What is a Letter of Reason required to apply for permanent residence? Explanation of how to write it and what to keep in mind
Many foreigners residing in Japan wish to obtain a permanent residence visa (Permanent Resident Visa), but many documents are required to be submitted when applying. The most important of these is the "Statement of Reason. You may wonder why you are required to submit a letter of reasons, but the "reasons why you want to obtain a permanent residence visa" is an important factor in obtaining a permanent residence permit in Japan.
This article will explain in detail how to write a letter of reasons and what to look out for in a permanent residence application.
◆To learn more about permanent residency in Japan, check out the following articles!
What is permanent residence? Complete coverage of permanent residency in Japan!
What is the Statement of Reasons required to apply for permanent residence?
In order to obtain a permanent residence permit, a foreign national must apply for permanent residence and pass the examination. In recent years, the Immigration Services (hereafter referred to as "Immigration Bureau") has become more stringent in its screening process, and the approval rate for permanent residence visas is around 50%. The letter of reasons is important to determine whether the applicant is truly deserving of a permanent residence visa.
The Statement of Reasons is also known as the Statement of Reasons for Application for Permanent Residence or the Statement of Reasons for Application for Permanent Residence Permit. The Immigration Bureau specifies the format of the Statement of Reasons and the Japanese text as follows, and requires it as a document to be submitted. Please keep in mind that even if it is called a Statement of Reasons for Applying for Permanent Residence or a Statement of Reasons for Applying for Permanent Residence Permit, it is the same Statement of Reasons.
| Letter of Reason (1 copy) Please write in free form about why you need a permanent residence permit. If the information is to be written in a language other than Japanese, a translation is required. |
While many documents are submitted with an application for permanent residence, the Statement of Reasons plays an important role as a supplement to the application. The examiner will also examine the alien's reasons for seeking permanent residence and the background that led to the application.
Purpose of the Statement of Reasons
- To clarify why a permanent residence permit is required
- To supplement the "background leading to the application" and other information that makes it difficult to determine whether the applicant meets the requirements for permanent residence based on the submitted documents alone (to avoid misunderstandings during the screening process).
Who needs a Letter of Reason to apply for permanent residence?
The Letter of Reason required for permanent residence applications is not required of all applicants. Those who do not require a Letter of Reason and those who do can be divided into the following categories
People who do not need a statement of reasons
Foreign nationals who fall into one of the following categories are not required to submit a statement of reasons. However, if there are special circumstances or other details that you would like to add, you may submit a statement of reasons.
- Japanese spouse
- Spouse of a permanent resident
- Spouse of a special permanent resident
- Japanese biological child
- Biological children of permanent residents
- Birth children of special permanent residents
Who Needs a Letter of Reason
A letter of reasons is required for foreigners with one of the following statuses
- permanent resident visa
- work visa
- Family Resident Visa
- highly skilled person
For Japanese nationals and spouses of permanent residents, the reasons for permanent residence in Japan are all clear, such as "I want to live a stable life with my family. However, if this is not the case, you will be asked to give a logical reason for wanting to live in Japan permanently.
What to write in the letter of reasons for applying for permanent residence?
Although you are allowed to write a statement of reasons freely, you may be wondering what to write when it comes to the actual writing. The key is to keep it brief and to keep it to one or two pages of A4 size paper. It is preferable to start the opening sentence with a greeting. Then, the necessary items should be written as follows.
What to include in your statement of reasons
From the time of arrival in Japan to the present
As a general rule, an applicant for permanent residence must have resided in Japan for at least 10 years. In the statement of reasons, you should write a brief history of the 10 years from the time of your arrival in Japan to the present. It is advisable to include not only clerical details but also things that have left a lasting impression on you.
Current Situation
Briefly describe your current living and work situation. Of particular importance is whether you are earning a steady income from your job. Show that you can lead an independent life, but also touch on the rewards of your work and your plans for the future. If you have a family, also write about how you live together. To show that you will be able to live without problems in the future, a description of your annual income and savings will also improve the examiner's impression.
Reasons for wanting to live permanently in Japan
The most important part of writing a statement of reasons is the reason why you wish to obtain permanent residence in Japan. It is necessary to provide a concrete and convincing explanation of the background of your choice to continue living in Japan instead of returning to your home country. It is not enough to simply say that you have established a foundation for your life in Japan; you must also provide a clear reason why you need to stay in Japan.
Closing sentence.
As the closing sentence of your statement of reasons, include an oath that you will observe the laws and rules of Japan and live diligently as a member of society.
Here are some things to keep in mind when writing a letter of reasons for applying for permanent residence
You are free to write a statement of reasons, but there are a few things to keep in mind.
Points to keep in mind when writing a statement of reasons
write carefully
Your handwriting does not have to be neat, but it should be carefully written so that the examiner can read it.
Be sure to prepare Japanese sentences.
Some foreign applicants are not confident in their Japanese language skills. However, if the Statement of Reasons is written in their native language, they should ask a specialist or other person to translate it for them, as a Japanese translation is required.
Don't use the template of the statement of reasons all over again.
There are many templates available on the Internet for the Letter of Reasons for Applying for Permanent Residence. Many applicants use the templates as is. However, the problem is that the Immigration Bureau will see the same statement of reasons. Templates will reduce the possibility of obtaining a permanent residence permit.
Stating the facts
Naturally, include only the facts in your statement of reasons. The Immigration Office will also check past applications in conjunction with the application for permanent residence. If the information in the Statement of Reasons differs from the contents of past applications, the credibility of the applicant may be questioned, so be sure to be consistent.
summary
The letter of reasons submitted for permanent residence application occupies an important position in the examination by the immigration inspector. The statement of reasons must be specific and logical, such as "the history of your stay in Japan up to the present" and "the reason why your permanent residence must be in Japan. Since the screening process has become stricter in recent years, it will be difficult to obtain a permanent residence permit if you give a banal reason. Those who are involved in hiring foreign nationals or in contact with foreign employees are encouraged to utilize their knowledge of the statement of reasons to support their permanent residence application.
