Permanent Residency Denied in Japan? How to Reapply and What to Improve【2026 Edition】
Last updated: ｜ Reviewed by:Makoto Sano, Immigration Lawyer
My Japan permanent residency application was denied. Can I reapply? Yes. You can reapply. There is no uniform statutory waiting period. However, before reapplying, you should identify the issue in the previous application, improve the relevant circumstances, and prepare evidence showing what has changed.
Yes. You can reapply. A denial of Permanent Residence (永住) does not by itself prevent you from applying again in the future. The first step is to identify which requirement or circumstance may have been problematic in the previous application and determine what can be improved before reapplying.
There is no uniform statutory waiting period such as “you must wait X months after a denial.” However, reapplying with the same circumstances and the same evidence may lead to the same assessment. In practice, the key sequence is confirm the issue → improve the facts → reapply.
This page reflects the current Permanent Residence framework, including the Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence revised on October 1, 2026 and the transitional rules that determine which guidelines apply depending on the application date. It explains common reasons for denial, what to do after a denial, when to consider reapplying, and what evidence may be relevant when preparing a new application.
- Main Reasons for Permanent Residency Denial and How to Respond
- What to Do Immediately After a Denial
- When Can You Reapply for Permanent Residency?
- Examples of Approved Reapplications After Denial
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- When can I reapply?
- How can I confirm the reason for denial?
- Can I withdraw the application after denial?
- Will a previous denial affect the next application?
- What additional documents may be needed?
- Can I file an administrative appeal?
- Is there a government fee for reapplication?
- Do the October 2026 revised guidelines affect my reapplication?
- Summary: Reapplying After a Permanent Residency Denial
- ACROSEED Support
- Related Permanent Residency Pages
1. Main Reasons for Permanent Residency Denial and How to Respond
Permanent Residence applications are examined under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, the applicable Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence, and the applicant's individual circumstances. The guidelines were revised on October 1, 2026, but transitional rules determine which version and provisions apply depending on the application date. After a denial, it is therefore important to review both the issue identified in the previous application and the rules applicable when the new application is filed.
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, “Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence (revised February 24, 2026)” (official Japanese version)
Latest revision: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, “Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence revised on October 1, 2026” (official Japanese version)
1. Income and Financial Stability
For applicants using a work-related status of residence, income and employment stability may be relevant to the guideline’s independent livelihood requirement.
- JPY 3 million is not an official minimum annual-income requirement published by the Immigration Services Agency.
- ACROSEED may use an annual income around JPY 3 million as one practical reference point when reviewing some work-visa cases, but income alone does not determine approval or denial.
- Recent job changes, major income fluctuations, and the number of dependents may also be relevant when assessing whether the applicant can maintain a stable life.
Under the October 1, 2026 revised guidelines, the assessment of independent livelihood takes account of the applicant's household circumstances rather than applying a single published minimum annual-income amount to every applicant. Depending on the applicable provisions and individual circumstances, factors such as household size and income may be relevant to the assessment. If income or financial stability was an issue in the previous application, the reapplication should be reviewed under the rules applicable on the new filing date.
For a reapplication, explain how your employment and income have changed since the previous denial using documents such as employment contracts, payslips, and tax-related records.
2. Unpaid Taxes or Late Tax Payments
For public obligations such as resident tax and national taxes, it is important not only that the amount is paid by the time of application, but also that it was properly paid by the original due date.
- Unpaid or overdue resident tax or national taxes
- Payments made after the statutory due date
- Failure to declare income from side work or other sources
Depending on the reason for denial, a reapplication may require taxation/non-taxation certificates, tax payment certificates, and other official records. The timing for issuance of a new fiscal-year certificate differs by municipality.
3. Pension and Health Insurance Payment History
For public pension and public health insurance, immigration also reviews whether the obligations were properly fulfilled at the appropriate time, not merely whether the applicant is enrolled.
- Unpaid or late pension or health-insurance contributions
- Insufficient records to explain past payment history
- Lawfully approved exemptions or deferrals should not be confused with simple non-payment
Paying arrears later does not automatically erase the fact that payment was previously late. There is also no official Immigration Services Agency rule stating that “you can reapply three months after making back payments.” The timing of reapplication should be considered individually based on the denial reason and subsequent payment history.
4. Conduct and Compliance with the Law, Including Traffic Violations
Permanent Residence applications include a good-conduct requirement. If there are criminal penalties, traffic violations, or other compliance issues, the nature, timing, and frequency should be reviewed individually.
- Criminal penalties such as fines or imprisonment
- Multiple traffic violations
- Other circumstances requiring review of legal compliance
There is no published uniform rule that “six months after a minor traffic violation is enough” or that “one accident-free year guarantees approval.” The facts should be accurately organized and, where relevant, subsequent circumstances explained.
5. Residence History and Time Spent Outside Japan
If you have had long or frequent stays outside Japan, the issue should be reviewed in relation to the guideline’s requirement of continuous residence in Japan.
- Long overseas business trips
- Long periods abroad for childbirth, family care, or similar reasons
The Immigration Services Agency does not publish a uniform rule such as “60 days” or “100 days” abroad per year. See our guide to Japan Permanent Residency and days abroad for more detail.
For applications to which the October 1, 2026 revised guidelines apply in full, time spent outside Japan is assessed under more specific reference points. Looking at the 10 years before the application, an absence of six months or more on one occasion, or total absences of two years and six months or more, may generally be assessed negatively when there is no reasonable reason for the absence. These are assessment criteria under the guidelines, not automatic rules that every application exceeding those periods must be denied.
Each denial is case-specific. A reapplication should, as far as possible, identify what was problematic in the previous application and show with documents how that issue has changed or improved.
Send us your denial notice. We can help organize the issues and identify points to review before reapplication.
English and Chinese support available.
Contact us by email 03-6905-6371
Service Details & Fees (Permanent Residence Application Support)
2. What to Do Immediately After Your Permanent Residency Is Denied
After receiving a denial notice, work through ① the notice itself, ② your current period of stay, and ③ the reason for denial in that order. It is usually more important to understand what happened in the previous application than to rush into another filing.
1. Keep and Review the Denial Notice
Keep the denial notice and record the issue date, application/receipt number, and the competent immigration office. The notice alone may not provide enough detail to identify every point that should be improved for reapplication.
2. Check the Expiration Date of Your Current Period of Stay
A pending Permanent Residence application does not automatically extend your current period of stay. If your current period of stay will expire, you must separately apply for an extension by the expiration date.
3. Confirm the Reason for Denial as Far as Possible
If the denial notice does not give enough detail to identify what should be improved, contact the competent Regional Immigration Services Bureau to ask how you can obtain further information. Where appropriate, you may also consider a request for disclosure of personal information.
- Contacting the competent immigration office: The method for receiving an explanation and whether an appointment is required may differ by office, so check in advance.
- Personal-information disclosure request: You may request disclosure of personal information about you that is held by a regional immigration authority. The scope of disclosure is decided individually, and not all requested information is necessarily disclosed.
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, “Requests for Disclosure of Personal Information Held by Regional Immigration Services Bureaus” (official Japanese page)
4. After a Denial, Consider Reapplication — Not Withdrawal of the Denied Case
Once a denial decision has already been issued, you cannot withdraw that application afterward. Withdrawal is a procedure considered while an application is still pending, for example when circumstances change before a decision. After a denial, the practical next step is to review the reason, improve the relevant circumstances, and consider reapplication.
5. There Is No Administrative Appeal Procedure for the PR Permission Application
The Immigration Services Agency of Japan lists the administrative appeal procedure for a Permanent Residence permission application as “none.” In practice, after a denial, the focus is therefore on understanding the reason as far as possible, correcting issues that can be improved, and considering a new application.
3. When Can You Reapply for Permanent Residency?
After a Permanent Residence denial, there is no uniform statutory waiting period. However, if the circumstances that caused concern in the previous application have not changed, submitting the same case again may lead to the same assessment.
1. How to Decide When to Reapply
The appropriate timing depends on the reason for denial. A practical question is whether you now have objective evidence showing the relevant improvement.
- Income / employment: Has the employment or income situation improved, and can continuity be documented?
- Tax: Are the necessary certificates available, and can you explain whether obligations were fulfilled by their due dates?
- Pension / health insurance: If there were unpaid or late payments, can the subsequent payment history be documented?
- Conduct: Can you accurately explain the issue raised previously and the circumstances since then?
There is no official uniform rule such as “three months of pension payments is enough” or “wait six months after a traffic violation.” Reapplication timing should be considered case by case.
2. Important Points During the Improvement Period
Continue to fulfill taxes, pension, health insurance, and other public obligations properly and by their due dates. If you change jobs or your income changes, keep employment contracts, payslips, and relevant social-insurance records.
3. Change to the “Longest Period of Stay” Rule from April 2027
The Permanent Residence guidelines generally require applicants to hold the longest period of stay available for their current status of residence. As of September 2026, a transitional measure treats a three-year period of stay as the longest period through March 31, 2027.
That treatment changes from April 1, 2027. However, if you hold a three-year period of stay as of March 31, 2027, a transitional measure applies: for the first Permanent Residence application decided within that period of stay, you may still be treated as holding the longest period of stay.
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, “Permanent Residence Permission (Article 22 of the Immigration Control Act)” (official Japanese page)
If you reapply on or after April 1, 2027, the October 1, 2026 revised guidelines generally apply to the new application. This means that the review should not be limited to correcting the issue behind the previous denial; the applicant should also confirm that the new application satisfies the requirements and assessment factors applicable at the time of reapplication.
4. Processing Time, Fee, and How to File a Reapplication
| Standard processing period | 4–6 months |
| Applications accepted through September 30, 2026 | JPY 10,000 upon approval |
| Applications accepted on or after October 1, 2026 | JPY 200,000 upon approval, in principle |
| Where to apply | The regional immigration office with jurisdiction over your place of residence |
| Online filing | Permanent Residence permission applications are not covered by the online residence application system |
The Permanent Residence fee is an approval fee. Therefore, this approval fee is not charged if the application is denied.
Applications accepted through September 30, 2026 remain subject to the previous JPY 10,000 fee even if Permanent Residence is granted on or after October 1, 2026. Applications accepted on or after October 1, 2026 are subject to the revised JPY 200,000 fee in principle.
Fee reduction from October 1, 2026: For Permanent Residence permission, fee reduction is limited to eligible spouses or children of Japanese nationals, permanent residents, or special permanent residents. If the applicant meets the prescribed requirements for financial hardship and humanitarian consideration, the fee may be reduced to JPY 20,000. Applicants seeking the reduction must apply at an immigration office because the online residence application system does not support the fee-reduction procedure. Supporting documents depend on the applicable circumstances; see the Immigration Services Agency of Japan guidance on fee reduction and exemption.
4. Case-by-Case Review: Common Issues to Check Before Reapplying
Reasons for denial differ depending on the applicant’s status of residence and the route used for Permanent Residence. The following examples summarize common points to review before a new application.
1. Work Visa Holders
For work-based Permanent Residence applications, income and employment continuity may be relevant to the independent-livelihood requirement.
- A recent job change makes the employment and income history difficult to evaluate
- Income has fluctuated substantially
- The number of dependents makes it necessary to explain the stability of the applicant’s livelihood
A reapplication should objectively explain how employment and income have changed since the previous filing. JPY 3 million is not an official minimum income threshold published by the Immigration Services Agency.
2. Spouses of Japanese Nationals or Permanent Residents
Under the Permanent Residence guidelines, the spouse or child of a Japanese national, Permanent Resident, or Special Permanent Resident is exempt from the good-conduct requirement and the independent-livelihood requirement. Therefore, a low spouse income should not simply be treated as a failure to satisfy the independent-livelihood requirement.
Other matters, including the required period of stay, fulfillment of public obligations, and the genuine nature of the marital relationship, may still need to be reviewed.
- For the current spouse exception to the standard 10-year residence rule: the marriage must have been genuine and continuing for at least three years, and the applicant must have continuously resided in Japan for at least one year
- Taxes, pension, health insurance, and other public obligations should be properly fulfilled
- The marital relationship and actual life in Japan should be explainable with appropriate evidence
3. Families with Children
There is no published general rule stating that nursery-school or school communication itself is a standard Permanent Residence screening criterion simply because the applicant has children.
However, where relevant to the denial reason or application category, the household budget, dependents, housing, and other living circumstances may be explained as supplementary information. The necessary documents depend on the individual case.
4. Business Manager Visa Holders
Business owners and managers are reviewed under the same Permanent Residence framework. In addition to the applicant’s income, residence history, taxes, pension, and health insurance, the continuity of the business may be relevant when explaining financial stability.
- Director remuneration and personal income
- The applicant’s tax, pension, and health-insurance compliance
- Financial statements and other materials showing the continuity of the business
For a reapplication, organize what has changed since the previous denial using the latest financial, income, and payment records.
Send us your denial notice. We can help organize the issues and identify points to review before reapplication.
English and Chinese support available.
Contact us by email 03-6905-6371
Service Details & Fees (Permanent Residence Application Support)
5. Examples of Approved Reapplications After Permanent Residency Denial
The following are individual examples and do not establish a general rule that the same facts, timing, or income level will produce the same result in another case.
Case 1: Unstable Income After Job Change → Proving Employment Stability
- Visa Type: Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services
- Reason for Denial: Concerns about income stability immediately after leaving the previous job
- Countermeasure: Submitted renewed employment contract with the new company and six months of salary records
In the reapplication, we carefully proved stable salary trends and enrollment in social insurance. As a result, permanent residency was approved seven months later.
Case 2: Unpaid Pension Contributions → Back Payments and Continuous Payment Proven
- Visa Type: Spouse or Child of Japanese National
- Reason for Denial: Periods of unpaid pension contributions during student days
- Countermeasure: Completed back payments, set up automatic withdrawals, and submitted detailed pension payment records
We submitted a written explanation that organized the improvement process in chronological order. As a result, approval was granted in the reapplication about one year later.
Case 3: Unstable Household Finances After Family Reunification → Presenting Improved Household Budget
- Visa Type: Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident
- Reason for Denial: Insufficient household income
- Countermeasure: Explained the spouse’s increased income and family support structure, and submitted proof of savings
By logically demonstrating a long-term, household-based living foundation, the client obtained permanent residency through reapplication six months later.
Key Common Points: Across all cases, we focused on:
- Identify the issue raised in the previous application as far as possible
- Document the improvement objectively with income, tax, pension, or other relevant records
- Make the differences between the previous application and the new application easy to understand
Across these examples, the common approach was to identify the circumstances that had caused concern in the previous application and explain the improved situation with objective documents.
* These case studies have been partially abstracted and expressed in ranges to prevent identification of individuals. In actual support, we design document sets tailored to each client’s situation, with their consent.
Actual ACROSEED Cases: Permanent Residence Approved After Previous Denial
The following published client cases show how the issues behind a previous denial were reviewed before a new Permanent Residence application was filed. These are individual cases and do not mean that the same approach or circumstances will result in approval in another application.
The two published reapplication cases below were handled by Administrative Scrivener Masashi Miyagawa. Miyagawa registered as an administrative scrivener in 2004 and joined ACROSEED in 2007. His work includes immigration matters involving previous immigration history and complex individual circumstances.
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VOL.135 Mr./Ms. A (Bangladesh) |
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[Approved Case] Permanent Residence Approved on the Third Application After Two Denials
After two previous Permanent Residence applications were denied, the applicant reviewed the reasons for the denials and the contents of the previous applications before reapplying. Permanent Residence was granted on the third application. |
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VOL.80 Mr./Ms. Z (China) |
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[Approved Case] Permanent Residence Approved Through Reapplication After a Previous Denial
After the applicant's first Permanent Residence application was denied, the circumstances behind the denial were reviewed and the application was prepared again with revised explanations and supporting documents. Permanent Residence was granted on the second application. |
See More Visa and Permanent Residence Approval Cases After Reapplication Following Refusal
6. Q&A: Reapplication After Permanent Residency Denial
There is no uniform statutory waiting period. However, if the reason for denial has not been addressed, submitting essentially the same case again may lead to the same assessment. Consider reapplying after you can document the relevant improvement.
The denial notice may not provide enough detail to identify every point that should be improved. You can ask the competent immigration office how the reason can be confirmed and, where appropriate, consider a request for disclosure of personal information held about you.
The scope of disclosure is decided individually, and not every requested document or detail of the examination is necessarily disclosed.
No. Once a denial decision has been issued, that application cannot be withdrawn afterward. Withdrawal is a procedure considered while an application is still pending. After a denial, review the reason, improve the relevant circumstances, and then consider reapplication.
A previous denial does not automatically mean that the next application will also be denied. However, if the circumstances that caused concern previously have not improved, the same assessment may be made again.
Prepare to explain what has changed since the previous application.
The documents depend on the reason for denial. Depending on the case, examples may include:
- Income / employment: payslips, employment contracts, withholding-tax certificates, etc.
- Tax: taxation/non-taxation certificates and tax payment certificates
- Pension / health insurance: official records showing payment status
- Other: documents showing that the issue raised in the previous application has improved
A household budget sheet or bank-balance certificate is not an official mandatory document for every reapplication. Such materials may be considered as supplementary evidence depending on the individual circumstances.
The Immigration Services Agency of Japan lists the administrative appeal procedure for a Permanent Residence permission application as “none.” After a denial, the basic approach is to confirm the reason as far as possible, address points that can be improved, and consider reapplication.
Yes, but the Permanent Residence fee is payable upon approval rather than when the application is filed. Applications accepted through September 30, 2026 remain subject to the previous JPY 10,000 fee even if permission is granted on or after October 1, 2026. For applications accepted on or after October 1, 2026, the Permanent Residence permission fee is JPY 200,000 in principle.
A reduced fee of JPY 20,000 may apply in limited cases involving eligible spouses or children of Japanese nationals, permanent residents, or special permanent residents who meet the prescribed requirements for financial hardship and humanitarian consideration. If the application is denied, the Permanent Residence approval fee is not charged.
Yes, depending on when you reapply. For applications filed from April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027, the February 24, 2026 guidelines generally continue to apply, while the income-related provisions of the October 1, 2026 revised guidelines also apply. For applications filed on or after April 1, 2027, the October 1, 2026 revised guidelines generally apply in full. Therefore, a reapplication should address the issue behind the previous denial and also be reviewed under the rules applicable on the new filing date.
7. Summary: Reapplying After a Permanent Residency Denial
After a Permanent Residence denial, the most important step is not to submit the same case again without first understanding the problem.
Review the denial notice, information available from the competent immigration office, and, where appropriate, a personal-information disclosure request to organize which requirement or circumstance was problematic in the previous application.
Next, prepare objective evidence showing what has changed since the previous application in areas such as income and employment, public obligations, residence history, or conduct.
There is no uniform statutory waiting period for reapplication. However, there is usually little value in rushing to file again before the relevant improvement can be demonstrated. Reapplication timing should also take into account your current period of stay, the timing of official certificates, and the 2027 change to the “longest period of stay” rule.
ACROSEED Immigration Lawyer's Office provides case-specific support from reviewing the previous denial through organizing documents for a new application.
Send us your denial notice. We can help organize the issues and identify points to review before reapplication.
English and Chinese support available.
Contact us by email 03-6905-6371
Service Details & Fees (Permanent Residence Application Support)
8. ACROSEED Support for Permanent Residence Reapplications
ACROSEED supports Permanent Residence reapplications by reviewing the previous application and the reason for denial that can be confirmed, then organizing the explanations and supporting documents needed for a new application.
Benefits of Asking ACROSEED to Assist with Your Permanent Residence Reapplication
1. Review of the Previous Denial
We review the previous application and the reason for denial that can be confirmed to identify the issues that should be addressed before reapplying.
2. Preparing the Reapplication
Based on the issues identified, we help organize the explanations and supporting documents needed for the new Permanent Residence application.
3. Checking Your Current Status of Residence
We also check your current status of residence and period of stay and consider related procedures, such as an extension, where necessary.
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See ACROSEED's visa and status of residence application track record.
View Track RecordApproval Cases After Previous Denial
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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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Japan Permanent Residency Requirements 2026 | Eligibility & Rule Changes
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Makoto Sano, Immigration Lawyer
Administrative Scrivener (Gyoseishoshi) in Japan
Representative Partner, ACROSEED Immigration Lawyer's Office
Japan Federation of Administrative Scriveners Associations
(Registration No. 01080685)
Tokyo Administrative Scriveners Association
(Member No. 4568)
Specialist in Japan Immigration and Status of Residence
Makoto Sano joined ACROSEED in 1998, registered as an Administrative
Scrivener in 2001, and became Representative Partner in 2006.
His practice focuses on Japan immigration and status of residence
applications, as well as immigration and employment support for
companies hiring foreign nationals.
View Makoto Sano's Immigration Lawyer Profile
View ACROSEED's Visa & Immigration Track Record
Since opening our practice in 1986, we have been involved in consulting on visa applications for foreigners for nearly 40 years as an immigration lawyer.
Telephone consultation, email consultation, online consultation, and consultation at our office are available.
