Quick Answer
The standard route to permanent residence requires 10 continuous years in Japan (at least 5 with a work or residence status), full tax and pension compliance, no criminal record, and a current visa of 3 or 5 years. Processing takes 6-12 months and costs no government fee.
Standard Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Continuous residence | 10+ years in Japan continuously |
| Work/residence status | At least 5 of those 10 years on a work or residence visa (not student) |
| Current visa period | typically need to hold 3-year or 5-year visa (not 1-year) |
| Tax compliance | All national and local taxes paid for at least 5 years |
| Pension payments | All pension contributions paid (at least 2 years of records reviewed closely) |
| Health insurance | No unpaid premiums |
| Criminal record | No criminal convictions; traffic violations may be overlooked if minor |
| Income stability | Stable income sufficient to support yourself/family (no fixed minimum) |
| Guarantor | A Japanese national or permanent resident willing to act as guarantor |
Document Checklist
☑ Application form (永住許可申請書)
☑ Photo (4cm × 3cm)
☑ Reason statement (理由書)
☑ Passport & Residence Card
☑ Tax certificates — 5 years (課税・納税証明書)
☑ Pension payment records — nenkin teiki bin or nenkin net
☑ Health insurance payment records
☑ Employment certificate (在職証明書)
☑ Company registration (if self-employed)
☑ Residence certificate (住民票) — family included
☑ Guarantor's documents (tax cert, employment cert, residence cert)
☑ Bank statements or financial evidence
Processing Timeline
1
Preparation: Gather documents (1-2 months)
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2
Submit application: At your regional ISA bureau
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3
Processing: 6-12 months (varies by bureau; Tokyo tends to be longer)
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4
Result notification: Postcard sent to your address
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5
Collect new card: Visit ISA with ¥8,000 revenue stamp and receive PR Residence Card
ℹ️ Government Fee
There is no application fee. The only government cost is an ¥8,000 revenue stamp paid when collecting your new Residence Card upon approval.
⚠️ Legal Notice
This is not legal advice. Please consult a licensed immigration consultant (行政書士 / gyoseishoshi) for advice specific to your situation.
