Permanent residence is a system that allows a foreigner to continue to live in Japan while retaining the nationality of his or her home country.

It is often mistakenly believed that if you are allowed to enter Japan by marriage or other reasons, you will automatically become a permanent resident. But you are not.

If you do not obtain a permanent residence permit after meeting certain requirements after entering Japan, you will be required to submit a periodic report for the period of stay. You will need to complete the renewal process.

Key Advantages of Obtaining a Permanent Resident Visa

• There will be no restrictions on your activities. (Like Japanese, you will be able to do basically any job you want.
• If you change jobs or get divorced, you no longer need to report to the Immigration Bureau to change or renew your visa or extend your period of stay.
• The creditworthiness of banks and other financial institutions will increase and it will be easier to get mortgages and other loans.

Requirements to obtain a permanent residence permit

General principle

• Spouse of a Japanese national, permanent resident or special permanent resident who has lived in Japan for 10 years or more.
• If you have been married or have lived together abroad, you must have been married for three years or more You must be a child of a Japanese national, permanent resident, or special permanent resident who has lived in Japan for at least one year. Special Adoption]
• In the case of biological children and special adopted children, they must continue to live in Japan for at least one year.

Those with refugee status (including Indochinese settled refugees)

Must have been living in Japan for more than 5 years.

Those with permanent resident status.

Must remain in Japan for 5 years or more after obtaining a permanent residence permit.

Those recognized for their contribution to Japan.

You must have been living in Japan for at least 5 years (specific years will be examined on a case-by-case basis)

Points to keep in mind when applying for a permanent residence permit

Compared to other visas (residence status), the number of documents required to be attached to your application is much greater (in some cases, you may need to submit (There are more than 30 types).

The documents to be attached have an expiration date of three months from the date of issue, so if you don’t collect the documents in a systematic manner, you may not be able to apply for them until they are ready.

It’s hard work, but it’s important to do it all at once when gathering documents. We can also obtain documents on your behalf, so please feel free to contact us for more information.