threshold
- Failure to report minor violations (such as traffic offenses)
✅ Improvements for Reapplication
- Review the reason for rejection and submit additional documents or a written explanation
- Consult an administrative scrivener to review and revise your documents
🔹 Naturalization Application (Acquisition of Japanese Nationality)
Naturalization is the official procedure for foreign nationals to acquire Japanese nationality. Once naturalization is granted, there are no longer any restrictions on residence status or period of stay. Naturalized individuals gain the same rights and obligations as all Japanese citizens, including the right to vote and access to social security.
1️⃣ Benefits of Naturalization Application
✅ You can acquire Japanese nationality (including a Japanese passport)
✅ No need to renew your residence status
✅ You gain the right to vote and to run for public office
✅ Increased social credibility (advantageous for things like housing loan approvals)
✅ Easier for your family members to obtain visas
2️⃣ Main Requirements for Naturalization Application
To apply for naturalization, you must meet the following conditions as stipulated by Japanese law.
✅ A. Residency Requirement
- You must have continuously resided in Japan for at least 5 years.
- If you hold a work visa, you need at least 5 years of residency history.
- If you are married to a Japanese national, you can apply after being married for at least 1 year and having lived in Japan for 3 years or more.
✅ B. Capacity Requirement
- You must be 18 years or older and have legal capacity under the Civil Code.
✅ C. Good Conduct Requirement
- You must comply with Japanese laws and have no record of traffic violations or minor offenses.
- You must have fulfilled all tax obligations, including resident tax, income tax, and social insurance contributions.
✅ D. Financial Stability Requirement
- You must have a stable income and a secure foundation for daily life.
- Estimated annual income: ¥3,000,000 to ¥4,000,000 or more (varies depending on the number of dependents)
✅ E. Renunciation Requirement
- Since Japan does not allow dual nationality, you are required to renounce your original citizenship after naturalization.
✅ F. Japanese Language Proficiency Requirement
- Basic Japanese language skills in both speaking and writing are required, approximately at the level of a lower elementary school student.
3️⃣ Naturalization Process and Timeline
| 🔢 Steps | ⏳ Estimated Timeline |
|---|---|
| Preparation of required documents | Approx. 2 to 3 months |
| Preliminary Consultation with the Legal Affairs Bureau | By appointment only (Reservation required 1–2 weeks in advance) |
| Official Submission of the Naturalization Application | – |
| Interview at the Legal Affairs Bureau (Confirmation of Application Details) | Within 1 to 2 months after submission |
| Review of Application Documents | 6 months to 1.5 years |
| Notification of Results (Approval or Rejection) | – |
| Post-Naturalization Procedures (Resident Registration, Family Registry, etc.) | Immediately after approval |
⏰ Overall timeframe: Minimum 8 months to a maximum of 2 years
4️⃣ Key Points to Avoid Rejection
❌ Main Reasons for Rejection:
- Incomplete or incorrectly filled documents
- Delinquency in tax or social insurance payments
- Failure to report traffic violations or minor offenses
- Income not meeting the required threshold
✅ Suggested Solutions:
- 書Check all documents carefully in advance for any errors or omissions
- Even if you have minor violations, report them honestly and submit a written statement of reflection if necessary
- Ensure all taxes and social insurance payments are up to date, and prepare the required certificates
Benefits of Consulting an Administrative Scrivener
⚖️ Professional Support for Document Preparation:
- Naturalization applications require extensive documentation, so expert support can help prevent missing or incomplete paperwork.
📈 Increased Approval Rate:
- Improve your impression on examiners through application statements and supplementary explanations.
- Interview preparation with examiners is also available.
🕐 Reduced Application Processing Time:
- Prevent resubmissions due to documentation errors and shorten the review period.
📌 Summary: Permanent Residency vs. Naturalization — Which Should You Choose?
- 💡 If you wish to maintain your original nationality while living stably in Japan, apply for Permanent Residency.
- 💡 If you want to fully establish roots in Japan and live as a Japanese citizen, apply for Naturalization.
Both are significant decisions, so it’s crucial to choose according to your life plans and future goals.
If you have concerns or questions, consult with specialists such as administrative scriveners to determine the best option for you.
🚀 Let’s aim for a smooth application process and a secure, worry-free life in Japan!