Conditions for obtaining a permanent residence visa in Japan (Permanent Resident Visa) and advantages and disadvantages of obtaining a Permanent Resident Visa
It is natural for foreign nationals who have worked in Japan for many years and built a foundation for their lives to wish to live permanently in Japan. However, in order to obtain a permanent residence visa in Japan, several requirements must be met.
In this article, we will explain in detail the requirements for acquiring permanent resident status and its special provisions. It also discusses the advantages and disadvantages of acquiring permanent resident status, which you should be aware of, so please read to the end.
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【Basic Knowledge to Remember】What is Permanent Residence?
Permanent residence is a status of residence that allows foreign nationals to reside permanently in Japan. Once you obtain a permanent residence visa, you can stay in Japan for an unlimited period of time and there are no restrictions on employment. In other words, you have almost the same rights as a Japanese national.
Requirements for obtaining a permanent residence visa in Japan (Permanent Resident Visa)
In order for a foreign national to reside in Japan, it is necessary to obtain a status of residence (visa) from the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Agency (hereinafter referred to as "Immigration"). There are various types of status of residence, and a permanent resident visa is one of them.
Most visa statuses have a maximum period of stay and a limited range of activities, but the permanent resident visa has no maximum period of stay and unlimited activities, allowing the holder to work in any type of occupation.
Not just anyone can apply for a permanent residence visa. To obtain a permanent residence visa, you must meet the conditions set forth in the "Guidelines for Permanent Residence Permits.
| (1) Good conduct The applicant must comply with the law and live a socially acceptable life as a resident in his/her daily life. |
| (2) Have sufficient assets or skills to earn an independent living. The applicant must not be a burden on the public in his/her daily life and must be expected to have a stable life in the future in view of his/her assets or skills, etc. |
| (3) The permanent residence of the person is deemed to be in the best interest of Japan. (a) In principle, the applicant must have continuously resided in Japan for 10 years or more. However, during this period, the foreign national must have a work qualification (excluding "technical internship" and "specified technical skill 1") or a residence status (2) The applicant must have continuously resided in Japan for at least 5 years with a work status (excluding "Technical Intern Training" and "Specified Trade Skills 1") or residence status. (a) The applicant must not have been fined or imprisoned. (b) The applicant has properly fulfilled his/her public obligations (tax payment, payment of premiums for public pension and public medical insurance, and notification and other obligations stipulated in the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act). c. The applicant must be residing for the maximum period of stay stipulated in Appended Table 2 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act with regard to the status of residence he/she currently possesses. (d) There is no risk of harm from the standpoint of public health. *However, in the case of a spouse or child of a Japanese national, permanent resident, or special permanent resident, neither (1) nor (2) shall be required to be met. In addition, in the case of a person who has refugee status, he/she is not required to conform to (2). |
The three conditions will now be explained more clearly.
(1) Good conduct
If you are going to live in Japan permanently, you must obey the laws and rules and be a member of Japanese society. Breaking the law may lead to loss of permanent residence and deportation. Even at the time of application or after obtaining a permanent resident visa, if you are repeatedly arrested for even minor traffic violations, you will be considered to have "bad behavior.
(2) Have sufficient assets or skills to earn an independent living.
The examination for permanent residence includes the foreigner's own annual income, assets, occupation, and the income of his/her spouse. The term "public burden" refers to public assistance, etc., and the emphasis is placed on whether or not the foreigner will be able to live without problems in the future when he/she takes up permanent residence.
(3) The permanent residence of the person is deemed to be in the best interest of Japan.
There are several items in these conditions. Let's take a closer look at each of them below.
(1) In principle, the applicant must have been continuously residing in Japan for at least 10 years.
You must have resided in Japan continuously for at least 10 years, of which at least 5 years must have been spent either in employment status or residence status. For example, even if you have been in Japan for more than 10 years, if you have stayed in Japan with "College Student" status for more than 6 of those 10 years, you will be judged as not meeting this condition.
(ii) Proper performance of public obligations.
Public obligations refer to obligations such as tax payment, payment of pension premiums and national health insurance premiums, and notification required by the Immigration Law. When applying for permanent residence, applicants are required to submit documents proving tax payment and payment. In addition, the applicant must not have been fined or imprisoned.
(iii) Have the longest period of stay under the current status of residence.
In most cases, the maximum period of stay stipulated by the status of residence is extended according to the renewal of the status of residence. The maximum period of stay for most statuses of residence is five years, so if the period of stay for your current status of residence is five years, you can be sure that you meet this requirement.
(iv) There is no risk of harm from a public health standpoint.
In layman's terms, the question is, "Are you infected with an infectious disease that could be harmful? If you have had an infectious disease in the past, you must prove that it is not likely to become harmful in the future.
Special Exception to the Conditions for Acquiring Permanent Resident Status - Conditions are waived in such cases.
There are several special exceptions to the conditions for obtaining permanent residence. Let's take a look at the cases in which special exceptions are granted.
Cases exempted from "conduct" and "independent livelihood"
If you are the spouse or child (regular or special adopted) of a Japanese national, permanent resident, or special permanent resident, you are exempt from the "conduct" and "independent livelihood" requirements. However, if you have refugee status, only the "independent livelihood" condition is exempted.
Cases in which the "10-year period of stay" is waived
In the following cases, in principle, it is not necessary to continue to reside in Japan for more than 10 years.
For spouses of Japanese nationals, permanent residents and special permanent residents
The marriage must have continued for at least three years and the couple must have been continuously residing in Japan for at least one year. In addition, their biological children and specially adopted children (not including ordinary adopted children) meet the conditions as long as they have been continuously residing in Japan for at least one year.
(2) For permanent residents
You must have been continuously residing in Japan for at least five years with "permanent resident" status.
(iii) For persons who have been certified as refugees
The applicant must have resided in Japan continuously for at least five years after certification.
(4) For those who are recognized for their contribution to Japan
The applicant must have resided in Japan continuously for at least three to five years, depending on the nature of the activity.
(5) If any of the following applies to you as a high-level professional
Must be recognized as having at least 70 points for 3 years as a highly qualified professional, based on the point in time 3 years prior to the date of application for permanent residence.
Must be recognized as having at least 80 points for one year as an advanced professional, based on the point in time one year prior to the date of application for permanent residence.
Reference:Guidelines for Permanent Residence Permits｜Immigration and Immigration Services Agency
Advantages and disadvantages of obtaining a permanent residence visa (Permanent Resident Visa)
Obtaining a permanent residence visa allows foreign nationals much greater freedom, as there are no restrictions on length of stay or employment. In some cases, having a permanent residence visa also gives you social credibility, making it easier to obtain a mortgage or business loan, and in some cases, you may receive preferential interest rates on your loans.
Thus, for foreign nationals who wish to lead a permanent and stable life in Japan, obtaining a permanent residence visa has many advantages, but please note that there are also disadvantages.
For example, false information at the time of application for permanent residence, or failure to register residence or renew the validity period of the resident card may result in revocation of the permanent residence permit. Permanent residents should be especially careful because the validity period of the resident card itself must be renewed.
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summary
In order for a foreign national to obtain permanent residence in Japan, he/she must fulfill the requirements set forth by law. However, meeting the requirements does not guarantee that permanent residence will be granted. Even if a foreigner successfully obtains permanent resident status, it may be revoked depending on his/her living conditions and behavior afterwards.
No matter where you live, not only in Japan but in any other country, you are expected to obey the laws and rules of that country and act responsibly as a member of society. It is important for foreign nationals who wish to obtain permanent residency to pay close attention to these points and make preparations in a systematic manner.
If you would like to learn more about permanent residency, status of residence, and obtaining Japanese citizenship, please also read the following related articles.
[Explanation of status of residence "Technical/Humanities/International Services"!]
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