Japan Permanent Residency from a Long-Term Resident Visa: Requirements, Documents, Fees & Processing Time【2026 Guide】

1. Who Qualifies for Long-Term Resident Status in Japan?

Long-Term Resident (定住者, Teijusha) is a status of residence granted when the Minister of Justice recognizes special reasons for allowing a foreign national to reside in Japan for a designated period. Unlike many work statuses, it is not limited to a particular occupation.

Examples identified by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan include:

• Third-generation descendants of Japanese nationals (Nikkei 3rd generation)
• Japanese nationals remaining in China after World War II and certain family members
• Refugees accepted through third-country resettlement
• Other people granted Long-Term Resident status based on their individual circumstances

In practice, Long-Term Resident status may also be granted after divorce from or bereavement of a Japanese spouse, depending on the individual circumstances. Because the reason for obtaining Long-Term Resident status differs from person to person, your residence history should be clearly organized when preparing a Permanent Residence application.

Note on fourth-generation Japanese descendants: Japan also has an acceptance program for fourth-generation descendants under the status of Designated Activities (特定活動). Being a fourth-generation Japanese descendant does not automatically mean that you hold or qualify for Long-Term Resident status.

2. Long-Term Resident vs. Permanent Resident in Japan

The main difference is that Permanent Residents have no fixed period of stay and do not need to apply for an extension of their period of stay.

Both statuses are residence statuses based on personal status or position, and generally do not restrict the type of work you may perform. A Long-Term Resident, however, must extend the period of stay before it expires.

After obtaining Permanent Residence, your period of stay becomes indefinite. Your residence card still has a validity period, so the residence card itself must be renewed when required.

Permanent Residence also does not eliminate re-entry requirements. Before leaving Japan, Permanent Residents should confirm whether they need special re-entry permission or a re-entry permit.

3. Requirements for Permanent Residency from a Long-Term Resident Visa

Five years under Long-Term Resident status alone is not enough. You must satisfy the applicable legal and guideline requirements for Permission for Permanent Residence.

1. Continuously Reside in Japan for at Least Five Years as a Long-Term Resident

The general Permanent Residence rule requires continuous residence in Japan for at least 10 years, but Long-Term Residents have a special exception.

Under this exception, you generally need to have continuously resided in Japan for at least five years under the status of Long-Term Resident.

This means that you should not simply calculate “3 years as Spouse or Child of Japanese National + 2 years as Long-Term Resident = 5 years as a Long-Term Resident.” Depending on your previous status and family relationship, another exception may apply, so the correct route should be checked individually.

Immigration also checks whether you hold the maximum period of stay available for your current status. Until March 31, 2027, a three-year period of stay is treated as satisfying this requirement. The treatment changes from April 1, 2027, with transitional measures for certain people who hold a three-year period on March 31, 2027.

2. The Three Basic Permanent Residence Requirements

As of August 12, 2026, the current framework is based on the following three points:

3. Income, Assets and the Independent Livelihood Requirement

The current rules do not set a uniform minimum annual income such as ¥3 million.

Immigration assesses whether you are unlikely to become a public burden and whether stable future living can be expected based on your assets, skills and overall circumstances. Income is important, but household size, dependents, employment and assets are also considered.

Accordingly, figures such as “¥3 million for a single applicant” or “¥4–5 million for a family” should not be presented as official Immigration Services Agency thresholds. The supporting evidence needed depends on your income history and household circumstances.

For self-employed applicants and business owners, tax returns, financial statements, evidence of business activity, transaction records and bank balance documents may be useful depending on the case.

If you depend on public assistance such as welfare benefits, careful review is needed in relation to the independent livelihood requirement. It cannot be assumed that assets will automatically resolve the issue.

4. Taxes, Pension and Health Insurance: Timely Compliance Matters

Permanent Residence screening places importance on proper compliance with public obligations, including taxes, public pension contributions, public health insurance premiums and required notifications under immigration law.

For Long-Term Resident applicants, the official document list generally requires resident-tax records covering the most recent five years and pension / public health insurance payment records focusing on the most recent two years.

It is not enough simply to have no unpaid balance on the application date. Immigration also considers whether payments were made by their original due dates. Paying overdue amounts immediately before applying does not erase the fact that the payments were late.

5. Proposed Permanent Residence Guideline Revision Published in August 2026

On August 4, 2026, a proposed revision to the Permanent Residence guidelines was published. As of August 12, 2026, it is not yet in force.

The proposal would make the following assessment factors more specific:

• Whether household income continuously exceeds the average income level of Japanese households of a comparable size
• Expected future pension benefits and, where insufficient, financial assets
• Japanese-language ability at approximately B1 level under the Japanese-language education reference framework
• Understanding of Japanese systems and rules
• Whether school-age children are attending school

The proposal indicates an October 2026 application date for the income-related element and April 2027 for other elements. However, the proposal may change following public consultation and must not be treated as the current requirements.

6. Free Permanent Residency Eligibility Check for Long-Term Residents

Before applying, review not only your residence period but also your conduct, income and assets, public obligations and current period of stay.

Our self-check tool lets you review your current situation based on residence history, conduct, income, taxes, social insurance and family circumstances. The result does not guarantee approval, but it can help you organize your preparation.

4. Documents Required for Permanent Residency from Long-Term Resident Status

Prepare your documents based on the Immigration Services Agency of Japan's official list for Permanent Residence applications by Long-Term Residents. Additional documents may be required depending on your occupation, family situation, tax-payment method and social insurance enrollment.

Typical documents include:

• Application for Permission for Permanent Residence
• Photograph
• Statement of reasons
• Documents proving family / personal status relationships
• Certificate of residence (juminhyo) for all household members including the applicant
• Documents proving occupation
• Resident-tax assessment and payment records, generally focusing on the most recent five years
• Public pension and public health insurance payment records, generally focusing on the most recent two years
• Documents proving assets
• Letter of guarantee and documents concerning the guarantor
• Letter of acknowledgment / consent required by the Immigration Services Agency
• Other documents needed to explain individual circumstances

Document types and required periods can change. Always check the latest Immigration Services Agency list when you file your application.

Check the official document list for Long-Term Resident applicants

5. Application Process, Immigration Office, Fee and Processing Time

1. Application Process

As a general rule, submit your Permanent Residence application to the regional Immigration Services office that has jurisdiction over your place of residence. A Permanent Residence application is separate from an extension of your current status.

1. Check your eligibility. Review your years under Long-Term Resident status, current period of stay, income and assets, taxes, pension, health insurance and residence history.
2. Collect the required documents. Prepare the official documents, including residence records, tax records, pension / health insurance records, and employment / income documents.
3. Prepare the application and statement of reasons. Organize your residence history and, where necessary, documents explaining individual circumstances.
4. File with the regional Immigration Services office. An authorized immigration lawyer / administrative scrivener may also file as an application intermediary where permitted.
5. Respond during examination. Immigration may request additional documents. If your current period of stay will expire while the PR application is pending, you must separately apply for an extension.
6. Complete procedures after approval. Pay the prescribed government fee and receive your new residence card. Permanent Residents do not extend a period of stay, but they must still renew the validity of their residence card when required.

2. Government Fee for Permanent Residence

As of August 12, 2026, the fee payable when Permanent Residence is granted is ¥10,000. It is paid upon approval, not when the application is filed.

A draft Cabinet Order proposes increasing the Permanent Residence fee to ¥200,000 from October 1, 2026. As of August 12, 2026, this proposed amount is not yet final. Check the official fee in effect when your application is decided.

3. Permanent Residency Processing Time

The standard processing period published by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan is 4 to 6 months.

This is a standard target, not a guarantee. Actual processing can take longer depending on the Immigration office's workload, your case and whether additional documents are requested.

The Immigration Services Agency publishes actual residence examination processing times each month. Check the latest data when you apply.

6. Japan Permanent Residency FAQ for Long-Term Residents

When can a Long-Term Resident apply for Permanent Residency?

Generally, after continuously residing in Japan for at least five years under Long-Term Resident status.

This is the special residence-period exception for Long-Term Residents. You must also meet the good-conduct, independent-livelihood, public-obligation and period-of-stay requirements. Five years alone does not guarantee approval.

Is there a minimum income requirement for Japan PR?

The current rules do not set a uniform minimum annual income amount.

Immigration considers income, assets, skills, household size and dependents to determine whether stable future living can be expected. There is no official rule that “¥3 million or more guarantees approval.” The August 2026 guideline proposal includes a household-income benchmark, but it is not yet in force as of August 12, 2026.

Can I apply after changing jobs several times?

Job changes do not automatically make you ineligible. However, your employment situation and income history may be reviewed when Immigration evaluates the stability of your present and future livelihood.

If you recently changed jobs or your income has changed significantly, documents such as an employment contract, certificate of employment and income records can help explain your current situation.

Do unpaid or late taxes, pension or health insurance payments affect PR?

Yes, they may. For Long-Term Resident applicants, official document requirements generally cover five years of resident-tax records and two years of pension / public health insurance records.

Even if everything has been paid by the application date, late payments made after the original due date may still be evaluated negatively.

Can my spouse and children apply for Permanent Residency at the same time?

Family members may file their own Permanent Residence applications at around the same time, but each applicant must be assessed under the requirements applicable to that person.

A spouse or child may qualify under a different residence-period exception depending on family relationship and residence history, so each person's eligibility should be checked separately.

Does spending time outside Japan affect a Permanent Residence application?

It can. Because continuous residence and your actual residence situation in Japan are reviewed, long or frequent periods abroad require individual assessment.

The public guidelines do not state a universal rule such as “no more than X days per year.” If you have spent substantial time abroad, organize the duration, reasons and evidence showing where your principal base of life is located.

Can I apply if my current period of stay is three years?

Until March 31, 2027, a three-year period of stay is treated as satisfying the maximum-period requirement.

The treatment changes from April 1, 2027. Transitional measures apply to certain people holding a three-year period on March 31, 2027, so the change does not mean that every person with a three-year period automatically becomes ineligible after April 2027.

What if my Long-Term Resident status expires while my PR application is pending?

You must separately apply to extend your Long-Term Resident period of stay.

Filing a Permanent Residence application does not automatically extend your current period of stay.

How much is the Permanent Residency application fee?

As of August 12, 2026, the fee payable when Permanent Residence is granted is ¥10,000.

A draft Cabinet Order proposes ¥200,000 from October 2026, but this is not final as of August 12, 2026. Check the latest Immigration Services Agency information.

Is B1-level Japanese already required for Permanent Residency?

No. As of August 12, 2026, B1-level Japanese is not an enacted general requirement for Permanent Residence.

A guideline revision proposal published on August 4, 2026 includes Japanese ability at approximately B1 level under the Japanese-language education reference framework. The proposal is still under public consultation and should not be confused with the current rules.

Will Permanent Resident status be revoked automatically for unpaid taxes from 2027?

No. Unpaid public dues do not automatically result in revocation.

Amendments scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2027 add intentional non-payment of public dues, among other matters, as possible grounds for revocation of Permanent Resident status. The Immigration Services Agency explains that unavoidable inability to pay due to circumstances such as illness or unemployment is not uniformly treated as intentional non-payment.

What is the difference between Permanent Residency and naturalization in Japan?

Permanent Residence lets you keep your current nationality while obtaining the Japanese status of residence “Permanent Resident.” Naturalization is the process of acquiring Japanese nationality.

The requirements, reviewing authority and legal consequences are different, so the appropriate option depends on your long-term plans, nationality and family circumstances.

7. Testimonials from Clients Who Obtained Permanent Residence

The path from a Long-Term Resident visa to Permanent Residence is not something that is automatically granted simply by residing in Japan for a certain period. Immigration authorities conduct a comprehensive review of factors such as the applicant’s residence history, stability of daily life, and compliance with public obligations including taxes, pension contributions, and health insurance enrollment.

Here, we introduce real cases of individuals who obtained Permanent Residence after holding a spouse visa or a Long-Term Resident visa, for whom our office has provided continuous support. Please review these cases while comparing them with your own residence pathway and circumstances, and use them as a reference when considering how to proceed with your Permanent Residence application.

	VOL.112 Mr./Ms. R (China)
	[Continuous Support Case] From Spouse Visa to Long-Term Resident, and then to Permanent Residence

	Client (from Google Reviews)
	[Continuous Support Case] Temporary Visitor Visa → Work Visa → Spouse Visa → Permanent Residence

	Client (from Google Reviews)
	[Continuous Support Case] Special Landing Permission → Spouse of Japanese National Visa → Permanent Residence

Click here to see more approved cases for obtaining Permanent Residence

8. Permanent Residency Application Support Service for Long-Term Residents

1. Service Overview

This service provides professional support for those residing in Japan under the Long-Term Resident status who wish to obtain Permanent Residency for a more stable and secure life foundation.

ACROSEED Immigration Lawyer's Office has supported many Long-Term Residents in their Permanent Residency applications, preparing strategic documentation focused on key evaluation points such as income stability, tax and social insurance compliance, and family support relationships to ensure a high approval rate and smooth screening process.

Common cases where Long-Term Residents consider applying for Permanent Residency include:

• Those who have lived in Japan for over 5 years continuously
• Those who wish to stabilize family life (spouse/children) and remove future visa uncertainty
• Those with continuous employment, stable income, and proper tax/social insurance payments
• Those who have built long-term lives in Japan through marriage, childrearing, or caregiving

While Long-Term Residents enjoy freedom of activity, the Permanent Residency screening focuses more strictly on financial stability and good conduct. Therefore, accurately preparing documentation and explanations required by immigration authorities is essential.

At ACROSEED Immigration Lawyer's Office, experienced administrative scriveners familiar with Permanent Residency screening criteria will fully support your application from start to finish.

2. Service Contents

1. Proposal and preparation of documents that maximize your approval chances
2. Application submission and endorsement procedures at Immigration Bureau
3. Simultaneous acquisition of Re-entry Permit (if requested)
4. Progress updates and handling of additional document requests during screening
5. Free reapplication in case of initial rejection

3. Advantages of Choosing ACROSEED

9. Popular Pages Related to Permanent Residency Applications

Japan Permanent Residency Application Guide

A comprehensive overview of permanent residency applications in Japan: key requirements (income, years of stay, taxes / pension compliance), typical patterns by status of residence, and how to respond to refusals.

Permanent Residency Guide from a Work Visa

An up-to-date guide for those who aim to obtain permanent residency in Japan from a work visa. Includes a self-check tool for work-visa holders on PR requirements.

Obtaining a PR Visa via Highly Skilled Professional Points

A service for those who wish to obtain a Highly Skilled Professional visa or permanent residency in Japan using the Highly Skilled Professional points system.

Permanent Residency Guide for Spouses of Japanese Nationals

For applicants moving from a spouse visa to permanent residency, this guide explains requirements, documents, and common refusal cases, with a PR self-check tool for spouse visa holders.

Permanent Residency Requirements Self-Check Tool

A 30-second self-diagnosis tool to check whether you meet Japan’s permanent residency requirements: Highly Skilled 70/80 points, work visa, spouse visa, and Long-Term Resident.

Reapplication Guide After Permanent Residency Refusal

What to do if your PR application is refused and how to prepare for reapplication.

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