Permanent Residency from Working Visa in Japan

How to Obtain Permanent Residency in Japan from a Working Visa

If you wish to obtain permanent residency (PR) in Japan, you must submit a Permanent Resident Application to the Regional Immigration Bureau that has jurisdiction over your residential address.
Unlike a standard visa renewal, the screening process for permanent residency is much stricter and includes a detailed review of tax payments, social insurance enrollment, compliance history, and residency stability.

Permanent Residency Screening Is Becoming Stricter in Recent Years

In recent years, the approval standards for permanent residency in Japan have tightened significantly.
This trend is driven by increasing concerns over fraudulent visa acquisitions and ongoing policy reforms related to foreign residents.

For example, at our office, we handled a case filed in April 2024 with approval granted in November 2025, resulting in a processing time of approximately 19 months. Before COVID-19, many applications were completed in around six months, but today, especially in the Tokyo Immigration jurisdiction, processing times of 18 months or longer are becoming the norm.

Additionally, in November 2024, the Japanese government announced plans to significantly raise immigration-related fees to levels comparable to Western countries. While current fees range from 6,000 to 10,000 yen, future fees may reach:

• 30,000–40,000 yen for visa renewals

• 100,000 yen or more for permanent residency applications

Implementation is expected sometime in FY2026.

Because of these factors, applying as soon as you become eligible is highly recommended.

Applying for Permanent Residency While Holding a Working Visa

In this article, we focus on applicants holding the visa category “Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services”, which includes:

• Engineers and IT professionals

• Administrative, HR, and accounting staff

• Sales and marketing professionals

• Translators and interpreters

• English instructors and international service personnel

In October 2025, the requirements for the Business Manager Visa were significantly revised. The minimum capital requirement was raised from 5 million yen to 30 million yen. While there is a transitional grace period for renewal, no grace period applies when applying for PR. Therefore, holding a Business Manager Visa with insufficient capital may result in PR rejection, even if renewal is permitted.

Benefits of Becoming a Permanent Resident in Japan

Once approved as a permanent resident, you will no longer need to apply for visa extensions or change your visa category.
While most working visas are granted for 1, 3, or 5 years, permanent residency removes all restrictions on residence duration.

Permanent residency also eliminates employment restrictions. Unlike working visas—which limit employment to approved activities—permanent residents may:

• Change employers freely

• Start their own business

• Engage in multiple occupations

• Work without field restrictions

This provides a lifestyle more similar to that of Japanese citizens, with greater flexibility and economic freedom.

In addition, PR approval makes it considerably easier for your spouse and children to obtain PR later.

When Can You Apply for Permanent Residency?

To apply for PR, you must first meet Japan’s residency requirement:

“10 consecutive years of residence in Japan, including at least 5 years under a working visa.”

Key conditions include:

• Your visa history must be continuous without expiration gaps.

• A single absence from Japan exceeding 90 days, or multiple absences totaling 180 days in one year, may reset the residency count.

• Time spent under a student visa does not count toward the required five years of employment-based residence.

For example:
If you lived in Japan for eight years as a student and two years with a working visa, you do not yet meet the requirements.

However, applicants who qualify under the Highly Skilled Professional Point System may be eligible for PR after only one or three years.

Even if your current visa is nearing expiry, you may still apply for PR as long as the application is submitted before your visa expires. However, submitting a PR application does not automatically extend your visa, meaning you must separately renew your working visa if approval has not yet been issued.

Failure to renew your visa on time may result in overstay and legal penalties.

Additional Requirements for Permanent Residency

In addition to the residence requirement, applicants must satisfy all of the following:

1. Good conduct and legal compliance
   Even minor traffic violations may impact evaluation.

2. Stable and sufficient income
   Income stability is assessed across the previous five years.

3. Holds the longest period of stay for current visa category
   (Currently 3-year or 5-year status is required.)

4. No unpaid taxes or unpaid social/labor insurance
   This includes health insurance, pension, residence tax, and income tax.

5. Proper migration compliance history
   (e.g., reporting changes in employer or address as required by law)

6. A guarantor in Japan
   The guarantor must be a Japanese citizen or a permanent resident.

During the long review period, you must continue meeting all requirements until the decision is finalized. If you plan to move, change employers, or adjust your legal status during review, advance planning is essential.

Working with a specialist office can help avoid delays, missing documentation, or compliance risks during the screening period.

Can My Family Apply Together with Me?

Yes—your spouse and children may apply for PR at the same time if they meet certain conditions.

Approval results are often linked, meaning strategic timing is important when applying as a family.

Summary

Obtaining permanent residency in Japan offers long-term stability, employment freedom, and relief from visa renewals.
However, due to stricter criteria and longer processing times, preparation and timing are crucial.

If you are unsure whether you meet the requirements—or if you want to avoid costly mistakes—consulting a professional can significantly improve the approval outcome.

Please feel free to contact us for advice!

First, please call +81-3-6264-9388 or leave a message on our website with your inquiry. (Please contact us by phone or consultation page.)

TEL: 03-6264-9388

Email: info@lawoffice-yokoyama.com